Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
JOBS IN SOUND: STEVE'S
GRAND THEORY OF ADAPTATION
!
Behold,
The Grand Theory of Adaptation
, a custom six-step program (who needs twelve?). Also known
as “perseverance squared.” You must have a focused goal, but also keep an open mind to the twists and
changes in the road. View your art and the business of it in a broad scope. Let's get started . . .
1. Quality
Your work must be good. What do I mean by this? Well, since sound is such a subjective topic, nobody
really knows what “good” means except you. What is important is that you make
your
sound (whatever
that is) as good as it can be. I studied composition with Stephen “Lucky” Mosko, and he always talked
about the morality of a piece of art. Remember, sound is a living thing, and your sounds want something
from you. Don't be afraid to give 100 percent or more!
2. Perseverance
Don't be turned from your path. Keep plugging away, and doors will open. Follow your muse. Go ahead
and quit your day job or, even better, don't get one in the i rst place if possible, or at least go part time. Do
the work and expose yourself to a wide range of experiences. If it's better somewhere else in the world, go
there—you just might dig it. In the United States, the game industry is quite active in the San Francisco
Bay Area, Seattle, LA, and Austin, Texas. Other cities are developing, like New York and Boston, but these
are currently the biggest markets. Internationally, Vancouver, London, Berlin, Munich, Amsterdam and
Tokyo are all thriving markets for game development. Don't be afraid to follow the money!
3. Parallel Movement
Things don't just go up and down, they often go side to side. To get out of a windy harbor, a sailboat
often has to use tacking, or a zig-zagging course. Back and forth, side to side—though it seems like you
are going nowhere, and it might make you seasick, you'll get out sooner or later. Sometimes, time spent
developing some other facets of your audio personality will lead you to places you never knew about.
Being well-rounded is not a bad thing. If you are a composer, knowing a bit about implementation can't
hurt. Or if you are a sound designer, playing or understanding music is a good thing.
4. Conceptual Continuity
This is massively important. If you're just getting started in this i eld, you'll want to try out a bunch of
dif erent things, such as composing or sound designing for a wide variety of genres. It's totally i ne and
even expected to wear a lot of hats in this industry. However, you need to listen to your muse at all times.
Stay on your path by having conviction and working to your strengths. Your work needs to rel ect your
passion for it, and when you change it too much to satisfy others' desires you can lose your passion
and your identity. Keep your compass by doing what's right for your heart and soul. It's easy to get side
tracked while looking for work but it is important especially at the early stage of your career to try and
i gure out what speaks to you.
