High Score 2024

Name: APRA AMCOS
Address: Australia
Price range: $

Explore music for games at High Score: a two-day conference

TEXT TO SPEECH

Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 October in  Melbourne

In-person conference and live stream featuring top composers, sound artists and industry pros from games and music

Panels, demos, workshops, networking, legal advice, A&R and more tailored to music creators of all levels

High Score is where music creators, game developers and industry professionals connect and explore the important role that music and audio play in game design and experience.

Join us Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 October at LCI Melbourne in Collingwood – or on the live stream.

Don’t miss the chance to network and connect, try out software and hardware or learn from local and international speakers on skill development, aesthetic design, and the structure of the ever-changing games industry.

$70 earlybird in-person ticket - EXHAUSTED
$120 full price in-person - SOLD OUT
$25 live stream - replay for 30 days after the event

High Score is presented by APRA AMCOS, in partnership with the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, and sponsored by Music Australia and FMOD.

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Event info

Saturday 5– Sunday 6 October 2024

LCI Melbourne - 150 Oxford Street, Collingwood VIC 3066

Early bird in-person ticket: $70 (limited quantity available) - EXHAUSTED
Full price: $120 - SOLD OUT

Includes full program, catered lunch, morning and afternoon tea and Saturday evening networking event (drinks & snacks)

Live stream only: $25

High Score stream will be available on demand for all ticket buyers for a limited time.

Please note, you must be 18 years or older to attend the in-person event. No age restrictions on the live stream.

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Speakers

Richard Lapington (KEYNOTE)

Richard Lapington is the Audio Director at Remedy Entertainment with over 20 years in game audio. Key projects include the award winning Alan Wake II and Quantum Break. His passion lies in creating immersive audio experiences and leading teams to innovate in the evolving landscape of AAA game development.

Montaigne is sitting at a desk in a library with a book, holding a knife. They have short curly brown hair and are looking at the camera.

Montaigne (KEYNOTE)

Montaigne is one of Australia's most accomplished and eclectic music artists with award-winning work spanning the recording, theatre and games industry. Notable work includes representing Australia at Eurovision, collaborating with Austin Wintory and Tripod on the AGDA Game of the Year winning Stray Gods, and performing on viral hit Red Flags with Tom Cardy, among many more things!

Head shot of Yon Hall on a black background. He is wearing a black tshirt and is looking at the camera, smiling.

Yon Hall (KEYNOTE)

Yon, AKA Simon Hall, is best known for his work in comedy band Tripod, with whom he has written songs for Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (Ubisoft) with Austin Wintory. He wrote songs for Stray Gods (Summerfall Games) also with Austin Wintory, for which he was nominated for a Grammy in 2023.

Rad is crouched on a stool with her hands clasped under her gin. She is wearing a white onesie with blue, yellow and red squiggles on it. She has pink hair and is wearing glasses + red shoes.

Angharad 'Rad' Yeo (MC)

Angharad 'Rad' Yeo is an award-winning television and radio presenter, MC, and critic. Her deep passion for technology, science, arts, and culture puts her in a unique position to dissect the rapidly changing landscape we find ourselves in - including the rise of AI - with insight, intelligence, and an energetic spirit. Her credits include pop culture podcast Game For Anything, Double J, ABC ME's Good Game Spawn Point, Catalyst, Queens of the Drone Age, ABC Science's Elevator Pitch.

Jini Maxwell (Moderator)

Jini Maxwell is a curator and critic specialising in videogames. They are a videogame curator at ACMI, where they have curated Out of Bounds: Exploring The Limits of Videogames, and Honk: Untitled Goose Exhibition, and co-curate Gay24, a monthly film night showcasing rare, radical and archival films.

Aaron Edwards

Aaron Edwards (he/him) has been working in the international media scene for over 15 years as a composer, sound designer, music editor & audio programmer. He now brings those different perspectives together as Product Manager for FMOD.

Amy McNickle

Amy McNickle is a Creative Director, Composer, and Sound Designer, best known for her award winning interactive film Worldline Corporations, and her music for animation and games. In addition to her creative projects, she has a wealth of experience in business administration and is a keen advocate for composers and audio designers within the Australian games industry. Amy is currently working on her own game, Planet B, with the support of funding from Screen Australia.

Ash is standing in front of a yellow wall with her hands on her hips, leaning forward. She is looking at the camera smiling. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a white tshirt.

Dr Ash King

Dr Ash King is a psychologist, writer/designer & the Mental Wellbeing Content & Programs Lead at Support Act. After her life in the music industry came to a halt following a vocal injury, she’s now using psychology & mindfulness to help folks live their best lives with creativity, passion and purpose. She has worked across a range of creative fields, including film & tv, live music, visual arts and radio, and has run workshops and talks for Amazon, Pinterest, Linktree, Pedestrian TV, Sony and Universal. She believes that learning to manage the mind can be a fun and inquisitive process. Through insight, wisdom and a splash of pop culture, she helps individuals & organisations develop practical skills to go deep, get wise and be happy.

Ben is sitting in a studio with a computer, speakers and synths behind him. He is smiling, looking at the camera. He is wearing a navy button up shirt.

Ben Houghton

Ben Houghton is an Australian freelance composer and audio designer. Combining a wide range of traditional, hybrid and found sounds, Ben creates a unique palette for each project to enhance narrative and create emotional connection. Ben specialises in adaptive audio systems for games and is currently working on multiple local projects.

Belinda is standing against a blue painted brick wall. She is looking at the camera, smiling. She has long brown hair and is wearing a grey singlet top with a pink and purple blazer over top.

Belinda Coomes

Belinda is a Melbourne based music composer who specialises in writing music for video games and interactive media. Her game credits include Ring of Pain, As We Descend, Winnie’s Hole, Mistmoon Falls, and provided additional tracks for Game For Peace (PUBG Mobile China).

Ben is standing outside with trees and water behind him, holding some tree bark. He is wearing a tshirt and shorts. Smiling and looking at the camera.

Ben Tyler

Ben Tyler, a Bininj man from Kakadu, is a true innovator. Living on his family's outstation, he’s tackled a range of careers from pearling to fashion. In 2017, he launched Kakadu Kitchen, an Indigenous-owned business celebrating Kakadu’s traditional bush foods and medicines. His recent venture into zero-alcohol drinks, through collaborations with ALTD Spirits and OzHarvest Ventures, led to the creation of ‘Conscious Beverages’—a category of eco-friendly drinks designed to support people and the planet. This breakthrough earned them the ‘Game Changer Award’ at the Drinks Business Innovation Hive Awards 2024. Ben is also a leader in Northern Territory business network and co-author of two children's books about Kakadu: 'Walking The Rock Country In Kakadu' (2024), and 'Walking In Gagudju Country. Exploring The Monsoon Forest.' (2021).

Brooke is outside, leaning against a white wall. She is looking at the camera, smiling. She has her arms crossed and is wearing a blue dress with a belt.

Brooke Maggs

Brooke is a Principal Narrative Designer at Remedy Entertainment and the Narrative Lead of the Max Payne 1 and 2 Remake. She also works freelance as a game story consultant on indie projects. Previously, she's worked on award-winning titles such as Control, The Gardens Between, Paperbark and Florence.

Byron is looking directly to the camera and is wearing a black polo shirt.

Byron Scullin

Melbourne practitioner Byron Scullin explores the technological representation and amplification of sound, creating sonic environments that transition into noise and offer experiences of mass and multiplicity. His notable works include Bass Bath, an installation for 22 subwoofers, and Siren Song, a citywide audio piece using 500 speakers and a helicopter sound system. These have been showcased at Dark Mofo, Perth Festival, and internationally. Scullin has contributed sound to films, dance productions, and theatre, and created installations for museums and public spaces. He co-founded MESS, the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio, which houses one of the largest synthesiser collections globally.

Byron Webb

Byron Webb is an Aotearoa New Zealand-based music producer, DJ, and taonga pūoro practitioner. Producer of the acclaimed soundtrack for the forthcoming video game; Toroa, a soundtrack which blends traditional Māori sound culture with contemporary electronic music, creating a richly immersive experience.

Carly is looking at the camera, smiling. She has long dark hair and is wearing a white top with a black singlet top underneath.

Carly Dober

Carly Dober is a psychologist living and working in Naarm/Melbourne. She does workshops with Support Act for creatives, is a Director at the Australian Association of Psychologists Incorporated and Body Safety Australia, and is obsessed with music.

Ceri is standing outside with a building in the background. He is looking at the camera smiling, with his arms crossed. He is wearing a white tshirt, blue cardigan and glasses.

Ceri Hutton

Ceri is a game designer and business consultant for the creative industries specialising in culture transformation and marketing strategy. He has 15+ years’ games industry experience, holds an executive level MBA from Monash University and directs a specialised mentorship and accelerator program for underrepresented and emerging game developers.

Chris O'Neill

Senior explosion engineer, creature creator and music meddler at PlaySide Studios. Chris' time in audio has seen him cover an eclectic variety of areas; everything from Paramount and DC universe mobile titles through to VR film, live installation pieces, and projects for Google, Square Enix, and IBM.

Daniel is standing outside, with trees in the background. He is looking at the camera, smiling. He has dark brown hair and a beard, and is wearing a blue tshirt.

Daniel Bunting

Daniel Bunting, audio engineer for Sydney’s Metropolitan Orchestra, recently debuted his first game score, Copycat. He is a composition alumnus of AFTRS Screen Music and the Queensland Conservatorium, and the 2022 winner of the national youth arranging competition. Dan has composed for feature films, shorts, television, musicals, documentaries, and commercials.

Dean is standing in front of a red velvet curtain, looking at the camera and smiling. He is wearing a black blazer with white button up shirt underneath.

Dean Ormston

Dean Ormston is the Chief Executive of APRA AMCOS, Australia and New Zealand’s largest music industry organisation with over 119,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. Dean has worked with APRA AMCOS for over 20 years and across all key areas of the organisation. He has led advocacy with Federal and State Governments for the recognition and support of creators’ rights, and championed the local music industry as a key economic and cultural asset that drives exports and educational outcomes across the country.

Dylan is standing outside with palm trees in the background. He is looking at the camera and smiling. He has long brown hair and is wearing a blue tshirt.

Dylan Bennett

Founder and Director of NT's first video game studio Larrikin Interactive, as well as Founder / Director of the NT's NFP Tech Hub, The Array, Dylan was born and raised on Larrakia Land and feels immense pleasure at supporting creatives to tell stories that reflect the Australia that he grew up in.

Jacob is sitting in front of some old television sets, stacked up, showing static screens. He has dark brown hair + moustache and is looking the camera.

Jacob Leaney

Jacob Leaney is a composer and artist/producer (aka Monster Mansion) from Melbourne. Career highlights include winning awards for the AGDA’s, NZ Games Festival, and the International Songwriting Competition, collaborating with K-Pop hitmaker Alina Smith (Itzy, Chungha, Red Velvet), and performing music on Channel 10’s ‘Thank God You’re Here’.

John is standing outside in front of a citrus tree. He has short light brown hair and is looking at the camera, smiling.

John Oestmann

John Oestmann is a video game and electronic music composer (including Rooftop Renegade, nominated Best Sound at GDEX conference), and APRA AMCOS SongHubs mentor. Passionate about Open Source and Open Culture, John also publishes his personal compositions into Public Domain, and creates the monthly Freeware Creator Magazine.

Kuya is sitting on a stool, facing the camera with his hands in his lap. He is wearing a grey beanie, black tshirt and checkered blue, white and red pants.

Kuya James

Kuya James aka James Mangohig is both an ARIA nominated producer and artist living on Larrakia land in Darwin, Northern Territory. Both a musical director and music producer, he has made records with many artists including Emily Wurramara, Tasman Keith, Caiti Baker, A.B Original and Daniel Johns amongst others. He also writes and produces music for dance, film and theatre.

Lisy is standing in front of a pink background, looking at the camera, smiling. She is wearing a maroon tank top, glasses and the ends of her hair are dyed orange.

Lisy Kane

Lisy Kane is production & business consultant, Managing Director and co-founder of Girl Geek Academy, board member (VicScreen & IGDA Foundation) and EMBA graduate, obsessed with connecting the dots between shipping great games and building creative teams. Since her recognition on the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, her curious and pragmatic approach to leadership has seen her career move from indie studio to AA production publisher specialising in supporting the operations and growth of teams.

Louie is standing outside with glass buildings behind. He has his hands clasped in front of his body and is looking at the camera. He is wearing a blue button up shirt.

Louie Roots

Louie Roots is a games curator, creative technologist and event producer, currently co-Directing the independent games organisation Freeplay. His work focuses on playful human interactions and experimental hardware, and in a broader sense facilitates community across industries and creates space for emerging artists

Luke Henry

Luke has advised a range of tech and game studios on complex tax and business issues for over twenty years. His team assists over sixty game development studios of all different sizes from around Australia. They strive to bridge the gap between tax technical issues, industry language and the latest in business practices.

Maize is standing in front of a purple fluro background. They are wearing a polka dot jumper, looking at the camera smiling.

Maize Wallin

Maize Wallin is composer, sound designer, and audio programmer working across indie games and AAA. Focused in 3D spatialised audio, and dynamic music, Maize lectures and consults in Australia and around the world on these topics, as well activism and representation within game development as co-founder of Game Workers Australia.

Matt is looking at the camera, with his arms crossed. He has short dark hair and is wear a black polo shirt.

Matt Schenkel

Matt Schenkel is a Melbourne-based sound designer and director/co-founder of Sub-Zero Sound, a game audio studio specialising in audio creation and implementation for games. With almost a decade of experience in the Australian games industry, Matt has contributed to projects across many genres and platforms.

Max is sitting on a stool in front of a glitter streamer backdrop. This is a black and white photograph.

Max Kearney

Max Kearney, a Naarm-based composer and sound designer, works full-time at iRacing and collaborates on indie games. Inspired by the intersection between procedural and handcrafted, he loves the expanding potential of game audio. Max also runs the monthly work-in-progress event at Sabby Gallery and performs electronic music as 'File Explorer'.

Meena is looking at the camera, smiling. He is wearing a button up denim top and red framed glasses.

Meena Shamaly

Meena Shamaly is a composer, session musician, and presenter of ABC Classic’s Game Show. He scored Innchanted (DragonBear Studios) and Every Hue of You (Cactus Jam Studios), and performed on Christopher Tin’s Grammy-nominated Old World as well on Total War: Pharaoh by Ian Livingstone and Ed Watkins.

Michael is standing in front of a roller door, looking at the camera. He is wear a checked button up shirt and a denim overshirt.

Michael Theiler

Michael has worked in game audio for over ten years. He has been BAFTA nominated for audio achievement, is a G.A.N.G award winner, and is currently the Audio Director of the million selling Forest and Sons of the Forest series.

Narayana is outside, swinging from a tree. He is wearing a cap and dark coloured jacket. He is smiling at the camera.

Narayana Johnson

Narayana Johnson AKA River Boy is a music producer, composer and songwriter from the Northern Rivers who takes a lot of inspo from his childhood spent playing in the rivers with the homies. Music has taken him across the world. He is most known for his work on Cult of the Lamb and as one half of Willow Beats.

Nathaniel Chew

Making games in the day, playing games at night, Nathaniel is an Associate Lead Audio Designer at Ubisoft Singapore. Nathaniel has had the privilege to work on the Assassin’s Creed franchise, and continues to strive in crafting dynamic audio experiences that enhance gameplay and storytelling.

Pascal is standing in front of a white wall, wearing a black graphic t shirt. He has a beard.

Pascal Cross

Pascal is an audio software engineer at PlaySide Studios building tools and tech to support the large audio teams across multiple platforms and titles. With a background in game engineering and tooling it has been a huge learning opportunity to apply these skills to support audio across systems such as narrative pipelines, VR interactions and gameplay systems to enable the team to deliver high quality game audio.

This is a black & white photograph of Samantha. She has long light coloured hair, is wearing glasses and is looking at the camera, smiling. She is wearing a tshirt.

Samantha van der Sluis

Samantha is a NZ-born Aussie composer based in the United States. She is the composer for cozy games Cloudscape, Petit Island, Love, Ghostie, and Islands & Trains, as well as having credits on Star Wars IX and Toy Story 4.

Sam is standing outside, with buildings in the background. He is looking at the camera and has dark hair and a beard. He is wearing a black button up shirt with a denim overshirt.

Dr Sam Whiting

Sam is a Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow at RMIT University. His research is focused on issues of capital, labour, and technology as they relate to the music industries, and has featured work with the SA Music Development Office, City of Adelaide, Live Music Office, and City of Melbourne. His recent book, Small Venues, is out now.

This is an edited image of Sarah and you can see a double up of her image behind her. She is wearing a grey top and glitter makeup.

Sarah Wolfe

Multidisciplinary artist Sarah Wolfe has featured in Rolling Stone, NME’s Global 100 Emerging Artists, & collaborated with multiple video game studios. She came back swinging after a surprise brain surgery in 2023, releasing 'Eternal Nights' for League of Geeks' game Solium Infernum. Alongside an upcoming EP, she is also composing for SXSW showcase game Mystiques.

Scott is standing outside, looking at the camera smiling, with trees in the background. He is wearing a grey tshirt and a khaki jacket over the top.

Scott Boyd

Scott Boyd is currently the Audio Lead at Ultimate Studio. He has a wide range of experience across the industry as an Audio Lead, Sound Designer and Technical Sound Designer, having worked on many different projects varying in size from indie to AAA. Notable games that he has worked on include Sons of The Forest, Last Epoch, Phantom Abyss, and many more.

Sonia is standing outside, looking at the camera smiling, with blurred trees in the background. She has shoulder length brown hair and is wearing a blue and white button up shirt + necklace.

Sonia Coronado

Sonia Coronado is a senior music designer from Cartagena, Colombia currently working at PlayStation Studios Creative Arts. Some of her recent game credits include God of War Ragnarök, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Ghost of Tsushima and The Last of Us Part II.

Susannah is standing behind a medium format camera, wearing a khaki knee length jacket and has brown shoulder length hair.

Dr Susannah Emery

Dr. Susie Emery (she/they) is a Game & Narrative Designer and Lecturer at UniSA. Her game design and research focus on the use of games and digital media to foster equity, diversity, and inclusion by promoting empathy, inciting social change, and enhancing learning.

Black & white photo of talia. They are wearing glasses, looking at the camera, smiling.

Talia Raso

Talia Raso is a sound designer and audio obsessor, enthralled by the effects of audio-visual cohesion in multi-sensory experiences. She has been a member of the audio department at PlaySide Studios since 2022. Lending her work to such titles as Age Of Darkness, WorldBoss, The Godfather and Legally Blonde mobile games as well as the Dumb Ways to Die franchise. Talia has been working in audio engineering and audio post production since 2012, and has had the privilege to join some incredible teams on feature films, animations, documentaries and national advertising campaigns.

Tim Shiel

Tim Shiel is a musician and radio broadcaster working on Wurundjeri land. He is the composer behind the music for award-winning Australian titles Duet and The Gardens Between, and has also worked with some of Australia's most creative musicians including Cub Sport, Mindy Meng Wang 王萌, Gotye & Genesis Owusu.

Curators

Amy McNickle

Tim Shiel

Sponsors & Supporters

Showreel Feedback Sessions

High Score is giving 5 lucky participants the opportunity to have their Showreels reviewed by PlaySide Studio’s very own Chris O’Neill and Talia Raso! This is a rare opportunity to receive focused feedback from industry professionals, so you can be ready with the perfect showreel to secure that next exciting opportunity.

Before you apply:

This session will be held in person during High Score 2024 (Saturday October 5th & Sunday October 6th). You must be available to attend IN PERSON to be eligible for this session
You must be an APRA AMCOS member in order to apply
This session will be open to all in person ticket holders on the day, so please do not submit work under NDA or work that you do not have the right to show
All audio in your showreel must be original work. If your showreel has audio from a collaborator (e.g. it’s your composition, but someone else’s sound design), please ensure this is credited appropriately
Please ensure your showreel has both video and audio (audio only reels, or links to a game will not be considered for this submission)

Submissions have closed.

Program

Day 1 - Saturday 5 October 2024
Time	Gallery	Loft
8:00 - 9:00	Registration
9:15 - 9:30	Welcome to Country
9:30 - 10:30	OPENING KEYNOTE: Setting the Audio Vision at Remedy Richard Lapington Finland-based Remedy Entertainment is one of the world's most acclaimed game studios, with a series of audio-rich cinematic blockbusters including Max Payne, Control & Alan Wake 2. Richard Lapington, the audio director behind Remedy's BAFTA-award winning audio team, reveals how vision-setting is the key to the studio's creative and critical success. Beginner \| Intermediate \| Advanced
10:30 - 11:30	MORNING TEA
11:30 - 12:30	PRESENTATION: From Advertising to Assassin's Creed Nathaniel Chew Join Nathaniel Chew, Associate Audio Lead at Ubisoft Singapore, as he shares his journey from being an Audio Producer in the advertising industry to shaping the immersive soundscapes of Assassin's Creed. Gain insights into his transition into the games industry, the inner workings of Ubisoft’s audio team, and the challenges of collaborating with global studios. Beginner \| Intermediate	PANEL: From Creative Passion to Sustainable Practice Byron Scullin, Carly Dober, Lisy Kane & Matt Schenkel (Host: Jini Maxwell) You've worked on a game or two and now you're starting to think longer term. Can you build a sustainable business out of your passion for game audio? Our panel will help demystify that process with practical tips, stories from the field, and evergreen advice on how to preserve and nurture your creativity. Intermediate \| Advanced
12:30 - 13:30	LUNCH
13:30 - 14:30	SPEEDRUNS: 1 Concept, 5 Minutes Byron Webb, Daniel Bunting, Max Kearney, Samantha van der Sluis & Sarah Wolfe (Host: Rad Yeo) Each speaker has 5 minutes to fully explain their most important industry tip – will they get through it in time? Beginner \| Intermediate	PANEL: How to Speak Dev and Influence Designers Amy McNickle, Brooke Maggs, Chris O'Neill & Scott Boyd (Host: Jini Maxwell) Our panel breaks down their approach to communicating the role of audio to game designers, programers, and producers, and will discuss the benefits of having audio earlier in the production pipeline. Intermediate \| Advanced
14:30 - 15:30	AFTERNOON TEA
15:30 - 16:30	FMOD DEEP DIVE: Dumb Ways to Survive Pascal Cross & Talia Raso Pascal Cross and Talia Raso crack open the 'Dumb Ways to Survive' FMOD session to show just how they get those beans out of trouble. Intermediate \| Advanced	WORKSHOP: DYNAC: Do You NETWORK as Composers? Ceri Hutton Is effective networking about who you know, or who knows you? How can you make impactful connections, leave memorable impressions, and have devs reaching out to you? Leave “Do you need a composer?” in your drafts, and learn practical tips for effective networking with Ceri Hutton, who brings valuable perspectives from his experience in business development, and from years of connecting game developers all around Australia. Beginner \| Intermediate
16:30 - 16:45	SHORT BREAK
16:45 - 17:45	TECH MASTERCLASS: Music Systems Fit for the Gods Sonia Coronado Sonia Coronado from Sony PlayStation walks us through her process for designing dynamic and engaging music for games. Drawing from her experience working on games such as ‘Helldivers II’, and ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’, Sonia will focus on some of the innovative approaches taken when designing the epic music systems in ‘God of War: Ragnarök’. Beginner \| Intermediate \| Advanced
18:00 - 20:00	VMDO & High Score present: LAN Party at Lulie Tavern! Join us at nearby Lulie Tavern (225 Johnson St Abbotsford, 14 min walk) and get to know your fellow High Score attendees and speakers. Show your High Score lanyard for a free drink on arrival, with finger food provided. DJ sets from River Boy & Byron Webb (NZ). * 18+ attendance only

Day 2 - Sunday 6 October 2024 (DAYLIGHT SAVING TIMES APPLY)
Time	Gallery	Loft
9:00 - 9:20	Arrival
9:20 - 9:30	Welcome to Day 2!
9:30 - 10:30	PANEL: AI in Game Audio: The Risks, Opportunities and Unknowns John Oestmann, Dr Sam Whiting & Dr Susannah Emery (Host: Rad Yeo) Our expert panel speak on the controversial and everchanging realities of AI and generative technologies. They will discuss how AI can be a useful tool for creatives, but also highlight where we should be vigilant. Beginner \| Intermediate \| Advanced
10:30 - 11:30	MORNING TEA
11:30 - 12:30	PRESENTATION: Cultural Consent in Diets & Deities Dylan Bennett, Ben Tyler & James Mangohig Join the creative team behind Diets and Deities, a rhythm cooking game set in a diverse culinary universe, as they discuss the process of working with, and seeking cultural consent from First Nations, Balinese, Brazilian, and Chinese communities. Led by Dylan Bennett, founder of NT-based studio Larrikin Interactive, the team shares insights into the development of this unique game and its epic music. Beginner \| Intermediate \| Advanced	PANEL: Stronger Together: Why Community Matters Dr Ash King, Louie Roots, Maize Wallin & Meena Shamaly (Host: Tim Shiel) A creative life can sometimes feel lonely - but many support networks exist that can help you find your people. Join representatives from the AGSC, Freeplay, Game Workers Union & Support Act and learn how getting involved in community can lead to positive outcomes for you and for the wider games industry. Beginner \| Intermediate \| Advanced
12:30 - 13:30	LUNCH
13:30 - 14:30	PANEL: Know Your Worth, Then Add Tax Belinda Coomes, Ben Houghton, Jake Leaney & Luke Henry (Host: Rad Yeo) Creative accounting and lessons from the freelance trenches. From contract negotiation to small business setup, our expert freelancers - and a game-industry-literate accountant - will share tips and tricks plus answer your questions. Beginner \| Intermediate	FMOD DEEP DIVE: Sons Of The Forest Michael Theiler & Aaron Edwards Run, jump, and explore the audio systems of survival horror simulator Sons Of The Forest, as composer Michael Theiler and FMOD's own Aaron Edwards unpack the game's FMOD session. Intermediate \| Advanced
14:30 - 15:00	AFTERNOON TEA
15:00 - 16:00	PANEL: Game Music in the Wild: from OSTs to Orchestras Jini Maxwell, Louise Buckingham & Narayana Johnson (River Boy) (Host: Tim Shiel) Do you want your music to have a life outside of the game you made it for? Vinyl, live concerts, Spotify playlists, museum exhibitions? Our panel will help you understand what's possible, drawing from experience across composition, performance and curation. Beginner \| Intermediate \| Advanced	BIG MUSIC small screens: Elevating mobile games with bespoke compositions Jacob Leaney Discover the crucial role high-quality music can play in mobile games, enhancing player engagement and immersion. Jacob Leaney breaks down his compositions for mobile game “Guild of Guardians” and discusses the importance of a strong relationship between Composer, Creative Lead, and Studio Director. Intermediate \| Advanced
16:00-16:15	SHORT BREAK
16:15 - 17:15	CLOSING KEYNOTE: Branching Ballads: Lyrically Driven Narratives in Stray Gods Jess Cerro (Montaigne) & Yon Hall Montaigne and Yon (Tripod) discuss how they worked together to create cohesive songs with branching narratives in the ground-breaking musical roleplaying game, Stray Gods. Beginner \| Intermediate \| Advanced
17:15 - 17:30	CLOSE OF CONFERENCE

LCI Melbourne Campus Accessibility

LCI Melbourne is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive and accessible campus, space and venue. Our services and facilities are designed to make your experience comfortable and enjoyable.

What to expect

LCI Melbourne’s campus is designed to be accessible for all (and D.D.A compliant). All levels have lift access, large halls and doorways, and non-gendered bathrooms. In some areas with limited lift access, ramps or chair lifts located nearby facilitate entry.

Where there are entries to the building that may have limited access, an alternative entry with wheelchair-friendly access is available.

If you’re in need of further assistance or have any questions, please contact LCI Melbourne’s team who are more than happy to help by providing information regarding our spaces and accessibility.

Contact: [email protected]

Live Stream and On Demand Accessibility

Contact [email protected] with any questions

News

Story Published Thu 29 Aug 2024

Apply: High Score Scholarships

Live outside of Melbourne, and want to attend High Score for FREE? 10x scholarships available

Group photo of the participants of High Score SongHubs 2024

Media Published Thu 6 June 2024

High Score SongHubs kicks off in Melbourne

Nine hand-picked composers and sound designers join curator Morgan Read to develop audio for an interactive game

Media Published Mon 5 Aug 2024

High Score returns with world-leading names in games music

Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 October, LCI Melbourne/Naarm. Limited early bird discount tickets are gone! Grab your tix.

Contact us

Get in touch

[email protected]

Scholarships

Submissions for the 2024 High Score Scholarships are now closed.

The High Score Scholarships program is presented by Music Australia, in partnership with APRA AMCOS, and aims to increase access to High Score for Aboriginal and Torres Strait musicians, and musicians + publishers outside of metropolitan Melbourne. There are 10 positions available, (2 of which are designated for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists, 3 of which are designated for publisher positions) which will cover:

economy ﬂights to and from the event
3x nights accommodation
an in-person ticket to the 2-day event
access to the High Score video on demand service post-event
attendance at the speaker + sponsor mixer

Current High Score ticket holders can apply for this initiative. If you are successful, the cost of your already-purchased ticket will be refunded.

Only applicants 18+ are able to apply for this opportunity.

Submissions for the 2024 High Score Scholarships are now closed.