How To Get Your Music Into Video Games: The Complete Guide

Want to get your music into video games but don’t know where to start? The video game industry is booming, and more developers are searching for music every day. From small indie projects to massive games like NBA 2K, there’s never been a better time to get your music placed in video games.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to:

• Get your music placed in different types of games
• Find video game developers who need music
• Make money from game licensing
• Work with music supervisors who pick game soundtracks

You don’t need fancy equipment or industry connections – even artists working from home are getting their songs into games. But your tracks do need to sound professional. Check out my royalty-free beats to get that industry-ready sound, then let’s dive into how to get your music into games.

What Does It Take to Get Your Music in Video Games?

Think about the last time you played your favorite video games. The music pulled you in and made everything feel more real, right? That’s exactly what game developers look for – music that makes their games better.

Here’s what you might not know: the way music is used in games is different from what works on iTunes or Spotify. When developers are searching for music, they look for specific things.

Here’s what developers actually want from artists:

• Music that can loop smoothly without getting boring
• Tracks that match different moods in the game (action, calm moments, victory scenes)
• Songs that won’t distract players from the gameplay
• Clear audio files without background noise or quality issues

The gaming industry has grown huge. In 2024, the global video game music market is valued at about $1.46 billion and is expected to grow at 12.4% annually through 2031, showing strong growth potential. This means there’s room for both big artists and smaller independent creators.

What’s cool is that you don’t need expensive equipment or industry connections to start. Even artists using basic home studios have gotten their music into popular games. The key is understanding what makes game music different from regular tracks.

Some games use different music styles than you might expect. Take Cyberpunk 2077 – it mixed hip-hop with electronic music to create its unique sound. Or look at how Travis Scott’s appearance in Fortnite changed how we think about music in games.

You have three ways to get your songs into games:

Talk to Game Makers Yourself

• You’re in charge of who uses your music
• You get paid more money right away
• Takes time to meet the right people
• Best for: Artists who like handling their own business

Think of this like selling your beats directly on your website – you make all the decisions and keep all the money, but you have to find your own customers.

Put Your Music in Libraries

• Just upload your music and wait
• The library finds games for you
• You might make less money
• Best for: Artists just starting out

It’s like putting your music on Spotify – you do the work once, then sit back and let it earn money for you.

Work With Music Agents

• They find games for your music
• Can get you into bigger games
• Split the money with the agent
• Best for: Artists who want help with the business side

This is like having a music manager – they do the hard work of finding opportunities, but you share the money with them.

Quick Tip: Most artists start with music libraries while they learn about the industry. Once you understand how things work, you can try talking to game makers yourself or find an agent to help you.

When starting out, focus on making music that fits different parts of games. This means creating tracks that:

• Sound good when they repeat
• Match what’s happening on screen
• Don’t have too many distracting sounds
• Keep players feeling excited or focused

The cool thing about video game music is that it’s not just about hits or typical song structures. Even simple beats or atmospheric tracks can find their place in games. I’ve seen artists break into the gaming industry with instrumental versions of their songs, proving you don’t always need to make completely new music.

Remember: Game developers care more about how your music feels in their game than how many Spotify followers you have. This means independent artists often have the same shot as bigger names at getting their music placed.

Understanding Music Licensing in the Gaming Industry

Let’s get real about how music licensing works in games. It’s different from getting your music on Spotify or Apple Music. Game companies buy rights to use your music in specific ways, and you need to know what you’re selling.

Main Types of Music You Can Submit

Games need different kinds of music to make players feel something. Here’s what sells best:

• Background Music: Loops that play during gameplay without getting annoying
• Menu Music: Chill tracks that players hear while customizing their character or checking settings
• Action Sequences: High-energy beats that make fighting or racing more exciting
• Cutscene Songs: Full tracks that play during story moments, like what you’d hear in NBA 2K or Super Mario

The music business in gaming isn’t just about making one type of sound. You can sell:

• Original songs made just for the game
• Music you’ve already released
• Instrumental versions of your tracks
• Short music loops and effects

AAA vs Indie Games: What’s Different?

Big games and indie games handle music differently. Here’s what you need to know:

AAA Games (Like Ubisoft titles):

AAA games are big-budget video games developed by major studios, known for their high-quality graphics, complex gameplay, and massive marketing campaigns. They’re like the “blockbusters” of the gaming world.

• Usually work through music supervisors
• Pay more money upfront
• Need music months or years before release
• Often want exclusive rights to the music

Indie Games:

Indie games are video games created by small, independent teams or individuals, often with lower budgets but unique and creative gameplay ideas.

• Work directly with artists more often
• Might offer revenue sharing instead of upfront payment
• Make faster decisions about music
• Usually let you keep more rights to your songs

Meet the People Who Choose Game Music

Different people pick music for games. Knowing who they are helps you pitch your tracks the right way:

Audio Directors:

• Make final decisions about game music
• Work at bigger game studios
• Look for high-quality production
• Need music that fits their game perfectly

Music Supervisors:

• Help find and license music
• Work with many different games
• Know what kind of rights games need
• Can get your music in front of the right people

Independent Developers:

• Make their own games
• Often handle everything themselves
• Care most about music fitting their vision
• Easier to contact directly

Getting your music in games means dealing with source music rights. This means:

• Sync rights (permission to use your music in the game)
• Master rights (rights to the actual recording)
• Performance rights (when games stream online)

Learn all about music publishing (sync rights, master rights, performance rights) in this article.

The cool part? Once you get your music in a game, it can lead to more opportunities. I’ve seen artists start with small indie games and work their way up to bigger titles, reaching wider audiences through gameplay videos on YouTube.

Think about your music rights like building blocks:

• Keep some rights to use your music elsewhere
• Make sure you can still put songs on streaming platforms
• Understand what “exclusive” and “non-exclusive” really mean

Here’s a simple breakdown of common licensing deals:

When you’re sending music to game companies, they’ll look at:

• How your music sounds
• If it fits their game style
• Whether you own all the rights
• How easy you are to work with

How to Find Video Game Developers for Music Placement

Finding game developers isn’t as hard as you might think. You just need to know where to look and how to reach out to them. Let’s break it down into simple steps.

Best Places to Connect Online

The internet makes it easy to find people who make games. Here are the best spots to look:

• Discord Servers:
  • Join game development communities
  • Look for channels about game audio
  • Chat with developers directly
  • Share your music when it’s allowed
    
• Reddit Communities:
  • Follow r/gamedev and r/gameaudio
  • Watch for posts asking for music
  • Help others with advice when you can
  • Make connections naturally
    
• Twitter/X:
  • Follow game developers
  • Share your work process
  • Join gaming conversations
  • Use hashtags like #gamedev and #gamedevelopment

Start Small: Join a Game Jam

Game jams are time-limited events where developers, artists, and composers come together to create video games based on a specific theme or concept. They’re perfect for new artists because:

• You work with developers directly
• Games get made in a few days or weeks
• Everyone needs music quickly
• It’s okay to try new things

Popular game jams happen on these sites:

1. itch.io (hosts over 1,000 game jams yearly)
2. GameJolt
3. Steam

Where to Meet Gaming Industry People

Meeting game developers in person works better than you might think. Try these places:

Gaming Events:

• Local gaming meetups
• Game developer conferences
• Gaming conventions
• Music tech shows

Online Events:

• Virtual game conferences
• Live streaming dev shows
• Online workshops
• Gaming industry webinars

Lots of indie game developers find their music through personal connections. That’s why networking matters so much.

Working with Up-and-Coming Game Studios

New game studios make great partners because:

• They’re more open to working with new artists
• They make decisions faster
• They often share your music on social media
• You can grow together

When looking for new studios:

Check These Websites:

• GameIndustry.com for new studio announcements
• Steam’s upcoming games section
• Indie game funding announcements
• Game accelerator program news
  

Watch For:

• Studios that just got funding
• Teams working on their first game
• Developers leaving big companies to start new studios
• Successful mobile game makers moving to PC/console

Here’s what different types of studios usually need:

Not sure about different types of deals? Read about choosing between major and indie deals.

Remember these tips when reaching out:

• Read about their games first
• Show you understand their style
• Keep your first message short
• Include links to your best work

The gaming industry is always growing. In 2023, over 12,000 new indie games launched on Steam alone. Each one needed music – that’s a lot of opportunities for artists like you.

Submitting Your Music to Game Developers

Let’s talk about getting your music in front of the right people. Most artists mess this up because they send the same generic email to everyone. That doesn’t work. You need to make each submission count.

What Makes Music Perfect for Games

Game music needs to be different from regular songs. When I make beats for games, I focus on how the music feels during gameplay. You don’t want your track to annoy players after they hear it ten times.

Here’s what makes game music stand out:

• Music that builds excitement without being too pushy
• Tracks that loop naturally without obvious start and end points
• Clear sounds that don’t fight with game sound effects
• Different versions of the same track for different energy levels

Good game music sets the mood without stealing the show. Think about games like Wipeout or NBA 2K – the music makes the game better but doesn’t get in the way of playing.

Before you submit anything, make sure your tracks are ready for games. Want to see what I mean? Check out my dark beats for examples of the right sound and quality.

How to Present Your Music Like a Pro

Getting the attention of developers takes more than just good music. You need to package it right. I’ve learned this from watching lots of artists try to break into gaming.

Your submission package should include:

• High-quality MP3s (320kbps) of your best tracks
• Short videos showing how your music fits with gameplay
• A clear list of what rights you’re offering
• Links to your other music work

Think of your submission like a job application. You want to look professional and make it easy for developers to say yes.

Creating a strong pitch means showing developers you understand games. Don’t just tell them your music is good – show them why it works for their specific game.

Here’s a simple format that works:

Common Mistakes to Dodge

I’ve seen many artists hurt their chances by making simple mistakes. Let’s make sure you don’t do the same.

The biggest problems to avoid:

• Sending huge email attachments that clog inboxes
• Using the same pitch for every developer
• Forgetting to check if they’re actually looking for music
• Not following up after getting no response

Instead of mass-sending your music everywhere, take time to understand each game. Watch gameplay videos, read about the developers, and think about how your music fits their style.

Remember to follow up the right way:

1. Wait at least a week before checking in
2. Keep your follow-up message short
3. Add something new to the conversation
4. Stay professional even if you don’t hear back

Developers are busy people. Sometimes they might take weeks to respond, even if they love your music. Be patient but persistent.

A quick note about song quality: More than half of submissions get rejected because of poor audio quality. That’s why using professional beats and proper mastering matters so much.

Music Licensing Platforms and Sync Opportunities

Finding the right place to submit your music can get confusing. Let me break down the best options that actually work for game music.

Top Music Libraries That Work With Games

Music libraries act like middle-men between you and game companies. Some focus just on games, while others work with all kinds of media.

When picking a music library, look for ones that:

• Have a good track record with games
• Pay artists fairly
• Let you keep some rights to your music
• Actually promote your tracks to developers

Here are three music libraries that game developers use a lot:

Unity Asset Store:

• Perfect for reaching indie developers
• One-time payments for your music
• Easy to get started
• Lots of small games need music

I like working with music libraries because once you upload your tracks, they keep working for you. You might get a placement months after uploading.

Epidemic Sound:

• Works with bigger game companies
• Regular royalty payments
• Professional support team
• Clear licensing terms

Premium Beat:

• Good for mobile games
• Quick approval process
• Regular sales reports
• Fair payment splits

Popular Publishing Platforms to Try

Game developers also look for music on regular publishing platforms. The key is knowing how to tag and present your music the right way.

These platforms work well for game music:

• SoundCloud:
  • Make a special playlist for game-ready tracks
  • Tag your music with “game music” and “soundtrack”
  • Network with developers in the comments
  • Share works in progress to get feedback
    
• Bandcamp:
  • Set up licensing options clearly
  • Price your music fairly for games
  • Offer different versions of tracks
  • Make it easy to contact you

How to Submit Your Music Directly

Sometimes working directly with game companies works better than using platforms. Here’s a simple process that works:

1. Find the right person:

• Look for the audio director
• Check LinkedIn for music supervisors
• Search for the creative director
• Use company websites to find contact info

2. Prepare your pitch:

• Keep it short and clear
• Show you know their games
• Include your best work first
• Make it easy to listen to your music

Remember: Most of indie game developers say they prefer direct submissions over music libraries. It takes more work, but the results are usually better.

Your pitch email should look like this:

Games aren’t the only opportunity – learn how to get your music in commercials.

Making Money from Video Game Music

Game music can make you money in different ways. It’s not just about the upfront payment – there are other ways to earn from your music too.

Getting Paid: How Royalties Work

When your music goes into a game, you can make money every time someone plays it. Think of it like getting paid rent for your music.

Here’s how different games might pay you:

• Mobile Games: Usually one-time payments
• Console Games: Upfront fee plus royalties
• Online Games: Money from streaming plays
• eSports: Payment for live event use

The gaming business handles payments differently from regular music streaming. Let me break this down into simple steps.

For most game deals, you’ll get two types of payment:

Upfront Money:

• One-time payment when they buy your music
• Usually ranges from $200-$5000 per track
• Depends on how they’ll use your music
• Bigger games pay more

The cool part about game music is that one track can make money in several ways. For example, if your music plays during a big moment in the game, it might end up in YouTube videos too.

Backend Royalties:

• Small payments that add up over time
• Come from game streaming
• Money from game trailers
• Payment for soundtrack releases

Here’s something most artists don’t know: games that stream online often pay performance royalties, just like radio plays.

What You’ll Earn from Licensing

The money you make depends on how the game uses your music. Let’s look at some real numbers:

Remember, these numbers are just typical ranges. Some indie games might pay less, while big games like NBA 2K or Cyberpunk 2077 pay way more.

Who Owns the Rights to Your Music

Understanding music rights helps you make better deals. It’s like knowing the rules of the game before you play.

Here are the main rights you should know about:

• Master Rights: Control over the actual recording
• Publishing Rights: Rights to the song itself
• Sync Rights: Permission for the game to use your music
• Performance Rights: Payment for public plays

Let me explain how this works in real life. When a game buys your music, they might want:

1. The right to use it in their game
2. Permission for streamers to play it
3. The ability to use it in trailers
4. Rights to release it on the soundtrack

Each of these rights can be worth money. Smart artists know how to split up these rights to make more from their music.

Remember this important rule: never give away all your rights unless they pay really well. You want to keep making money from your music in different ways.

Learn everything you need to know about mechanical royalties and how they impact your earnings as a music creator in this detailed guide.

Here’s what you should usually keep:

• Rights to use the music elsewhere
• Ability to collect royalties
• Permission to include it in your portfolio
• Rights to make new versions

Games that let you keep more rights often lead to better opportunities later. Your music might catch another developer’s attention when they’re playing the game.

Building Your Gaming Industry Network

Making friends in the gaming world helps you get more opportunities. It’s not about knowing everyone – it’s about connecting with the right people who can help your music reach more games.

Finding the Right Music Supervisor

Music supervisors help games find the perfect songs. They’re like talent scouts for game music. Building good relationships with them can open lots of doors.

First, let’s understand what music supervisors look for:

• Music that fits specific game moments
• Artists who are easy to work with
• Clear ownership of songs
• Professional sound quality

Getting noticed by music supervisors isn’t as hard as you might think. Here’s what works:

1. Follow them on social media
2. Comment on their posts about music
3. Share their announcements
4. Ask smart questions when you can

Here’s what people often get wrong when talking to music supervisors:

• Sending too many messages
• Asking for favors right away
• Not doing research about their work
• Sending random music samples

Instead, try building real connections. Show interest in their projects and share helpful stuff when you can.

Joining Gaming Communities

The gaming world has lots of friendly communities where you can meet people. But you need to join them the right way.

Good places to start:

• Discord servers for game developers
• Reddit communities about game audio
• Facebook groups for indie games
• Twitter spaces about game music

Remember, these communities aren’t just about promoting your music. They’re places to learn and help others too.

When you join a community, try this approach:

1. Spend time learning how things work
2. Help answer other people’s questions
3. Share useful tips you’ve learned
4. Build real friendships

Getting Featured on Gaming Playlists

Playlists can help more developers hear your music. But you need to know which ones matter for games.

Here’s what works for gaming playlists:

• Make playlists of game-style music
• Share them with developers
• Follow other game music playlists
• Engage with playlist creators

I’ve found that unique playlists get more attention. Don’t just make a “gaming music” playlist – try something specific like “music for racing games” or “battle scene tracks.”

Tips for playlist success:

• Update your playlists regularly
• Include other artists’ music too
• Share playlists in gaming forums
• Tag your music correctly

Here’s a simple guide for tagging your music:

Building a network takes time, but small steps add up. Start with one community or playlist, and grow from there. Focus on making real connections instead of just promoting your music.

Tips for Success in Video Game Music Placement

Getting your music into games takes more than just making good tracks. You need to understand what game makers want and how to give it to them. I’ve watched lots of artists try to break into gaming, and the ones who succeed usually follow similar paths.

Let’s break down what really works. Most artists focus only on making music, but the successful ones think about the whole picture. They understand games, know what developers need, and make it easy for people to work with them.

For more tips on building your career, check out my guide on How To Grow As An Independent Music Artist.

Making Music That Fits Games

When you’re making music for games, you need to think differently than when you’re making regular songs. Game music has to work with what’s happening on screen. It needs to help tell the story without getting in the way of the gameplay.

Think about your favorite video games. The music probably changed when things got exciting, right? That’s what you need to create – music that can change with the game.

Here’s what makes game music special:

• Music that builds up smoothly when action starts
• Calm sections that don’t get boring when they repeat
• Clear sounds that work well with game effects
• Different versions of the same track for different situations

Before you start making game music, play some games and really listen to how they use music. Pay attention to when the music changes and how it makes you feel while you play.

Understanding Different Game Styles

Every type of game needs different kinds of music. What works in a racing game might not work in a role-playing game. You need to understand these differences to make music that fits.

Many artists try to use the same style for every game. But that’s not how it works. Each game type has its own needs.

Here’s what different games usually want:

• Racing Games:
  • Fast-paced, energetic music
  • Strong beats that match the speed
  • Music that builds excitement
  • Tracks that sound good with engine noises

Racing games need music that makes players feel fast and excited. But that same music wouldn’t work in a puzzle game where players need to think and concentrate.

• Strategy Games:
  • Calm background music
  • Simple melodies that don’t distract
  • Music that can play for hours
  • Subtle changes for different situations

The key is to match your music to how people play the game. Think about what the player is doing and how your music can make that experience better.

• Action Games:
  • High-energy combat music
  • Quiet exploration tracks
  • Music that builds up to big moments
  • Clear sounds that work with sound effects

Understanding game styles helps you make better music choices. When you know what each type of game needs, you can create music that really fits.

Building a Strong Music Collection

Having lots of different types of music ready to go helps you get more opportunities. Game developers often need several kinds of music for different parts of their games.

Starting out, try to make at least three different types of tracks:

Action Music:

• High energy for exciting moments
• Clear beats and strong rhythm
• Easy to loop and change
• Works well with sound effects

Remember, your music needs to sound professional. Game developers look for quality sound that they can use right away.

Background Music:

• Calm and not distracting
• Simple melodies that repeat well
• Clean, clear sound
• Easy to mix with game audio

The best way to learn is by doing. Start making different types of tracks and test them while watching game videos to see how they feel.

Menu Music:

• Welcoming and positive sound
• Not too intense or busy
• Loops smoothly
• Sets the game’s mood

Here’s a tip from my experience: make shorter versions of your tracks too. Games often need 30-second and 60-second versions of songs for different situations.

Think about creating a collection like this:

Building a good collection takes time, but it’s worth it. The more different types of music you have ready, the more chances you have to get your music into games.

Future Opportunities in Gaming Music

The gaming world keeps changing, and that means new chances for music artists. Let’s look at what’s coming up and how you can get ready for it.

What’s New in Game Sound

Games are getting bigger and better every year. They need more music than ever before, and they’re using it in cool new ways.

Right now, these things are changing how music works in games:

• Games that change music based on how you play
• Virtual concerts inside games
• Music that works with VR (virtual reality)
• Live events in games

I’ve watched gaming change a lot over the years. Now, games don’t just play music – they create whole musical experiences. Think about how Travis Scott performed in Fortnite. That’s just the start of what’s possible.

Here’s what’s working right now:

• Music that can split into different parts
• Tracks that work for both gameplay and events
• Songs that sound good in 3D space
• Custom sounds for special game moments

Games are using music in ways we never expected. Some mobile games even let players mix their own music while they play.

Where Gaming Music is Heading

The future of game music looks exciting. More games are coming out every day, and they all need different kinds of music.

Here’s what we’re seeing more of:

Adaptive Music:

• Changes with player choices
• Fits different game situations
• Responds to what’s happening
• Makes games feel more real

This kind of music is harder to make, but it’s worth learning about. Games want music that can change and adapt while people play.

Cross-Platform Music:

• Works on phones and consoles
• Sounds good on any speaker
• Fits different screen sizes
• Easy to update

The way people play games is changing. They might start playing on their phone and then switch to their computer. Your music needs to work everywhere.

Fresh Ways to Get Your Music in Games

New opportunities are popping up all the time. Here’s what’s looking good for the future:

• Game streaming platforms need music
• Mobile games want quick, catchy songs
• VR games need special 3D audio
• eSports events want theme songs

The best part? You don’t need to wait for these chances. You can start getting ready now.

Here’s what smart artists are doing:

• Learning about game audio software
• Making music that works in 3D
• Creating short, flexible tracks
• Building relationships with new game studios

Remember, these new opportunities mean you need to keep learning and trying new things. But don’t worry – you don’t have to do everything at once.

Ready to Get Your Music in Games?

Getting your music into video games isn’t as hard as you might think. Start small, focus on making quality tracks, and build real connections with game developers. Remember, every successful music producer started exactly where you are now – they just took that first step.

Ready to start making hits? Grab my 25+ Premium Beat Bundle – it’s packed with industry-quality, royalty-free beats to help you create your next banger.