UCLA Extension -Composing Music for Video Games

Composing Music for Video Games Course:

Through weekly writing assignments, lectures, audio-visual demonstrations, and visits by guest speakers, composers interested in exploring the challenges of creating music for video games are presented with an overview of the composition techniques, organization, and delivery formats unique to the video game industry. Topics include in-game versus cinematic scoring; budgeting and project management; contracts; technology tools for asset creation and processing; music engines and compositional techniques specific to video game music; electronic music creation versus using live musicians; mixing; composing for different game genres (MMORPG, FPS, RTS, educational); and audio formats and delivery of assets for different console formats (SKUs), such as Xbox/Xbox 360, PS2/PS3, PC, GameCube, and handheld devices (GameBoy, Nintendo DS). Weekly composition assignments focus on writing original adaptive music similar to works created for current games. Participants also have the opportunity to compose MIDI/digital music with Pro Tools