Why Most Web Games Skip the Sound—and What They’re Missing

What does it take to create unforgettable game audio—from eerie soundscapes in Death Stranding to iconic branding in Mortal Kombat? Composer and sound designer Joel Corelitz joins us to talk about his path from writing music for pharmaceutical ads to shaping the sonic identity of major titles. We dive into the creative process, what good feedback really sounds like, the overlooked potential of sound in web games, and why sometimes doing the work is more important than waiting for inspiration.Check out Joel's Resources:https://joelcorelitz.com/http://twitter.com/joelcorelitzhttp://instagram.com/joelcorelitzhttps://joelcorelitz.bandcamp.com/https://www.youtube.com/@joelcorelitzmusicGames Mentioned:Dark Souls - Joel's favorite game to playHalo InfiniteDeath StrandingMortal Kombat OneThe Unfinished SwanNine SoulsThe Last ClockwinderHyperlight BreakerHyperlight DrifterLazy River--(00:00) - Introduction to Joel Kitz and Wave Plant (00:56) - Joel's Favorite Games and Balancing Work and Play (03:36) - The Journey from Advertising to Game Composing (08:52) - The Creative Process and Musical Language (15:21) - Feedback and Collaboration in Game Music (19:00) - Budgeting for Game Music and Audio Branding (25:00) - Exploring Sound Design in Games (25:44) - The Role of Musicality in Sound Design (29:00) - Challenges in Sound Design and Asset Management (30:02) - Collaborations and Working Solo (31:27) - Impact of AI on Creative Work (34:28) - Teaching Game Music Composition (37:21) - Starting a YouTube Channel (40:44) - Formal Education vs. Self-Learning in Music Composition (42:47) - Reflecting on Career Choices (43:57) - Current and Upcoming Projects (45:06) - Connecting with Joel Online --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com