It’s easier to improve footstep audio for PC players because console players don’t have access to sound equalization settings or the custom settings created by audio expert ArtIsWar. However, there are still a few things you can do on PlayStation 5 to level the playing field.
In Warzone, it’s essential to know what’s going on around you at all times. After first landing, players are susceptible to getting taken out unsuspected while looting if they aren’t listening for audio footsteps. And in the final circle, winning a match becomes much easier when you know where the rest of the lobby is.
Having the best loadout and position only gets you so far, and that’s especially true on Verdansk. Raven Software acknowledged that time-to-kill speeds are now faster than before, making the experience more casual and forgiving for less accurate players. With that in mind, hearing your enemy and aiming first is often the difference between winning and losing a gunfight.
PS5 Audio Focus Feature Explained
The best way to improve footstep audio in Warzone is by taking advantage of the Audio Focus feature that PlayStation added on April 24.
In a blog, Sony explained, “Audio focus increases immersion by providing presets to amplify soft sounds to meet your hearing preferences, ensuring a clearer audio experience when using headphones or headsets.”
Sony confirmed that this feature makes it easier to distinguish subtle effects such as footsteps.
- From the PlayStation home screen, navigate to the Settings cog in the top-right corner.
- Scroll down and select Sound.
- Select Volume and choose Audio Focus.
- Enable Audio Focus.
- Under Focus Type, choose Boost High Pitch to improve footstep audio.
- Select Adjustment Level and click Strong to make footsteps as loud as possible, but this can be changed to preference.
Warzone content creator Sam xFleXy_ showed the new feature in action, and you can hear enemy footsteps much more clearly and from a considerable distance away. It does come with some downsides, as other audio becomes much louder as well, but hearing enemy footsteps makes everything worthwhile.
Other Ways to Improve Footstep Audio in Warzone
Audio Focus only works with headphones, so it’s worth investing in a high-quality headset to gain a competitive edge.
Black Ops 6 also introduced an Advanced Headphone mode that takes into consideration your head and ear shape to create the best audio profile. There is a free trial for the service, but you will need to purchase a five-year subscription for $20 after the trial expires.
Some players criticized it for being ‘pay to hear,’ but in reality, it doesn’t make much of a difference. All you really need is a good headset and the Audio Focus turned on to improve footstep audio.
For more on Warzone, check out when Ranked is coming to Verdansk, plans for Warzone Casual, and how long Verdansk will stick around.
