Outline

Overview

Taught by a videogame professional, Composition for Creative Industries 6 focuses on writing music for videogames. Videogame music has catalysed a vast and lucrative industry with a myriad of new and ongoing projects being developed in Australia and abroad. Composing music for videogames requires several skills that draw upon the composer's creativity, craft and technological acuity. This unit of study places an emphasis on these skills through a practical and theorical exploration of the artistry and culture of videogames; reactive musical systems; structural and textural flexibility; game mechanics, story and player experience. Students will engage with industry standard middleware/authoring applications and game engines used in the production of videogames, to present their projects, including Twine, Wwise, FMOD and Unity. This unit of study places due importance on cultural competency, inclusiveness, safe industry practices and respect for others in the collaborative process.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Composition and Music Technology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	CMPN3335
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Meghann O'Neill, meghann.oneill@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Portfolio or journal	Assessment 6: Portfolio Submission For assessment instructions and details please refer to Canvas.	40%	STUVAC Due date: 17 Nov 2025 at 23:59	Please refer to Canvas	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early feedback quiz Canvas quiz based on content #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 22 Aug 2025 at 23:59	10-15mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Assessment 1: Create a Twine For assessment instructions and details please refer to Canvas.	5%	Week 04 Due date: 25 Aug 2025 at 23:59	Please refer to Canvas	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Assessment 2: Compose 3 variations for your Twine For assessment instructions and details please refer to Canvas.	10%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2025 at 23:59	Please refer to Canvas.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Assessment 3: Extend and build into another engine For assessment instructions and details please refer to Canvas.	10%	Week 08 Due date: 22 Sep 2025 at 23:59	Please refer to Canvas.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Assessment 4: Iterate on, and complete, your project from Assessment 3 For assessment instructions and details please refer to Canvas.	15%	Week 09 Due date: 06 Oct 2025 at 23:59	Please refer to Canvas.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 5: Reflective Report For assessment instructions and details please refer to Canvas.	20%	Week 12 Due date: 27 Oct 2025 at 23:59	Please refer to Canvas.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

Every assignment is distinctive and varied. For instructions and details for the various assessments, please refer to the Canvas Site for this UoS.

Assessment criteria

Please note that each assignmet has its own discrete criteria. Please refer to the UoS Canvas site for these details.

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.
Distinction	75 - 84	Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.
Credit	65 - 74	Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.
Pass	50 - 64	Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.
Fail	0 - 49	Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Composing for interactive media relies on devising reactive musical systems	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Organising structure and texture flexibly, for videogame implementation	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	How to draw influence from minimalism and aleatoric music	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Arranging interchangeable variations of the same track for shifting gameplay	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Composing loops that shine, technically and musically, for a range of contexts	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Imagination, creativity and innovative thinking are as valuable as technique and production.	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	The inspiring intersections of toolsets and composition process	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	How to successfully iterate on your work for dynamically evolving projects	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Worldbuilding, immersion, engagement and storytelling	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Presenting interactive compositions in context	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 12	Exemplary Australian games music and local industry practice	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	Independent games, AAA, virtual reality, installations and beyond	Lecture (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. implement strategic workflow specific to a given project brief
LO2. discuss competently and confidently the key points of a brief with a game creator
LO3. understand fundamental game, and game music concepts and protocols
LO4. experience game engines, including Twine and Unity, and understand how authoring software, like FMOD and Wwise, allow composition to be implemented via dynamic structures
LO5. draw upon a range of compositional techniques to create game music that underscores narrative concerns
LO6. flexibly apply various concepts of structural and textural organisation.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

N/A

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CMPN3336: Composition for Creative Industries 6

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links