Discuss the importance of sound design in game development and the tools and techniques used to create immersive audio experiences.

Sound design is vital for creating immersive and emotionally engaging game experiences. It involves creating and integrating sound effects, ambient sounds, music, and voiceovers. Tools like digital audio workstations (DAWs) and middleware such as FMOD or Wwise are used to design and implement audio. Techniques include spatial audio for 3D sound positioning, dynamic audio that responds to gameplay, and layering sounds to create rich audio landscapes that enhance the player’s immersion.