Hans Hess, our newest member of staff at dBs Institute, reports back on his adventures at this year’s Develop:Brighton.
Officially starting for the new academic year as Course Leader for our BA (Hons) Music and Sound for Film & TV and BA (Hons) Sound Design degrees, Hans possesses a varied and impressive list of credits.
An award-winning composer for multiple feature films, Hans is driven by his love of utilising music to convey complex emotions and edifying the narrative.
His experience doesn’t stop at film. Alongside a prolific career as a music producer, he is embarking on an exciting career in video games, which naturally leads him to the UK’s biggest game dev conference.
We caught up with him to find out more about his time at the event, his top tips for sparking organic conversation and his advice for students hoping to make some connections at next year’s conference.
Hey Hans! You recently returned from Develop: Brighton 2024, but this isn’t your first time, is it?
This was my second time attending Develop: Brighton. I first heard about the event from an audio director who was interested in my work and strongly recommended that I attend.
Tell me about Hess Creations, which you had on your conference pass. Is this your video game specific venture?
Hess Creations was a name I came up with to spark curiosity at the event. When people asked about it, I used the opportunity to discuss my work as a media composer.
There’s a great photo of you together with game dev Jugraaj Shangha and vocal artist Amelia Jones. Are they collaborators?
Yes, we are collaborating on a game project. While I can't share too many details, I can say it's a cinematic and epic story about a son trying to reconnect with his father through lost memories.
The game will also feature intense boss fight dynamics. I met Jugraaj and Amelia at Develop: Brighton 2023, and we have been working well together since then.
Amelia’s vocals feature on the iconic ‘Hollow Knight’ score - any chance she shed light on the release of Silksong?
Haha, I'll definitely ask her and keep you updated! On a side note, we are planning some voice and guitar gigs in Bristol, probably featuring music from games and films.
What were some of the most memorable takeaways you got from this year’s conference?
Networking, building professional relationships, and making friends were the highlights. The conference is a fantastic place to meet many people, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday, when the venue is bustling with activity.
Wednesday is particularly special for audio professionals, as it’s dedicated to audio-related conferences and ends with a meet-up at the Lion & Lobster pub.
During my first Develop, I met voice artist Jake Moon, who introduced me to others in the industry like Will and Debs. This year, we rented an Airbnb together and had a great time.
Personally, where do you see the most exciting developments in video games?
The video game industry is rapidly innovating, especially in VR and AR, creating immersive experiences that blend the real and virtual worlds. AI advancements are enhancing NPCs and procedural generation, resulting in dynamic gameplay.
Cloud gaming platforms like Google Stadia and Xbox Cloud Gaming are making high-quality gaming more accessible. Graphics technologies, such as real-time ray tracing, are pushing visual fidelity boundaries. Indie games continue to explore unique mechanics and storytelling.
Esports is growing, fostering competitive gaming communities. Narrative-driven games emphasise player choice, and cross-platform integration is enhancing social gaming. The future of gaming is dynamic and exciting.
What advice would you give to any students heading to Develop for the very first time?
Have fun! While it can be daunting to network and meet new people, it's crucial in the entertainment industry, which relies heavily on building connections.
One of the best aspects of the gaming world is that people are generally friendly, approachable, relaxed, and diverse. Everyone there loves games, and this shared passion helps people connect easily.
FIND OUT MORE
https://www.dbsinstitute.ac.uk/team/hans-hess
Want to be taught by Hans? Or maybe you want to explore what video game courses we have at dBs Institute.
Head to our 'Find A Course' page and see which degree sounds right for you.
