G.A.N.G. NEWSLETTER 9/16/26

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This Issue in Game Audio: Webinars, Conferences, and More!

25th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards 

The 25th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards will be held Wednesday, March 3, 2027 during GDC! We’re moving the show and after party to new venues near the Moscone Center, so please stay tuned for more details. 

We’ll be introducing a new committee approach for the Audio of the Year award, as well as fewer, defined categories with several awards combined. 

Eligibility requirements

  • Indie games must explain why their studio qualifies as “indie.” Factors may include whether the developer also publishes the game, the type of Wwise/FMOD license, development budget, studio size, and whether it was made by students. 
  • Music of the Year, Audio of the Year, and Best New Original IP will require the soundtrack to be predominantly newly composed/original music, rather than primarily licensed music.

These changes are intended to ensure the awards recognize original game-audio craftsmanship and reduce overlap between categories.

For more information: https://www.audiogang.org/awards/25th-award-show-changes/ 

BlizzCon Audio Panels

BlizzCon took place last weekend, and Blizzard audio teams delivered a couple of fantastic sessions! “World of Sound Design” offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Blizzard’s audio teams craft the sounds and sonic experiences that bring its games to life. The voice talent behind Blizzard’s iconic characters presented “Voices of Blizzard.” Both are well worth a watch if you missed the sessions live:

Upcoming Game Audio Events:

GameSoundCon

GameSoundCon is back October 20–21, 2026 in Burbank, CA — and it’s hybrid once again this year. Attend in person, or join online with real-time access to sessions, live text chat, and more. Either way, you’ll have access to recorded sessions for up to 12 months after the event.

Whether you’re a composer, sound designer, dialogue specialist, researcher, educator, or just someone keeping up with cutting-edge game audio and technology — from Indie to AAA, there’s something for you.

We’re reaching the end of the Earlybird Deadline 

Members of G.A.N.G. perks:

  • $75 off the in-person registration
  • 10% off Online-Only or Actor Pass registration

Find the event details here: https://www.gamesoundcon.com/

Game Audio Network Guild Demo Derby Submissions are Open Again!

One of GameSoundCon’s longest running and highest rated sessions is back for 2026. The Demo Derby gives members of G.A.N.G. the chance to put their work in front of a panel of game audio experts and get direct, constructive feedback in real time.

Submissions are now open for all three categories: Voice Over, Music, and Sound Design. Spots are filled first-submitted, first-served, so don’t wait until the deadline to send yours in.

Submission Deadline: Friday, October 16, 2026

Event: October 20-21, 2026

To read more, click here: https://www.audiogang.org/demo-derby-submission/ 

G.A.N.G. Hang PNW

G.A.N.G. and Sound Lab a Keywords Studio hosted a mixer for the game audio community at Dave & Buster’s in Bellevue, WA on September 14th, and we had a great turnout. It’s always wonderful to get together with game audio folks, catch up, meet new people, and share some good times. We were happy to have a recent graduate and a DigiPen student join us! This event was a great opportunity for young professionals to build connections.

Here are some pictures from the evening. Thanks to everyone who came out, and we hope to see you at one of our future events! 

We’ll see you soon with more exciting news!

Upcoming Game Audio Events

September 17-21, 2026 Tokyo Game Show – https://events.nikkeibp.co.jp/tgs/2026/en/exhibitor/ (Chiba, Japan)

October 20-21, 2026 GameSoundCon –  https://www.gamesoundcon.com/ (Burbank, CA & Online)