GDC 2008

GDC 2008 Composer Challenge

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

SEE THE FINALISTS FROM THIS CHALLENGE AT GDC!

See finalists Billy Martin, Adam Gubman, Sean Beeson and Charlie Malone present their solutions at GDC in San Francisco Friday, February 22nd at 9am. I'll be moderating the panel as we explore how each composer approached this design challenge. See you there!

What is this?

This year at the Game Developer Conference I'm leading a panel entitle "The GDC 2008 Composer Challenge", where experienced and emerging videogame composers will vie for who can create the most interesting music under a difficult design challenge.

This year, the assignment will be to design a 60-second main theme for a horror videogame using a limited set of core samples…children's toys.

The imaginary game is titled PENTAGRAM, a FPS horror title set in an elementary school that was accidentally built over the foundation of a compound once owned by a satanic cult who all perished in a mysterious fire on the property. Consequently, all hell breaks loose and the only tools the player has to defend humanity from demons are whiffle bats and dodge balls.

Composers will be limited to only the samples I'm providing*, which come from only 6 sources:

  • A brass slinky (2 samples)
  • A toy jaw harp (3 samples)
  • A jerky hammer (2 samples)
  • A tine from a music box (2 samples)
  • A squeeky egg (1 sample)
  • A toy car antenna (1 sample)

At GDC, I'll moderate a panel of 4 composers (comprised of veterans and emerging artists), presenting their winning compositions chosen by GANG members as the best horror Main Theme from a set of children's toys. Each composer will have 10 minutes to discuss how he/she arrived at their individual solutions to this challenging puzzle, what problems they faced, and what surprises they encountered in the process.

Attendees will see and hear how composers think on their feet as they address important game design dilemmas, offering a sneak peek into their music design process.

The Rules

  • This Challenge is open to all experienced and emerging videogame composers.
  • I'm providing the core material - a set of audio samples of children's toys which you will use to create your Main Theme for PENTAGRAM.*
  • You CANNOT use any other samples, synths, or acoustic instruments; ONLY the core material.
  • You CAN manipulate this material any way you see fit to create your composition.
  • The DEADLINE to submit your entry is December 31st, 2007 at midnight Pacific time.
  • Submit your finished Main Title (in mp3 format only) to me at slensmus@pacbell.net
  • All compositions will be uploaded to the G.A.N.G. online forums and the membership will vote on their top 4 favorites (I'd like to have winners chosen by the end of the first week in January 2008).
  • The four winners chosen will be the GDC 2008 guest panelists and will present their compositions and speak about how they came up with their solutions to this challenging puzzle.
  • The attendees going to this panel will choose this year's champion!

One more thing...

HAVE FUN WITH THIS AND GOOD LUCK!

* A very special thanks to my buddy Dan Morris and my brother Phil for sampling the toys. You guys rock.