Even if they are not advertising the right role, if you like a specific company it’s worth emailing them to let them know you are looking in case something suitable comes up in future.
Use the UK Games Map to find out if there are games companies near you, then go to their websites directly and check out their open roles.
Go to how to network well to learn how to do this.
Offer to provide them with your professional contact details and try to stay in touch with them. Meet professionals and ask them questions about their work, while demonstrating interest and knowledge in the industry. Get to know people in the games industry by attending events, including games conferences and expos. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the games industry. Have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses in games. Pick whichever most reflects your interest. There might be modules in music degree courses, in music production or in game design. Most people in the games industry have degrees so you might want to get a degree which includes sound engineering. Re-record your own music and foley for the games that you play, share with games and music communities online. Go to build your sound portfolio and build your games portfolio to learn how. Make something you can show off to admissions tutors or employers. Learn the software, experiment with games engines and start putting the music in. OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production).AQA Technical Level Entertainment Technology: Video Games Art and Design Production.RSL Subsidiary Diploma for Music Practitioners (Technology).UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology.BTEC National Diploma in Sound Production.Aim Awards Diploma/Extended Diploma in Games Animation and VFX.If you want to straight into a job or apprenticeship, t he following Level 3 qualifications will help equip you with the skills you need: BTEC Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production.Think about putting some of these Level 3 subjects together: If you want to go to university a n ideal combination of subjects is A-levels, Highers or BTECs that combine music with computer science of physics. This is usually a senior role but some companies will take on junior sound designers. The most important thing is to learn key skills before you start. They also work with the QA technicians to ensure the sound is working correctly. They might be the only person responsible for sound or they might be part of a significant team.
These are some of the tools used by professionals, but you can develop your skills using free software. Communication: work with game designers, other audio artists and QA technicians.Knowledge of game engines: understand the technical constraints of engines and how sound files become integrated into them.Knowledge of gameplay and platforms: imagine the game, have a sense of timing, understand how audio can improve gameplay and even drive gameplay.Sound engineering: know how to record, edit, mix and master.Career spotlight: sound designer - dBs | The sound & music institute.How to become a video game sound designer.As the audio elements are added to the game engine, the sound designer also tests them to make sure they work as intended. They edit, mix and master them to produce the soundtrack for the finished game. They might work with a composer, with actors or go out and record sound. They usually start by creating a library of sound effects.
Other times they are brought in when a game’s already playable and their job is to add the sounds to the animation. Sometimes they are involved in the game’s development right at the start – working from a brief to design what a player is going to hear. They make the gameplay more exciting by adding mood, tempo and emotional depth. This includes the music and foley - sound effects like gunshots, footsteps, crashes, cheers, heavy rain. Sound designers create the soundtrack for a game.