GDC Festival of Gaming is part of the Informa Festivals Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

March 9-13, 2026
Moscone CenterSan Francisco, CA

Agenda

From Intermediate to Advanced: Charting Your Career in Game Audio

Star Victoria Power  (Composer, Slide20XX)
Ryan Ike  (Composer, Independent)
Akash Thakkar  (Sound Designer, Independent)
Katherine Tole  (Dialogue Editor, Plant Based Audio)
Location: Room 2003, West Hall
Date: Monday, March 9
Time: 1:50 pm - 2:50 pm
Pass Type: Festival Pass, Game Changer Pass - Get your pass now!
Audience Level: Intermediate
Track: Audio, Career
Format: Panel
Vault Recording: Video
Audience Level: Intermediate

We all know that breaking into the game industry is difficult, but what do you do once you've already "made it?" This panel explores the space between the intermediate and advanced stages of a freelance career in game audio, filling the gap left behind by the abundance of presentations and resources aimed at beginners. Our panel of established game audio freelancers will discuss pricing strategy, navigating professional relationships as they become increasingly more personal, and the challenges that come with success, among other topics. Attendees will leave with practical advice on how to nurture and grow a career well into maturity, with a focus on balance, stability and emotional intelligence.

Takeaway

Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of the inherent struggles in growing an established career, and practical advice on how to manage them. Professionals newer to the industry will get a head start on confronting issues that they likely have not considered, while more established individuals will gain new perspective on familiar obstacles and insight on how to move to the next stage of their career.

Intended Audience

This session targets game audio professionals with 2+ years of experience and advanced beginners looking to proactively prepare for their future. It's ideal for sound designers; composers; audio programmers, working towards leadership roles; freelancers, planning for long-term sustainability; and mid-career professionals, facing transition challenges. It is not recommended for creators completely new to the field.