Complete Video of AES Lecture Available Online

January 12th, 2015 | By Lance Hayes

Lance Hayes Speaking at Microsoft Research

Update: The PNW AES Section report featuring notes about my Forza 5 presentation is live on the national AES site.

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My session from last weeks PNW AES section January meeting at Microsoft Research was a lot of fun with great questions from the audience. The meeting was well attended by AES members, game audio pros and students. Thanks to everyone that came out!

The video of the talk billed as, “a detailed look at how the soundtrack to the one of the first next gen video game soundtracks for the Xbox One was conceived and executed” is now online here. And, thanks to Microsoft Research, it’s free to view.

This session was lively as well as a little bittersweet as its likely my last public Forza 5 talk. I discuss my work as the lead composer on on the launch title for the Xbox One as well as the cross country recording process so there are audio and video examples and a live demo of the game. I cover composing, adaptive audio, how the soundtrack was prototyped and wrap up by taking questions from the audience.

So if you have an interest in my work on the Forza franchise, next gen game scores and or game audio this talk is for you. Enjoy!

(Special thanks to Gary Louie, Rick Chinn and Ivan Tashev from PNW AES for hosting and coordinating this special event)

Microsoft Research recently reorganized their lecture library, moving all of the talks to YouTube. Here is the new link to the video:

Lance talking about FM5 at the PNW AES meeting

FM5 Soundtrack Nominated for Annual Game Music Awards 2013

April 4th, 2014 | By Lance Hayes

I’m honored that the Forza Motorsport 5 soundtrack has been nominated along with the splendid in-game sound design for two Annual Game Music Awards. In the “Production of the Year” category the soundtrack is up for “Outstanding Achievement – In-Game Music” and sound design is up for “Outstanding Achievement – Sound Design”. Congratulations to all of the nominees, it’s a thrill to be considered in such prestigious company!

Speaking Engagement at Upcoming Game Developer’s Conference

January 8th, 2014 | By Lance Hayes

I’m excited to announce that my talk “Checkered Flag: Forza Motorsport 5 Soundtrack Postmortem” with the venerable Chase Combs is one of the highlighted Audio Track lectures for this years GDC.

Here’s the session description from the GDC website:

Checkered Flag: Forza Motorsport 5 Soundtrack Postmortem

Takeaway

Composer Lance Hayes and audio content lead Chase Combs dive deep into the groundbreaking Forza Motorsport 5 soundtrack. They will present detailed examples that show how it ties together the best of the past Forza aesthetics, while being enhanced by live orchestral scoring and innovative implementation that is utilized throughout the game.

Intended Audience

This session is for anyone interested in game scoring, live orchestral recording, game audio implementation and next-generation audio concepts. Advanced attendees will appreciate innovative perspectives and information regarding next-gen audio, as well as details about AAA soundtrack development.