Aaron Walz, Video Game Composer Blog

Well I’ve been asked to lead and organize the Audio Track this year for Casual Connect in Seattle this July. The Track consists of 5-6 sessions including discussion panels and lectures by audio professionals in the Casual Game industry. It’s quite an honor to be so involved with this and quite a bit more time consuming than simply giving a presentation last year, but worth every minute. So far, we have quite a lineup. We will focus on the value, importance and cost of great audio. Presentations include the making of sound effects, techniques of recording live instruments and voiceovers, integrating music and sound effects, communication between audio and game developers, and a question and answer panel with audience participation. We will also address certain concerns we have with the industry and attempt to reach out and educate developers about audio. Stay tuned for some descriptions of sessions, tips and tricks, and more news.

Seattle

The folks at Amaranth Games have made an amazing newspaper!   Cheeck it out.  I have started contributing there as a game music reviewer.

OK so I thought the economy was down the pipes? You wouldn’t know it at the Intuit Holiday Party… ballroom dancers, Brazilian dancers, several live bands, amazing food and desserts, casino games and dealers and professional photographers. Performers included: Kaweh, Latin Rhythms, Eric Jarmie, Galo Rivera, Boca Do Rio, SRO, The Angelo Piano Duo & Joyce Cooling. Joyce was my favorite.

Yes, very cool party, but it makes me wonder how a company can justify laying off many people and outsourcing jobs to save money, and then spending what I can only imagine is a small fortune on a party…

But I enjoyed the great music and food. Hmm maybe one day Walz Music will have a great Holiday Party! But we would also like to be socially conscious and not wasteful. Here are some pictures and a video!

San Francisco City Hall

The Desserts!

One Band Setting Up

Joyce Cooling

I Feel So Classy!

Not sure why but my forum took a plunge.  I’m trying to get it to live again.  An Internal Server Error 500.  No matter how much or how little you may know about these beasts, they still frustrate you equally, I think.