Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Music for Interactive Entertainment (Online)

MUSC 6633-A70

Course: MUSC 6633-A70
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: MUSC
CRN: 11993

Course Description

This course provides an immersive deep dive into the technical and creative challenges of implementing adaptive music in video games. Unlike linear media, game music requires the composer to act as an "Invisible Conductor," scoring the player's potential actions rather than a fixed frame.


The focus is exclusively on the interactive music pipeline, starting from DAW production techniques (stems, loops, loudness standards) and moving through advanced implementation in Audiokinetic Wwise (Music Segments, Tracks, States, Switches, RTPCs). Students will learn to architect complex vertical and horizontal music systems, manage asset delivery for game engines, and bridge the gap between artistic composition and technical implementation.


Required Texts


Required Software (Free Educational Licenses):


  • Audiokinetic Wwise:
    (Latest Stable Version)


  • Digital Audio Workstation (DAW):
    Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, Cubase, or equivalent.


  • Unity:
    (OPTIONAL - For Capstone Integration)

Learning Outcomes



By the end of this course, you will be able to:


  1. Technical Production:
    Produce, organize, and export music assets (loops, stems, cinematics) meeting professional loudness standards (ITU-R BS.1770) and zero-crossing seamlessness.


  2. System Architecture:
    Architect vertical (intensity-based) and horizontal (state-based) adaptive music systems using the Wwise Interactive Music Hierarchy.


  3. Dynamic Control:
    Explore the use of States, Switches, and Real-Time Parameter Controls (RTPCs) to control music transitions and layers dynamically based on gameplay variables.


  4. Asset Logic:
    Design seamless musical transitions between different game modes (e.g., Explore ↔ Combat) and linear events (Cinematics) without listener fatigue.


  5. Professional Delivery:
    Produce a final portfolio piece (The "Level Kit") showcasing a fully implemented, mixed, and optimized adaptive music system running in real-time.

Course Requirements


  • Hardware:
    A computer capable of running Wwise and a DAW simultaneously (Mac or PC).


  • Headphones:
    High-quality studio headphones are required for critical listening and mixing assignments.


Course Outline


Course Outline


Phase 1: Foundation & Theory


  • Module 1: The Archaeology of Constraints
    – History of game audio, hardware limitations, and "Demaking" modern tracks to understand voice limits.


  • Module 2: The "Linearity Trap" (Functionality)
    – Moving beyond cutscenes. Creating state-based ambient design (Safe vs. Corrupted) using identical tempos.


Phase 2: Composition & Production


  • Module 3: The Infinite Jukebox (Loop Architecture)
    – Techniques for seamless looping, zero-crossing edits, and preventing listener fatigue.


  • Module 4: Adaptive Systems (Vertical Remixing)
    – Creating "Intensity Layers" (Low, Mid, High) controlled by RTPCs to match gameplay tension.


Phase 3: Implementation & Workflow


  • Module 5: Asset Management & Middleware Logic
    – File naming conventions, sample rates, and Horizontal Switching logic (Explore ↔ Combat).


  • Module 6: The "Mockup" Workflow
    – Simulating game engines within a DAW for directors; Integrating linear cinematic scores with interactive loops.


Phase 4: Execution


  • Module 7: Capstone - The Level Kit
    – Final delivery of a complete Audio Kit (Ambient, Combat, Stingers) fully implemented and optimized in Wwise.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


Late work is not accepted without prior communication and an established action plan with the instructor. In the game industry, missing a milestone can delay a launch; therefore, strict adherence to deadlines is expected to simulate professional environments.

Attendance Policy



Being an asynchronous course, there are no required meetings.


However, you are expected to put as much time and attention into an online course as you would a seated course. You should be spending a minimum of three hours a week in the Canvas course completing the readings, watching videos, participating on the discussion boards, and completing other coursework.


Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.