The Hidden Craft of Sound Propagation in Games

When we think about realism in video games, visuals often take center stage. Yet what truly sells immersion is how sound behaves, how it echoes, fades, and travels across the virtual world. This is where sound propagation comes in, an often-overlooked aspect that determines how audio interacts with in-game spaces.

What is Sound Propagation in Games?

Sound propagation refers to how sound waves move through an environment, bouncing off surfaces and reacting to space and distance. In real life, sound behaves differently in a cave than it does in an open field, and advanced games now simulate that difference digitally. The goal is to make players feel the environment through sound.

From Simple Stereo to 3D Audio

Early games treated sound as flat stereo effects: loud when near, soft when far. Modern engines like Unreal Engine 5 and Unity HDRP have changed that by introducing spatial audio systems. These systems calculate how walls, materials, and air density shape sound. The result is audio that doesn’t just play, but it exists within the world.

For example, in Battlefield V, gunfire echoes differently depending on your surroundings. A rifle shot indoors produces a muffled boom, while in an open field it rings out clearly. Similarly, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice uses binaural recording to make voices whisper directly in your ear, heightening tension and emotional impact.

The Role of Materials and Geometry

Game developers use acoustic modeling to determine how sound behaves when it encounters virtual objects. Hard surfaces reflect noise sharply, while soft materials absorb it. By assigning these properties to in-game materials, developers make environments sound authentic. Even subtle details, like footsteps on gravel versus concrete, add layers of realism.

Emotional Impact Through Sound Design

Good sound propagation is not just technical, it’s emotional. Players rely on sound cues to detect danger, explore space, or feel tension. Horror games like Resident Evil Village manipulate reverb and spatial echo to build suspense, while open-world games like Horizon Forbidden West use ambient layers to create a sense of vastness.

Sound directs focus, builds mood, and deepens connection. When executed well, it allows players to sense the world even when they cannot see it.

GeniusCrate and the Art of Immersive Audio

At GeniusCrate, our commitment to realism and immersion extends beyond visuals. We integrate high-fidelity 3D sound design into our environments, ensuring that every echo, footstep, and ambient sound supports the visual experience. Using Unreal Engine, Substance tools, and advanced spatial audio techniques, we help studios craft worlds that players can both see and hear with precision.