Given the lack of transparency around composer rates in the games industry, I've decided to buck the trend and publish my current rate cards as a starting point for studios, developers, and producers who want to get an early idea of how much they need to set aside for their game's music. To be as informative as possible, this document also contains a brief overview of agreement terms, some clarifications, and an FAQ section too :)
Pick your closest local currency below to view my rates for that specific currency:
My pricing structure is pretty simple – I charge per minute of music delivered (including any adaptive layers contained within that minute, unless those layers are parallel variations of the same piece of music). NB: These rates are technically below the expected "market rate" (~ $1000 USD per minute of music delivered), but they're not lowball rates either – after all, I pride myself on doing good work.
Please note: These rates are a starting point. They assume that I'll be doing 100% of the work, with minimal involvement from third parties (if at all). The amount you spend will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
Your funding situation
The complexity of the music, and its implementation within your game
Whether live musicians will need to be recorded
Whether the contract specifies an exclusive license or a total buyout (these terms are defined on the rate card)
Feel free to reach out to me at any time if you have any questions, or would like a more concrete quote. Also, if you're an Aotearoa/NZ-based developer intending to submit a funding application through CODE, please get in touch for a slightly discounted base rate :)