HIGH SCORE 2025 GAME AUDIO CONFERENCE DROPS FULL PROGRAM
4-5 OCTOBER at ACMI
High Score 2025 drops full program It’s starting to get louder as Australia’s premier game audio conference returns with new keynotes, panels and interactive sessions. High Score 2025 has revealed its full two-day program, returning on 4 – 5 October at ACMI as a cornerstone event of Melbourne International Games Week.
A Victorian Government initiative presented by the Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO), High Score brings together sound designers, composers, developers, voice artists and audio professionals to explore the creative and business sides of game audio. Curated by Amy McNickle, this year’s program looks to the future, advancing technical innovation, creative leadership and international industry pathways.
What to expect
From studio leadership to technical sound design, orchestral game scores, FMOD deep dives and rapid-fire advice, High Score 2025 puts a spotlight on the dynamic and evolving world of game audio.
High Score features some of the studios behind the Australian Game Developer Awards 2025 finalist games, including The Drifter (Powerhoof), Copycat (Spoonful of Wonder), Dumb Ways: Free For All and Shattered (PlaySide Studios). Returning with energy, High Score host Angharad ‘Rad’ Yeo will guide delegates through two packed days of inspiring presentations, networking and practical insights.
New program highlights
Demo Derby – A music challenge where composers create short demos for upcoming games. Selected entries receive live feedback from game developers and game audio expert Fabian Malabello. Open to all High Score ticket holders.
Inside the PlaySide Studios audio team – John Guscott, Louis Seccull and Zach Zuluaga take you behind the scenes of an in-house audio department, highlighting career pathways for sound designers and composers.
Orchestrating game scores – Meena Shamaly (composer, poet and ABC Classic Game Show presenter) hosts a panel with Professor Dan Golding (composer, writer and ABC Classic Screen Sounds presenter), Elise Lerpiniere (Orchestra Victoria) and composer Jessica Wells, exploring how game scores are brought to life by orchestras. How to speak dev and influence designers – a cross-disciplinary panel featuring Dave Lloyd (Powerhoof), Joshua Meadows (classical musician and Alcyone: The Last City developer) and Talia Russo (PlaySide Studios) explores how teams collaborate across disciplines to bring sound to life.
FMOD audio deep dives – sound designer Zander Hulme (Supertonic) and Aaron Edwards (FMOD) highlight the intricate systems behind Cozy Caravan (5 Lives Studios), while composer Ben Houghton and creative director Madeleine Clute break down the musical world-building in Call of the Golden Valley (O’Saurus Studios).
Building a game audio business – practical advice from lawyer Cam Rogers, accountant Erin Boyce (LDB Group) and sound designer Matt Schenkel (Sub Zero Sound) on legal structures, licensing, cashflow, the Digital Games Tax Offset, the impacts of AI and business sustainability.
The future of Australian game audio – join industry leaders Dale Cornelius (Australian Guild of Screen Composers), Nigel Christensen (Australian Screen Sound Guild) and Pasha Ostovar (APRA AMCOS) as they explore rates, licensing, contracts and what’s next for the sector.
Five-minute speed-runs – games writer Luke Kemp, composer Natalie Jeffreys and radio presenter Tim Shiel deliver rapid-fire industry advice and tips in quick-fire five minute speed-runs.
Previously announced highlights
Opening masterclass: The immersive audio of Indiana Jones – Pete Ward (MachineGames) delivers the opening masterclass on how the audio team shaped the cinematic and interactive sounds of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from engine to console.
Closing keynote: Composing a career in games – APRA AMCOS Screen Music Award for Games recipient Michael Allen reflects on his acclaimed scores for Solium Infernum (League of Geeks) and The Forgotten City (Modern Storyteller) in the closing keynote about longevity, creativity and growth.
Don’t stop, hyper pop! – composer Sarah Wolfe shares how genre innovation and lyrics drive interactivity in games Don’t Stop, Girlypop! (Funny Fintan Softworks) and Mystiques: Haunted Antiques (Lemonade Games).
Finding a game’s voice – The Spoonful of Wonder team behind Copycat – Samantha Cable (Head of Narrative), Kostia Liakhov (Head of Art) and composer Daniel Bunting – reveal how voice acting shaped their game’s emotional resonance.
From a shell to the pit – studio founder Gordon McGladdery (A Shell in the Pit) shares lessons from building the sustainable, employee-first audio studio behind Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach and Fish Game.
Quote attributed to Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks MP “Victoria is a global leader in game development and music, and High Score brings these creative sectors together to spark new collaborations and professional opportunities.” “This highlight of Melbourne International Games Week shines a light on the role audio plays in bringing games to life, while providing skills, networking and business development opportunities for sound professionals and game developers.”
Quote attributed to High Score 2025 curator Amy McNickle “High Score 2025 brings together the full spectrum of game audio from orchestral performances and indie soundscapes to creative leadership and business strategy.” "It recognises how sound, audio and composition are shaping innovation, storytelling and emotional impact in games now and into the future.”
Supporters High Score is a Victorian Government initiative presented by the Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO) as a cornerstone event of Melbourne International Games Week. High Score 2025 is supported by Creative Victoria, Music Australia, APRA AMCOS, FMOD, venue partner ACMI and has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.