Save the date! Saturday 1 October - Sunday 2 October in Melbourne
In-person conference and live event stream featuring top composers, sound art creators and industry pros from games and music
Keynotes, panels, workshops, networking, A&R Sessions and more
The popular High Score: Composition and Sound Art for Games event will take place Saturday 1 October-Sunday 2 October as a hybrid in-person and livestreamed conference at this year's Melbourne International Games Week.
High Score explores the important role that music and audio play in game design and experience. If you are interested in attending please sign up to receive updates about speakers, venue, opportunities and more. Tickets go on sale in July.
High Score debuted as an in-person event in 2017 and went virtual over the past two pandemic-impacted years, drawing attendees from Australia and 55 countries around the world to be part of the keynotes, panel discussions and skills development offerings.
With support from Creative Victoria, High Score is expanding its programming beyond the flagship conference to include a SongHubs intensive residency, two Co-Op composing workshops and the SoundCheck video interview series.
This year's High Score theme 'Building From the Ground Up' is all about community and how the suite of programming aims to strengthen all parts of the Australian game audio industry—from emerging to established, grass root indies to AAA, to ensure that together the local sector can reach new goals.
Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said: “Victoria is the engine room of Australia's music industry and a thriving hub for digital game development. High Score brings together these two strengths, creating more opportunities for musicians, composers and sound artists to collaborate and pump up the volume on digital games."
APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston said: "APRA AMCOS has developed an ambition for Australia to become a net exporter of music in ten years and Victoria is crucial to the nation achieving this goal. The use of local composition and music in digital games is an integral part of the music industry’s intellectual property portfolio and we applaud the Victorian Government for being at the forefront of helping develop the music skills for this burgeoning sector."
High Score program manager Cameron Lam, Art Music Lead, APRA AMCOS said: “High Score is unique in the Australian landscape, and one of very few dedicated meeting places for the game industry and music industry globally.
"APRA AMCOS is excited to expand on this legacy with year-round programming, not only giving attendees access to international experts and celebrating our own, but giving practical experience to build capability, break into the industry, or reach even greater heights.
"Join us for High Score in 2022, to meet, collaborate, and together: build from the ground up.”
Peak industry body IGEA reported that income generated by Australian game development studios totaled $226.5m in 2020/2021 and that studios will need to hire more skilled professionals to meet demand and growth.
High Score is presented by APRA AMCOS, in partnership with the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, as part of Melbourne International Games Week.