Video Games Composers at STC22

SoundTrack_Cologne 22 announces Video Games Composers

Music has become a crucial narrative force in modern video games, shaping worlds, deepening emotional engagement, and bringing stories to life in ever more complex, interactive ways. At SoundTrack_Cologne 22, we spotlight the creative minds behind some of today's most compelling game scores. This year, five panels and one masterclass will delve into the artistry, challenges, and innovations of renowned composers: BAFTA-nominated Olivier Derivière (A Plague Tale: Innocence & Requiem · Streets of Rage 4), Paul Wolinski (No Man's Sky -with 65daysofstatic- · Wreckage Systems), Venus Theory (Avowed · Ground Branch), Ivor Novello Award-winning duo The Flight (Alien: Isolation · Assassin’s Creed Shadows) and Pieter Schlosser (Destiny 2 · Gears of War 2 & 3).

And as a special highlight, we’re also offering a concert of Games music by and with Paul Wolinski (See below for more details).

Composing for Video Games

Wednesday 9 July 2025 · COMEDIA Theater, Probebühne
Moderator: Helge Borgarts

10:30 – 11:30
Olivier Derivière
A Plague Tale: Innocence & Requiem · Streets of Rage 4
Workshop - Discussion

12:00 – 13:00
Paul Wolinski
No Man's Sky (with 65daysofstatic) · Wreckage Systems
Workshop - Discussion

14:30 – 15:30
Venus Theory
Avowed · Ground Branch
Workshop - Discussion

16:00 – 17:00
The Flight
Alien: Isolation · Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Workshop - Discussion

17:00 – 17:30
Olivier Derivière, Paul Wolinski, Venus Theory and The Flight
Games Roundtable with Helge Borgarts

674FM Konzertraum
20.00 (doors open at 19:00)
Game Music Composer Concert with Paul Wolinski
Performance

Friday 11 July 2025 · COMEDIA Theater, Die Zwei
Moderator: Helge Borgarts

14:30 – 15:30 / 16:00 - 17:00
Pieter Schlosser
Destiny 2 · Gears of War 2 & 3
Masterclass (a registration form for this event will be sent in a separate newsletter in the coming weeks)

Olivier Derivière

Multi BAFTA-nominated Olivier Derivière has spent the past 20 years redefining the relationship between music and video games. Renowned for his emotionally charged scores and pioneering use of interactive music, he has crafted the soundtracks for acclaimed titles such as A Plague Tale: Innocence and Requiem, Dying Light 2, Streets of Rage 4, Assassin's Creed Black Flag - Freedom Cry and Remember Me. For Derivière, composing is not just about writing music, it's about creating soundscapes that respond, evolve, and breathe with the player's actions. Whether fusing electronic textures with live orchestras or weaving in local musical traditions, he always places storytelling at the heart of his work. His latest project, South of Midnight, continues this vision, offering a haunting Southern musical landscape that adapts in real time to the game's dark, magical world.

Paul Wolinski

Best known as a member of the experimental band 65daysofstatic, Paul Wolinski has spent the past two decades releasing numerous studio albums and touring worldwide. Always eager to explore unconventional approaches to music creation and presentation, the band notably composed the "infinite" soundtrack for the video game No Man’s Sky and toured Europe with their algorithmically driven live A/V performance Decomposition Theory. Paul has released several solo albums under the moniker Polinski, most recently Telex From MIDI City (Data Airlines, 2023).

He holds a PhD in popular music, with research focusing on how hand-crafted generative music systems can be integrated into bands and popular music contexts. Paul is currently composing for a major upcoming video game and has contributed to various indie games in roles spanning audio, sound design, and programming.

Venus Theory

Venus Theory is a composer, sound designer, and content creator based near Nashville, Tennessee. He specializes in crafting immersive electronic and ambient soundscapes that blend cinematic and experimental music. Through his YouTube channel, he shares in-depth explorations of music production and creativity, while also offering valuable insights to aspiring and seasoned creators alike in the realm of creative philosophy and psychology.

Beyond his online work, Cameron Gorham (aka Venus Theory) is a sought-after collaborator, contributing to high-profile projects across the industry. His music can be heard in games such as Avowed and Ground Branch, showcasing his ability to create compelling and atmospheric sonic landscapes.

The Flight

Ivor Novello Award-winning duo Joe Henson and Alexis Smith began collaborating in 2005. After discovering a shared creative vision and contrasting musical influences, they formed a partnership that quickly expanded into songwriting, production, and composition.

Together as The Flight, they have worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry and earned acclaim as composers for major AAA video game titles. Their credits include Alien: Isolation (2014), Horizon Zero Dawn, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Horizon Forbidden West, and WB Games Montréal’s Gotham Knights.

Their television work spans the Netflix series Lockwood & Co., the BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Drugsland, and Kids on the Edge.

Their latest project sees them return to the Assassin’s Creed franchise with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in 16th-century Japan and featuring two new protagonists in the ongoing battle against the Templar order. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Pieter Schlosser

Pieter Schlosser is a composer for television and video games, known for blending cinematic storytelling with emotional depth and immersive soundscapes. Born in Guatemala and raised across Austria, Panama, Costa Rica, and the United States, he brings a unique global perspective to every project.

A Berklee College of Music graduate and former composer at Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Productions, Pieter has contributed with his music to The Sims 3, Gears of War 2 & 3, and spent the past nine years shaping the musical identity of Bungie’s Destiny 2. His television credits include Disney’s Secrets of Sulphur Springs, Telemundo’s Malverde: El Santo Patrón, and ABC’s Desperate Housewives.

Whether composing for AAA games or network television, Pieter crafts music that connects deeply with story and character.