IASIG Game Audio Education Working Group (EDUWG)
Status: Active
Chair: Richard Stevens
Update: October 1, 2009:
Having received feedback on our preliminary draft of a US-oriented game audio curriculum, we’re now in the process of validating the course content, adding missing information, and pressing forward on completion towards eventual alignment with international guidelines. We’re always looking for more input, and for help with document writing, so if you’d like to be involved please contact Richard Stevens..
Members
Richard Stevens (Leeds Metropolitan University), Steve Horowitz (Nickelodeon), Mike Worth (Westchester University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University), David Javelosa (Santa Monica College), Michael Sweet (Berklee College of Music), Karen Collins (University of Waterloo), Ufuk Onen (Bilkent University), Ken Felton (SCEA), Tim Duncan (Cogswell College), Michelle Sorger (Girls in Games), Michael Kelly (SCEE), Templar Hankinson (fmod), Karla Berry (National University), Robbie Kazandjian, Chris Grigg, Jeff Essex, Sean Beeson, Stephen Harwood, Jim Rippie, Kurt Heiden, Linda Law.
Purpose
‘Games Audio’ encompasses a diverse set of skills and concepts: from recording a tank, to hardcore DSP programming; from writing a tune for a mobile phone, to writing out string parts for a recording session with the London Symphony Orchestra... so defining a "game audio curriculum" is no simple task. Universities and Colleges around the world are interested in developing courses in this area, so the aim of the EDU Working Group is to provide guidance for course developers, which students may also use to understand what courses may be available to them. The EDU Working Group also maintains the industry's only dedicated, online game audio resource for educators and students - The IASIG Audio Education Wiki (http://www.iasig.org/wiki/).
Background
Game audio requires a myriad of specialized audio skills. Currently few web sites and books provide resources to educate new people who want to get involved in game audio. This project sets out to offer an additional resource for people to use in learning about game audio. Its overall goals include:
- Shortening the learning curve of new audio personnel in game audio by providing resources that people can learn from.
- Creating a clear reference for terminology and creation methods in the world of game audio.
- Supplying schools with information to integrate game audio education into their curricula.
Summary
(March 11 2009): The group has produced the first draft iteration of a complete, university undergraduate level degree curriculum in professional game audio. This curriculum is the result of months of collaboration between industry professionals from major game production companies and audio educators at some of the finest institutions in the world. Our team is very excited to preview this curriculum during the IASIG Town Hall meeting at the 2009 Game Developers Conference.
Public Links
- NEW! Interactive Game Audio Tutorial -- Developed by Richard Stevens and Dave Raybould from Leeds Metropolitan University in the U.K. to teach some basic concepts of game audio. You'll need a copy of Unreal 3 in order to play the level. Click here for download and instructions.
Members Only
- Working Group Email Archives
- Course Description Template (.doc)
- Jan. 3 2009 Course Outline (.xls)
- Working Group Document Archives (index of files)