Tag: video game

Golden Joystick Awards Nominate “Hauntii” for Best Soundtrack

Indie game soundtrack nominated alongside AAA titles

Today, the 42nd Annual Golden Joystick Awards announced “Hauntii” as one of six nominees for Best Soundtrack. “Hauntii” is an independent video game whose nomination was a surprise among AAA titles from major, international game developers and publishers.

SoS worked with composer Michael Kirby Ward to help create and record a Hollywood soundtrack on Hauntii’s limited budget. (More info here.) From the moment we began working with Ward’s music, it was clear this was a special soundtrack unlike those found in most independent video games. We are thrilled to see the music recognized among some of the biggest video games of the last year.

Voting for the Golden Joystick Awards is open through November 1, 2024, at <https://goldenjoysticks.com>.

Hauntii

An Indie Game with a Hollywood Soundtrack? YES!!

Some of the most interesting and creative projects don’t have big studio resources. The independent video game “Hauntii” is one such project. Composer Michael Kirby Ward, developer Moonloop Games, and publisher Firestoke, assumed that Hauntii’s limited, indie-game budget meant their only option was to record the game’s song in Eastern Europe. Nonetheless, Ward contacted SoS to see if there were any options available for recording in the USA.

Examining the project, we realized that with some creative orchestration and careful planning, it would be possible to access Hollywood talent and elevate the music beyond expectations. Furthermore, we could record both the song and the soundtrack’s most important cues. Making this happen would be a challenge, but the talent available in Los Angeles would mean we could work quickly with a smaller ensemble to achieve very high quality within their budget.

Danita Ng-Poss and Jason Poss worked closely with Michael Ward to develop a strategy for orchestrating and recording. SoS handled all orchestration and music preparation, secured the recording studio, hired the musicians, processed union contracts, and coordinated payroll. The project was completed on time and within the tight budget.

Hauntii is now a rare indie game boasting a soundtrack with A-list Hollywood musicians. The results were so successful that, on some cues, the original samples were completely replaced by the live recordings; even though it was a smaller ensemble.

The video above shows a bit of the recording session with composer Michael Ward singing the song “Home to Home”.

For us at SoS, it was delightful to work with Ward on a contemplative soundtrack to compliment Hauntii’s unique artwork, gentle atmosphere, and more relaxed, thoughtful gameplay. This is far from the bombast of many game soundtracks.

Hauntii is available on PC, Playstation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Hauntii’s soundtrack is also available on Steam.

The 4th Annual SCL Awards

Yesterday was The Society of Composers & Lyricists’ 4th Annual SCL Awards. SoS provided music preparation and contracted the all-star lineup of Hollywood musicians. This year’s ceremony was hosted by Darren Criss, and featured performances by Criss, Rizzi Myers, Priscilla Ahn, and and Oscar-winning composer Justin Hurwitz.

After last year’s highly successful show, the SCL made this their biggest ceremony yet with an expanded orchestra, rhythm section, and choir. It proved to be great move with a sold-out show and accolades all around.

SoS has been a part of every SCL Awards since their inaugural ceremony four years ago providing music preparation, managing the hiring of musicians, and consulting on union contracts and procedures.

This project also marked the joyful return of Danita Ng-Poss to the SoS team after completing her term as Secretary/Treasurer of AFM Local 47.

15 Years of Assassin’s Creed

Ubisoft celebrates landmark soundtrack

Ubisoft has spent several weeks counting down 15 years of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Last week featured Assassin’s Creed 2. This week they reached the original Assassin’s Creed, and the 15th Anniversary Website features Jesper Kyd’s landmark soundtrack that defined the sound of the series.

SoS is proud of our work helping Jesper Kyd create the unique soundtracks of both Assassin’s Creed 1 & 2, which became signature elements of this beloved game series.

G.A.N.G. Awards & Aragami 2 logos

Aragami 2 Music Nominated for Two G.A.N.G. Awards

The Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) has nominated the music of Aragami 2 for two awards:

  • Creative and Technical Achievement in Music
  • Best Music for an Indie Game

Aragami 2’s soundtrack had big aspirations and a limited budget. We are proud to have helped composers Elvira Björkman and Nicklas Hjertberg find creative ways to realize their musical vision. The project was a collaborative, international effort with the composers in Sweden, developer Lince Works in Spain, and SoS’s orchestration and string recordings in Los Angeles. Good communication and careful planning led to success during a time in the COVID pandemic when international travel was not an option.

Congratulations to Björkman, Hjertberg, and Lince Works for achieving your ambitions and creating a unique, compelling musical experience.