Music for Video Games

Game music is an underserved genre with steady demand. Whether you're scoring an indie platformer or a AAA console title, understanding the market and how to reach game developers is key.

The Game Music Market

Game composers earn through:

• Upfront fees — a one-time payment for original score composition
• Royalties — per-unit sales or streaming splits (rare; upfront is standard)
• Licensing deals — your existing music licensed for in-game use
• Asset store sales — music packs sold on Unity Asset Store or Unreal Marketplace

Rates vary wildly. Indie games might offer $500–$5,000 for a full soundtrack; major studios pay $50,000+.

Indie vs AAA

Indie games have small budgets but move fast. Developers are accessible via itch.io, Game Jams, Discord communities, and email. A small indie title might need 20–30 minutes of music and pay $1,000–$3,000.

AAA studios (Ubisoft, Sony, Square Enix) have larger budgets and longer timelines. They hire through agents or formal RFPs. Establishing a portfolio and reputation takes years, but payouts are substantial.

Start with indie. Build a portfolio. AAA follows.

Building a Portfolio

Compose music for free or low-cost games first:

• Enter game jam competitions (Ludum Dare, Global Game Jam)
• Score a friend's indie game
• Create music for open-source or itch.io projects
• Build a website showcasing game music work, with embedded audio and video demos

Show your range: atmospheric ambience, action themes, puzzle music, boss battles. Highlight technical skills (looping, dynamic layers, interactive music).

Finding Game Dev Clients

• Game engines & marketplaces — Unity Asset Store, Unreal Marketplace, itch.io
• Developer communities — Discord servers, Reddit (r/gamedev, r/IndieGaming)
• Networking — attend game dev conferences, join Slack communities
• Direct outreach — email indie studios with your portfolio
• Agents — once you're established, game music agents (like those handling AAA composers) can pitch your work

Start local. Collaborate with student game developers. Build credibility with finished work before pitching to major studios.