APRA AMCOS gaming music conference High Score goes virtual

The fourth edition of High Score: Composition and Sound Art for Gaming conference is heading online.

The 2020 music and gaming conference is held as part of Melbourne International Games Week by APRA AMCOS through Creative Victoria and with support from the Victorian Music Development Office.

This year, High Score will be a free, online conference open to participants around the globe, and feature some of the industry’s most influential music and audio creators.

It will take place on Saturday, October 3, with registrations now open.

The keynote speaker has been announced as Melbourne’s Dan Golding, who composed the score for Untitled Goose Game.

“I’m so looking forward to delivering a keynote as part of this year’s High Score conference,” Golding said.

“While we can’t all be together in Melbourne, we’ll be connecting Melbourne’s renowned games music culture to a worldwide audience.”

Seattle-based Minecraft composer Lena Raine will deliver the other keynote of the day, while other guests to give talks include Wilbert Roget II (on Mortal Kombat 11), Josie Brechner (Best Friends Forever), and Dave Tucker and Claire Morwood (Before I Forget).

Other panels will cover music-led games, technical problem solving and the role of music in indie games.

Meanwhile ABC ME’s Spawn Point Angharad ‘Rad’ Yeo returns as host.

“High Score has become a really unique and sought-after event where the gaming and composing sectors converge to exchange ideas, share expertise and to build networks,” APRA AMCOS manager of screen Greg Morrow said.

“We never questioned if High Score would take a year off, as gaming presents a really vital opportunity for music creators at a time when so much is in flux.”