IASIG Celebrates 32 Years of Game Audio Leadership at GDC

The MIDI Association

The Interactive Audio Special Interest Group (IASIG), founded at the Game Developers Conference in 1994, returned to San Francisco this year with a full program of events highlighting the evolving landscape of interactive music and sound. As the longest-running non-profit organization dedicated to game audio, the IASIG continues to play a central role in shaping standards, education, and community collaboration.

A Milestone Town Hall

Two people stand smiling in front of an IGDA booth at an event. The booth features a collage of group photos, a sign reading “we are igda,” and several attendees walking around in the background.

The IASIG hosted its 32nd Annual Town Hall, bringing together composers, sound designers, audio programmers, and educators to discuss current initiatives and emerging needs in interactive audio. The session reaffirmed the IASIG’s mission: to support creators working at the intersection of music, technology, and interactivity.

AI, Emotion, and the Future of Audio Design

IASIG Steering Committee members participated in two well-attended roundtables presented in partnership with the IGDA:

• Understanding AI in Game Audio — a standing-room-only discussion exploring how AI is reshaping sound design, composition workflows, and creative ethics.

A large conference room with people seated around a U-shaped table layout, attentively listening to two speakers standing in the center near a flip chart. The room is well-lit with a modern design.

• Developing Engagement and Emotion Through Sound & Music — a collaborative conversation on how audio teams and designers can work together to build emotionally resonant player experiences.

A panel of five men sits at a table on stage, one speaking at a podium. Behind them is a large screen with presentation slides and blue curtains. Sponsor and partner logos are displayed on a sign next to the podium.

Both sessions underscored the increasing sophistication and evolution of interactive music and the growing need for cross-disciplinary communication and understanding of how to navigate the changing landscape of game audio.

A Community Mixer with Hands-On Music Making

A group of people gather around tables and a tall IA-SIG banner with sponsor logos in a brightly lit room at an indoor event. Some attendees converse while others browse materials on the tables.

The IASIG and IGDA co-hosted a lively mixer that brought together audio professionals from around the world. A highlight of the evening was a live demonstration of MoForte’s GeoShred, giving attendees the chance to experiment with expressive, performance-driven synthesis directly on mobile devices.

IASIG sponsor EastWest Sounds also generously supported the event with a raffle featuring a full year of ComposerCloud+ and a license for the Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra, drawing enthusiastic participation from composers.

Continuing the Mission

The MIDI Association and has spent three decades advocating for better tools, clearer standards,and stronger community support for anyone working with interactive sound and music. Fromadaptive scoring to procedural audio to emerging AI workflows, the IASIG remains a vital hub for innovation and collaboration