Lesson 237: Wwise DSP Init Boot Path Receipt on BUILD_RECEIPT (2026)

Direct answer: Before summer playtest Windows promotion, file wwise_dsp_init_receipt_v1.json proving Plugins/Wwise x64 sits beside the shipped exe, AK::SoundEngine::Init returns success on a clean VM, and one posted event auditions within 5 seconds—then promote BUILD_RECEIPT wwise_dsp_init_receipt. Distinct from Lesson 226 packaged inventory (wwise_dsp_packaged_receipt_v1) and FMOD bank strip.

Why this matters now (June 2027 summer playtest Windows)

June 2027 teams ship sprite sheet hash rows then invite playtesters on a new Steam Windows depot. Wwise Editor resolves DSP from the SDK; installed playtest builds on laptops without Wwise fail AK::SoundEngine::Init when CI copies banks but strips Plugins/Wwise. Q1 Lesson 226 filed wwise_dsp_packaged_receipt_v1 for post-fest recovery inventory—this lesson files wwise_dsp_init_receipt_v1 for the Q3 playtest wave with dsp_plugins_ok and promotion_allowed on BUILD_RECEIPT.

The Wwise DSP path preflight is the ninety-second checklist; Wwise Init help is triage—237 is the course milestone.

Beginner path (clean VM boot probe)

Time: ~68 minutes first CI copy wiring; ~20 minutes when inventory pin is stable.

Developer path (gates D1–D6)

D1 — Version pin

{
  "schema": "wwise_version_pin_v1",
  "wwise_authoring": "2024.1.x",
  "unity_integration": "2024.1.y",
  "platform": "Windows_x64"
}

Fail when authoring banks are 2024 but packaged DLLs are 2023.

D2–D3 — Path + CI copy

Archive inventory beside packaged inventory cousin—init receipt references path + Init, not full sha256 inventory merge.

wwise_dsp_init_receipt_v1.json

{
  "schema": "wwise_dsp_init_receipt_v1",
  "build_label": "summer-playtest-2027-rc1",
  "wwise_authoring": "2024.1.x",
  "unity_integration": "2024.1.y",
  "platform": "Windows_x64",
  "dsp_plugin_folder": "Plugins/Wwise",
  "dll_count": 12,
  "init_result": "AK_Success",
  "boot_probe_event_id": "UI_Logo_Sting",
  "audible_within_ms": 1200,
  "clean_vm_tested": true,
  "ci_copy_step": "post_build_copy_wwise_dsp.sh",
  "gates": {
    "D1_version_pin": "pass",
    "D2_dsp_inventory": "pass",
    "D3_ci_copy": "pass",
    "D4_init_clean_vm": "pass",
    "D5_boot_probe": "pass",
    "D6_build_receipt": "pass"
  },
  "dsp_plugins_ok": true,
  "promotion_allowed": true,
  "cousin_receipts": {
    "wwise_dsp_packaged": "release-evidence/audio/WWISE_DSP_PACKAGED_RECEIPT.json"
  }
}

Pin under release-evidence/audio/WWISE_DSP_INIT_RECEIPT.json.

BUILD_RECEIPT row (D6)

ALTER TABLE release_publish_gate ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS
  wwise_dsp_init_blocked BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT false;

Pair with Thursday BUILD_RECEIPT review—one Audio / Wwise Init row.

Relationship to guide vs Lesson 226

Proof table (surfaces)

Key takeaways

1. wwise_dsp_init_receipt ≠ wwise_dsp_packaged_receipt—do not merge JSON schemas.
2. Prove on clean VM Steam install—SDK on dev PC masks D2.
3. Lesson 226 — Q1 inventory cousin; 237 — Q3 init path gate.
4. Lesson 236 — same wave, art subsystem.
5. Q3 capstone 244 wires 237 with 236–243.
6. 12-free Wwise Windows DSP resources — bookmark lane.
7. Do not conflate with Unity FMOD bank strip.
8. Wednesday smoke — add Init log screenshot row.

Common mistakes

• Filing receipt from Editor while Lesson 226 is red—cousin columns are independent.
• Copying only AkSoundEngineDLL.dll—effects still fail AK_PluginNotRegistered.
• Promoting playtest depot built from CI job that strips Plugins/.
• Using packaged receipt schema for init path audit.
• Skipping boot probe (D5) because Init log looked green.

Troubleshooting

Mini exercise (60 minutes)

1. Remove one effect DLL—reproduce Init fail on clean VM.
2. Restore CI copy; pass D1–D5.
3. File wwise_dsp_init_receipt_v1.json; link cousin 226 path if both apply.
4. BUILD_RECEIPT wwise_dsp_init_receipt GREEN.
5. Schedule Guide Q3 #2 bank boot preflight after promotion.

Continuity — Q3 2027 summer playtest wave (236–244)

Previous: Lesson 236 — Clip Studio sprite sheet hash.
Next: Lesson 238 — Godot playtest save isolation — published.

FAQ

Same as Wwise DSP path guide?
Guide = checklist; 237 = BUILD_RECEIPT wwise_dsp_init_receipt column.

Same as Lesson 226?
226 uses wwise_dsp_packaged_receipt_v1 (Q1 inventory); 237 uses wwise_dsp_init_receipt_v1 (Q3 init path).

Need both receipts GREEN?
Yes when you ship Wwise on Windows—cousin columns, not substitutes.

WebGL playtest?
Out of scope—see FMOD WebGL fest demo.

Summer playtest silence often starts at Init path—pin DSP beside exe, prove clean VM boot, file init receipt, then promote on BUILD_RECEIPT.