Audio is an often overlooked part of experiencing a virtual space. And, as Proteus highlights, it often incorporates more generative elements than the visuals, with the various sound cues combining in different ways as you travel through the space.

The degree with which generative methods are used can vary greatly, from simple sound cues positioned in space to complex mixes that build an aural picture of the environment. Getting deeper, the sound effects can be altered, starting with doppler shifts. And at the extreme end, sounds can be synthesized from scratch, via sine waves or white noise.

The video above, from Matthew Florianz ’s portfolio, shows some of the audio design created by the team on Elite: Dangerous. The dynamic environment ambiences combine to create a subtle, ever-changing layer of background sounds that reacts to the player’s current environment.