TOP VIDEO GAME COMPOSERS

[devin]

Hmmmm, I had a feeling this was going to be extremely high bar. Time to turn it up a few notches.B

May I suggest "wide open" is the setting for this B? Anyone interested in this should commit everything they've got, IMHO.

It's way out of my league, so I applaud everyone who is stepping up.

I was lucky enough to be front & center for this awesome panel, and I was as blown away by their integrity (as just great people) as I was with their technical accomplishments. The samples they played to kick off the panel were really awesome. And having said that, Michael slipped in a track from an (unannounced) Taxi member that was also really good, and slightly unique compared to the limited samples the panelists provided. Bob Rice then said "I'd be interested to hear more of this person's work"...which means the bar is within reach!

When budget allows, they walk into Skywalker Ranch with a 65 piece orchestra to track some of the music composed by these folks. This budget is separate from what the composer gets...which can be up to $2500 per finished minute (if I'm not mistaken).

I'll be cheering all of you on...GO GET IT!!!

[devin]

On another note, Hans Zimmer actually is working on games himself these days (he did all the themes for "Modern Warfare 2" and his team created the rest in normal Remote Control Productions style), so now I guess he would actually be the Hans Zimmer of the game world...not to mention that Harry Gregson Williams is well known for his work on the "Metal Gear Solid" series, as well. I guess everyone just wants in on the party!

They kicked off the panel by saying the video game industry has now surpassed the movie industry in net income. I think $52B was the number I heard (I was on cold medication, so I could be fuzzy there )

[fusilierb]

Hmmmm, I had a feeling this was going to be extremely high bar. Time to turn it up a few notches.B

When budget allows, they walk into Skywalker Ranch with a 65 piece orchestra to track some of the music composed by these folks. This budget is separate from what the composer gets...which can be up to $2500 per finished minute (if I'm not mistaken).

I'll be cheering all of you on...GO GET IT!!!

Wowzers!! That's an encouraging set of figures. Thanks for the info Devin. I'm really looking forward to hearing everything that comes out of this listing.
B

[Guest]

When budget allows, they walk into Skywalker Ranch with a 65 piece orchestra to track some of the music composed by these folks. This budget is separate from what the composer gets...which can be up to $2500 per finished minute (if I'm not mistaken).

I'll be cheering all of you on...GO GET IT!!!

$2500 per finished music would be pretty unusual. Between $1000-$1500 per finished minute is more likely on a larger budget AAA game. Unless we're still talking about Hans Zimmer, of course

[daniel481]

Sorry guys, that last one was me. Thought I was logged in but I wasn't....also meant per finished minute in that first sentence...

-Dan

[Guest]

Well I don't think that I qualify on this one but I may write something anyway just to expand my horizons so to speak.

Good Luck!
Keith

[fullbirdmusic]

As much as this looks very challenging, I'm going to go for this one. I listened to the music from the links, and it's very good - I don't know if what I have to offer is unique compared to their music, but I'm going to present it and see if it is.

The thing is, even though the competition is incredible - I'm not going to shoot myself in the foot before I even try because of that. Let's do this!!

Wes

[k o star]

Here's some inspiration...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA8n1fkK ... re=related

K

[jlizerbram]

Hey all,

I may be too late in the game (no pun intended) to bring up this topic now, but the listing for TOP VIDEO GAME COMPOSERS makes a specific reference: "familiarity with....what makes them different from Film and TV scores is essential". In the current game music that I've been listening to for reference, there seems to be a very subtle distinction between Film/TV and Game scoring. It seems like to get forwarded for this one, it's really got to be on the risky side of what you typically don't hear on film / tv (which I still am trying to think of what hasn't been done yet). I have a montage to send, but after that sentence finally clicked in, I'm more nervous now. My "AH-HA !" moment probably came a little too late.

How would you define video game music different than film/tv music?

From the music I've heard from you forum members, I think you're going to make TAXI very proud.

Jeff

[fusilierb]

As of today, I'd say the line if really blurring between film score music and video game music. The major real difference is that films go from point A to point B and you got to follow that progression and write to the action as it unfolds.

Video games roam and you almost never play them the exact same way twice, which means the music roams with the action and there is no real beginning and end per say. Not that there aren't specific sequences that play out, ie. you complete a level or task and a canned video plays out to introduce you to the next level. That part is exactly like film scoring as its a small movie. Then your back in the game and can move about as you wish. If you get up to go to the bathroom and leave your character just sitting where he is, that music will just loop and loop. The music follows you around the game and is triggered by your actions.

Soooo, its got to be interesting enough to loop and also flow into various areas of the game.

But style wise, each game can go through really any style of music.

B