Unpacking the Role of Audio Programmers in the Games Industry
Demystifying the Responsibilities, Skills, and Career Path of Audio Programmers in Games Industry
In recent years, there has been a hike in the number of audio programming roles in the games industry, along with many misconceptions about the role. This talk will delve into the responsibilities of audio programmers in the games industry and explore the variety of tasks they perform, which can differ significantly between companies. It will address common misconceptions about the role, outline the essential skills and knowledge required, provide insights into the hiring process, and offer recommendations for platforms and resources to learn these skills.
Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the day-to-day work of audio programmers in the games industry, as well as the various specialisations within the field.
Harleen Singh
Audio Programmer
nDreams
Harleen is an audio programmer based in Edinburgh, specialising in tools and run-time systems for video games. He began his career at Tazman-Audio, where he contributed to internal projects such as SoundMaker and Engine Loop Creator, as well as external projects like Sony's Helldivers 2. Currently, Harleen works at nDreams, a leading VR game developer, focusing on cross-platform VR audio systems.
Beyond his professional work, Harleen has been an active member of Limit Break, a mentorship programme for underrepresented groups in the UK games industry, participating as a mentee for the last two cohorts and as a mentor in this year's programme. In his free time, Harleen likes to argue with people about the correct way to make coffee, play video games, and dream about the day he'll finally finish that one side project that's been "almost done" for a year.
