A Sound Bid

Advice for Game Developers Seeking Audio Help
By Aaron Marks
Gamasutra
January 8, 1999
Vol. 3: Issue 1
A SOUND BID
Introduction

Questions to Ask Before Bidding

Advice for Game Developers Seeking Audio Help

How An Audio Quote Is Calculated

Contract Payment Options
Now that I've enumerated questions a sound designer or composer should ask, let's turn things around and examine what a game developer needs to do to ensure a smooth working relationship with the sound artist. Before the project is put out for bid, the media buyer or producer at a game development company should investigate various sound production companies. Game developers who don't know of any qualified sound artists can use web search engines and developer resource websites like Gamasutra, plus others such as:


Once some prospective sound artists are located, request a current demo reel, ask for references and past work examples, and keep them on file. If you've been paying attention, you'll remember this is a bad time to ask their rates. You, the client, need to get your information together first.

Plan as far ahead of the bidding process as possible. Gather any preliminary work such as design documents, artwork, character biographies, storyboards, lists of comparable games on the market, and have them handy to show the sound artist. I always appreciate getting these extra details during the bidding process. It is a very classy gesture, one that will strengthen the relationship immediately. The more I know, the more likely I will get my part right the first time.

After narrowing the field down to a few sound artists, you may wish to ask for a speculative demo to help narrow the field even further. Music created with the project specifications in mind will give the development team a good idea of what audio "life" to give to the project. Be as specific as possible about the style of music you seek, giving examples of works in other games or musical groups which create the right mood. Ideally only one person (typically the producer) should give their input at this point. My favorite request for a spec demo used this description: "...mid tempo with break beats, dark, abstract hip-hop, not too fast or too slow, gritty and industrial but not jarring or abrasive....". It was fairly obvious that the entire development team added their ideas to the cause! It's difficult to please everyone.

Keep the sound artist "in the loop." Details and ideas change fast and furiously during the development of any title, even during the period while the sound artist is waiting to receive a response to his or her bid. Any major specification changes should be immediately forwarded to the prospective audio providers to ensure accuracy on their part. Changes to the target platform, the addition of surround sound, and the decision to use an interactive music score are all important alterations that the sound artist should know about. It's always good to be prompt when either accepting or rejecting a sound artist's work. Don't leave our delicate egos hanging for too long.


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