For Release: August 2, 2011
AES 131st Convention Game Audio Track --- Joy Sticks Rule!
Next Gen Technology, Emerging Trends & Key Players Coalesce To Advance The Art Of Crafting Games
NEW YORK: Firmly established as a linchpin of today’s pro audio industry, Video Games continue to set new standards for advanced technology and revenue-generating products. In keeping with this stature, the 131st AES Convention, Game Audio Track, has become a magnet for designers, producers and engineers compelled to maintain ‘top of their game’ standards in a community in which longevity is measured in nanoseconds.
“Game Audio Track Chair, Steve Martz is a ‘player’ in the best sense of the word,” remarked 131st Convention Chair Jim Anderson. “He is deeply immersed in every facet of this burgeoning industry. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the creative’s, the manufacturers and the audience, and he’s tapped that pool of experts liberally in his pursuit of a record-breaking score for this year’s event.”
GAME AUDIO TRACK EVENTS INCLUDE:
EMERGING TRENDS IN AUDIO FOR GAMES: Michael Kelly (SCEE) and Steve Martz (THX, Ltd.), Co-Chairs, AES Technical Committee on Audio for Games, will survey the current state of technology requirements for audio in game applications. Emerging trends and the technical requirements imposed by those trends will be reviewed.
HISTORY OF AUDIO IMPLEMENTATION TOOLSETS: Damian Kastbauer, (Bay Area Sound) Extensiveaudio/visual examples and a pictorial overview will illustrate this history of standard, and proprietary audio middleware toolsets. Features, functionality, trends, and techniques will be reviewed in an attempt to define the current state of options engaged in today's game development environments.
Education: Prerequisites for a Career in Game Audio: Stephen Harwood Jr. (IASIG; Dynamic Systems Music) Professional success is built upon a sound, professional education. This panel will feature an overview of a comprehensive game audio curriculum, published this year by the IASIG, presented in the context of a discussion of the specialized knowledge and skill sets needed to work and excel in the video game industry today.
Careers in Game Audio: Stephen Harwood Jr. (IASIG; Dynamic Systems Music) A panel of accomplished industry veterans share their experience and perspectives on a broad range of professional topics, with a focus on how to begin and develop a successful career in game audio. The audience will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the many opportunities available to audio professionals in the video game industry, as well as valuable suggestions and insights into how to land that first gig.
AUDIO FOR MOTION CONTROLLERS: Scott Selfon, (Microsoft) will chair a panel from the console manufactures’ point of view on techniques for delivering audio specifically designed to support games that use motion controllers and visual inputs.
GAME AUDIO PROGRAMMING FOR ANDROID: FMOD VS JAVA: Peter Drescher (Twittering Machine) Using a silent, open source pinball game as a starting point to create audio files based on 80's synth tech, Drescher compares and contrasts sound implemented using FMOD audio middleware to Java methods built into the operating system. An altogether illuminating experience.
AUDIO SHORTS: Included in the full program of Workshops and Panels, the Game Audio Program will offer three 20-minute crash courses on specific designer ‘preferences.’ Scheduled “Shorty” presentations include: #1 Distortionation (sic); #2 O3 - Occlusion, Obstruction, and other Obstacles and #3 My Favorite Plug-in
“Our goal was to devise the most useful program possible for Video Game professionals,” Steve Martz remarked. “The twelve Workshops and Panels in this year’s Game Audio Track represent an extremely comprehensive assessment of the issues, technologies and creative thinking impacting today’s Game industry. We are confident that attendees will walk away with information that will be of great use to them. And, that they will also appreciate the opportunity to meet with their peers on the AES Convention’s clear and open playing field.”
Photo: AES 131 Convention Game Audio Track Chair, Steve Martz
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The 131st Audio Engineering Convention will be held in NY’s Jacob Javits Convention Center Thursday, October 20 thru Sunday, Oct. 23.
The Audio Engineering Society was formed in 1948 by a group of concerned audio engineers. The AES counts over 14,000 members throughout the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Japan and the Far East. The organization serves as the pivotal force in the exchange and dissemination of technical information for the industry. For additional information visit http://www.aes.org
