Contract - Chiptune Style Composer

Mob Entertainment is a startup multimedia studio that is best known for our hit indie horror game "Poppy Playtime".  This franchise is one of the hottest new properties in gaming, and our team is naturally expanding as our ambition expands.  To give a taste of our brand's popularity, more than 100 billion YouTube views of Poppy Playtime related content have occured since the game's launch 4 years ago. 

Mob Entertainment is seeking a highly skilled mid-to-senior-level Composer to create a retro-inspired soundtrack for an upcoming project. This contract position is ideal for a composer who understands game music from the 90s era, can create chip-synth-inspired tracks that feel both nostalgic and fresh, and can adapt to the unique sonic identity of the Poppy Playtime universe.

We need someone who can deliver dynamic, loopable level tracks, UI music, and incidental compositions.

If you have a deep love for classic game soundtracks, the ability to craft memorable motifs, and the skill to bring a high-quality final product from your own studio, this role is for you.

Responsibilities:

• Work with the Game Director and Audio Lead to compose UI, level, and incidental music tracks that align with the game’s creative vision and production schedule.

• Develop a chip-synth-inspired soundtrack that blends the Poppy Playtime universe’s sonic style with a 90s-era game music aesthetic.

• Create short 1-2 minute dynamic loops that evoke unique environments and characters while supporting gameplay.

• Rearrange and adapt existing motifs and compositions from previous Poppy Playtime games to fit the retro action aesthetic of our upcoming release.

• Collaborate cross-discipline with designers, programmers, and artists to ensure music enhances the game’s pacing, tone, and emotional impact.

• Handle arrangement, tracking, mixing, and mastering of all tracks.

Requirements:

• Portfolio and/or reel demonstrating proficiency in chip-synth or retro-inspired game music composition.

• Experience composing music for video games.

• Deep familiarity with 90s-era game music, its compositional techniques, and how to apply those influences in a modern context.

• Proficiency in orchestration and arrangement, ensuring tracks feel dynamic and expressive within the technical constraints of a game environment.

• Ability to document creation process and deliver source files.

• Strong communication skills to collaborate with game designers, developers, and artists, ensuring music aligns with the gameplay, aesthetics, and overall vision.

• Ability to adapt and iterate quickly based on feedback, refining tracks while maintaining a consistent retro-inspired sound.

• Able to meet tight deadlines while maintaining high audio quality standards.

Pluses:

• Passion for retro gaming and an understanding of how music shaped the identity of 90s-era games.

• Experience composing for dynamic music systems where tracks evolve based on gameplay.

• Familiarity with game audio middleware (e.g., Wwise, FMOD) for advanced music implementation.

• Knowledge of hardware limitations and emulation tools for classic consoles (NES, SNES, Genesis, etc.), even if the final compositions won’t be strictly chiptune.

• Ability to create quirky, atmospheric, or eerie compositions for boss fights and unique set pieces.

• Work within Unreal Engine to integrate music dynamically within the game.

• Mastery of Reaper DAW for composition, mixing, and mastering.

• Experience working with source control in a game development pipeline.

Our Music Design Influences:

We’re looking for a composer who can capture the energy, melody, and character-driven style of classic 90s game music, while allowing for modern sound design sensibilities. Key influences include:

• Upbeat, melodic action themes: Mega Man 1, Castlevania 3, F-Zero, Sonic 2

• Dark, atmospheric tension pieces: Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Metroid, Alien 3, Doom

• Catchy, memorable platformer melodies: Donkey Kong Country 2, DuckTales, Undertale

• Experimental or quirky music for unique moments: Enter the Gungeon, Balatro, Marble Madness, Celeste, The Legend of Zelda

If you’re a composer who thrives on crafting dynamic, nostalgia-driven music that brings worlds to life, we want to hear from you!

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Mob Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, family or parental status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. All employment decisions are based on a person’s merit, business needs, and role requirements. If you require further accommodations or have questions regarding accessibility of our roles, please reach out to info@mobentertainment.com