training-academy/AUDIO_SYSTEM_CHANGES.md

Simplified Audio System Documentation

Overview

The audio system has been completely refactored to use a simple, dynamic approach with a streamlined directory structure.

Simplified Directory Structure

Current Structure:

audio/
├── background/     (Contains all background music/audio clips)
└── ambient/        (Empty for now, reserved for future ambient sounds)

Previous Complex Structure (REMOVED):

• ❌ audio/effects/
• ❌ audio/tasks/teasing/
• ❌ audio/tasks/intense/
• ❌ audio/tasks/instructions/
• ❌ audio/punishments/denial/
• ❌ audio/punishments/mocking/
• ❌ audio/rewards/completion/

How It Works

Single Background Audio Category

• Before: Multiple hardcoded categories (tasks, punishments, rewards, teasing, intense, etc.)
• After: One dynamic "background" category that uses user-managed audio files

Dynamic Audio Discovery

• Audio files are loaded from the existing customAudio storage system
• Combines all user audio (background, ambient, effects) into one pool
• No more hardcoded file paths that can break
• Automatically refreshes when users add new audio files

User Experience

1. Add Audio: Use "Manage Audio" menu to import audio files
2. Auto-Play: Audio automatically plays during tasks, rewards, and consequences
3. Single Control: All audio settings now control the same background audio
4. No Errors: No more "file not found" errors from missing hardcoded files

Technical Changes

AudioManager Simplification

• playTaskAudio() → playBackgroundAudio()
• playPunishmentAudio() → playBackgroundAudio()
• playRewardAudio() → playBackgroundAudio()
• Single audio category instead of multiple complex categories

Game Integration

• All game events (task start, completion, skip) play from the same audio pool
• Audio automatically refreshes when users add files via "Manage Audio"
• Settings UI still shows separate controls but they all control the same audio

Benefits

• ✅ No more audio file path errors
• ✅ User has full control over audio content
• ✅ Simple, reliable system
• ✅ Integrates with existing UI
• ✅ No hardcoded dependencies

For Users

To Add Background Audio:

1. Place your audio files in the audio/background/ directory
2. Open the main menu and click "Manage Audio"
3. Click "🔍 Scan Directories" to discover the files
4. Audio will automatically play during the game

Audio Controls:

• All volume sliders now control the same background audio
• Enable/disable toggles all control the same background audio
• Preview buttons all preview your background audio

Migration Notes

• Complex directory structure has been simplified to just two folders
• Existing user audio files in "Manage Audio" will automatically work
• All audio files should be placed in audio/background/ for now
• audio/ambient/ is reserved for future ambient sounds (leave empty)
• System is now completely user-controlled and dynamic