Classic FM hung out with composers and developers at Game Music Connect 2014

25 September 2014, 21:16 | Updated: 15 December 2016, 11:50

Returning to London for a second year, Game Music Connect brought together the world's finest video game music composers, game industry big-hitters and a legion of dedicated aficionados - and Classic FM was there to talk to all of them.

With a packed audience of aspiring composers, audio designers and enthusiasts in attendance, The Purcell Room on London's South Bank played host to established composers like organiser James Hannigan, Olivier Deriviere, Jessica Curry, Jason Graves, Richard Jacques, Garry Schyman and more.

Look out, @GameArtConnect, I'm awake and so excited to see everyone again this year!!!! #notevenhadcoffeeyet

— Jason Graves (@jgmusic) September 24, 2014

EA executive Steve Schnur got the day off to an outspoken start, by labelling the American Federation of Musicians "pathetic" for their action against composer Austin Wintory. He was rewarded with a hearty round of applause.

Other sessions during the day saw in-depth demonstrations of how video game composers work on interactive games and the sometimes-miniscule cells of music they work with, painstakingly arranging them into compositions that react to gameplay.

BAFTA Award-winning composer Garry Schyman was the subject of an in-depth interview with event organiser John Broomhall, who delved into the method behind Schyman's work on the legendary BioShock series of games.

Composers from independent games as well as big-budget titles were on hand to share their experience and tips too.

Jet Set Willy on the big screen at @GameArtConnect #gamemusicconnect #zxspectrum pic.twitter.com/IUP8oRAaGA

— Adelphoi Music (@AdelphoiMusic) September 24, 2014

The day was rounded off with a free-for-all question and answer session where attendees were invited to quiz the assembled legends of the genre in-depth. 

And what about next year? Organisers James Hannigan and John Broomhall are looking to repeat the success of the first two iterations of Game Music Connect for years to come. Hannigan told Classic FM: "The whole point of this event is that it's about the meaning of music in games... it's not a geeky, computer-based event."