The Game Music Festival has confirmed its participation in the upcoming SXSW London 2026 event, scheduling a session that features several prominent composers from the video game industry. Titled From Sanctuary to the Stage: How Game Soundtracks Immerse Audiences Onscreen and Onstage, the discussion will be held on 5 June 2026 at the Shoreditch Town Hall Assembly Hall in East London.
The panel is designed to analyze the transition of video game music from digital environments to live concert settings. Speakers will discuss the ways in which these scores contribute to emotional storytelling and why they are increasingly being performed in traditional classical music venues.
The lineup of speakers includes Blizzard Entertainment Music Director Derek Duke, who has worked on titles such as Diablo and Overwatch, alongside Diablo IV Lead Composer Ted Reedy. They will be joined by Baldur’s Gate 3 Composer and Music Director Borislav Slavov, Tales of Kenzera: Zau Composer Nainita Desai, and Mat Ombler, who serves as the Head of Music and Gaming Partnerships at Laced.
Game Music Festival co-founder Mat Pawlak expressed his views on the importance of gathering these industry figures to discuss the current state of game music:
We’re incredibly excited to be curating a panel at SXSW London. It’s a unique opportunity to bring together some of the most talented voices in game music and explore how this art form is evolving, both on screen and on stage. For us, it’s about continuing to champion game music as a vital part of today’s cultural landscape.
The scheduled panel coincides with other musical events being held by the Game Music Festival during the same week. This includes The Infernal Symphony, a concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Diablo franchise. This performance is set for 6 June 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre, acting as the opening event for the festival.
