Computer audio manufacturer
Creative Labs sent us a note that
their Soundblaster page has a brand new teaser on it, which appears to be hinting at... something. Something
World of Warcraft-related, apparently:
the Lament of the Highborne song plays in the background while an image of
the Maelstrom and some circular hardware gives way to a glowing Horde symbol and the message "to be continued..."
What is it? Given that Creative makes audio equipment, it's probably something audio-related, and given that
BlizzCon is later this week, it's probably something
released in partnership with Blizzard. But other than that, the guessing is up to you. A new
WoW-branded sound card? Something music-related? It's anyone's guess. Stay tuned to WoW.com to find out more soon.
Tags: audio, audio-equipment, blizzcon, creative, creative-labs, hinting, hints, lament-of-the-highborne, maelstrom, mystery, something, soundblaster, tease, teaser
Filed under: Items, Fan stuff, Hardware
Aug 17th 2009 at 5:00PM 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
RetadinMan Aug 17th 2009 5:04PM
Headset?
Cinate Aug 17th 2009 5:04PM
thats my guess
Wulfkin Aug 17th 2009 5:08PM
Would make sense. A WoW soundcard would be well, pointless, and WoW themed speakers would be a pretty niche product. Makes sense to have something useable like the WoW-themed mouse...
So, yeah, headset.
Peter B. Aug 17th 2009 5:15PM
But these headsets have special custom designed audio processing chips to give unsurpassed clarity when fighting murlocs.
Yes, those murglglgls and raglglglglgls have never sounded so fantastically rich*.
*Please note the current audio processing technology used in this model of headset does not affect non-murloc based sounds.
Dubb Aug 17th 2009 7:01PM
I hope they helped to bring full 5.1 surround to the game.
I can dream damnit!
Magus Aug 17th 2009 5:07PM
Looks like the earpiece on a Fatal1ty headset...
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=442&product=16337
gboyd Aug 17th 2009 5:12PM
Awesome, Creative joined the Horde!
Now when we shout "For the Horde!" Everyone and their grandma should hear it!
peagle Aug 17th 2009 5:14PM
New Warcraft SFX headset, with hot switchable voice modulation so you can sound like Thrall, Jaina and Millhouse Manastorm in the same sentence.
/probably not
//bet it would sell
///brb patent office
Nagrim Aug 17th 2009 5:20PM
I'd buy it. For sure.
Drakkenfyre Aug 17th 2009 7:12PM
Actually,
http://images.americas.creative.com/images/inline/products/SB_MkII/VoiceFX.swf
Warbly Aug 17th 2009 5:23PM
Oooh, maybe they are teasing a fix to their soundblaster conflict with nvidia video cards that generates nothing but hiss as soon as you load WoW!
Rubitard Aug 17th 2009 5:33PM
INFORMAL POLL:
Is sound important to you? Many gamers I know simply turn the sound off completely or leave it up just enough to hear stealthies , or they merely listen to their own music. I tend to enjoy the spectrum of the sound design brought by the Blizz team, so I rarely mess with it despite the inherent repetitiveness. What you all y'all do?
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Aug 17th 2009 5:40PM
I don't use sound at all in WOW. Played so long without speakers I'm used to it.
Crash Aug 17th 2009 5:49PM
I usually play my own music, so in-game music is turned off. In-game sounds are fed to my headset so i can hear these pesky rogues stealthing.
Chilblain Aug 17th 2009 5:51PM
Been playing WoW for 3 years and still have the in-game sound on. I think it's some of the best music created for any game.
SunwellVialist Aug 17th 2009 5:57PM
Agreed with Chil.
I adore the ingame music, which is strange for me, since I usually deactivate it in every other game I play.
Frank Aug 17th 2009 7:33PM
in-game sounds and music FTW. i love it. i can't imagine playing without fully experiencing the environments as they were created.
cowy Aug 17th 2009 9:13PM
As much as I like the sound, I usually have it turned down so i can hear people next to me (in the same room) talking.
My hearing is crap. :/
Also, when on vent I have music and ambient off, and sound effects on low.
Stevee Vader Aug 18th 2009 3:08AM
I for 3 years play with no sound and listen to different podcasts to maximise my time and experience with other hobies I played with music when Wrath first was released but after a wek it was pretty uch the same nordic theme music so I returning to playing podcasts instead to be honest I find the sound effects annoying lol especially when you die
Rubitard Aug 18th 2009 3:35AM
So, what I'm gathering from this entirely un-scientific research is as follows:
1) "Sound" is perceived primarily as the music, and not the environmental or other audio cues.
2) Players who like the sound, specifically the music, tend to listen to it, even though in many cases those players may not normally listen to music in other games.
3) About half the players bring their own musical score to the table, preferring it to what the game brings.
4) If you're playing without sound of any kind, you're accustomed to playing without it, you're annoyed by sound in general, or sound just isn't something that does anything for you in-game or out in RL.
As the gnomes say, "Hmmm... Interesting...."