Category: News

Call for Papers 2015

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Utrecht

9–10 April 2015, University of Utrecht

Learning from Video Game Music

The Ludomusicology research group will be hosting a two day conference on video game audio to take place on the 9th and 10th of April, 2015 at Utrecht University. We are seeking proposals for papers on the topic of video game music and sound. Papers may contain interdisciplinary import of any type. Paper proposals are welcome from both academics and those working in the video game industry.

While we welcome all proposals, we are particularly interested in papers that support the education theme in terms of how we learn with, learn from, and learn about, video game music. Possible paper topics on this theme include:

  • Instrumental teaching through video games
  • Pedagogics of ludomusicology
  • Composition in video games
  • Music, sound design and video games in higher education
  • Game audio outside games
  • Trans-media interactions
  • Lessons for musicology from game music

A keynote address will be given by Karen Collins, author of Playing with Sound (2013), Game Sound (2008), and From Pac Man to Pop Music (2008). Our second keynote address will be given by David Roesner, the author of Musicality and Theatre (2014), and the leader of the Guitar Heroes in Music Education AHRC research network.

Papers should be a maximum of 20 minutes in length, with 10 minutes allowed for discussion. Shorter papers will also be considered for inclusion. Proposals should be no more than 250 words in length and sent as an attachment to ludomusicology@gmail.com.

 

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION: 31 JANUARY 2015.

Organizers: Michiel Kamp, Tim Summers, Mark Sweeney.

Hosted by University of Utrecht.

Supported by The Institute for Cultural Inquiry (ICON), and GAP: Center for the Study of Digital Games and Play.

www.ludomusicology.org | ludomusicology@gmail.com

News, Publications

The Players’ Score – A Video Game Music Documentary

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The Players Score
The Players’ Score – A Video Game Music Documentary by Kory Caldwell
We are pleased to draw your attention to Kory Caldwell’s video game music documentary which yesterday succeeded in raising funds on Kickstarter. For more details, please refer to the original press release: The Players’ Score A Videogame Music Documentary: Explores Game Music Culture.

News

BEEP: A History of Game Sound – Documentary Project

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BEEP Logo

We’d like to draw your attention to a fantastic new project directed by Karen Collins – BEEP: A History of Game Sound. It’s an ambitious documentary project that will produce a book, a film and a companion website. The website is up at http://www.beepmovie.com and the kickstarter at http://bit.ly/KickBeep.

Here’s how the producers describe the project:

“This documentary film will take viewers on a rich audio-visual journey through the history of game music and sound, from the minimalist sounds of 1970s arcade classics through to the surround sound orchestral soundtracks of 2014’s latest epics. It will be published together with a book that will provide an in-depth perspective on the evolution of game audio, packed full of interviews with the pioneers of game sound.”

While we’d love everyone to donate to this, even if you can’t, please spread the word on the twittersphere, blogosphere and any other ‘sphere that needs a dose of game sound goodness.

Collins and the team say that the BEEP: A History of Video Game Sound documentary film and guidebook will feature:

  • interviews with numerous influential game composers: from the famous composers of the biggest Japanese and Western franchises, to the lesser-known names who have innovated behind-the-scenes
  • a complete history of the game sound: from the Victorian mechanical arcades and pinball machines through to today’s orchestral performances and full surround soundtracks
  • current and classic tools and techniques used to create game music and sound
  • insight into the psychology of game sound
  • behind the scenes making-of footage for sound effects, voice and music
  • chiptunes and current uses of game sound technology outside games

Find out more on the website and kickstarter pages. We can’t wait to see how this develops and look forward to reporting on the progress.