Audio needs to be built through collaboration with all departments. Despite being an essential part of all game components, oftentimes it is considered in isolation. We make a point of understanding all the different stages of game production and its implications for sound design and audio systems. We build iteratively, in cycles, keep workflows lean, teams agile, and only start refining when it feels right. For audio to be effective, it needs to be iterative & collaborative.

At Demute, everyone is a deep specialist with unique skill sets that are built alongside a full understanding of the entire audio pipeline. This approach unlocks new avenues of reflection to find unique solutions for tricky issues. It also allows us to think of technical designs that let creativity thrive. It makes it easy to embed ourselves within dev teams and to iterate quickly and efficiently. We are never stuck waiting for the next link in the chain. Our specific skills are only strengthened by a broader understanding of game audio.

An ego-free culture creates the capacity for true iteration and efficient work. For that, you need an environment where constructive criticism is accepted and risk encouraged. This is how we work and how we grow: peer reviews, open conversations, postmortems, etc. This allows our work to improve while creating a safe space for failure and new ideas. Feedback makes us stronger and we know to keep our egos out of it.

We trust the person most implicated in a project to be the one leading it. Not as a lone ranger, but backed by a guild of peers. Our lead structure is like a network, each link having full ownership of their games and in direct contact with the developers we collaborate with. Our producers hop in when required, acting as helpers, not bottlenecks. This encourages engagement, develops soft skills, and builds a culture of transparency in our collaborations.

People are well-intentioned and reasonable. We strive to make working as enjoyable as possible, both for our team and our clients. Great games come from people who feel respected and trusted. We make sure to match projects to passionate leads, to encourage collaboration, amplify all voices and stay transparent. If people thrive, creativity follows.

Being at the forefront of new technology in our young industry is challenging. Nothing is set in stone, that is why we choose to dedicate time every week to invest in ourselves. Attending courses, learning new tools, organizing workshops, and exploring personal passions are essential practices that keep us adaptable, inspired, and ready to shape the future of our craft.

We’ve benefited from the help of the gaming industry and communities countless times, whether it was an informal discussion, resources shared on Discord servers or watching conferences. It’s now our turn to give back and keep the cycle going. That is why we do talks, we teach in schools and we share tools. We also support initiatives like the Game Audio Diversity Alliance, and the local game scenes around our offices. Without the input of the game audio community worldwide, Demute would not exist.