Thoughtful Audio for Memorable Games - I help ambitious teams with sound and music thoughtfully designed to highlight their most creative features. Lover of cats, yarn arts, sour candy, movies, and games. SLEEP AWAKE, Narcalid, DQ 2, THPS 1+2, Diablo IV.https://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3ma7b2wbmac2jBefore I became a sound designer, palette was a means to an end - just there to get the musical ideas across. I'd been primarily doing sound design for a couple years when I wrote this, and it shows - the writing is secondary, and the palette is the star. Soundcloud: tinyurl.com/9dhssj7n17 Dec 2025 18:10 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3ma7b2wbmac2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3ma25jllmk22jWanna know how a few minutes saved weeks of time reporting and fixing skate loop bugs on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2? One of the sound designers taught the audio tester (me) how the system worked so I could test and report the issues as early as possible, to the right devs, with the necessary info.15 Dec 2025 17:23 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3ma25jllmk22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3m7vcmarlpk2jJRPG-style Town Theme for 5th Cataclysm! #screenshotsaturday #indiedev #gamedev #videogamemusic13 Dec 2025 19:11 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7vcmarlpk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3m7srooxots2gFailure Friday! ...but not really. This sketch of a shop theme for 5th Cataclysm isn't what we need, but that doesn't make it bad. I'll find a use for it at some point, maybe in another game. Same with job rejections, btw - not being the right fit for a role doesn't mean bad or unqualified.12 Dec 2025 19:03 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7srooxots2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3m7lihn53uc2xThe importance of modularity in game design cannot be overstated. Start with something manageable, leave the door open for future features, and allow the game to take shape naturally. Save time and effort through reuse. Harness the power of constraint to enhance creative thinking. #gamedevelopment09 Dec 2025 21:29 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7lihn53uc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3m7iyibjetc2xYesterday I went to the Boston Festival of Indie Games for the first time. So many of the games felt nostalgic, either directly inspired by older games or toys from childhood, but made new again. Maybe some things are just timeless, or it's like fashion - everything cycles back around eventually.08 Dec 2025 21:38 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7iyibjetc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3m7axtro7vs22Game development is at the intersection of logic and creativity. Games are software - their functions are logically driven and making them is highly technical. Games are art - they evoke emotional reactions and aesthetics are a big part of the experience. That's why I love working on games.05 Dec 2025 17:05 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7axtro7vs22https://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3m775c4flrc2nI'm increasingly drawn to roguelite games. It's appealing to learn the gameplay and play in short bursts with enough randomness to stay interesting. But I do miss being able to fire up a game and get lost in it for a day or two at a time. That's the beauty of games - there's something for everyone.04 Dec 2025 23:37 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3m775c4flrc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3lbvgtzfy6s2vMost of my recent work is under NDA (that's games for ya!) but this horror bootflow/main menu track inspired by some of my favorite spooky scores from the N64 era is not, so I can share it! https://soundcloud.com/alavenmusic/grave-summons?si=876b88d1c9954a09a72f5baa3abbf6d6&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing27 Nov 2024 01:51 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbvgtzfy6s2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3laqwumlock2qI got to make a neato cluster of sounds yesterday - a perfect opportunity to use my favorite free plugin, Valhalla Space Modulator. It excels at turning recordings into digital nightmares or fantastical sci-fi computer sounds. (Not affiliated) #gameaudio #sounddesign https://valhalladsp.com/shop/modulation/valhalla-space-modulator/?srsltid=AfmBOoqWu67paD9XrQHEMrG-rteVyyKq-Ku5JBrKjVx-X29go72W4eTw12 Nov 2024 13:29 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3laqwumlock2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3la2v464tvr2bEditing some voice recordings from a very sweet up and coming voice actor later today. She doesn't take direction very well yet, but really what can you expect from a seven month old baby?03 Nov 2024 18:59 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3la2v464tvr2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3l7oio3gxt42qJust spent a solid few minutes slapping a metal plate slathered with hand lotion. What sound do you think I'm working on? #gameaudio #sounddesign29 Oct 2024 20:44 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3l7oio3gxt42qhttps://bsky.app/profile/alavenmusic.bsky.social/post/3l7hkz3ro5y2qHey there! I'm Amanda, I make music and sound for video games. I've done AAA audio QA (THPS 1+2, Diablo IV,) contract sound design (Narcalid, Defenders Quest 2, unannounced game at Eyes Out,) and in-house music and sound (unannounced game at House of How.) I love cats, yarn art, movies, and games.27 Oct 2024 02:38 +0000at://did:plc:roaojitpajs2mysm26psptfe/app.bsky.feed.post/3l7hkz3ro5y2q