Audio has become more and more key to video games as the years have progressed, especially in competitive online games. Hearing the footsteps of a foe, and knowing which direction they are heading can be an absolute game-changer. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spun around to the noise of footsteps in Call of Duty: Warzone, to take out another player attempting to sneak up behind me. It’s a lifesaver. If you could enhance that, and even isolate where these noises are coming from, that would be all the better. That’s where the Immerse HIVE Spatial Audio Software from Embody comes in.
This add-on software works for nearly every single gaming headset, and it adapts to them. Simply install and run the program, then pick from a selection of gaming presets or customize your own. The software adds enhanced audio, and depending on the game, even extreme fine-tuning of said audio. Newer games with more advanced audio tech can really sound utterly incredible paired with HIVE. But regardless of the game itself, it does significantly enhance the audio and spatial sounds in every game I tried it with.
One of the more odd features of the software is the ability to analyze a photo of your ears that you send via your phone, and allow the software to somehow adapt its sound to your individual ear shape and depth. Not sure about all that, but I did it anyway. Seems a bit gimmicky if you ask me, but hey, what do I know?
I used the software primarily with a Razor headset and Warzone. And after swapping back and forth between standard audio and the HIVE, I gotta admit; there is a definite difference. Spatial sound is drastically improved for sure. Unfortunately, you must pay a yearly fee of $15 USD for the software, rather than a one-time fee. I’m not really a fan of that, but that’s just me.
Overall, the HIVE audio software does what it says on the box, and it does it well. It works with any headset you have, and it can enhance almost any game you play. Is it worth the yearly $15 license fee? I’m not sure about that. If you really value the audio quality of your games, maybe it is. Give the trial a go, and then make up your own mind.
