The fourth instalment of the popular High Score: Composition and Sound Art for Gaming brought together some of the industry's most influential music and audio creators on Saturday 3 October for a free, online conference open to worldwide participants.
As part of Melbourne International Games Week, APRA AMCOS, in partnership with the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Victorian Music Development Office, are presenting High Score in a different format in 2020, but staying true to the event's focus on creativity, craft and the value of music in games.
High Score featured a keynote from Melbourne's own Dan Golding, composer of Untitled Goose Game, the locally developed game that has become a worldwide hit.
"I’m so looking forward to delivering a keynote as part of this year’s High Score conference. While we can’t all be together in Melbourne, we’ll be connecting Melbourne’s renowned games music culture to a worldwide audience," said Golding.
Lena Raine, the Seattle-based composer and producer behind the music of the Minecraft Nether Update delivered the day's other keynote. In separate presentations on 'The Sound Of,' Wilbert Roget II discussed Mortal Kombat 11, Josie Brechner will share insights on the New Zealand-developed game Best Friends Forever, and direct from the UK Dave Tucker and Claire Morwood presented on music and memories in the game Before I Forget.
Panels discussing music-led games, technical problem solving and the role of music in indie games rounded out the day. And back again is ABC ME’s Spawn Point Angharad 'Rad' Yeo as host.
High Score program manager Greg Morrow, Manager of Screen, APRA AMCOS said, "High Score has become a really unique and sought-after event where the gaming and composing sectors converge to exchange ideas, share expertise and to build networks.
"We never questioned if High Score would take a year off, as gaming presents a really vital opportunity for music creators at a time when so much is in flux."
What happens when your game starts with the music, what choices are made differently and how does the process adapt? Explore the role of music as instigator in this panel discussion. Panellists are Wan Hazmer(No Straight Roads), Dave Curro (Spin Rhythm XD Studio) and Megan Carnes (Divinuet), with APRA AMCOS Art Music Specialist Cameron Lam moderating.
Indie game studios are built on collaboration and teamwork. What role does music play in this space, how important is custom music in your game, and how can audio creators be great collaborators and teammates? Panellists are Julian Sanchez (KanaQuest, BoomerangFu, Way Forward), Clark Aboud (Slay the Spire, Kind Words), and Paulina Samy (Innchanted), with Cameron Lam moderating.
Humor is central to Dan Golding’s work as a game composer. In this closing keynote he explores how comedy and music both play out when timing is out of your hands – and what better example than Untitled Goose Game.
9:00am – 9:10am (Welcome by Rad & Ack of Country)
9:10am – 10:10am (Foreground, Background and What Lies Between)
Lena Raine discusses the use of and blurring of layers in her musical work. Focusing on the many different implementations of music in Minecraft’s recent Nether Update.
10:20am – 11:00am
Josie Brechner (Best Friend Forever), Calliope Ryder (Best Friend Forever)
Josie Brechner & Calliope Ryder show exactly how the music of Best Friend Forever, captures the tongue-in-cheek humor, fun gameplay and distinct personality of the game throughout the experience.
11:10am – 12:10pm
Wan Hazmer (No Straight Roads), Dave Curro (Spin Rhythm XD), Megan Carnes (Divinuet)
What happens when your game starts with the music, what choices are made differently and how does the process adapt. Explore the role of music as instigator in this panel discussion.
12.40pm – 1:20pm
Wilbert Roget II (Mortal Kombat 11), Rich Carle (Nether Realm)
Wilbert Roget II & Rich Carle breakdown the concepts and implementation of Mortal Kombat 11’s soundtrack.
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Laryssa Okada (Manifold Garden), Aaron Edwards (Dead Static Drive)
Laryssa Okada and Aaron Edwards each talk through their own process for audio design in games and showcase some strategies they’ve used for creative problem solving on the fly.
2:40 – 3:40pm
Julian Sanchez (KanaQuest, BoomerangFu, Way Forward), Clark Aboud (Slay the Spire, Kind Words), Paulina Samy (Innchanted)
Indie game studios are built on collaboration and teamwork. What role does music play in this space, how important is custom music in your game, and how can audio creators be great collaborators and teammates?
3:50pm – 4:30pm
Dave Tucker (Before I Forget), Claire Morwood (Before I Forget)
Dave Tucker & Claire Morwood delve into music’s role in guiding the player both through the game world and their protagonist’s memories. How can music ground us in a particular time and place, and how can it lead us to the wider world beyond.
4.40pm – 5.40pm
Dan Golding – Untitled Goose Game
Humor is central to Dan Golding’s work as a game composer. In this closing keynote he explores how comedy and music both play out when timing is out of your hands – and what better example than Untitled Good Game.