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How to Make Songs for Video Games

Writing music for video games is a great way to get into the music industry as a composer. It’s also an excellent way to get your band on the map. With the right connections and a proper dose of talent, getting your music in games can bring great publicity and a nice paycheck to boot.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer
  • Recording software
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Instructions

    • 1

      Consider the type of game being made. When creating a video game, developers usually have a certain mood they want to emphasize to help bring in their audience. For example, a racing game may feature upbeat electronic music to complement the pacing of the fast game. Chances are the developers would not be impressed by a soothing orchestral score.

    • 2

      Record sample music. If you do not have any tracks previously recorded, record new material that showcases your talents. These tracks should showcase the versatility of your musical abilities. Try not to focus exclusively on your strengths, but include a variety of different music types, such as upbeat club music, orchestral themes and rock music. If you do not have access to a recording studio, you can always record your music using readily available recording software such as Audacity or GarageBand.

    • 3

      Burn a demo CD. The demo CD should contain a variety of musical genres and should ideally contain about five to 10 minutes of music. Also take into consideration the look of your CD and packaging. A more professional look will be more likely to be considered.

    • 4

      Send your demo to a game publisher. As opposed to the game developers, video game publishers are in charge of licensing media, as well as hiring the developer companies. A couple of the most popular video game publishers include EA and Activision. You can also consult a directory of game publishers (See Resources). You’ll want to send your demo to the music supervisor at the publisher company. The music supervisor is in charge of licensing music for games.

Music Basics

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