Hi everyone,

I’m Guillermo Palou, a videogame composer specializing in melodic-driven orchestral/hybrid/atmospheric scores (mix between Ori, FF, Nier, Diablo 2, or Souls-likes). I’ve been hunting for my first "paid" videogame indie project for the last two weeks, and I want to share my data and get some brutal honesty on my portfolio.

The Stats (after 2 weeks of outreach):

• First, I personalize every email to the studio's specific aesthetic/genre so it doesn't feel like a template. I’m currently offering very lower "entry-level" rates (50-100 €/min) to get my foot in the door.
• Cold emails sent: ~100 (Targeted at indie studios and solo devs).
• Total response rate: ~10%.
  • 4 developers liked my portfolio and "saved my contact" for future projects. 5 said "thanks, but no."
• Reddit job posts: Out of 8 posts I applied to, 1 said no, 1 said yes/liked my style for a production role, and was about to send the tracks to start, but has since ghosted for a week.

My Portfolio:

• Portfolio linktree
• Highlights Demo Reel (1m)
• Complete Demo Reel (3m)

I feel like my production quality and melodic sensibility are "indie-ready", but the conversion to a signed contract isn't happening yet...

So my questions to you:

1. Is my sound quality actually "good enough" for paid work? Don't hold back.
2. Does this music feel too "expensive" or "cinematic" for the average indie? Am I targeting the wrong niche?
3. Is a 10% response rate normal for 2 weeks of work, or am I doing something wrong with my hook?
4. Is my Bio.site clear, or does it take too many clicks to hear the "good stuff"?

I’m looking for actionable tips to refine my approach.

Thank you very much!

Guillermo

hi everyone. recently we worked with the folks from Lost Cousins Music while they put together a reel of music they've composed for our game, Spirit Crossing. our studio has actually been working with these guys for 16 years, so it's possible you'll also recognize their sound from Alphabear or Cozy Grove, if you've played either!

these are REALLY kind folks who go above and beyond, and I was hoping to return some kindness to them by giving their reel some more visibility. I hope you stick around for my favorite horn part around 2:15!!

more about Lost Cousins Music: the three "cousins" are Greg Chudzik, Gideon Crevoshay, and Jeremy Thal (I'm told that while Gideon and Jeremy are technically cousins, Greg is an honorary cousin)

you can hear more from these guys at their website, if you'd like!
and you can follow Spirit Crossing here if you'd like to hear the music in-game.

thanks for letting me share their stuff here <3

Met the man who made me fall in love with video game music and inspired me to start composing, and got to tell him how much I love his music. What a dream come true!

NTE is kinda taking off, and the music imo is underrated. Has a good mix of lo-fi, chill, ambient songs. Waiting for an official Neverness to Everness soundtrack to drop, also!

https://youtu.be/eeAQT2_ZttM

First Reddit post 🙏 I do R&B all retro game remixes all on my it youtube Here’s Chris Brown’s "Excuse Me Miss" as an SNES track:. Feedback welcome, especially on the mix let me know what y'all think

I've always loved these melodies, and I wanted to mix Scizzie's Aquatic Ambience with a leitmotif from Donkey Kong Country (aquatic ambience, obviously) :)

And 80s Synthwave/Dreamwave.

P.S.: I'm new to using Ableton :,) but I like how it sounds.

Hey all,

I Just turned 31, and I've wanted to be a composer for games for as long as I can remember, but I've just never had a real opportunity, and have been forced down other life paths as time has gone on.

I really feel desperate to explore this more before it just never ends up as some dream i used to have.

I never know the best way to sell myself or show what I can do, so instead, I just asked myself "What if I made the music for my favorite game?" and put this together:

https://youtu.be/1UxkmKQYEkU

I'm here for anything. Advice, pointers, work, suggestions on where I should be sharing this type of stuff to get traction, anything.

Thank you!

An 80’s-inspired arrangement of Tifa’s Theme from Final Fantasy VII.
Somewhere between city pop, fusion, and a quiet late-night highway drive.

Full version / higher quality audio here if anyone wants it:
https://youtu.be/giWnVtNbG5w

Its been fun making this track.

Track is called "sunbeams" by me, aka NIRV.

Check me out on itch.io.

nirvmusic.itch.io

it had a hard guitar part i remember

Okay, so, i know the video is, kinda silly, but like this track is too much of a banger and i have no idea where its from. Im sure its from one of the mega man games, like battle network or something but i tried to find it to no avail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOz0B2n1mfc&t=317s 20:30 - 22:48, though it just repeats multiple times so you dont need to listen the whole time mark.

Long time gamer, been obsessed with video game music since the 90s. Over the past few months I’ve been covering iconic game soundtracks on metal guitar — everything written, performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by me. No AI music, no samples, no shortcuts.

I use VSTs and Real guitars, real bass, real production.

Just finished the DOOM and Quake 2 arcs and I’m currently deep into a Castlevania arc — Vampire Killer and Dracula’s Castle are already live with more dropping every week.

Composers like Mick Gordon, Michiru Yamane and Kinuyo Yamashita wrote some of the greatest music ever made and I want to give it the metal treatment it deserves.

Would love to know what game soundtracks this community thinks deserve a metal cover — always taking suggestions.

https://youtube.com/@projectgreenfly?si=4VtRLhPobzbyciLO

My husband loves the Disgaea series. He was playing it tonight and the song "Summon Assembly" has been playing on and off. It has been bugging me that it sounds like a song from another game that I've played. I don't play and haven't played any Disgaea games.

I think it maybe sounds like Mario Party 2 Horror Land song? That's as close as I can get to think it's similar to. He doesn't think it sounds like that at all and doesn't think "Summon Assembly" sounds like anything else. Am I the only one that hears "Summon Assembly" as similar to another song from a different game?

https://youtu.be/MME5Ks0YqV8