I''m 14, and it''s an assignment at my school to write about a possible career. I love writing game music (and music in general), so naturally I''m wondering what kind of careers there are in game music. I have several questions: 1) How competitive are job openings (e.g. are there many more game-music-writer-people than there are jobs)? 2) What is the salary like? benefits? job security? 3) What''s the "official" title of a job writing game music? 4) What level of education do most have? And with what degree (Baachelors of Fine Arts in Performing Arts Technology, Music Concentration was the closest I could find)? Thanks!

Music work in the game industry is usually done on a contract basis. It''s pretty hard to find a full time permant position doing music for games. If you could find a job the pay and benifits would probally be pretty good about the same as an artist I would say. gamasutra.com has an article on wages and such in the industry if you want specific information.

quote: 1) How competitive are job openings (e.g. are there many more game-music-writer-people than there are jobs)?

VERY. The market is flooded with too many new people trying to break in. Every tom dick and harry with Reason or Fruity Loops or whatever are trying for the few positions that are advertised.

quote: 2) What is the salary like? benefits? job security?

Depends if you are contracting or permanent. I work with whatever the company's budget is, tho there are some stock standard figures which can be found on gamasutra. In house it really depends on the size of the company and the scale of the game for which you are writing for.

quote: 3) What's the "official" title of a job writing game music?

Mainly just variations on
"Game Musician"
"Game Composer"
"Audio Engineer"

... etc.

quote: 4) What level of education do most have? And with what degree (Baachelors of Fine Arts in Performing Arts Technology, Music Concentration was the closest I could find)?

I have no formal degree in Music as such tho i have taken lessons for Keyboards and Guitar, but being mainly a digital composer, I am able to concentrate on composing rather than playing. I have aquired contracts for audio over film and tv musicians just because I know more about the platform I am composing for and have contacts working in the industry.

So the answer to that is anyone, as long as you can produce what the company is looking for in the time and budget, and have a ear for what you do.



[edited by - yjbrown on March 7, 2003 6:05:23 AM]

the whole concept of a society where people have careers just is frightening to me... better to think ''avenues of employment'' and remember that specialisation is for insects

if you''re 14 and like games so much, why not give yourself some time and learn more about making games, so you''re not just a musician (similar to above, i prever verbs over nouns to describe what i do..)

here''s an amusing article about the music industry.. http://www.prosoundweb.com/recording/mm/week1/mm.php which, from my experience, is the way ''adults'' can be expected to act in all situations, the fact is.. making money=desirable in this cultural mileu, making music for games=fun, but dealing with "professionals" is just stupid. make music, make games, make money if and when you may (and that is just opportunity.. who you know.. maybe what you do, et c.) but aspiring to fill a predefined form is too predictable for survival. careers are for people who like the giving and receiving of an anal smoke-blowing (as a daily way of life.)

I concur, music is not a career unless your VERY VERY good.
I myself am studying Computer Science, but like to compose stuff in my spare time. :D

- Simon "Maglok" Kort
http://www.gameproc.com/MM/

Actually, I know how to program (and no, I don't think HTML is a programming language . . . I use C++). I've just found that I like writing music more.

Also, if I got a degree in something relative and wasn't just a "tom dick and harry," would the competition not be as bad?

[edited by - rjahrman on March 7, 2003 2:19:05 PM]

Would still be as much competition, you might only look better.

- Simon "Maglok" Kort
http://www.gameproc.com/MM/