What is an OGG file?
OGG is an open, patent-free container from the Xiph.Org Foundation, and .ogg files almost always hold Vorbis audio, a lossy codec comparable to MP3 and AAC. Newer files may hold Opus, which is better still at low bitrates and is what Discord, WhatsApp, and Telegram use for voice. Because there are no licence fees, game engines such as Unity, Godot, and Source, and open-source software everywhere, adopted OGG as their default.
Why games use OGG
Vorbis has no encoder padding, so a looping music track restarts seamlessly where an MP3 leaves a small gap. Combined with the free licence and good quality at modest bitrates, that made it the standard for game music and sound effects. If you are making a game, WAV to OGG or MP3 to OGG is the conversion you need.
Where OGG fails
iPhones, car stereos, and many players do not handle OGG. Converting to MP3 solves playback; converting to WAV lets you edit the audio in any program.
Frequently asked questions
Is OGG better than MP3?
At the same bitrate Vorbis usually sounds a little better, and Opus much better at low bitrates. MP3 still wins on compatibility.
Are OGG and Opus the same thing?
OGG is the container; Vorbis and Opus are codecs that can live inside it. Both convert to MP3 or WAV here.