Issue #13 / February 2026
When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Video Game Composer… Hello dear subscribers! It’s 2026, and it’s time to set new goals: make high-quality music for game developers, grow my business, invest in musical education, build confidence and forge new relationships. What about you?
What’s Been Going On?
It’s been the most productive season so far, and I feel like I took giant leaps forward! In just a few months, I released two albums, published a major music asset pack on all four main online marketplaces for game developers (like the Unity Asset Store), created a series of orchestral RPG exploration tracks and then practiced speed-writing for my One-Hour Challenge collection. I was able to schedule a ton of coaching sessions with various professionals in order to improve music production, mixing and mastering as well as orchestration. I even took part in a masterclass with Riot Games’ own Jesse Zuretti, during which he answered questions and gave feedback on one of my tracks. I renewed my membership with the Video Game Music Alliance for another year because of the incredible impact its brilliant community had on my skills and my sense of belonging. I commissioned Jeremy Smith to create new art for my website, business card and music asset packs, and because of him, I was able to remove all AI images from my website! My dear friend Richard redesigned my business cards according to the visuals from my website (which he also designed). A shout out to both of you for being amazing creative forces and for your contribution to my brand!
Two New 16-bit Albums!
Since the last issue of my newsletter, I released not one but two video game music albums! Both are inspired by the 16-bit era of the 1990s. Stellar Saga, which I co-wrote with composer and game developer HydroGene, features music that would have belonged to a sci-fi/fantasy Sega Genesis JRPG like Phantasy Star. It was in fact the first time that I explored the Sega Genesis sound palette. And the last time (ask me about it!). The other album, Secrets of the Archipelago, was a solo endeavour featuring SNES music for a fictional sea-themed JRPG. I was playing Sea of Stars while composing the tracks, and I was also influenced by music from the legendary Yasunori Mitsuda. You can listen to both albums on your favorite streaming services! Visit my website for more details.
One-Hour Challenge
Back in January, I was in a virtual session watching award-winning video game composer Brandon Boone compose music for a client. I was amazed at his process and his speed and he told me all about it. That inspired me to try my hands at his method, and behold, I was able to write music really fast! I used this opportunity between projects to practice his method, and quickly came up with tons of new material. I was averaging a minute of music per hour of work (the industry standard for a trained professional is a minute per three hours!). I used this method to explore hundreds of new virtual instruments in my library, to try out traditional and world instruments, to write for new settings and moods (listen to my viking music!), to produce new textures and to quiet down critical judgment in order to enhance the creative flow. This process is a lot of fun too, and it yields professional-sounding music that could be used in actual video games. Be sure to visit my One-Hour Challenge playlist.
Orchestral RPG Music Packs
My main focus for 2026 is orchestration. I planned out a series of 80 orchestral tracks that I’d like to compose throughout the year, ten of which are already out on my YouTube channel. They are going to be packaged as music asset packs available on the four main online marketplaces - Unity Asset Store, Fab, GameDev Market and itch.io. I have also started studying with Jake Lives, the very knowledgeable and talented composer behind the highly popular Complete Bundle - Fantasy Action RPG Music. I’ve listened to his exploration music countless times while correcting students’ tests!
Featured Music
The tracks featured in this issue come from the three projects I’ve worked on recently. From my latest album, Underwater Passage is a neat submarine exploration track that uses various musical devices to depict water. Melancholic Fields is possibly my favorite track from my orchestral RPG exploration collection, and I love the effect of the piano. Dance of the Scorching Blade is a direct result of my new speed-writing method. It features the bagpipes, an instrument I’ve never included before in my music!
Exclusive Content For Subscribers
As subscribers to my mailing list, you’ll get to hear something I won’t share with the public. I had a session in my home studio with a local producer and sound engineer, and he taught me the A to Z of recording live instruments. During that session, I created a short loop with classical guitar, recorder and small percussion instruments. From now on, I might add some real instruments to my music.
Classical Guitar News
Our local classical guitar festival, Guitar Alla Grande, took place in February. I spent days with amazing professional and student guitarists, including the world famous Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Canadian Guitar Quartet. I performed in a concert, a masterclass, a guitar orchestra, and there were plenty of concerts to attend. Otherwise, I’m still hard-at-work on my grade 10 Royal Conservatory of Music repertoire, and I may be performing video game music in a duo soon!
What’s Next?
2026 is an ambitious year. I have an orchestral RPG exploration music pack to finish, an action and combat one to start, and plenty of learning to do! Aside from making music, I’ll be attending two Final Fantasy concerts in April - Materia Symphony and A New World. I hope that you also get to pursue your dreams, even if they are as zany as becoming a professional video game composer in your forties! Game Over... Until the Next Score!
