Want to produce music for games—where to start?

[wax808]

I don't make game music, but I pay close attention to it in video games.

You probably already know this, but great video game music is adaptive to what is going on in the game. Music that is dynamic and changes with the intensity or storyline of the game is really awesome. I'm thinking whoever composes that type of music has a different type of presenting their songs.

I would just reach out and network with some of the companies, send them demo's. Having a great web presence cant hurt either.

Do you play video games? if so, what type?

[PeteJames]

Research of course! Get a few cases of beer, a few consoles and get playing some games Write it off as a business expense too From what i've heard these circles are extremely difficult to break into. Guess you need to start shmoozing ;-) get in touch with all the game developers you like and see if any opportunities come up. You could show you skills by recording a video or trailer for a game sequence and put your music to it - same goes for film.

[Rusty_OHara]

Good to be able to do not just music, but foley and sound/video mixing as well.

Helps to understand assets (i.e. music, effects, vocals etc) and how those assets are used in a video game. (from a coding perspective)

(Not to be rude, but) Where are you located? Whats your skill set? Got any coding background? Are you at uni/college/school?

My advice would be to hook up with a group of developers, and get a gig doing sound for a project / indie game as a starting point, then work from there.

[FeelAudio(Matt)]

Agree with the guy above, also

think about Proving your experience, and creating a portfolio of work.

Mock up some game music, maybe try and do some work for free for a amateur projects, im sure there's a lot going on round the net.

Experience, Portfolio, Proof. - the same things that get you any job.

[FeelAudio(Matt)]

Oh and BE BOLD...if you think you can do a job, GO FOR IT, contact Sony Online, or Blizzard...walk right in there front door and show them what you can do.

[Rusty_OHara]

Originally Posted by FeelAudio(Matt)

think about Proving your experience, and creating a portfolio of work.

Grab a video of a game teaser/trailer, chuck it in your sequencer, mute the audio, then re-do / create your own audio from scratch.

Try and find something with different scenes:

Slow intro panning of scenary = emotive soundtrack
Gunfight = sound effects, uptemp background music
etc

Good practice / nice little portfolio.

Other option is to code your own game with music and sound effects.