Game Audio Week at ARUCAD | 19–23 January 2026

Hosted by the ARUCAD Sound Arts and Design Department, Game Audio Week offers an in-depth exploration of music and sound in video games through both theory and practice.

The week opens with an academic proceeding that frames game audio within its historical and analytical context, followed by workshops, listening sessions, gameplay demonstrations, live music improvisations, and student showcases. Topics range from game music analysis and narrative-driven musical themes to interactive sound design, middleware-based workflows, and performative approaches to gameplay.

Bringing together composers, sound designers, researchers, and players, the programme highlights video game audio as a truly interdisciplinary field where technology, composition, sound design, and performance intersect.

Programme

Monday, 19 January

10:00–12:00
Opening Speeches: İnal Bilsel, Başar Ünder, Doğu Zaifoğlu
Academic Proceeding: Game Music Analysis – Methodologies and Approaches
Speaker: Ataman Kınış

12:00–13:00
Digital Game Design Department – Game Exhibition & Playtesting

13:00–14:00
Lunch Break

14:00–17:00
Game Exhibition & Playtesting (Continuation)

Tuesday, 20 January

09:00–11:00
Gameplay Sessions

11:00–13:00
Game Music: A Listening Session

13:00–14:00
Lunch Break

14:00–17:00
Workshop: Musical Themes as Narrative Tools in Video Games
Instructor: Doğu Zaifoğlu

Wednesday, 21 January

09:00–12:00
Workshop: 8-Bit Arcade Sound Design
Instructor: İnal Bilsel (PC Lab)

12:00–13:00
Gameplay Sessions

13:00–14:00
Lunch Break

14:00–17:00
Workshop: Musical Themes as Narrative Tools in Video Games
Instructor: Doğu Zaifoğlu

Thursday, 22 January

09:00–13:00
Another World Gameplay & Live Music Improvisation

13:00–14:00
Lunch Break

14:00–17:00
Workshop: Interactive Sound Design for Games
Instructor: Başar Ünder

Friday, 23 January

11:00
Showcase: Note Defense – An Ear Training Game

13:00
Lunch Break

15:00
Programme Closing Gathering