President & Board Member
Brian Schmidt is a trailblazer in the world of video game audio, with over 35 years of experience composing music, designing sound, and pioneering cutting-edge audio technologies for games. A recipient of the Game Audio Network Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award and a Pinball Expo Hall of Fame inductee, Brian has contributed to more than 140 games, collaborating with industry giants like Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Sony, Capcom, and Sega. His work spans from arcade classics like NARC and Black Knight 2000 to major franchises such as Madden Football and Guns and Roses Pinball.
In 1998, Brian joined Microsoft and became a key figure in shaping the audio architecture for the original Xbox and Xbox 360. He introduced groundbreaking innovations such as Dolby Digital Surround for gaming and the award-winning XACT audio tool. His technical leadership earned him acclaim for revolutionizing interactive sound design, including the creation of the iconic Xbox startup sound.
Beyond development, Brian is also the founder of GameSoundCon, the leading conference on video game music and sound design. With degrees in music and computer science from Northwestern University and a master’s in Computer Applications in Music, Brian is a frequent speaker at major conferences and universities worldwide. He currently serves as President of the Game Audio Network Guild, continuing to inspire and shape the future of interactive audio.