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 Contract Agreements and Sound Design for Games


NDA

What is an NDA?

A NDA, also known as a non-disclosure agreement, is a type of legally binding document used to prevent parties from disclosing private and sensitive information. These agreements are usually signed by two or more parties, and are a way to share information and ensure that said information is shared in confinement and stays between the selected parties. For example, this could be used when an organisation or company discuss things with a client, and an NDA may be signed in order to keep sensitive information private between the two parties.


Why they are important?

NDA's are important as they create a legally binding way to protect sensitive information and create a bond of trust between two parties cooperating. NDAs also help to  clarify what types of information is classified as sensitive and private, and what types of information can be shared with the public. They are very important and useful to companies and individuals when making agreements or hiring new members to a team, especially in the games industry. 


How are they used in the industry?

An example of how an NDA could be used within the game industry, is as a way to protect sensitive and private information during the production of a game. An example scenario of this is as follows; A Game development studio have hired new members to help work on the team, such as a character artist and script writer to help with development. Before joining the team and working on the game, they must sign an NDA. By doing this, they will be legally bound to not share any information about the games development or private behind the scenes information unless allowed so by the NDA or the company. This prevents things such as leaks of gameplay or characters that may not be ready yet, or even private company information that is classified for just between the company.

Example of an NDA

As a group, we did not create an NDA as we did not gather external help such as music designers or coders when working on our game. However, if we were to hire external sources or gather help we would have to create one. Below is an example of a very simple NDA, found on the government website. This showcases an example of an NDA and how they can be laced out, as well as the types of information located within them.





Sound Brief

What is a Sound Brief?

A sound brief, also referred too as a music or audio brief is a document used to report a company or teams ideas and plans for sound and music usage in a project/game/creation they are working on. Sound Briefs are usually created as a way to create a generalised idea of the type of music and sounds wanted for a project, and can then be passed onto sound and music developers to help create the exact feeling and ambient the team was wanting. These types of documents greatly benefit and help both parties out, allowing them to get a better idea of what type of music they would like and to make it easier to produce or find.

Why they are important?

Sound briefs play a great importance in the creation of the sound of a game/show/movie, and can really help music developers or the sound effect team to understand what types of sounds are wanted and needed. Music plays a vital part in shows and games, helping to deliverer and creating emotions in certain scenes. For example, in a chase scene the music is fast paced and dramatic, which creates a feeling of panic and adrenaline within the audience. If instead of this music a slow and relaxing song played, it would not create that feeling in the audience as well.

How are they used in the industry?

Sound briefs are used in the industry frequently, and are very important. For example, a company created a sound brief requesting a slow and sad piano track, as their game is a melancholic story. As this is the vibe and aesthetic of the game, the music needed won't be uplifting and happy, as it will create the wrong impression. By documenting the type of music wanted, it helps music and sound effects developers know what best to create and look for to help a game feel complete.



As a group, Katie, Louie, and I completed the sound brief document. A sound brief is a type of legal document needed when creating a game that contains music or sound effects. Usually, these types of briefs are sent off to a producer who is in charge of the music and sounds, but we will be using free music and sound effects from library's online. Nonetheless, this is a great way for us to document the type of music we are looking for to help fit the vibe of our game.


Screenshots of Brief below (if link doesn't work)














References:

Anon, Hiring Process & NDAs For Video games [online]. Equity. Available at: https://www.equity.org.uk/advice-and-support/sector-specific-advice/video-games/working-as-a-video-game-performer/hiring-process-and-ndas-for-video-games [Accessed 17 May 2025].

Anon, What is a Music Brief and how to write one? + template [online]. Holabrief.com. Available at: https://www.holabrief.com/creative-brief/music-template [Accessed 17 May 2025 b].

Juang, R., 2021. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs): Everything you need to know [online]. Ironclad. Available at: https://ironcladapp.com/journal/contracts/non-disclosure-agreements/ [Accessed 17 May 2025].



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