A Composer's Guide to Game Music Hardcover – February 14, 2014

Winifred Phillips's passion and understanding of this medium comes to life on the page and is a direct result of her vast experience and accomplishment in composing for video games. This is not just compulsory bedside reading for budding games composers, but a fine achievement in itself. Bravo!

An important, deep, and rare exploration of video game music by one of the medium's smartest and most talented voices. You may not know the name Winifred Phillips but if you play games, you absolutely know -- and love -- her creations!

When I began writing for games over 20 years ago, I wish there had been a book like this to guide me through the process, art, and business of scoring for games. Winifred Phillips's book is an excellent combination of practical techniques along with the human touch of a game composer's real-life experiences.

This book accurately illustrates the video game composer's task, which is to create music that perfectly complements an existing artistic vision. While the video game industry has its unique set of processes, for the aspiring composer, musicianship is the key to success. In the same manner, Winifred Phillips has excelled in this genre thanks to her musical talent.

Although the text on the inside of the book's dust jacket explains that A Composer's Guide To Game Music offers "indispensable guidance for musicians and composers", Phillips' book deserves a wider audience. Even with no formal music training and no real interest in video gaming, I found that there is much to enjoy. The content is well-balanced so that those who have an interest in composing music for video games and people who have a more general interest in the use of music in games, film and television can learn a lot from this book.

A Composer's Guide To Game Music is partly educational and partly inspirational...a great introduction to this specialist art.

An excellent guide for a musician or composer…this is a very insightful and engaging book and a very solid read especially for aspiring composers looking to break into the industry.

The core of the book is a set of chapters that delve into the actual craft of writing game music in a way that few, if any, other books have ever done… tremendously valuable to composers.

A Composers Guide to Game Music is hands down a must have for everyone interested in game music.

Between the real life experiences and the step-by-step walkthroughs of how certain things work, this is essential material for budding musicians looking for their first big break -- or perhaps veterans looking for fresh inspiration.

Phillips does not simply set out to address how to be a video game composer. Her intent is that her readers will understand what it means to actually create and compose… A Composer's Guide to Game Music is set to become a touchstone academic achievement.