The Art of Game Music (MUSI20173)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Online

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - Online
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This subject introduces the basics of creating music for video games. Aspects of the function and crafting of music for game use including, sound and visual interactivity, indeterminacy and the music dramatic narrative will be examined.

The Art of Game Music is delivered online as a lecture and workshop in a large group format and will illuminate the fundamental principles of music for video games. It is also a practical online class forum for the workshop of game music tasks and provides the opportunity for the individual development and showing of work and online group discussion of issues related to game music.

During the subject students will be required to engage in online group discussion and to present complete and ongoing sound for games.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should have:

  • developed an appreciation and understanding of the nature of making music for video games;
  • cognisance of the key craft elements of music making for video games;
  • developed a practical appreciation of the video game music composition development process in a solo and group environment.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should:

  • be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning;
  • be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies;
  • expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects;
  • have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems.

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Completion of individual game music tasks

  • 600 words (equivalent)
Second half of the teaching period15%

Completion of an art of game music logbook that documents observation and practice

  • 1000 words (equivalent)
End of the teaching period25%

Completion and submission of original compositions for video games that are based on craft, skills and concepts presented during the Semester equivalent to 2150 words. In addition, a 250-word statement clearly describing how key terms and concepts of creating music for video games discussed throughout the semester are utilised in this original work OR Completion and submission of a sound and drama analysis of a video game (equivalent to 2400 words)

  • 2400 words (equivalent)
During the assessment period60%
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend 80% of all scheduled classesThroughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: Students must submit all elements of assessment to be eligible for a pass in this subject. For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Submitting only part of an assessment (e.g. only the title page) or an assessment on an irrelevant topic will not meet this hurdle requirement.Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1 - Online
    CoordinatorJordie Gilmour
    Mode of deliveryOnline
    Contact hours24 hours, comprising one 2-hour online lecture/workshop per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025
    Last self-enrol date14 March 2025
    Census date31 March 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025
    Assessment period ends27 June 2025

    Semester 1 contact information

    For all administrative enquiries, e.g. enrolment, class registration, special consideration enquiries: Contact Stop 1

    For all academic enquiries, e.g. assessment, subject matter enquiries:

    Jordie Gilmour: jordie.gilmour@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 20 March 2025