3DsoundSurge Press Release: Miles Sound System 5.0 Supports Creative's Environmental Audio

Miles Sound System 5.0 Supports Creative's Environmental Audio

Miles Sound System 5.0 Supports Creative's Environmental Audio Developer Kit Provides Tools for Adding Compelling Interactive Environments to 3D Games With EAX API

MILPITAS, Calif., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREAF - news) the world's leading provider of multimedia products for the PC, today announced that the Miles Sound System 5.0 from RAD Game Tools now includes Creative's Environmental Audio Extensions (EAX.) application user interface (API.). The Miles Sound System (MSS) is a complete developer library that handles all aspects of sound. With support for Creative's EAX, the new Miles Sound System 5.0 is now able to provide developers with the tools they need to add powerful, interactive audio environments to games.

The Miles Sound System has been used in over 1,000 games since its introduction in 1991. The Miles Sound System includes support for Microsoft's DirectSound 3D and other industry APIs. ``I'm delighted RAD has chosen to support EAX,'' said George Thorn, director of developer relations at Creative. ``The Miles Sound System continues to be a popular choice for developers, and RAD has done a great job of incorporating our EAX API into MSS 5.0.''

``EAX is exactly what game developers need - easy-to-implement, highly-immersive audio,'' said Mitch Soule, manager of RAD Game Tools. ``We are happy to make EAX available to all of our Miles customers.''

Creative's Environmental Audio technology goes beyond 3D positional audio -- sounds will appear to come from all corners of a room or space adding reverb, echo, and other effects consistent with the room acoustics, position of the player, source of the sound, and many other cues.

Environmental Audio Support From Game Developers

Top developers are currently using Creative's EAX API to produce environmental effects in their games. To date, developers such as Electronic Arts, Bungie, Dreamworks Interactive, ION Storm, GT Interactive, Fox Interactive and many others have signed up to support the Environmental Audio platform by using Creative's EAX API. For information on current and upcoming titles that support Environmental Audio, check Creative's web site, www.soundblaster.com/eaudio/eax/.

Creative's Environmental Audio Platform

Creative's new audio standard, Environmental Audio, takes a systems approach to delivering the Environmental Audio experience -- from the processor and Environmental Modeling algorithms, to the speaker systems and the API for gaming software -- Creative provides a complete experience with systems for its Environmental Audio Platform. Based on the new Sound Blaster Live! family of audio accelerators, Environmental Audio delivers a completely new way to experience games, music and entertainment on the desktop.

About Creative

Creative Technology Ltd. develops, manufactures and markets a wide array of advanced multimedia solutions for the PC, entertainment, education, music and productivity tools markets. Creative's products are marketed through the OEM, systems integrator and retail channels under a variety of trademarks, including the ``Blaster'' family name. With the new Sound Blaster® PCI standard, Creative has produced a solution that utilizes a combination of hardware and software for near-perfect compatibility with existing DOS and Windows titles. Creative's corporate headquarters and primary manufacturing are based in Singapore, with sales, distribution and research and development being carried out through an extensive, global network of subsidiaries located in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

About RAD

RAD Games Tools, Inc. develops game development technologies such as the Miles Sound System, Smacker Video Technology, and Bink Video. These technologies have appeared in over 1800 games since 1994, and shipped in 35 million games in 1998 alone. RAD Game Tools is privately held and is headquartered in Kirkland, Washington.

Sound Blaster is a registered trademark of Creative Technology Ltd. in the U.S. and other countries. All other products mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby recognized as such.

SOURCE: Creative Labs, Inc.