Agenda

The Interactive Audio Special Interest Group (IASIG) is dedicated to advancing the art and technology of sound in games—an essential element of what makes games engaging, emotional, and unforgettable. Why do certain pieces of music evoke powerful memories? Why are orchestras around the world bringing game scores to the concert hall? And why does that one sound effect keep echoing in your mind? This lively roundtable will bring together voices from across the game development community—composers, sound designers, game and narrative designers, animators, programmers, producers, and more—to share experiences, explore creative approaches, and discuss the latest trends.
Moderated by Jennifer Miller Hammel (Host/Curator/Producer of Arcade on Classical California) and Steve Horowitz (IASIG Chair / Audio Director, Nickelodeon Paramount), the session will spotlight standout moments in game audio history and examine how they can inspire future innovation. We’ll tackle questions like: Does iterative design improve player retention? How might AI reshape—or disrupt—the creative process? Join us for a collaborative conversation aimed at deepening our understanding of each other’s art, workflows, and pipelines—while celebrating the role of sound in crafting unforgettable game experiences.

Takeaway

It only takes a few seconds of playing your favorite game on mute to realize how important sound is when it comes to creating an immersive experience. Music and Sound are often the most beloved elements of our favorite games and just hearing their soundtrack can fill us with joy and nostalgia. Game designers, animators, programmers and producers imagine everything about a game, including its plots, characters, visual designs, and layouts and meet with different teams to create a cohesive vision. From this meeting of designers and producers in the field, attendees will take away a more complete understanding of the issues that audio designers and game designers face when working together in teams. Animators, programmers and designers will all gain a better understanding of how great sound can make their games more fun & increase playability and in turn, audio designers will gain a better understanding of how audio and audio system development fits into the overall production workflow.

Intended Audience

Calling all music composers, game designers, sound designers, animators, audio producers, programmers, and technical implementation specialists! This roundtable is for anyone involved in the game-building process. It’s a must for industry professionals, students, and educators alike who are navigating the waters and steering toward smoother production and deeper immersion in the field. Together, we’ll foster community, celebrate diversity, and share perspectives that strengthen collaboration across every corner of the industry.