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virt
03-20-2007, 07:03 PM
Artist: Jake Kaufman (virt)
Site: http://jake.vgmix.com

Hi, indie developers! A bunch of the composers with their portfolios in this forum are friends of mine, and there isn't one of them whose services I wouldn't recommend. Hell, I'd recommend even some I don't know yet - Pedro, for example, is a beast.

That said, I want to score your next game.

I've created music and sound effects for almost 40 games in the past 7 years, ranging from Game Boy to PS2 to DS to Mobile. Having been in-house for a while in New York, I'm going freelance next month. While I am also shooting for high-budget stuff, I want to get into indie games, because I'm awed by the quality of the work you guys produce, and the whole community vibe is really cool (I've lurked for a while).

In addition to working professionally, I'm heavily involved in various hobbyist communities - chiptunes, the demoscene, game music remixes. I have a great base of friends and fans who buy games I've worked on, because they know I share their passion for game music and are excited to see my career take off. It's good buzz for your games.

Earlier this month at the Independent Games Festival party at GDC, I performed a live set of NES, TurboGrafx16 and Game Boy Advance music. If you were there, yeah, I was the fat nerd sweating over the keyboard. I want to write music for you.

My rates are highly flexible - like most of these great guys, I'm more interested in helping your game succeed than in taking all your money. So even if you think you can't afford me, you probably can.

Great to meet you all, and I hope to work with many of you over the next few years.

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Addendum:
TO OTHER COMPOSERS: Ever turned down a job because you can't write XMs, don't have a guitar, or don't do sound effects? I can help! I love collaborating, and am the technical guy you always wished was around. Even if you have an impossible problem on your hands, tell your client "BRB, researching" and drop me a line!

Ryan Clark
03-20-2007, 08:58 PM
Just wanted to chime in and say what a talented guy Jake is... I recommend you take him up on his offer while you have the chance!

Everyone at Grubby Games is a virt fanboi after seeing him rock Flashbang's GDC/IGF party. We listened to his tunes in the car during our 16 hour drive back to Vancouver :)

stmiller
03-20-2007, 09:40 PM
Hey another recommendation for Jake from me. He knows his stuff, and is a great person. Nice to meet you at the GDC, Jake.

Melin
03-21-2007, 03:27 AM
Here's another recommendation from a fellow composer. Jake knows what he's doing, and he IS the tech nerd you need whenever you have questions about porting music to DS, have midi problems or other conversion issues. He's a good friend of mine, and has helped me a lot in the past.

--ALL MY CLIENTS, STOP READING HERE --

Give this guy some work right away, and you won't regret it! :)

Staffan Melin
Melin Music (http://www.melinmusic.com)

Sean Beeson
03-21-2007, 05:37 AM
I have to give Jake a thumbs up as well. On top of being a superb composer, he is also very easy to communicate with.

virt
03-21-2007, 07:41 AM
Wow, all this from the competition! Nah, these are some of the aforementioned buddies I'd recommend. :) I have no doubts we'll all be grizzled old men trading war stories some day.. I'm glad to share an industry with you.

I meant what I said about helping out - I want to give back by sharing knowledge with anyone who needs it, so if any composers have burning questions they can't seem to get answered, mail me! I'm gonna try to be around the forum and contribute anything I can.

(Of course, I'm not some all-knowing font of wisdom, I'm still learning all the time, so pardon in advance if I ask annoying questions!)

spoomusic
03-21-2007, 09:49 AM
Virt is the best. He's an awesome person and his music is phenomenal. Highly recommended.

Ariel

SteelProphets
04-04-2007, 09:17 AM
Did you make that Rocket Lounger song???!!! Oh my... If you did... I'm honoured to be in yo' presence.

SteelProphets

Agent 4125
04-04-2007, 11:36 AM
The mock games on the samples page are brilliant. Someone please hire this man to do game design.

TwiTerror
04-05-2007, 07:43 AM
I'd have to recommend Virt as well. Hooray.