Middleware

“Middleware” refers to the software we use to implement audio when working on video games. Middleware sits between a game engine and an audio engine. Middleware controls the behavior of audio in a game and is used in conjunction with a game engine.

Examples of how middleware can work;

• The middleware connects to the game engine, and is able to change the audio depending on the parameters sent from the game audio.
• Randomization between audio files can also be applied within the middleware, making sure that you theoretically never hear the same audio twice.

There are almost limitless possibilities to how you can control audio with middleware.

Commonly used middleware software include Wwise, FMOD & Elias. Built-in audio engines within Unity and Unreal are also used to great effect.