The Long Game: Building a Lasting Career in Game Music by Tom Salta

COMING DECEMBER 2026 · ROUTLEDGE

The Long
Game.

Building a Lasting Career in Game Music

BY TOM SALTA

A no-nonsense guide to the technical, creative, and business skills needed to succeed in game music—from a composer with three decades of professional experience.

See what’s inside

Interactive music. Creative process. Business. Resilience. A complete Deathloop scoring case study.

01 / THE REAL WORK

The music is only
the beginning.

A lasting creative career asks for more than musical skill. It calls for emotional resilience, business savvy, adaptability, and a deep understanding of how games are made and experienced.

The Long Game is a real-world field guide for creative survival: hard-won insights, mindset tools, workflow strategies, emotional grounding, and battle-tested advice from the frontlines of a professional creative career.

02 / INSIDE THE BOOK

Craft. Business.
The person doing the work.

The book is designed to be read linearly, moving from the foundations of a creative career through craft and business to personal mastery and growth.

  1. PART IFoundations
  2. PART IIThe Art and Craft of Game Music
  3. PART IIIThe Business of Game Music
  4. PART IVCase Study
  5. PART VPersonal Mastery and Growth
  6. PART VIConclusion
CASE STUDYDEATHLOOP

03 / FROM BRIEF TO FINAL DELIVERY

What is it actually like to score a complex video game?

A detailed deep dive through the complete scoring of Deathloop—from initial brief and creative inspiration to implementation, file naming, and final delivery.

“The level of detail… is unparalleled.”
Brian Schmidt · Executive Director, GameSoundCon

04 / ADVANCE PRAISE

For every stage
of the journey.

“It’s a masterclass in building a creative life that actually lasts.”
Savina CiaramellaMusic Producer / Executive Director, Game Audio Network Guild
“What I appreciate most about Tom’s book is that there’s something for everyone, regardless of prior experience.”
Wilbert Roget IIComposer — Helldivers 2, Star Wars: Outlaws, Call of Duty: WWII
“What an honest and heartfelt read.”
Jason GravesComposer — Dead Space, Tomb Raider, Far Cry Primal
“No matter what your place in the industry currently is… this book is for you!”
Jack WallComposer — Call of Duty, Mass Effect

05 / A NOTE FROM TOM

“This is the book I would offer to my kids if they ever said, ‘Dad, I want to do what you do.’”

This book isn’t theory or an inspirational pat on the back. Think of it as sitting down with a mentor who’s been in the trenches and won’t waste your time.

Tom Salta

06 / STAY IN THE LOOP

Ready for
the long game?

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