Hi all, How do you find work for game audio? Any tips appreciated!
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I'd like to know the same thing. I have worked on a couple of independent games, one which got released on a Major Labels indie partner and even had so of my work on that game broadcast on BBC radio. I've independently playing with FMod a Wwise for a few months now. However, where are the entry level positions for Audio in the games industry (in the UK anyway)?– Audious SoundCommented Apr 12, 2011 at 16:33
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8 Answers
Contract work or In-house work?
For contract work:
The game industry is smaller than the film industry, in terms of people. And the indie side of the game industry is WAY smaller than the indie side of the film industry. So the "it's not what you know, it's who you know" mantra applies even more. The only way to get enough contract work to run a business on is to get to know people. Go to GDC, Indiecade, IGDA meetings, Game Jams, anywhere where industry hangs out. It takes a long time. I started focusing hardcore on the game scene almost two years ago, and I'm only now at the point where I'm known/trusted enough to get routinely hired on interesting projects.
There's a great article that's just been put up on Designing Sound by Rodney Gates. Here's the link:
Cheers
Actually, the game industry is way larger than the film industry. It brings in a helluva lot more revenue as well.
The best way to find work is to submit your portfolio to other sound designers and network with them!
First of all Chris! Where are you from? For example I am from Greece and because here there is little to none work on this subject I started my own team to make games!
answered Apr 12, 2011 at 20:12
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I'm from San Francisco and I'd like to intern or work for free or anything on a game!– ChrisCommented Apr 12, 2011 at 22:25
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I guess San Francisco has more companies and teams that are into games! Commented Apr 13, 2011 at 8:15
Definitely networking, don't be afraid to contact audio directors and try and get some work on indie titles. Learning about middleware such as Wise and FMOD is useful, if nothing else it shows willingness to learn. Enthusiasm, good communication and a varied portfolio are all important.
Apart from all the tips mentioned above, let's not forget a very obvious one: be a gamer! You need to know your industry. So one aspect of that is knowing what's out there in terms of the games. Play as many as you can, old/new/interesting/boring/etcetcetc - although trying to finish them all is probably not the best idea in terms of time management...
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As I do agree with this comment, I will point out that Bob Katz hints that he is not a gamer during a dynamic range Game Audio podcast. Commented Sep 11, 2011 at 19:20
Networking with sound designers is a necessary step. It gives you an opportunity to learn much more about the industry, it gives you some free experience, and you make good friends.
BUT!
Don't only speak with the sound people. Go out and meet the game designers themselves. My current work was the result of attending the "Boston Unity Group" meetings. I wasn't expecting to find other sound designers there. The hope was to meet developers who hadn't yet tackled the sound side of their projects. That way, I was going straight to the source, and it worked. Find meetings of developers and programmers in your area and start attending. Let the word spread through the group that you are a sound designer, and I am sure that soon enough someone will approach you about helping them with their sound.
Another thing that helps on the Indie side is knowing how to program. The game designers that I have met say they appreciate it when a sound designer can do more than hand them a .wav file.
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1Everybody in game and film development knows somebody that can benefit from a good sound designer. Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 18:17
I wrote a blog post on that exact topic. It's an in depth look at breaking in based on my experiences and many others that gave me tips along the way. Here is a link. Please comment on the blog if you found it helpful. It's nice to hear that the posts are making a difference :)
http://www.aaronbrownsound.com/advice-how-to-break-into-the-professional-audio-industry/
