In the final part of our Sound Design In Gaming feature, we’ll cover how to find a designer who’s right for you, negotiating the contract, and the turnaround you can expect for their work. Be sure to check back on parts 1 and 2, to make sure you haven’t missed anything.
So now you’re looking to start your own gaming project, but need to get ahold of a sound designer? How do you find one of these characters? Any form of art is obviously a portfolio-driven industry, therefore most designers have their work available on social networks specializing in the subject, such as Soundcloud and Myspace. I know, I was surprised that Myspace is still around too. Forums and networking, generally through industry events, have proven itself invaluable as well.
The subject of money can be touchy for a lot of people, so we’ve asked the designers how they, and the industry as a whole, generally handle payment. Unless you are a large development studio with an in-house sound team, you’d normally have to rely on contracting outside professionals. “I establish a charge per minute of music,” Zack Parrish began, “usually negotiating with the person I am writing for to try and fit the rate into their budget. Projects that I do spend months on…[generally offer] royalties” Cain German agreed, adding “regardless of writing the entire soundtrack or just one song.”
