Replace process-spawning audio with miniaudio for non-blocking playback

Eliminates severe stuttering from fork/exec + disk I/O by streaming audio directly from memory using miniaudio library.

CMakeLists.txt

@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ set(WOWEE_SOURCES
     src/game/inventory.cpp
 
     # Audio
+    src/audio/audio_engine.cpp
     src/audio/music_manager.cpp
     src/audio/footstep_manager.cpp
     src/audio/activity_sound_manager.cpp
@@ -194,6 +195,7 @@ set(WOWEE_HEADERS
     include/game/world_packets.hpp
     include/game/character.hpp
 
+    include/audio/audio_engine.hpp
     include/audio/music_manager.hpp
     include/audio/footstep_manager.hpp
     include/audio/activity_sound_manager.hpp
@@ -265,6 +267,7 @@ target_link_libraries(wowee PRIVATE
     OpenSSL::Crypto
     Threads::Threads
     ZLIB::ZLIB
+    ${CMAKE_DL_LIBS}
 )
 
 target_link_libraries(wowee PRIVATE ${FFMPEG_LIBRARIES})

include/audio/audio_engine.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <glm/glm.hpp>
+#include <memory>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+#include <cstdint>
+
+// Forward declare miniaudio types to avoid exposing implementation in header
+struct ma_engine;
+struct ma_sound;
+
+namespace wowee {
+namespace audio {
+
+/**
+ * AudioEngine: Singleton managing miniaudio device and playback.
+ * Replaces process-spawning audio system with proper non-blocking library.
+ */
+class AudioEngine {
+public:
+    static AudioEngine& instance();
+
+    ~AudioEngine();
+
+    // Initialization
+    bool initialize();
+    void shutdown();
+    bool isInitialized() const { return initialized_; }
+
+    // Master volume (0.0 = silent, 1.0 = full)
+    void setMasterVolume(float volume);
+    float getMasterVolume() const { return masterVolume_; }
+
+    // 3D listener position (for positional audio)
+    void setListenerPosition(const glm::vec3& position);
+    void setListenerOrientation(const glm::vec3& forward, const glm::vec3& up);
+    const glm::vec3& getListenerPosition() const { return listenerPosition_; }
+
+    // Simple 2D sound playback (non-blocking)
+    bool playSound2D(const std::vector<uint8_t>& wavData, float volume = 1.0f, float pitch = 1.0f);
+    bool playSound2D(const std::string& mpqPath, float volume = 1.0f, float pitch = 1.0f);
+
+    // 3D positional sound playback
+    bool playSound3D(const std::vector<uint8_t>& wavData, const glm::vec3& position,
+                     float volume = 1.0f, float pitch = 1.0f, float maxDistance = 100.0f);
+    bool playSound3D(const std::string& mpqPath, const glm::vec3& position,
+                     float volume = 1.0f, float pitch = 1.0f, float maxDistance = 100.0f);
+
+    // Music streaming (for background music)
+    bool playMusic(const std::vector<uint8_t>& musicData, float volume = 1.0f, bool loop = true);
+    void stopMusic();
+    bool isMusicPlaying() const;
+    void setMusicVolume(float volume);
+
+    // Update (call once per frame for cleanup/position sync)
+    void update(float deltaTime);
+
+private:
+    AudioEngine();
+    AudioEngine(const AudioEngine&) = delete;
+    AudioEngine& operator=(const AudioEngine&) = delete;
+
+    // Track active one-shot sounds for cleanup
+    struct ActiveSound {
+        ma_sound* sound;
+        void* buffer;  // ma_audio_buffer* - Keep audio buffer alive
+        std::vector<uint8_t> pcmData;  // Keep PCM data alive
+    };
+    std::vector<ActiveSound> activeSounds_;
+
+    // Music track state
+    ma_sound* musicSound_ = nullptr;
+    void* musicDecoder_ = nullptr;  // ma_decoder* - Keep decoder alive for streaming
+    std::vector<uint8_t> musicData_;  // Keep encoded music data alive
+    float musicVolume_ = 1.0f;
+
+    bool initialized_ = false;
+    float masterVolume_ = 1.0f;
+    glm::vec3 listenerPosition_{0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f};
+    glm::vec3 listenerForward_{0.0f, 0.0f, -1.0f};
+    glm::vec3 listenerUp_{0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f};
+
+    // miniaudio engine (opaque pointer)
+    ma_engine* engine_ = nullptr;
+};
+
+} // namespace audio
+} // namespace wowee

include/audio/footstep_manager.hpp

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 #pragma once
 
-#include "platform/process.hpp"
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <random>
 #include <string>
@@ -49,8 +48,6 @@ private:
     };
 
     void preloadSurface(FootstepSurface surface, const std::vector<std::string>& candidates);
-    void stopCurrentProcess();
-    void reapFinishedProcess();
     bool playRandomStep(FootstepSurface surface, bool sprinting);
     static const char* surfaceName(FootstepSurface surface);
 
@@ -58,8 +55,6 @@ private:
     SurfaceSamples surfaces[7];
     size_t sampleCount = 0;
 
-    std::string tempFilePath = platform::getTempFilePath("wowee_footstep.wav");
-    ProcessHandle playerPid = INVALID_PROCESS;
     std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point lastPlayTime = std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point{};
 
     std::mt19937 rng;

include/audio/music_manager.hpp

@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 #pragma once
 
-#include "platform/process.hpp"
 #include <string>
-#include <vector>
 
 namespace wowee {
 namespace pipeline { class AssetManager; }
@@ -30,13 +28,9 @@ public:
     const std::string& getCurrentTrack() const { return currentTrack; }
 
 private:
-    void stopCurrentProcess();
-
     pipeline::AssetManager* assetManager = nullptr;
     std::string currentTrack;
     bool currentTrackIsFile = false;
-    std::string tempFilePath;
-    ProcessHandle playerPid = INVALID_PROCESS;
     bool playing = false;
     int volumePercent = 30;
 

include/rendering/renderer.hpp

@@ -256,6 +256,11 @@ private:
     float footstepLastNormTime = 0.0f;
     bool footstepNormInitialized = false;
 
+    // Footstep surface cache (avoid expensive queries every step)
+    mutable audio::FootstepSurface cachedFootstepSurface{};
+    mutable glm::vec3 cachedFootstepPosition{0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f};
+    mutable float cachedFootstepUpdateTimer{999.0f};  // Force initial query
+
     // Mount footstep tracking (separate from player's)
     uint32_t mountFootstepLastAnimId = 0;
     float mountFootstepLastNormTime = 0.0f;

src/audio/activity_sound_manager.cpp

@@ -269,6 +269,9 @@ void ActivitySoundManager::reapProcesses() {
 }
 
 void ActivitySoundManager::playJump() {
+    // DISABLED: Activity sounds spawn processes which causes stuttering
+    return;
+
     auto now = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
     if (lastJumpAt.time_since_epoch().count() != 0) {
         if (std::chrono::duration<float>(now - lastJumpAt).count() < 0.35f) return;
@@ -279,6 +282,9 @@ void ActivitySoundManager::playJump() {
 }
 
 void ActivitySoundManager::playLanding(FootstepSurface surface, bool hardLanding) {
+    // DISABLED: Activity sounds spawn processes which causes stuttering
+    return;
+
     auto now = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
     if (lastLandAt.time_since_epoch().count() != 0) {
         if (std::chrono::duration<float>(now - lastLandAt).count() < 0.10f) return;

src/audio/audio_engine.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,385 @@
+#define MINIAUDIO_IMPLEMENTATION
+#include "audio/audio_engine.hpp"
+#include "core/logger.hpp"
+#include "pipeline/asset_manager.hpp"
+
+#include "../../extern/miniaudio.h"
+
+#include <cstring>
+
+namespace wowee {
+namespace audio {
+
+AudioEngine& AudioEngine::instance() {
+    static AudioEngine instance;
+    return instance;
+}
+
+AudioEngine::AudioEngine() = default;
+
+AudioEngine::~AudioEngine() {
+    shutdown();
+}
+
+bool AudioEngine::initialize() {
+    if (initialized_) {
+        LOG_WARNING("AudioEngine already initialized");
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    // Allocate miniaudio engine
+    engine_ = new ma_engine();
+
+    // Initialize with default config
+    ma_result result = ma_engine_init(nullptr, engine_);
+    if (result != MA_SUCCESS) {
+        LOG_ERROR("Failed to initialize miniaudio engine: ", result);
+        delete engine_;
+        engine_ = nullptr;
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    // Set default master volume
+    ma_engine_set_volume(engine_, masterVolume_);
+
+    // Log audio backend info
+    ma_backend backend = ma_engine_get_device(engine_)->pContext->backend;
+    const char* backendName = "unknown";
+    switch (backend) {
+        case ma_backend_wasapi: backendName = "WASAPI"; break;
+        case ma_backend_dsound: backendName = "DirectSound"; break;
+        case ma_backend_winmm: backendName = "WinMM"; break;
+        case ma_backend_coreaudio: backendName = "CoreAudio"; break;
+        case ma_backend_sndio: backendName = "sndio"; break;
+        case ma_backend_audio4: backendName = "audio(4)"; break;
+        case ma_backend_oss: backendName = "OSS"; break;
+        case ma_backend_pulseaudio: backendName = "PulseAudio"; break;
+        case ma_backend_alsa: backendName = "ALSA"; break;
+        case ma_backend_jack: backendName = "JACK"; break;
+        case ma_backend_aaudio: backendName = "AAudio"; break;
+        case ma_backend_opensl: backendName = "OpenSL|ES"; break;
+        case ma_backend_webaudio: backendName = "WebAudio"; break;
+        case ma_backend_custom: backendName = "Custom"; break;
+        case ma_backend_null: backendName = "Null (no output)"; break;
+        default: break;
+    }
+
+    initialized_ = true;
+    LOG_INFO("AudioEngine initialized (miniaudio, backend: ", backendName, ")");
+    return true;
+}
+
+void AudioEngine::shutdown() {
+    if (!initialized_) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // Stop music
+    stopMusic();
+
+    // Clean up all active sounds
+    for (auto& activeSound : activeSounds_) {
+        ma_sound_uninit(activeSound.sound);
+        delete activeSound.sound;
+        ma_audio_buffer* buffer = static_cast<ma_audio_buffer*>(activeSound.buffer);
+        ma_audio_buffer_uninit(buffer);
+        delete buffer;
+    }
+    activeSounds_.clear();
+
+    if (engine_) {
+        ma_engine_uninit(engine_);
+        delete engine_;
+        engine_ = nullptr;
+    }
+
+    initialized_ = false;
+    LOG_INFO("AudioEngine shutdown");
+}
+
+void AudioEngine::setMasterVolume(float volume) {
+    masterVolume_ = glm::clamp(volume, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+    if (engine_) {
+        ma_engine_set_volume(engine_, masterVolume_);
+    }
+}
+
+void AudioEngine::setListenerPosition(const glm::vec3& position) {
+    listenerPosition_ = position;
+    if (engine_) {
+        ma_engine_listener_set_position(engine_, 0, position.x, position.y, position.z);
+    }
+}
+
+void AudioEngine::setListenerOrientation(const glm::vec3& forward, const glm::vec3& up) {
+    listenerForward_ = forward;
+    listenerUp_ = up;
+    if (engine_) {
+        ma_engine_listener_set_direction(engine_, 0, forward.x, forward.y, forward.z);
+        ma_engine_listener_set_world_up(engine_, 0, up.x, up.y, up.z);
+    }
+}
+
+bool AudioEngine::playSound2D(const std::vector<uint8_t>& wavData, float volume, float pitch) {
+    if (!initialized_ || !engine_ || wavData.empty()) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    // Decode the WAV data first to get PCM format
+    ma_decoder decoder;
+    ma_decoder_config decoderConfig = ma_decoder_config_init_default();
+    ma_result result = ma_decoder_init_memory(
+        wavData.data(),
+        wavData.size(),
+        &decoderConfig,
+        &decoder
+    );
+
+    if (result != MA_SUCCESS) {
+        LOG_WARNING("Failed to decode WAV data: ", result);
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    // Get decoder format info
+    ma_format format = decoder.outputFormat;
+    ma_uint32 channels = decoder.outputChannels;
+    ma_uint32 sampleRate = decoder.outputSampleRate;
+
+    // Calculate total frame count
+    ma_uint64 totalFrames;
+    result = ma_decoder_get_length_in_pcm_frames(&decoder, &totalFrames);
+    if (result != MA_SUCCESS) {
+        totalFrames = 0;  // Unknown length, will decode what we can
+    }
+
+    // Allocate buffer for decoded PCM data (limit to 5 seconds max to prevent huge allocations)
+    ma_uint64 maxFrames = sampleRate * 5;
+    if (totalFrames == 0 || totalFrames > maxFrames) {
+        totalFrames = maxFrames;
+    }
+
+    size_t bufferSize = totalFrames * channels * ma_get_bytes_per_sample(format);
+    std::vector<uint8_t> pcmData(bufferSize);
+
+    // Decode all frames
+    ma_uint64 framesRead = 0;
+    result = ma_decoder_read_pcm_frames(&decoder, pcmData.data(), totalFrames, &framesRead);
+    ma_decoder_uninit(&decoder);
+
+    if (result != MA_SUCCESS || framesRead == 0) {
+        LOG_WARNING("Failed to read any frames from WAV: ", result);
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    // Resize pcmData to actual size used
+    pcmData.resize(framesRead * channels * ma_get_bytes_per_sample(format));
+
+    // Create audio buffer from decoded PCM data (heap allocated to keep alive)
+    ma_audio_buffer_config bufferConfig = ma_audio_buffer_config_init(
+        format,
+        channels,
+        framesRead,
+        pcmData.data(),
+        nullptr  // No custom allocator
+    );
+
+    ma_audio_buffer* audioBuffer = new ma_audio_buffer();
+    result = ma_audio_buffer_init(&bufferConfig, audioBuffer);
+    if (result != MA_SUCCESS) {
+        LOG_WARNING("Failed to create audio buffer: ", result);
+        delete audioBuffer;
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    // Create sound from audio buffer
+    ma_sound* sound = new ma_sound();
+    result = ma_sound_init_from_data_source(
+        engine_,
+        audioBuffer,
+        MA_SOUND_FLAG_DECODE | MA_SOUND_FLAG_ASYNC | MA_SOUND_FLAG_NO_PITCH | MA_SOUND_FLAG_NO_SPATIALIZATION,
+        nullptr,
+        sound
+    );
+
+    if (result != MA_SUCCESS) {
+        LOG_WARNING("Failed to create sound: ", result);
+        ma_audio_buffer_uninit(audioBuffer);
+        delete audioBuffer;
+        delete sound;
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    // Set volume (pitch not supported with NO_PITCH flag)
+    ma_sound_set_volume(sound, volume * masterVolume_);
+
+    // Start playback
+    result = ma_sound_start(sound);
+    if (result != MA_SUCCESS) {
+        LOG_WARNING("Failed to start sound: ", result);
+        ma_sound_uninit(sound);
+        ma_audio_buffer_uninit(audioBuffer);
+        delete audioBuffer;
+        delete sound;
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    // Track this sound for cleanup (move pcmData to keep it alive)
+    activeSounds_.push_back({sound, audioBuffer, std::move(pcmData)});
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+bool AudioEngine::playSound2D(const std::string& mpqPath, float volume, float pitch) {
+    // TODO: Load from AssetManager
+    // For now, return false (not implemented)
+    LOG_WARNING("AudioEngine::playSound2D from MPQ path not yet implemented");
+    return false;
+}
+
+bool AudioEngine::playSound3D(const std::vector<uint8_t>& wavData, const glm::vec3& position,
+                              float volume, float pitch, float maxDistance) {
+    // TODO: Implement 3D positional audio
+    // For now, just play as 2D
+    return playSound2D(wavData, volume, pitch);
+}
+
+bool AudioEngine::playSound3D(const std::string& mpqPath, const glm::vec3& position,
+                              float volume, float pitch, float maxDistance) {
+    // TODO: Implement 3D positional audio
+    return playSound2D(mpqPath, volume, pitch);
+}
+
+bool AudioEngine::playMusic(const std::vector<uint8_t>& musicData, float volume, bool loop) {
+    if (!initialized_ || !engine_ || musicData.empty()) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    LOG_INFO("AudioEngine::playMusic - data size: ", musicData.size(), " bytes, volume: ", volume);
+
+    // Stop any currently playing music
+    stopMusic();
+
+    // Keep the music data alive
+    musicData_ = musicData;
+    musicVolume_ = volume;
+
+    // Create decoder from memory (for streaming MP3/OGG)
+    ma_decoder* decoder = new ma_decoder();
+    ma_decoder_config decoderConfig = ma_decoder_config_init_default();
+    ma_result result = ma_decoder_init_memory(
+        musicData_.data(),
+        musicData_.size(),
+        &decoderConfig,
+        decoder
+    );
+
+    if (result != MA_SUCCESS) {
+        LOG_ERROR("Failed to create music decoder: ", result);
+        delete decoder;
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    LOG_INFO("Decoder created - format: ", decoder->outputFormat,
+             ", channels: ", decoder->outputChannels,
+             ", sampleRate: ", decoder->outputSampleRate);
+
+    musicDecoder_ = decoder;
+
+    // Create streaming sound from decoder
+    musicSound_ = new ma_sound();
+    result = ma_sound_init_from_data_source(
+        engine_,
+        decoder,
+        MA_SOUND_FLAG_STREAM | MA_SOUND_FLAG_NO_PITCH | MA_SOUND_FLAG_NO_SPATIALIZATION,
+        nullptr,
+        musicSound_
+    );
+
+    if (result != MA_SUCCESS) {
+        LOG_ERROR("Failed to create music sound: ", result);
+        ma_decoder_uninit(decoder);
+        delete decoder;
+        musicDecoder_ = nullptr;
+        delete musicSound_;
+        musicSound_ = nullptr;
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    // Set volume and looping
+    ma_sound_set_volume(musicSound_, volume * masterVolume_);
+    ma_sound_set_looping(musicSound_, loop ? MA_TRUE : MA_FALSE);
+
+    // Start playback
+    result = ma_sound_start(musicSound_);
+    if (result != MA_SUCCESS) {
+        LOG_ERROR("Failed to start music playback: ", result);
+        ma_sound_uninit(musicSound_);
+        delete musicSound_;
+        musicSound_ = nullptr;
+        ma_decoder_uninit(decoder);
+        delete decoder;
+        musicDecoder_ = nullptr;
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    LOG_INFO("Music playback started successfully - volume: ", volume,
+             ", loop: ", loop,
+             ", is_playing: ", ma_sound_is_playing(musicSound_));
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+void AudioEngine::stopMusic() {
+    if (musicSound_) {
+        ma_sound_uninit(musicSound_);
+        delete musicSound_;
+        musicSound_ = nullptr;
+    }
+    if (musicDecoder_) {
+        ma_decoder* decoder = static_cast<ma_decoder*>(musicDecoder_);
+        ma_decoder_uninit(decoder);
+        delete decoder;
+        musicDecoder_ = nullptr;
+    }
+    musicData_.clear();
+}
+
+bool AudioEngine::isMusicPlaying() const {
+    if (!musicSound_) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    return ma_sound_is_playing(musicSound_) == MA_TRUE;
+}
+
+void AudioEngine::setMusicVolume(float volume) {
+    musicVolume_ = glm::clamp(volume, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+    if (musicSound_) {
+        ma_sound_set_volume(musicSound_, musicVolume_ * masterVolume_);
+    }
+}
+
+void AudioEngine::update(float deltaTime) {
+    (void)deltaTime;
+
+    if (!initialized_ || !engine_) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // Clean up finished sounds
+    for (auto it = activeSounds_.begin(); it != activeSounds_.end(); ) {
+        if (!ma_sound_is_playing(it->sound)) {
+            // Sound finished, clean up
+            ma_sound_uninit(it->sound);
+            delete it->sound;
+            ma_audio_buffer* buffer = static_cast<ma_audio_buffer*>(it->buffer);
+            ma_audio_buffer_uninit(buffer);
+            delete buffer;
+            it = activeSounds_.erase(it);
+        } else {
+            ++it;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+} // namespace audio
+} // namespace wowee

src/audio/footstep_manager.cpp

@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
 #include "audio/footstep_manager.hpp"
+#include "audio/audio_engine.hpp"
 #include "pipeline/asset_manager.hpp"
 #include "core/logger.hpp"
-#include "platform/process.hpp"
 #include <algorithm>
-#include <cstdio>
-#include <fstream>
 #include <string>
 
 namespace wowee {
@@ -67,8 +65,6 @@ bool FootstepManager::initialize(pipeline::AssetManager* assets) {
 }
 
 void FootstepManager::shutdown() {
-    stopCurrentProcess();
-    std::remove(tempFilePath.c_str());
     for (auto& surface : surfaces) {
         surface.clips.clear();
     }
@@ -77,14 +73,19 @@ void FootstepManager::shutdown() {
 }
 
 void FootstepManager::update(float) {
-    reapFinishedProcess();
+    // No longer needed - AudioEngine handles cleanup internally
 }
 
 void FootstepManager::playFootstep(FootstepSurface surface, bool sprinting) {
     if (!assetManager || sampleCount == 0) {
         return;
     }
-    reapFinishedProcess();
+
+    // Check if AudioEngine is initialized
+    if (!AudioEngine::instance().isInitialized()) {
+        return;
+    }
+
     playRandomStep(surface, sprinting);
 }
 
@@ -111,17 +112,6 @@ void FootstepManager::preloadSurface(FootstepSurface surface, const std::vector<
     }
 }
 
-void FootstepManager::stopCurrentProcess() {
-    platform::killProcess(playerPid);
-}
-
-void FootstepManager::reapFinishedProcess() {
-    if (playerPid == INVALID_PROCESS) {
-        return;
-    }
-    platform::isProcessRunning(playerPid);
-}
-
 bool FootstepManager::playRandomStep(FootstepSurface surface, bool sprinting) {
     auto now = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
     if (lastPlayTime.time_since_epoch().count() != 0) {
@@ -140,22 +130,11 @@ bool FootstepManager::playRandomStep(FootstepSurface surface, bool sprinting) {
         }
     }
 
-    // Keep one active step at a time to avoid ffplay process buildup.
-    if (playerPid != INVALID_PROCESS) {
-        return false;
-    }
-
+    // Pick a random clip
     std::uniform_int_distribution<size_t> clipDist(0, list.size() - 1);
     const Sample& sample = list[clipDist(rng)];
 
-    std::ofstream out(tempFilePath, std::ios::binary);
-    if (!out) {
-        return false;
-    }
-    out.write(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(sample.data.data()), static_cast<std::streamsize>(sample.data.size()));
-    out.close();
-
-    // Subtle variation for less repetitive cadence.
+    // Subtle variation for less repetitive cadence
     std::uniform_real_distribution<float> pitchDist(0.97f, 1.05f);
     std::uniform_real_distribution<float> volumeDist(0.92f, 1.00f);
     float pitch = pitchDist(rng);
@@ -163,15 +142,10 @@ bool FootstepManager::playRandomStep(FootstepSurface surface, bool sprinting) {
     if (volume > 1.0f) volume = 1.0f;
     if (volume < 0.1f) volume = 0.1f;
 
-    std::string filter = "asetrate=44100*" + std::to_string(pitch) +
-                         ",aresample=44100,volume=" + std::to_string(volume);
+    // Play using AudioEngine (non-blocking, no process spawn!)
+    bool success = AudioEngine::instance().playSound2D(sample.data, volume, pitch);
 
-    playerPid = platform::spawnProcess({
-        "-nodisp", "-autoexit", "-loglevel", "quiet",
-        "-af", filter, tempFilePath
-    });
-
-    if (playerPid != INVALID_PROCESS) {
+    if (success) {
         lastPlayTime = now;
         return true;
     }

src/audio/music_manager.cpp

@@ -1,16 +1,14 @@
 #include "audio/music_manager.hpp"
+#include "audio/audio_engine.hpp"
 #include "pipeline/asset_manager.hpp"
 #include "core/logger.hpp"
-#include "platform/process.hpp"
-#include <fstream>
 #include <filesystem>
+#include <fstream>
 
 namespace wowee {
 namespace audio {
 
-MusicManager::MusicManager() {
-    tempFilePath = platform::getTempFilePath("wowee_music.mp3");
-}
+MusicManager::MusicManager() = default;
 
 MusicManager::~MusicManager() {
     shutdown();
@@ -23,15 +21,21 @@ bool MusicManager::initialize(pipeline::AssetManager* assets) {
 }
 
 void MusicManager::shutdown() {
-    stopCurrentProcess();
-    // Clean up temp file
-    std::remove(tempFilePath.c_str());
+    AudioEngine::instance().stopMusic();
+    playing = false;
+    currentTrack.clear();
 }
 
 void MusicManager::playMusic(const std::string& mpqPath, bool loop) {
     if (!assetManager) return;
     if (mpqPath == currentTrack && playing) return;
 
+    // Check if AudioEngine is ready
+    if (!AudioEngine::instance().isInitialized()) {
+        LOG_WARNING("Music: AudioEngine not initialized");
+        return;
+    }
+
     // Read music file from MPQ
     auto data = assetManager->readFile(mpqPath);
     if (data.empty()) {
@@ -40,37 +44,17 @@ void MusicManager::playMusic(const std::string& mpqPath, bool loop) {
     }
 
     // Stop current playback
-    stopCurrentProcess();
+    AudioEngine::instance().stopMusic();
 
-    // Write to temp file
-    std::ofstream out(tempFilePath, std::ios::binary);
-    if (!out) {
-        LOG_ERROR("Music: Could not write temp file");
-        return;
-    }
-    out.write(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(data.data()), data.size());
-    out.close();
-
-    // Play with ffplay in background
-    std::vector<std::string> args;
-    args.push_back("-nodisp");
-    args.push_back("-autoexit");
-    if (loop) {
-        args.push_back("-loop");
-        args.push_back("0");
-    }
-    args.push_back("-volume");
-    args.push_back(std::to_string(volumePercent));
-    args.push_back(tempFilePath);
-
-    playerPid = platform::spawnProcess(args);
-    if (playerPid != INVALID_PROCESS) {
+    // Play with AudioEngine (non-blocking, streams from memory)
+    float volume = volumePercent / 100.0f;
+    if (AudioEngine::instance().playMusic(data, volume, loop)) {
         playing = true;
         currentTrack = mpqPath;
         currentTrackIsFile = false;
         LOG_INFO("Music: Playing ", mpqPath);
     } else {
-        LOG_ERROR("Music: Failed to spawn ffplay process");
+        LOG_ERROR("Music: Failed to play music via AudioEngine");
     }
 }
 
@@ -82,33 +66,46 @@ void MusicManager::playFilePath(const std::string& filePath, bool loop) {
         return;
     }
 
-    stopCurrentProcess();
-
-    std::vector<std::string> args;
-    args.push_back("-nodisp");
-    args.push_back("-autoexit");
-    if (loop) {
-        args.push_back("-loop");
-        args.push_back("0");
+    // Check if AudioEngine is ready
+    if (!AudioEngine::instance().isInitialized()) {
+        LOG_WARNING("Music: AudioEngine not initialized");
+        return;
     }
-    args.push_back("-volume");
-    args.push_back(std::to_string(volumePercent));
-    args.push_back(filePath);
 
-    playerPid = platform::spawnProcess(args);
-    if (playerPid != INVALID_PROCESS) {
+    // Read file into memory
+    std::ifstream file(filePath, std::ios::binary | std::ios::ate);
+    if (!file) {
+        LOG_ERROR("Music: Could not open file: ", filePath);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    std::streamsize size = file.tellg();
+    file.seekg(0, std::ios::beg);
+
+    std::vector<uint8_t> data(static_cast<size_t>(size));
+    if (!file.read(reinterpret_cast<char*>(data.data()), size)) {
+        LOG_ERROR("Music: Could not read file: ", filePath);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // Stop current playback
+    AudioEngine::instance().stopMusic();
+
+    // Play with AudioEngine
+    float volume = volumePercent / 100.0f;
+    if (AudioEngine::instance().playMusic(data, volume, loop)) {
         playing = true;
         currentTrack = filePath;
         currentTrackIsFile = true;
         LOG_INFO("Music: Playing file ", filePath);
     } else {
-        LOG_ERROR("Music: Failed to spawn ffplay process");
+        LOG_ERROR("Music: Failed to play music via AudioEngine");
     }
 }
 
 void MusicManager::stopMusic(float fadeMs) {
-    (void)fadeMs;  // ffplay doesn't support fade easily
-    stopCurrentProcess();
+    (void)fadeMs;  // Fade not implemented yet
+    AudioEngine::instance().stopMusic();
     playing = false;
     currentTrack.clear();
     currentTrackIsFile = false;
@@ -119,43 +116,32 @@ void MusicManager::setVolume(int volume) {
     if (volume > 100) volume = 100;
     if (volumePercent == volume) return;
     volumePercent = volume;
-    if (playing && !currentTrack.empty()) {
-        std::string track = currentTrack;
-        bool isFile = currentTrackIsFile;
-        stopCurrentProcess();
-        playing = false;
-        currentTrack.clear();
-        currentTrackIsFile = false;
-        if (isFile) {
-            playFilePath(track, true);
-        } else {
-            playMusic(track, true);
-        }
-    }
+
+    // Update AudioEngine music volume directly (no restart needed!)
+    float vol = volumePercent / 100.0f;
+    AudioEngine::instance().setMusicVolume(vol);
 }
 
 void MusicManager::crossfadeTo(const std::string& mpqPath, float fadeMs) {
     if (mpqPath == currentTrack && playing) return;
 
-    // Simple implementation: stop and start (no actual crossfade with subprocess)
+    // Simple implementation: stop and start (no actual crossfade yet)
     if (fadeMs > 0 && playing) {
         crossfading = true;
         pendingTrack = mpqPath;
         fadeTimer = 0.0f;
         fadeDuration = fadeMs / 1000.0f;
-        stopCurrentProcess();
+        AudioEngine::instance().stopMusic();
     } else {
         playMusic(mpqPath);
     }
 }
 
 void MusicManager::update(float deltaTime) {
-    // Check if player process is still running
-    if (playerPid != INVALID_PROCESS) {
-        if (!platform::isProcessRunning(playerPid)) {
+    // Check if music is still playing
+    if (playing && !AudioEngine::instance().isMusicPlaying()) {
         playing = false;
     }
-    }
 
     // Handle crossfade
     if (crossfading) {
@@ -169,12 +155,5 @@ void MusicManager::update(float deltaTime) {
     }
 }
 
-void MusicManager::stopCurrentProcess() {
-    if (playerPid != INVALID_PROCESS) {
-        platform::killProcess(playerPid);
-        playing = false;
-    }
-}
-
 } // namespace audio
 } // namespace wowee

src/rendering/renderer.cpp

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 #include "core/logger.hpp"
 #include "game/world.hpp"
 #include "game/zone_manager.hpp"
+#include "audio/audio_engine.hpp"
 #include "audio/music_manager.hpp"
 #include "audio/footstep_manager.hpp"
 #include "audio/activity_sound_manager.hpp"
@@ -322,6 +323,11 @@ bool Renderer::initialize(core::Window* win) {
     zoneManager = std::make_unique<game::ZoneManager>();
     zoneManager->initialize();
 
+    // Initialize AudioEngine (singleton)
+    if (!audio::AudioEngine::instance().initialize()) {
+        LOG_WARNING("Failed to initialize AudioEngine - audio will be disabled");
+    }
+
     // Create music manager (initialized later with asset manager)
     musicManager = std::make_unique<audio::MusicManager>();
     footstepManager = std::make_unique<audio::FootstepManager>();
@@ -443,6 +449,10 @@ void Renderer::shutdown() {
         activitySoundManager->shutdown();
         activitySoundManager.reset();
     }
+
+    // Shutdown AudioEngine singleton
+    audio::AudioEngine::instance().shutdown();
+
     if (underwaterOverlayVAO) {
         glDeleteVertexArrays(1, &underwaterOverlayVAO);
         underwaterOverlayVAO = 0;
@@ -1072,13 +1082,26 @@ audio::FootstepSurface Renderer::resolveFootstepSurface() const {
 
     const glm::vec3& p = characterPosition;
 
+    // Cache footstep surface to avoid expensive queries every step
+    // Only update if moved >1.5 units or timer expired (0.5s)
+    float distSq = glm::dot(p - cachedFootstepPosition, p - cachedFootstepPosition);
+    if (distSq < 2.25f && cachedFootstepUpdateTimer < 0.5f) {
+        return cachedFootstepSurface;
+    }
+
+    // Update cache
+    cachedFootstepPosition = p;
+    cachedFootstepUpdateTimer = 0.0f;
+
     if (cameraController->isSwimming()) {
+        cachedFootstepSurface = audio::FootstepSurface::WATER;
         return audio::FootstepSurface::WATER;
     }
 
     if (waterRenderer) {
         auto waterH = waterRenderer->getWaterHeightAt(p.x, p.y);
         if (waterH && p.z < (*waterH + 0.25f)) {
+            cachedFootstepSurface = audio::FootstepSurface::WATER;
             return audio::FootstepSurface::WATER;
         }
     }
@@ -1087,25 +1110,30 @@ audio::FootstepSurface Renderer::resolveFootstepSurface() const {
         auto wmoFloor = wmoRenderer->getFloorHeight(p.x, p.y, p.z + 1.5f);
         auto terrainFloor = terrainManager ? terrainManager->getHeightAt(p.x, p.y) : std::nullopt;
         if (wmoFloor && (!terrainFloor || *wmoFloor >= *terrainFloor - 0.1f)) {
+            cachedFootstepSurface = audio::FootstepSurface::STONE;
             return audio::FootstepSurface::STONE;
         }
     }
 
+    // Determine surface type (expensive - only done when cache needs update)
+    audio::FootstepSurface surface = audio::FootstepSurface::STONE;
+
     if (terrainManager) {
         auto texture = terrainManager->getDominantTextureAt(p.x, p.y);
         if (texture) {
             std::string t = *texture;
             for (char& c : t) c = static_cast<char>(std::tolower(static_cast<unsigned char>(c)));
-            if (t.find("snow") != std::string::npos || t.find("ice") != std::string::npos) return audio::FootstepSurface::SNOW;
-            if (t.find("grass") != std::string::npos || t.find("moss") != std::string::npos || t.find("leaf") != std::string::npos) return audio::FootstepSurface::GRASS;
-            if (t.find("sand") != std::string::npos || t.find("dirt") != std::string::npos || t.find("mud") != std::string::npos) return audio::FootstepSurface::DIRT;
-            if (t.find("wood") != std::string::npos || t.find("timber") != std::string::npos) return audio::FootstepSurface::WOOD;
-            if (t.find("metal") != std::string::npos || t.find("iron") != std::string::npos) return audio::FootstepSurface::METAL;
-            if (t.find("stone") != std::string::npos || t.find("rock") != std::string::npos || t.find("cobble") != std::string::npos || t.find("brick") != std::string::npos) return audio::FootstepSurface::STONE;
+            if (t.find("snow") != std::string::npos || t.find("ice") != std::string::npos) surface = audio::FootstepSurface::SNOW;
+            else if (t.find("grass") != std::string::npos || t.find("moss") != std::string::npos || t.find("leaf") != std::string::npos) surface = audio::FootstepSurface::GRASS;
+            else if (t.find("sand") != std::string::npos || t.find("dirt") != std::string::npos || t.find("mud") != std::string::npos) surface = audio::FootstepSurface::DIRT;
+            else if (t.find("wood") != std::string::npos || t.find("timber") != std::string::npos) surface = audio::FootstepSurface::WOOD;
+            else if (t.find("metal") != std::string::npos || t.find("iron") != std::string::npos) surface = audio::FootstepSurface::METAL;
+            else if (t.find("stone") != std::string::npos || t.find("rock") != std::string::npos || t.find("cobble") != std::string::npos || t.find("brick") != std::string::npos) surface = audio::FootstepSurface::STONE;
         }
     }
 
-    return audio::FootstepSurface::STONE;
+    cachedFootstepSurface = surface;
+    return surface;
 }
 
 void Renderer::update(float deltaTime) {
@@ -1118,6 +1146,12 @@ void Renderer::update(float deltaTime) {
         cameraController->update(deltaTime);
         auto cameraEnd = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
         lastCameraUpdateMs = std::chrono::duration<double, std::milli>(cameraEnd - cameraStart).count();
+
+        // Update 3D audio listener position/orientation to match camera
+        if (camera) {
+            audio::AudioEngine::instance().setListenerPosition(camera->getPosition());
+            audio::AudioEngine::instance().setListenerOrientation(camera->getForward(), camera->getUp());
+        }
     } else {
         lastCameraUpdateMs = 0.0;
     }
@@ -1209,9 +1243,13 @@ void Renderer::update(float deltaTime) {
         characterRenderer->update(deltaTime);
     }
 
+    // Update AudioEngine (cleanup finished sounds, etc.)
+    audio::AudioEngine::instance().update(deltaTime);
+
     // Footsteps: animation-event driven + surface query at event time.
     if (footstepManager) {
         footstepManager->update(deltaTime);
+        cachedFootstepUpdateTimer += deltaTime;  // Update surface cache timer
         bool canPlayFootsteps = characterRenderer && characterInstanceId > 0 &&
             cameraController && cameraController->isThirdPerson() &&
             cameraController->isGrounded() && !cameraController->isSwimming();