Compose an original soundtrack of any style for an imaginary game!
But hold on, how am I supposed to know what to compose if I don't know anything about the game I'm composing for?
Well, that's the twist of the jam, you don't. You need to imagine that part by your own. (There's also a theme to help you with that!)
Theme:
"Tick Tock..."
Choose either the theme "Tick Tock..." or the picture theme, or both!
(click image to enlarge)
Note: The themes here are more like an inspiration, and strictly speaking there are no specific "musical theme" for you to follow and that you can compose in any genre you want, so the submissions can be as diverse as possible.
Compose at least 3 minutes worth of soundtrack (entire soundtrack combined).
You can compose as many tracks you want, providing that all of them is practically made for the same game, meaning each tracks needs to be interconnected and not be far-off from each other. To achieve this, leitmotifs are strongly recommended.
It can be in any genre you want: 8-bit, orchestration, electronic, ambient, etc. It can even have vocals/lyrics! It can also be loopable, have a proper ending, connect to the next track, or just a simple fade-out.
You must submit the original recording in either .mp3, .wav or .flac on itch.io AND on another streaming service of your choice (preferably Soundcloud), with a screen recording or screenshot(s) or pdf of your DAW, score, or tracker. (This is to prove that you are the original creator)
Additionally, you can also provide a description of what kind of game the soundtrack you composed is like, what does each track represent in the game, etc.
Everything submitted must be original and not contain any copyrighted content.
*Soundtracks created for other game jams that starts after this jam can be submitted, provided that the soundtrack also fits the theme.
Listen to the previous jam's top submissions!
| How long? | at least 3 minutes (entire soundtrack combined) |
| How many tracks? | at least 1 track |
| What do I need to submit? | When creating the project on itch.io, you will need to upload the following:
• .mp3, .wav or .flac file of the track(s) ○ The title of the file should also have your username on it (e.g. Lone Rabbit - Great Example.wav) • Screen recording or screenshot(s) evidence of your DAW ○ Uploaded as screenshot(s) on itch.io ○ to YouTube as screen recording ○ or as .pdf if a score on itch.io • Cover art (optional but ideal to differentiate your submission) ○ The cover size on itch.io is 630x500 px When submitting to the jam, you will be asked for the following: ○ Description of entry (e.g. genre, runtime, software you used, inspirations, your process, etc.) ○ Chosen theme ○ How does it fit the theme? (optional) ○ Link to streaming service of your choice (preferably SoundCloud or YouTube) ○ Soundtrack use permission, would you like others to be able to use your soundtrack? ○ Your contact information |
It is recommended for you to post your work on SoundCloud (or YouTube) at some point after the jam since we plan on making a playlist of all the submissions there! ^^ Feel free to use the tag #OSTCompJam on your tracks as well!
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q: Will there be any themes? | A: Yes, there will be a picture and word theme (choose one or both) announced at the start of the jam. |
| Q: What program/DAW can I use? | A: You can use any programs, DAWs, or Trackers you want. You can even handwrite your scores and perform it yourself. |
| Q: Can I work in teams? | A: You can only work in solo or in groups of no more than 3. However, you can have additional people to record parts for your soundtrack. |
| Q: Can I use pre-made loops? | A: Yes, as long as the majority of the work is still your own composition and arrangement. |
| Q: How about samples and sfx? | A: Yes, but please make sure you have the legal rights to use them. |
| Q: Can I submit a soundtrack for a game that already exists? | A: No, it is required that all participants compose an original soundtrack for a game that does not yet exist before the jam. That means soundtracks created for other game jams that starts after this jam can be submitted, providing that the soundtrack also fits the theme. |
| Q: Can I submit multiple entries? | A: No |
| Q: Can I use this jam to finish/submit an existing project I already started on? | A: Yes, but only if they are unreleased AND unfinished. |
| Q: Can I use the soundtrack I composed for other projects later on? | A: Yes, we do not own anything you submit. All rights are reserved to the original composer(s). |
| Q: Can it be a remix? | A: No, but you can take some inspirations and ideas from them! |
| Q: I'm having trouble uploading/submitting! | A: How to upload and submit your soundtrack! |
The rating period lasts for around a week after the jam ends and is open to everyone. Your soundtrack will be judged on:
- Impression; does it catch your attention or did you get bored?
- Creativity; did the submission overall seem new or unique, did the composer(s) try to innovate? etc.
- Composition; musical writing, leitmotifs, pacing, cohesion, catchiness, etc.
- Quality; mixing/mastering, sound design, are the instruments/sound banks chosen appropriate? etc.
- Correlation to theme; to which degree does it fit the jam's theme?
Files will be locked during the voting period, but feel free to continue and/or finish the soundtrack to your liking after the jam ends.
Participants who tries to manipulate the voting system will be disqualified.
There will be a compilation album which will be released to most major streaming platforms and as CDs for the top submissions as well as for some of my favorites, in which the streaming revenue will be evenly split for each track between us. We will contact you about this after the jam ends. You can check out the previous jam's compilation album here!
Please keep in mind though that previous albums have not made a lot, the main point of the compilation album is more for monumental purposes instead of making money, so don't expect too much from it!
Looking for a partner or want to hang out with us? Feel free to hop into our Discord server! Have fun with this one! :D
Check out all the previous OST Composing Jams!
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