Our goal is to educate a new generation of game audio professionals who are able to understand, and in some cases, integrate their own designs into actual game levels. Imagine the power of this proposition. The audio director at a game or interactive media company that is handed two demo reels, one showing off someone’s work inside a game in real time, the other a linear QuickTime or Youtube movie. Which demo do you think would better demonstrate that the prospective candidate understands game sound?

Unfortunately, all too often these days, people are missing out on developing a solid foundation in interactive design. Students are placed in front of Digital Audio Workstations such as Pro-Tools or Logic, or even a piece of audio middleware such as FMOD or WWise and then asked to simply imagine what things would sound like in a game.

The GAI approach is fundamentally different.  We want composers, sound designers, producers and audio professionals of all kinds to be familiar and comfortable with the very unique workflow associated with sound for games and interactive environments.

Games have grown in popularity. Gamification continues to permeate our everyday lives. Year after year, we continue to meet teachers from around the country and the globe that have been tasked with creating game audio programs in their schools. Many of these wonderful folks have tons of linear sound experience and even DAW skills galore, but they lack a fundamental understanding of interactive design. Our hope is that the Game Audio Institute can serve as a one stop shop and turnkey solution. Together, we can all help to raise the bar and educate a new generation of teachers and students who understand the unique challenges of working on games and interactive media!

You can get a first hand view of our teaching method in action by checking out our on-line CANVAS course or book-The Essential Guide to Game Audio The Theory and Practice of Sound for Games

THEORY

All knowledge starts with a conceptual theory of some kind. We take the most basic concepts at the heart of game audio and we find ways to show the concepts a number of times and in a variety of ways—via text, via image and by video tutorials.

COMPREHENSION

The logical application of theory is benefitted by different assessment methods that aid the learning process. Our Lesson plans, Rubrics and step by step guides, help to reinforce the terminology and concepts being taught.

INTERACTION

In order to learn about what is essentially a non-linear and experiential medium, you really need to encounter the concept firsthand within the gaming environment. It does you no favors to play examples of game music or sound, and just imagine what it will be like in the game. Instead we immerse you in a game-like setting that illustrates the concepts in a more engaging and fun way!