Audio File Naming Conventions

Audio files for music intended to be integrated into a video game must follow this naming convention:

 

[category]-[subcategory][tempo][meter][loop duration][pre-entry duration]

 

  • Use “-” to separate categories and subcategories.
  • Use “_” to separate the other elements of the file name.
  • Do not use accents or symbols such as % & ? @.
  • Do not use spaces between words.
  • If the tempo is in a compound meter (e.g.: 6/8), write the tempo as if the piece were in a simple meter (e.g.: 2/4) with triplets. This tempo will likely be different from the tempo displayed in your DAW if your DAW tempo is set according to the compound meter.

 

For example,

The following music file is named: Environment-Galaxy_130bpm_4-4_L8m_P2b

  • Category = environment music
  • Subcategory = music playing in the “Galaxy” environment
  • Tempo = 130 BPM (beats per minute)
  • Meter = 4/4
  • Duration of the loop section = 8 measures (“L” for length and “m” for measures)
  • Anacrusis / Pre-Entry = 2 beats (“P” for pickup or pre-entry, “b” for beat)
  • When the audio file is a sound effect (e.g.: a gunshot), add the prefix: SFX_. e.g.: SFX_GunShot

 

For a Simple Loop without Wwise:

  • Add “Loop” as a sub-subcategory to distinguish it from the file containing the Pre-Entry and Post-Exit.
  • Indicate P0b, since the file does not contain a Pre-Entry. e.g. : Environment-Galaxy-Loop_130bpm_4-4_L8m_P0b

 

For a file Intro + Loop Files without Wwise

  • For the file serving as the introduction:
    • Add “Intro” as a sub-subcategory to distinguish it from the loop file.
    • The total duration of the file must be included in the Pre-Entry duration.
    • Indicate L0b or L0m for the loop duration, since this file is not intended to loop. e.g.: Environment-Galaxy-Intro_130bpm_4-4_L0b_P10b
  • For the file intend to loop:
    • Add “Loop” as a sub-subcategory to distinguish it from the introduction file.
    • The duration of the loop section must correspond to the total duration of the file.
    • Indicate P0b, since the file does not contain a Pre-Entry. e.g.: Environment-Galaxy-Loop_130bpm_4-4_L8m_P0b