Anatomy of an Experimental Game Score

Speakers: Garry Schyman

Track: Audio

Format: Lecture

Experience Level: Intermediate

Description: BioShock is a radical and amazing next-gen game with an elegant and experimental score. The presenter shares the process for developing the concept, the composition of the music, how it was recorded with live musicians and implemented the score in the game. The game is set in the 1950s and the score attempts to break new ground in its attention to the details of style of that period. The music is at times chillingly scary and at other times deeply beautiful and sad. The presenter records using virtuoso soloists and orchestral elements.

Idea Takeaway: - New ways to think about music in games
- New styles of music that can be original and novel
- Throw out your old music paradigms; experiment with music to bring people to your game

Intended Audience: The intended audience is game composers and audio professionals of all stripes. Any one interested in new ways to approach a video game score will be fascinated by this lecture.