7.1 channels of surround audio are rarely seen in Blu-ray and HD DVD titles, much less console video games. Sierra Entertainment hopes to start a new trend by announcing at CES that Prototype, their upcoming first-person shooter being developed for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC by Radical Entertainment, will be the first title ever to feature 7.1 Neural-THX Surround.
“Neural-THX Surround” is a fancy way of describing the technology used to create the extra two channels of side surrounds required for 7.1. What’s important to note is an estimated 70 percent of new audio/video receivers being released this year will support Neural-THX Surround, including Sony, Pioneer, Yamaha, Onkyo, Integra, Denon, Marantz, Inkel and Sherwood.
Click here to pre-order Prototype for Xbox 360 at Amazon.com.
Click here to pre-order Prototype for PS3 at Amazon.com.
“Game developers and consumers alike are recognizing the importance of accurate surround sound to the overall game experience, and the move to 7.1 surround represents a natural evolution of game audio,” said Dr. Mark Tuffy, games director at THX Ltd. “We are thrilled to partner with Sierra and Radical Entertainment to introduce Neural-THX Surround for games. The Prototype storyline and use of surround sound elements makes it the perfect fit for 7.1 game-play.”
