Exploring Game Engines and Middleware
When creating a game, a Game Engine will be used. Some of the most popular are Unity, Unreal Engine 4, and CryEngine. Unfortunately, developing games isn't a quick and easy process. Creating a game requires tonnes of specialised skills, lots of time, and it certainly isn't cheap. Many talented individuals are required, including Concept Artists, 2D Artists, 3D Artists, Game Designers, Level Designers, Composers, Game Audio Designers, and more. However, Publishers often demand short development times, for financial gain and to reach consumer expectations in line with release dates. Unfortunately, this can result in consumers feeling their much loved games are released unfinished, as we often find that Game Developers are constantly churning out patches to fix basic bugs and extra content - content that consumers feel should be included in the games purchased on release dates. A rapidly changing market also makes game development difficult. Due to this, anything that can speed up the workflow is crucial.
Overtime, Game Engines along with games themselves, have become increasingly complex. Many Game Engines incorporate many different disciplines (Game Designers, Sound Designers, art/animation, etc), and they've become highly interactive. Game development requires a vast amount of knowledge and expertise - programming, animation, game audio, game art, and more. This brings us to the topic of Middleware. Middleware is a piece of software specifically designed for audio professionals, adding more functionalities that aren't available in the original Game Engine, making the process of creating specific and interactive audio more understandable for Game Audio Designers. The vast majority of Middleware products include an API (application programming Interface), runtime components, tools, documentation, and examples to help get you started. Wwise is a Middleware product created by AudioKinetic Inc. It gives Sound Designers the ability to import audio files, apply plug-in effects, mix in Real-time, define game states, simulate environments, and manage integration. Another Middleware product is FMOD Studio, created by Firelight Technologies. This Middleware is aimed at Game Audio Designers, incorporating many features of a DAW, which Game Audio Designers are more familiar with. It has moved towards being a graphical user interface, and the software can be used with a control surface.
However, there are limitations with Middleware. Middleware isn't integrated with Game Engines, and has to be purchased and licensed separately. They can be a big investment. Most Middleware is created by other companies, therefore they have separate support and troubleshooting teams.




















