Music plays an integral role in enhancing the overall gaming experience, and this holds true for indie games as well. A captivating soundtrack can immerse players in the game’s world, evoke emotions, and create a unique atmosphere.
As an indie game developer, finding the right music for your project can be a challenging task. However, there are several sources where you can access high-quality music that perfectly aligns with your game’s vision.
The best places to get music for games are:
In this article, we go into more detail about these sites along with tips and considerations made when choosing music for a game.
Where to Find Music for Games
There are a variety of affordable and accessible options available to get music for a game. For indie game developers with limited budgets and resources, finding the ideal music for their games can be a challenge. Below we cover our favorite options.
Indie Game Cloud
Indie Game Cloud provides a wide range of paid and free, royalty-free, songs designed to be used in Indie Games. Whether you’re interested in using the track as is or sampling/remixing it to create something new from it – there is no worry when it comes to using it in your game. No credit is needed and no profit splits are made!
Itch.io
Itch.io hosts a wide range of audio assets created by independent musicians and sound designers. Many audio assets on itch.io are offered at reasonable prices or even as pay-what-you-want, making it cost-effective for indie developers and creators with limited budgets.
Here’s why Itch.io stands out:
- Hosts a wide range of audio assets created by independent musicians and sound designers.
- Provides clear licensing information for each audio asset.
- Many audio assets are offered at reasonable prices or even as pay-what-you-want.
- Provides an easy-to-use platform where you can quickly browse, purchase, and download audio assets.
Audio Jungle
Audio Jungle offers a vast library of music tracks and sound effects created by a wide range of professional composers and sound designers. This extensive selection provides you with various options to find music that suits your game’s theme and mood.
Here’s why Audio Jungle stands out:
- Features high-quality music tracks and audio assets that have been reviewed and curated by the platform’s team.
- You can often find high-quality music at competitive prices, making it suitable for indie game developers with limited budgets.
- Offers robust search and filtering options.
- Provides clear licensing options, including standard and extended licenses.
Epidemic Sound
Epidemic Sound offers a vast collection of royalty-free music tracks created by talented artists. Their music library covers a wide range of genres and moods, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your indie game. The platform offers flexible licensing options, making it suitable for both commercial and non-commercial indie game projects.
Here’s why Epidemic Sound stands out:
- Extensive collection of royalty-free music tracks created by talented artists
- Wide range of genres and moods to choose from
- Flexible licensing options for commercial and non-commercial indie game projects
- High-quality music that adds depth and emotion to your game
Legis Music
Legis Music may offer unique and exclusive music tracks and sound effects that you won’t find on more mainstream platforms. This can help your game stand out with original and distinctive music.
- The platform may provide flexible licensing options designed to meet the specific needs of its users.
- Competitive pricing for their music assets, making it accessible to indie developers and others with limited budgets.
Collaboration with Musicians
Collaborating with musicians can be an excellent way to create unique and tailored music for your indie game. Working closely with a composer allows you to have complete control over the soundtrack’s direction and ensures that it perfectly aligns with your game’s narrative and gameplay.
Here are some avenues to explore when seeking collaboration opportunities:
Online Forums and Communities
Various online forums and communities cater to indie game developers and musicians. Platforms like Reddit, Discord, and IndieDB provide spaces where developers and musicians can connect and collaborate. Engaging with these communities allows you to find talented musicians who are eager to collaborate on indie game projects.
Benefits of collaborating through online forums and communities:
- Access to a wide pool of talented musicians
- Opportunities to connect and collaborate with like-minded individuals
- Platforms specifically designed for indie game developers and musicians
- Exchange of ideas and feedback to enhance the music composition process
Local Music Schools and Universities
Consider reaching out to local music schools or universities that offer programs related to music composition. Many aspiring composers are looking for opportunities to gain experience and showcase their skills. By collaborating with them, you not only support emerging talent but also have the chance to create a unique soundtrack for your indie game.
Advantages of collaborating with musicians from local music schools and universities:
- Access to emerging talent and fresh perspectives
- Opportunity to support and mentor aspiring composers
- Tailored music compositions that align with your game’s vision
- Potential for long-term collaborations and future projects
Game Jams
Participating in Game Jams can be a great way to discover talented musicians and obtain original music for your game. Game Jams usually will have a few music producers looking to showcase their skills and gain exposure.
Advantages of collaborating with musicians from Game Jams:
- Get to meet the musician in person
- You may end up finding a new team member for your main game dev.
- Game Jams are short so if it doesn’t work out, it wasn’t a huge time-investment
- You end up with a game even if you don’t find a musician!
Streaming Platforms
Platforms like SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and social media groups dedicated to game development can be great places to discover talented artists who are eager to contribute to indie projects. This method can be more time-consuming as you’ll have to listen to many different artists, reach out, and find one willing to work for you. But, if you do, it can be well worth it!
Customized Music Creation
For indie game developers seeking a truly unique and tailored music experience, hiring a composer to create original music may be the ideal option. This approach allows you to work closely with the composer to develop a soundtrack that perfectly captures the essence of your game. Several avenues can help you connect with skilled composers:
Freelance Platforms
Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr provide a pool of talented composers who specialize in creating music for indie games. By posting your project requirements on these platforms, you can attract composers with the right skills and experience.
Benefits of hiring composers through freelance platforms:
- Access to a diverse pool of talented composers
- Ability to review portfolios and previous work samples
- Flexibility in negotiating project terms and budgets
- Opportunity to find composers with specific expertise in indie game music
Tips for Video Game Developers Looking for Music
When searching for music for their games, there are a few key tips that video game developers should keep in mind.
Firstly, it’s important to clearly communicate the desired mood, style, and emotions to the composer or musician. Providing reference tracks or examples can be helpful in conveying the desired aesthetic. Additionally, establishing a clear agreement regarding licensing, royalties, and ownership rights is crucial to avoid any legal issues down the line.
Another important tip is to consider the technical aspects of the music. The chosen music should be compatible with the game engine and platform, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance.
It’s also important to keep in mind any size or memory constraints, especially for mobile or console games with limited resources.
By considering these technical aspects from the beginning, developers can save time and avoid potential issues during the implementation phase.
Licensing Considerations for Using Music in Games
Using music in games involves various licensing considerations. It’s important to ensure that all music used in a game is properly licensed to avoid copyright infringement and legal disputes.
There are different types of licenses available, ranging from royalty-free to custom compositions.
Royalty-free music allows developers to use the music in their games without the need for additional payments or royalties, while custom compositions are created specifically for the game and usually involve a one-time fee or royalty agreement.
It’s essential to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of the license. Some licenses may have restrictions on the number of copies that can be distributed, the platforms on which the music can be used, or the length of the music track.
Understanding these limitations is crucial to avoid any potential legal issues in the future. Additionally, it’s important to keep records of all licenses and agreements for documentation purposes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, obtaining suitable music for indie games involves exploring various sources and methods. Whether you choose to utilize royalty-free music websites, collaborate with musicians, participate in soundtrack contests, or opt for customized music creation, the key is to find music that enhances your game’s experience and aligns with your vision.
By leveraging these resources and platforms, you can elevate your indie game with captivating soundtracks that resonate with players and leave a lasting impression.
Collaborating with independent musicians and composers who specialize in creating music for games is one of the most common solutions for many game developers. Whether you’re browsing social media and come across an artist you like or an artist is interested in your project and reaches out!
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