Master music theory and production
Interactive audio: the key to the sector
Unlike film, video games are interactive, non-linear experiences. This means that music for video games must react to the player’s actions in real time. To design a soundtrack that adapts to this environment, you need to understand the game mechanics and systemic narrative.
The goal is to integrate music as fluidly and reactively as possible. To achieve this, it is essential to master middleware software such as Wwise (Audiokinetic) or FMOD , the most widely used interactive audio tools in AAA and indie production.
Record your ideas and fight writer's block
Writer’s block is very common when composing, whether it’s due to a lack of ideas or the pressure you put on yourself to wait for the “perfect idea.”
The best way to overcome this is to get into the habit of jotting down and recording any little melody or texture that comes to mind, no matter how simple it may seem. Creating your own resource bank will save you during moments of creative drought and allow you to connect ideas that would otherwise have been lost.
Identify the narrative keys
Music is an emotional language that adds an additional layer of meaning to what is seen on screen. To achieve a good degree of immersion, it is key to work on three elements:
- The characters : what are their personalities? What emotions do they convey?
- The settings : what atmosphere do you want to convey in each area?
- The “energies” : each section of the game needs a different rhythm and sonic tension.
Create your own rules (and follow them)
To create powerful sonic identities, study the masters. Check out how composers like Hans Zimmer and John Williams work, as well as leading figures in the video game music industry like Koji Kondo (Mario), Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy), Mick Gordon (Doom), and Lena Raine (Celeste).
Establishing your own rules brings coherence to the project:
- In a futuristic setting , sound design and electronic synthesis often take center stage.
- In a medieval fantasy context, organic and period instruments add credibility.
Note: You can break these rules to create a contrast (anachronism), as long as it is a conscious creative decision.
Music for video games: a sector with a future
Music for video games is one of the most exciting fields within a technological and economic sector that continues to grow. The demand for audio specialists for digital entertainment will continue to increase in the coming years.
If you are passionate about this world, EUMES and Sounds Market encourage you to continue researching, practicing and, above all, training to turn your passion into your profession.
