24 HOUR GAME MUSIC HACKATHON

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SoundBox 8: Drip against backdrop of water

 

SoundBox 8: DRIP [drizzle.rain.ice.intermedia-performance] PRESENTS FIRST EVER 24 HOUR GAME MUSIC HACKATHON! 

Featuring ORIGINAL GAMES from the OSU Video Game Development Club

Are you a coder? A video game enthusiast? Got a competitive streak? Soundbox's upcoming 24 Hackathon is for YOU. Dive deep — yes, pun intended — and enjoy the challenges and triumphs of video gaming coding. Visit the event website for more details, including festival performers, submission details and more! Game developer and music composer teams, suggested for 2-3 people, are strongly encouraged to pre-register intent to participate in Hackathon (May 1-2). 

Entry is available to all OSU students, including Corvallis, Bend and eCampus students, and will be streamed via Twitch. Entry is also available to OSU faculty, community and alumni!

REGISTER NOW

 

EVENT DETAILS

(The First Ever) 24 Hour Hackathon 

  • Date: Thursday, May 1 
  • Time: Starts 12 p.m. — Need Team or Representative of the team to Register (in person/or online!)
  • Ends Friday, May 2 at 12 p.m. — Need Team or Representative of the team to Register (in person/or online!) 
  • Location: Online (ZOOM LInk will be sent to those registered) or at PRAx Ray Theater

Video Game With Original Music Showcase from Teams 

  • Date: Friday, May 2 
  • Time: 5 p.m.
  • Award Ceremony & Prizes to follow! (TBC)

SUBMISSION & PARTICIPATION DETAILS 

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Game designers on a water background

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Your game submission should include an approximately 2-minute gameplay video of a functional prototype. The game should feature some art to help composers understand its style and themes. Ensure the game has an important event that allows the music to change, showcasing at least two different intensities or situations. The video should also include a victorious ending. Composers will work on 2 music loops and a win stinger.

Examples:

  • You are about to enter a boss fight

  • You are close to winning

  • You have an environment that can change intensity based on location, encounters, etc.

  • You have a transition into a new part of the game

For your submissions, please provide:

  • Game Video:

    • An approximately 2-minute video clip that conveys the overall aesthetic, setting, and style of your game. If available, you may also submit a playable version of your game that can be accessed online, preferably via a WebGL export on itch.io.

    • The submitted video should include opportunities for the composer to create two music loops, each no longer than 1 minute, that play one after the other. These loops should reflect a shift in intensity during gameplay (e.g. exploring mode and combat mode). Additionally, the video should include a victorious ending to allow for a music sting. Music submissions will be synchronized to the video and not implemented into the game.

  • Game Design Document:

    • A game design document that is at least mostly filled. An example of a game design document can be found here

    • Include as much detail as possible to help the musician(s) understand your creative vision and the type of music that would best complement your game. Additionally, be prepared to communicate with the musicians within the 24-hour timeframe.

If you choose to use any of the composed music, please ensure that the composer(s) receive proper credit and that there is an agreement set up for copyright, etc.

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Music composers on a water background

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

As a composer, you will create two music loops, each no longer than 1 minute, that play sequentially (Horizontal Resequencing) and reflect a shift in intensity during gameplay (e.g., exploring mode and combat mode). Additionally, you will compose a win stinger for a victorious ending. The game designer will provide an approximately 2-minute gameplay video of a functional prototype, featuring some art to help you understand its style and themes. The video will showcase important events that allow the music to change, highlighting at least two different intensities or situations.

  • Preparation for Music Composers:
    • The game designer will provide a 2-minute video of the game where the music is needed, with indications of where specific music cues are called, either with an annotated video or an Edit Decision List (EDL).

  • Delivery:

    • Ensure the music is synchronized with the gameplay video and deliver the final video with the audio included.

    • Ensure the music is delivered by the specified deadline (Before May 2 at 12 p.m.)!

  • Collaboration:

    • Be open to feedback and ready to make any necessary adjustments to the music to fit the game's artistic direction and gameplay requirements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DETAILS

  • Objective: Pitch games that are good candidates for simple development

  • Sections to Explore:

    • Discover Section (searching)

    • Conflict Section (searching)

    • Horizontal Remixing

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

  • Format: 48kHz WAV file that can be synchronized with the gameplay video and/or the gameplay video with the audio included.

  • Naming Convention: GameHackathon_TeamName

  • Deadline: Submissions by NOON on May 2 to DROPBOX (Link sent to team members)

  • Summary: Submit a 1-page pdf summary detailing team contributions, including names and email contacts.

JUDGING CRITERIA (MUSIC)

  • Seamless loops

  • Quality of music (fit for the style, enhances or detracts from the game)

  • Quality of recording (live instruments, well-recorded, good sounds, loop points, balance, transitions)

JUDGING CRITERIA (GAMES) 

  • To Be Confirmed 

JUDGES 

  • Peter Valsamis (Game Music Creation/Audio & OSU Faculty Member of Contemporary Music Industry)

  • Mathew Boyle (Music),

  • Video Game Developer Club (TBC)

  • Faculty (TBC)

  • And surprise guests! 

For any questions or further information, please contact [email protected]