Why Most Web Games Skip the Sound—and What They’re Missing

What does it take to create unforgettable game audio—from eerie soundscapes in Death Stranding to iconic branding in Mortal Kombat?

Composer and sound designer Joel Corelitz joins us to talk about his path from writing music for pharmaceutical ads to shaping the sonic identity of major titles. We dive into the creative process, what good feedback really sounds like, the overlooked potential of sound in web games, and why sometimes doing the work is more important than waiting for inspiration.

Check out Joel's Resources:
https://joelcorelitz.com/
http://twitter.com/joelcorelitz
http://instagram.com/joelcorelitz
https://joelcorelitz.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@joelcorelitzmusic

Games Mentioned:
Dark Souls - Joel's favorite game to play
Halo Infinite
Death Stranding
Mortal Kombat One
The Unfinished Swan
Nine Souls
The Last Clockwinder
Hyperlight Breaker
Hyperlight Drifter
Lazy River

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• (00:00) - Introduction to Joel Kitz and Wave Plant
• (00:56) - Joel's Favorite Games and Balancing Work and Play
• (03:36) - The Journey from Advertising to Game Composing
• (08:52) - The Creative Process and Musical Language
• (15:51) - Feedback and Collaboration in Game Music
• (19:30) - Budgeting for Game Music and Audio Branding
• (25:30) - Exploring Sound Design in Games
• (26:14) - The Role of Musicality in Sound Design
• (30:02) - Challenges in Sound Design and Asset Management
• (31:04) - Collaborations and Working Solo
• (32:29) - Impact of AI on Creative Work
• (35:30) - Teaching Game Music Composition
• (38:23) - Starting a YouTube Channel
• (41:46) - Formal Education vs. Self-Learning in Music Composition
• (43:49) - Reflecting on Career Choices
• (44:59) - Current and Upcoming Projects
• (46:08) - Connecting with Joel Online

Check out our brainy games:

Sumplete - https://sumplete.com
Squeezy - https://imsqueezy.com/
Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.com
Mathler - https://mathler.com
Crosswordle - https://crosswordle.com
Sudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.com
Hitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.com
Wordga - https://wordga.com