IASIG Game Audio Education Working Group (EDUWG)
Status: Active
Chair: Richard Stevens
Update: March 10, 2010:
- Press Release of March 10, 2010 - Educators and Game Developers Cooperate on Game Audio Curriculum Guidelines
- Download the Draft Document (RC1)
Summary: The first release candidate draft of the Game Audio Education Curriculum Guidelines document went out for IASIG member review on March 12. The Working Group has completely revised the document based on input received after the preview last year at GDC, and the document now includes a recommended Skills List as well as data on Jobs/Specializations for game audio. Since GDC is once again just around the corner, the IASIG Steering Committee has approved distributing the draft document during GDC in order to obtain feedback on the proposed guidelines from a larger audience (than just current IASIG members) prior to final publication. Anyone who is interested in contributing to the document should please contact the WG Chair, Richard Stevens, using the contact form link above.
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 (partial list).
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.
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)