Game Audio Essentials is a 6-part course that serves as an introduction to the technical and creative aspects of video game audio. In the course we cover everything from game audio history, creating interactive musical scores, sound design, and breaking in to the game industry as a whole. This course is taught by Akash Thakkar, Berklee College of Music alumnus and active game composer/sound designer. No prior game scoring experience is necessary, but a love of video games is a plus! Students are recommended to own or have access to a computer with MIDI sequencing and audio recording software to complete the course challenges.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• Analyze interactive audio in games
• Work with and understand common game audio tools
• Compose your own video game music
• Create your own sound effects
• Promote yourself in the game industry

Lesson 1 – Game Audio History

• Evolution of game audio through different consoles from 1972 to today
• Increased flexibility of 8-bit, 16-bit, then 64-bit systems
• Game audio for DVD, Blu-Ray and other systems of today
• File size limitations, and the impact on mobile games

Listen to or play these examples:

• Rayman: Legends
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
• Brutal Legend
• Bastion

Play if you can, or watch gameplay videos on YouTube. Pay attention to:

• How they use interactivity and licensed music
• How music it effects gameplay