Game Composer Project Brief

When hiring a game composer, the first step is to create a detailed project brief. A well-crafted brief helps set clear expectations, establishes the creative direction, and ensures the composer understands the project’s goals. By providing a structured overview of your game and its musical needs, you enable the composer to deliver a soundtrack that enhances your game’s narrative, gameplay, and overall experience.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the essential components of a game composer project brief and provide a filled-out example template to help guide your collaboration.

Why Do You Need a Game Composer Project Brief?

A project brief ensures both you and your composer are on the same page. It clarifies key elements such as the type of music needed, the overall tone and style, deadlines, and budget. By taking the time to fill out this brief, you help the composer tailor their work to your specific needs, leading to a smoother collaboration and a better final result.

Think of your game’s soundtrack as more than just background noise. It’s a powerful tool for creating emotional connections, enhancing the story, and immersing players in your game world. A well-defined project brief ensures that the composer’s music supports all these objectives.

Key Elements to Include in a Game Composer Project Brief

Here are the critical sections to include in your game composer project brief:

1. Game Overview

Provide a brief description of your game, including its genre, setting, and gameplay style. This gives the composer an understanding of the overall tone and context for the music.

2. Music Style & Genre

Describe the type of music you envision for your game. Do you want an orchestral score, electronic beats, or a hybrid of both? The style and genre should match the feel of your game.

3. Tone & Mood

The music should match the tone and mood of your game. Are you looking for something epic and dramatic, lighthearted and fun, or dark and eerie? Be specific about the emotional atmosphere you want the composer to evoke.

4. Key Themes or Motifs

If you have specific themes or motifs (e.g., a recurring melody associated with the main character or a location), include those details here. This helps the composer weave cohesive, memorable elements into the soundtrack.

5. Specific Track Requirements

Outline any specific tracks or types of music needed, such as menu music, level themes, battle music, or environmental sounds. The composer will need to know which pieces are essential to your game.

6. Inspiration & References

If you have specific game soundtracks, genres, or composers in mind, share these references. They can serve as inspiration for the composer and give them a clearer idea of what you want.

7. Timeline & Deadlines

Set realistic deadlines for each stage of the project, from initial drafts to final compositions. Ensure that the timeline aligns with your game’s development schedule.

8. Budget

Provide a budget range to ensure the composer’s fee aligns with your financial resources. The budget can influence the scale of the project, such as the number of tracks or the involvement of live musicians.

Game Composer Project Brief Template

Here’s a filled-out example of a project brief for hiring a game composer. Use this template as a starting point for your own project brief:

Game Composer Project Brief Example

Project Title: Mystic Quest

**Game Overview:**Mystic Quest is an action-adventure game set in a fantasy world filled with mythical creatures, ancient ruins, and enchanted landscapes. Players take on the role of a young hero on a quest to save their kingdom from an impending dark force. The gameplay features exploration, combat, puzzle-solving, and emotional story-driven moments.

Music Style & Genre: We are looking for an orchestral soundtrack with epic, cinematic music to enhance the grand scale of the world. We would also like to incorporate light folk elements for peaceful village themes and dark ambient sounds for the haunted forest areas.

Tone & Mood:

  • Epic & Grand: The battle and exploration music should feel heroic and uplifting, emphasizing the protagonist’s journey.
  • Dark & Haunting: The music for the forest and ruined castle areas should evoke mystery, suspense, and danger.
  • Peaceful & Reflective: Village and forest themes should be serene, offering calm moments of respite.

Key Themes or Motifs:

  • Heroic Theme: A powerful and memorable melody representing the hero’s journey.
  • Darkness Motif: A recurring ominous theme used to signal the presence of the dark force.
  • Nature Motif: A gentle melody for scenes set in the peaceful village and enchanted forest.

Specific Track Requirements:

  • Main Theme: A powerful orchestral score for the main title and opening scene.
  • Battle Theme: High-energy, orchestral composition for combat sequences.
  • Exploration Theme: A thematic piece for when players are exploring the kingdom.
  • Haunted Forest Theme: A dark, ambient track with eerie undertones for the forest.
  • Village Theme: A light, folk-inspired track to evoke warmth and peace in the village.
  • Final Boss Battle Theme: A climactic, orchestral piece to accompany the final showdown.

Inspiration & References:

  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Epic orchestral score with an immersive, atmospheric sound.
  • The Witcher 3 – A balance of orchestral and folk music for a rich, emotional experience.
  • Final Fantasy VII – Memorable, thematic music with strong character-driven motifs.

Timeline & Deadlines:

  • Initial Drafts: 3 weeks from the start of the project.
  • Review of Initial Drafts: 1 week.
  • Final Compositions: 6 weeks from project start.
  • Delivery of Final Tracks: 8 weeks from project start.

Budget:

  • Total budget: $12,000
  • Payment will be made in two instalments: 50% upfront, 50% upon final delivery.

Conclusion

A well-detailed game composer project brief is essential for a successful collaboration. By clearly communicating your game’s needs and vision, you’ll help the composer deliver a soundtrack that complements your game’s narrative, enhances the player’s experience, and contributes to the overall success of your project.

Use the template above to get started, and be sure to adjust it to reflect your specific requirements. Whether you’re looking for a grand orchestral score, atmospheric ambient music, or a mix of styles, a clear project brief will set the foundation for an unforgettable musical experience for your game.

Ready to find the perfect composer for your project? Start by filling out your brief today, and take the first step toward an unforgettable soundtrack for your game.

Ready to Bring Your Game’s Soundtrack to Life?

Now that you’ve got your project brief ready, it’s time to find the perfect composer to bring your vision to life. At Twine, we connect you with top freelance game composers from around the world, each specializing in creating unforgettable soundtracks tailored to your game’s unique needs.

Whether you’re looking for epic orchestral scores, atmospheric ambient tracks, or catchy battle themes, our diverse community of freelancers can deliver the music that will enhance your game’s world and immerse players in your experience. With Twine’s easy-to-use platform, you can browse portfolios, read client reviews, and hire the right composer for your project – all within your budget and timeline.

Start your search for the perfect game composer – post your project for free.

Vicky

After studying English Literature at university, Vicky decided she didn’t want to be either a teacher or whoever it is that writes those interminable mash-up novels about Jane Austen and pirates, so sensibly moved into graphic design.

She worked freelance for some time on various projects before starting at Twine and giving the site its unique, colourful look.

Despite having studied in Manchester and spent some years in Cheshire, she’s originally from Cumbria and stubbornly refuses to pick up a Mancunian accent. A keen hiker, Vicky also shows her geographic preferences by preferring the Cumbrian landscape to anything more local.