3DsoundSurge Press Release: Aureal Releases A3D 2.0 Software Development Kit

Aureal Releases A3D 2.0 Software Development Kit

Aureal Releases A3D 2.0 Software Development Kit New A3D 2.0 SDK Gives Game Developers Access to A3D Standard, Providing High-Quality 3D Positional Audio and Aureal Wavetracing.

Fremont, CA - March 9, 1999 - (AURL: OTC Bulletin Board) Aureal Semiconductor Inc., leaders in digital audio imaging, today announced the release of its A3D 2.0 SDK (Software Development Kit), available free to qualified software developers. By incorporating Aureal's award-winning A3D technology into their products, developers can leverage proven technology and a large installed base to provide their customers with an interactive, immersive experience - employing the best in 3D positional audio, enhanced by Aureal WavetracingTM technology.

Aureal's A3D 2.0, building on the breakthrough success of A3D 1.0, is the next generation positional audio standard and is designed to take full advantage of Aureal's highly acclaimed Vortex2 audio processor. A3D 2.0 is fully compatible with earlier versions and includes more 3D sources, higher sample rates, improved HRTF filters, advanced resource management features and more.

The new API, which has been available to select developers for several months, is an all-in-one interface with support for A2D (A3D emulation for non-accelerated PCs), A3D 1.0, and A3D 2.0 rendering features. A3D 2.0 also includes Aureal Wavetracing, allowing real-time acoustic reflection, reverb, and occlusion rendering. Each feature of A3D 2.0 can be supported separately as part of an existing audio engine, or as part of a complete sound engine that provides super-fast positional audio.

" The release of the A3D 2.0 SDK represents more than a decade of acoustic research and development work," said Skip McIlvaine, Aureal's Developer Relations Manager. "We believe the work we have done up front will provide software and content developers the audio features and performance they have asked for, and the support across platforms that they require, without a lot of work on their part. Some of the hottest new games including Half-Life, Heretic II and SiN have already taken advantage of A3D 2.0, and we're now ready to release this technology to the general development community."

About Aureal's A3D 2.0 SDK
The A3D 2.0 SDK is a turn-key kit, containing everything needed to build software applications that harness the full power of A3D. In addition to drivers, tools, and documentation, Aureal offers free technical support to developers and QA departments to ensure a quick development path and great results. The A3D 2.0 SDK is free to qualified developers and includes the following:

Aureal Vortex2 (AU8830) Soundcard

Complete A3D 2.0 API reference manuals

A3D tutorials, demos, and buildable source code

Aureal Wavetracing geometry viewer

Shippable, royalty-free A3D 2.0 sound engine (scalable to any sound card)

A3D drivers and logos

Vortex data sheets

Free technical support

To receive an A3D 2.0 SDK, please contact Aureal's Developer Relations Manager, Skip McIlvaine, at skip@a3d.com or visit
http://www.aureal.com/partners/pa_soft1.htm.

Aureal will be demonstrating the A3D 2.0 SDK in Booth #1328 at Miller Freeman's Game Developer's Conference, being held at the San Jose Convention center from March 16-18, 1999. The show floor is open on the 16th from 5:00pm-8:00pm, on the 17th from 12:30pm-7:00pm, and on the 18th from 12:30pm-6:00pm. Members of the press who wish to schedule a demonstration at GDC or would like to receive more information on the A3D 2.0 SDK should contact Michael Arrington, Aureal's Public Relations Manager, at marringt@aureal.com.

About Aureal Semiconductor Aureal is a leading provider of advanced audio solutions for the computer, consumer, entertainment, Internet, and professional audio markets. The company designs, builds and distributes advanced audio semiconductor and software solutions for personal computers and consumer electronics devices through the OEM, integrator/reseller/VAR and direct-to-customer channels. Aureal also licenses technology designed to define and improve advanced audio standards in the marketplace.

Leading industry partners include Compaq Computer Corporation, Dell Computer Corporation, Sony Electronics and Diamond Multimedia Systems. Aureal's award-winning product line includes A3D positional audio technology, Vortex audio processors and Vortex-based sound cards, and A3D Pro sound design software. For more information on Aureal Semiconductor or its products and industry leading audio technologies, please visit our Websites at www.aureal.com and www.a3d.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties including, but not limited to, dependence on the PC and consumer electronics industries and on product lines based on new technologies; foundry capacity, availability and reliability; competition and pricing pressures; and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.