Sony To Support Interactive Audio Open Format

The Interactive Audio Special Interest Group (IASIG) has announced the release of a public preview draft for its Interactive XMF File Format Specification (iXMF), hoping to ease cross-platform development, with Sony onboard to adopt the format in its PS3 tools. The iXMF specification is an open, non-proprietary file format for interactive audio content, created with the input of composers and designers of interactive systems and content. It combines audio and MIDI data with scripting that describes intelligent or adaptive playback behaviors. Previously, IASIG explains, audio development for interactive entertainment platforms has relied on proprietary tools and middleware, each of which requires a specialized knowledge base not transferable among the different platforms. iXMF aims to resolve this by supporting typical interactive audio system functions and representing them in a standardized way, to the exchange of data among other tools and platforms. The standardized file format, adds IASIG, also makes iXMF suitable for game audio production. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Michael Kelly pledged his company's support for the format: "We're supporting iXMF in our new audio tools so sound designers can take advantage of the incredible audio processing power of the PS3," he said. Interested parties may download the draft document with reviewers' instructions at http://www.iasig.org/pubs/ixmf_draft-v091a.pdf.