New function for directional audio that needs to be good volume no matter position but indicate direction.

__init__.py

@@ -635,6 +635,40 @@ def play_random_positional(sounds, soundName, player_x, object_x):
             volume * right * sfxVolume)
     return channel
 
+def play_directional_sound(sounds, soundName, playerPos, objPos, centerDistance=3, volume=1.0):
+    """Play a sound with simplified directional audio.
+    
+    For sounds that need to be heard clearly regardless of distance, but still provide
+    directional feedback. Sound plays at full volume but pans left/right based on relative position.
+    
+    Args:
+        sounds (dict): Dictionary of sound objects
+        soundName (str): Name of sound to play
+        playerPos (float): Player's x position
+        objPos (float): Object's x position
+        centerDistance (float): Distance within which sound plays center (default: 3)
+        volume (float): Base volume multiplier (0.0-1.0, default: 1.0)
+        
+    Returns:
+        pygame.mixer.Channel: The channel the sound is playing on
+    """
+    channel = sounds[soundName].play()
+    if channel:
+        # Apply volume settings
+        finalVolume = volume * sfxVolume * masterVolume
+        
+        # If player is within centerDistance tiles of object, play in center
+        if abs(playerPos - objPos) <= centerDistance:
+            # Equal volume in both speakers (center)
+            channel.set_volume(finalVolume, finalVolume)
+        elif playerPos > objPos:
+            # Object is to the left of player
+            channel.set_volume(finalVolume, 0)
+        else:
+            # Object is to the right of player
+            channel.set_volume(0, finalVolume)
+    return channel
+
 def cut_scene(sounds, soundName):
     """Play a sound as a cut scene, stopping other sounds.