3 Steps to Get Your First Job as a Video Game Music Composer

I think I'm stuck on step one. Its weird because I usually play RPGs like WOW or the Witcher which tend to have more orchestral tracks, but when I write music it tends to be something with a riff and more of a beat, like ocarina of time or final fantasy music. I'm not even sure what games these days are focused more on that style of music. Any ideas on how to resolve that conflict?

I want to do both film and video game music so I'm trying to get a job in both is there any specific video game companies that are looking for game composers

I really want to make music for videogames but when i think in all the legal things, making contracts and all of that i just feel like this isn't gonna work for me. I can't afford an attorney or things like that just to get paid 20$ for a small project.

Future game dev here- I'm actually interested in learning at what point of my process I should be looking into hiring a composer. It's been tricky getting that question answered, and as silly as it sounds, I don't want to embarrass myself in front of the person I would potentially be wanting to, you know, ask to work for/ with me

Watching this on my lunch break. Don't think I'll have time to finish it right now but will finish it later. Loved everything you've said so far (as someone who's tried the cold approach method and been rejected many times hahha)

On the topic of sticking to one lane, what if I also want to do serious composition on the side? This feels like a field where I should diversify income from more than one industry, and I also have a passion for writing complicated music and getting it performed. I want to go down that route AND video game composing, but it's not like you see miazaki writing for something other than video games, so I absolutely see your point. It just seems like such a risk to put all your eggs in one basket, especially to force yourself to stick to one genre. I would get so bored with writing the same music over and over again for decades. I just cant see myself getting much work if I brand myself into one specific niche/genre of games/music, especially if I happen to pick one that is either unpopular now, or will be unpopular a few years from now. So many things to worry about 😭😅

What I don't understand is...
I get that it makes sense to specialize (and that's something I definitely learned from this video), what I don't get is why it makes a difference if I specialize for example on 2D or 3D games, as you explained it on yourself.
Does it make a real difference? Wouldn't it make more sense to specialize on for example "orchestral, "futuristic" or "ambient" music?
I mean, when I'm capable of making music for a high-fantasy adventure game in 2D, I don't see why I shouldn't be capable to do the same for a 3D game in the same genre.
And when I'm capable of doing music for a fantasy adventure game, I could do the same for fantasy RPG.
Or is this strictly about marketing yourself to a specific audience and less about your own skillset?

I am 42 years old, at a crossroad in my life.. I love playing live, our own songs or throwing parties with cool hits, but it is getting harder and harder, plus the money is not there :/
So I just googled up could I make maybe music for games? And here I am!
I hope I will learn enough so I can push myself doing things the right way.
Someone said that it is not well paid - is that true, could anyone explain this?
Thanks for the video, helped a LOT!
Greetings from Europe

I just Wonder, what could i do for Dark Fantasy vibe without having an Orchestra. Please tell me there's a glimmer of hope

Hello guys
I’m looking for a music composer for my online course. If you are interested please reply here

this is facts

Thank you for this! I'm 16 and I've been writing music for 5 years. It's my dream to write for games

Hi Steven, I am wondering what happened to the price calculator. The service seems to be removed(?) Are there alternatives out there? Should I program a new one? xD

Anyone else looking to compose for Fighting Games? Ie: Tekken 7, SFV/VI, Guilty-Gear

Too many affiliate links

Writing music for games is my dream, but to be honest I’m not even sure what genre my music falls into.

Brilliant!

Hi Steven! Just found this video after pursuing this avenue for quite some time and found it really helpful. Just wondering when it comes to giving away the free audio downloads, would it matter where you put these, for example if I were to use an existing audio database website that people often stumble across when they need quick and easy music for a project, would that make more sense?? I suppose my first step I'm stuck on is just getting people to FIND my stuff, even if it's free :)

Hey Steven! I think that you have your referral link on Convert Kit wrong! I clicked on it, but the actual link doesn't have your "referral name" on it. Telling you in case that the link didn't worked.
The video was Super inspiring btw, thank you so so so much