name:
Matthew Florianz
title:
Head of Audio Design
employer:
Frontier Developments
contact:


Supporting a twenty five plus team of talented audio designers: From graduate to Principal.

Worked closely with audio leads, hr and the director of audio to train a next generation of audio designers and establish a new internal Audio Design Services Department to relive project staffing and recruitment challenges. We lowered barriers of privilege and access (to gear and software) for candidates and fully anonymised the hiring process. More info here

Nine years at Frontier Developments working on all major titles since joining: Elite Dangerous, Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, Jurassic World Evolution, Warhammer - Age of Sigmar RTS and F1 Manager 22. Six games that we have worked on received multiple audio award nominations.

Oversee hiring and promotion with Director of Audio and Principals.

Mixing of all our releases with project leads.

Worked closely with the Audio-Tech team and contributed significantly to all major audio-tech high-level systems and solutions - For more information, visit the GDC-Vault for our 2021 deep-dive - "How Distance Changed The Sound of Our Games".

Manage and enable the team of audio professionals to do their best work, facilitating their needs and trusting leads to manage their teams and projects.

Striving to accept and learn from challenges.

Infectiously optimistic, autodidact learner, bridge builder across disciplines, multi-discipline experienced, trust in the team and a game-developer that work in the service of a player experience.




  • Warhammer Age of Sigmar RTS / tba

    Role:
    Project Audio Co-Lead / Head of Audio Design
    Developer:
    Frontier Developments
    Platform:
    t.b.a.
    Genre:
    RTS / Strategy
  • F1 Manager 22 / 2022

    Role:
    Project Audio Co-Lead / Head of Audio Design
    Developer:
    Frontier Developments
    Platform:
    Personal Computer (2022), Xbox (2022), Playstation (2022)
    Genre:
    F1 Licensed Sports Managment
  • Elite Dangerous: Odyssey / 2020

    Role:
    Principal Audio Designer
    Developer:
    Frontier Developments
    Platform:
    Personal Computer (2022)
    Genre:
    Space Simulation and Flight Sim
  • GDC Presentation: How Distance Has Changed The Sound of Our Games / 2021

    Role:
    Speaker / Producer
    Platform:
    GDC Vault (2021)
    Genre:
    GDC Talk, Educational, Knowledge Sharing
  • Game Audio Toolkit / 2020 -

    Role:
    Producer
    Platform:
    You Tube (2020 - )
    Genre:
    Educational, Knowledge Sharing
  • Planet Zoo / 2019

    Role:
    Project Audio Lead / Principal Audio Designer
    Developer:
    Frontier Developments
    Platform:
    Personal Computer (2019)
    Genre:
    Managment, User Generated Content, Strategy
  • Jurassic World Evolution / 2017

    Role:
    Project Audio Lead / Principal Audio Designer
    Developer:
    Frontier Developments
    Platform:
    Personal Computer (2017), Xbox (2017), Playstation (2017), Switch (2020)
    Genre:
    Managment, User Generated Content, Strategy
  • Planet Coaster / 2016

    Role:
    Project Audio Lead / Senior Audio Designer
    Developer:
    Frontier Developments
    Platform:
    Personal Computer (2016), Xbox (2020), Playstation (2020), Mac (2020)
    Genre:
    Park Managment Simulation, User Generated Content, Tycoon Game
  • The Economist Science Briefs / 2015

    Role:
    Composer / Sound Designer
    Developer:
    The Economist
    Platform:
    You Tube (2015)
    Genre:
    Documentary, Educational
  • Elite: Dangerous / 2014

    Role:
    Senior Audio Designer
    Developer:
    Frontier Developments
    Platform:
    Personal Computer (2014), Xbox (2014), Playstation (2014)
    Genre:
    Documentary, Educational
  • Little Big Planet 3 / Hub / 2013

    Role:
    Contract Audio Designer
    Developer:
    Sumo Digital
    Platform:
    Playstation (2013)
    Genre:
    Platformer, Adventure, User Generated Content
  • TearAway / 2013

    Role:
    Audio Designer
    Developer:
    Media Molecule
    Platform:
    PS Vita (2013)
    Genre:
    Platformer, Adventure, User Generated Content
  • Phoenix HD / 2012

    Role:
    Composer, Sound designer
    Developer:
    Firi Games
    Platform:
    iPhone (2012), iPad (2012)
    Genre:
    Shoot 'em Up, Bullet Hell Shooter
  • MonsterCry / 2012

    Role:
    Composer, Sound designer
    Developer:
    MonsterSmile
    Platform:
    mobile (2012)
    Genre:
    Social MMO
  • Cognition / 2012

    Role:
    Composer, Sound Designer
    Developer:
    Phoenix Online
    Platform:
    Personal Computer (2012)
    Genre:
    Point and Click Adventure
  • Fight Game: Heroes / 2011

    Role:
    Sound Designer, Assistant Project Manager
    Developer:
    Khaeon, Sony Ericsson
    Platform:
    Android (2011)
    Genre:
    Fighting, Puzzle
  • Follow / 2011

    Role:
    Sound design and Music (licensed)
    Developer:
    Uk Film Council, BFI
    Platform:
    Film / Cinema (2011)
    Genre:
    Drama, Crime
  • Pachinko Frenzy / 2011

    Role:
    Composer, Sound Designer
    Developer:
    NGMoco
    Platform:
    iPhone (2011), Android (2011)
    Genre:
    Puzzle
  • Fight Game: Rivals / 2011

    Role:
    Audio Lead, Additional Game Design
    Developer:
    Khaeon, Microsoft
    Platform:
    Windows Phone (2011)
    Genre:
    Fighting
  • Phoenix HD / 2011

    Role:
    Composer, Sound Designer
    Developer:
    Firi Games
    Platform:
    iPhone (2011)
    Genre:
    Shoot 'em Up, Bullet Hell
  • Kobbalaa / 2011

    Role:
    Composer, Sound Designer
    Developer:
    Play This One
    Platform:
    Personal Computer (2011)
    Genre:
    Turn based Card Game
  • Star Defense / 2010

    Role:
    Composer, Sound Designer, Assistant Project Manager, Game Designer, Website Designer
    Developer:
    Khaeon Games / ngmoco
    Platform:
    iPhone (2010)
    Genre:
    Tower Defense
  • Waterways / 2009

    Role:
    Composer, Sound Designer
    Publisher:
    taito
    Platform:
    iPhone (2009)
    Genre:
    Puzzle
  • Flare Elite / 2011

    Role:
    Composer, Sound Designer
    Publisher:
    Firi Games
    Platform:
    iPhone (2009)
    Genre:
    Shoot 'Em Up. Bullet Hell Shooter
  • Aqua Antics / 2009

    Role:
    Composer, Sound Designer
    Publisher:
    Chillingo
    Platform:
    iPhone (2009)
    Genre:
    Puzzle
  • EuroCops / 2005

    Role:
    Project Manager, Level Designer, Additional Audio Design
    Publisher:
    Crazy Foot Studio
    Platform:
    Personal Computer
    Genre:
    3rd Person Shooter, Tactical Shooter
  • Negative Space / 2002

    Role:
    Level Designer, Game Designer, Additional Audio Design
    Publisher:
    Unreleased Prototype
    Platform:
    Personal Computer
    Genre:
    Top Down Tactical Shooter
  • Alpha Black Zero / 2001

    Role:
    Level designer, additional ambiences and music
    Publisher:
    Khaeon Games
    Platform:
    Personal Computer (2002)
    Genre:
    3rd Person Shooter, Tactical Shooter
  • CD Project Data / 1994 - 1998

    Role:
    Marketing and PR Manager, Graphics Designer, Video Editor, Sound Designer
    Publisher:
    Distributor of Video Games
    Platform:
    Personal Computer, Console

Frontier Developments
Roles:
Head of Audio Design (2022 - )
Principal Sound Designer (2018-2022)
Project Lead (2015-2022)
Senior Sound Designer (2014-1016)
Year:
2014 -
Location:
Uk, Cambridge
Size:
800+ (2022)
Projects:
Elite Dangerous, Planet Coaster, Jurassic World Evolution, Planet Zoo, JWE:2, F1 Manager 22, Warhammer: Age of Sigmar


Sumo Digital
Roles:
Senior Sound Designer (contract)
Year:
2012
Location:
Uk, Sheffield
Size:
500+ (2022 / Glassdoor)
Projects:
Little Big Planet Hub, Little Big Planet 3


Media Molecule
Roles:
Senior Sound Designer
Year:
2012-2013
Location:
Uk, Gildford
Size:
~50 (2017 / Wikipedia)
Projects:
TearAway


Khaeon Games
Roles:
Audio Lead
Game Designer
Level Lead
Environment Artist
Website Designer
Graphic Designer
Video Editor
Project Manager
Year:
2001-2012
Location:
NL, Den Haag
Size:
3 - 50
Projects:
Alpha Black Zero: Intrepid Protocol, Negative Space, Euro Cops, The Chronicles of Spellborn, Star Defense, Doogie Moo, Aqua Antics, Fight Game: Rivals, Fight Game: Heroes, Cognition, Pachinko Frenzy


Contact Data / Activision
Roles:
Marketing & PR Manager
Audio Designer
Website Designer
Graphic Designer
Video Editor
Year:
1995 - 1999
Location:
NL, Venlo
Size:
15 - 25
Projects:
Marketing, PR and Graphic Design (plus video) for publishers and reatil partners including Nintendo Benelux, Activision, GT Interactive, Eidos, Intertoys


Multidisciplinary; Credited on shipped games in level, environment and game designer roles. Specialization in game-audio.

Aptitude for storytelling, open world audio, atmospheric ambient, high level systems design and creative audio direction.

Varied genre, hardware, middle-ware, budget, team-size (2 to 100+) and project role experience with contributions made to 20+ shipped titles ranging in production lengths from two months to five years.

Efficient in all stages of audio development, production, hiring and direction. Experience working with composers and voice artists, approving budget, assessing and planning of work, leading and evaluating weekly sprint meetings, product certification, testing and quality assurance.

Managed a team of designers and programmers and worked with both to improving audio, work-flow, tools, documentation and in the creation of new systems.

Moved back onto the floor to help make audio "visible". Worked closely with other disciplines to integrate audio better and propose for audio to drive other systems.

Good motivator, infectiously enthusiastic.

Curious, committed, social, organized, pragmatic.

Engaged game-developer with an interest in elevating the quality and perception of game audio.


Miscellaneous development experience (non audio):
Game designer on four shipped title.

Level designer on three shipped titles.

Scrum and agile (assisted) management on three shipped titles.

Technical Certification on two shipped titles.

QA on two shipped titles.

Marketing and PR for a game distributor (3 years).

GUI/UI and Web Design (3 years).

Video production and reporting (2 years).



Jurassic World: Evolution 2 / 2022
Best Sound Design in Gaming Finaliost - Music & Sound Awards 2022


Jurassic World: Evolution / 2020
Best Music Nomination | Game Audio Awards 2019
Best Audio Nomination | Develop Star Awards 2019
Best Gameplay Nomination | Develop Star Awards 2019
Best Audio Design Nomination | Golden Joystick Awards 2018


Planet Coaster / 2017
Music Design Nomination | Develop Awards 2017
Sound Design Nomination | Develop Awards 2017
New Games IP Nomination | Develop Awards 2017
Independent Studio Nomination | Develop Awards 2017
British Game Award Nomination | BAFTA Games Awards 2017
Audio for an Indie Game | 15th GANG Award Nominees
Sound Design in a Casual/Social Game | 15th GANG Award Nominees


Elite: Dangerous / 2015
Best Audio Accomplishment Nomination | Develop Awards 2015


Game Audio Toolkit | Tips, Tricks and Ideas for creating Game Audio
A Sound Effect | Creating Jurassic World Evolution's Excellent Game Audio
AudioKinetic | Using Data to Generate Dynamic Crowd Audio (1/3)
AudioKinetic | The Crowd Soundbox System (2/3)
AudioKinetic | Additional Layers (3/3)
Develop | Designing the audio for Planet Coaster
Frontier | The Sound of Planet Coaster
PCGames | A sound designer took over an entire theme park


Sound Architect | Planet Coaster
"... Let's begin with saying that this is probably one of the best games I've heard in a while. As you build your park, you navigate extensively through menus, selecting and manipulating objects to taste. These menus have their own flavor and intricacy that makes them satisfying to navigate. The level of detail and how clean everything sounds is incredible. The mix on Planet Coaster is phenomenal. Everything sits just right, not too loud and not too soft. If you were to crank the volume up, there isn't a single sound that is jarring or in your face; everything is where it should be ..."

- written by Derek Brown.


Eurogamer | Planet Coaster
"... That's no more apparent than when you switch to first-person view and begin to explore your park at ground level. It's here that Frontier Development's exceptional audio-visual design and slavish attention to detail truly shines. Wandering among your elaborate creations as the sun slowly sets, hopping aboard any one of the wonderfully distinct rides, and watching as punters giddily emote at the world around them is utterly magical; everything comes together with such joyful precision that it's hard not to be spellbound ..."

- review score: recommended


LGR Review | Planet Coaster
... a game crafted with care. The interface feels familiar yet modern. The graphics look promising. And there is this soothing soundtrack by Jim Guthrie and JJ Ypsen playing in the background which instils a sense of focus and calm ... Planet Coaster is also just a gorgeous game, which of course it isn't necessary for to the business side of things but it is a great plus for a 3d park like this.

The Sound design is also right on point, giving you all the screams, coaster whooshes, crowd chatter and rickety mechanical audio cues ones needs to suspend disbelief. You can also customize this further with ambient sound generates and music customisation. And yes this also lets you drop in your own music tracks to fine-tune your parks audio visual theme.


GameSpot | Planet Coaster
... one of my favourite things about the game, so far, that I have discovered is the sound design ... Joey on GameSpot's Planet Coaster Live Stream ...

- review score: 9/10


High Def Digest | Planet Coaster
"... authentic, rich soundscape. The coasters are especially good, with all of the clicking, whooshing, and screaming you'd expect ..."

- review score: recommended


EDGE | Elite: Dangerous
... Even at this early stage, Elite: Dangerous is already living up to its subtitle. Your ship creaks and groans under stress, its engine and weapons sounding at once identifiably mechanical yet unfamiliar ...


Rock Paper Shotgun | Elite: Dangerous
... The core sensation of being in space is something I've written on before, and Elite does it so very well that it deserves any award going. 'Best Sound' especially - its combination of sciencey noises and Eno/Apollo-like celestial moans is comfortably the most affecting thing my headphones have done this year, if not longer ...


The Guardian | Elite: Dangerous
... Beautiful visuals, absorbing audio and super-smooth controls ...


PC Gamer | Elite: Dangerous
... utterly extraordinary sound design ...


Mmorpg.com | Elite: Dangerous
... VISUALS AND SOUND - 10 ...


Ign | Elite: Dangerous
... superb graphics and sound ...


Eurogamer.de | Elite: Dangerous
... eines der besten Sounddesigns des Jahres ... ...


PC Gamesn | Elite: Dangerous
... Elite: Dangerous is glorious simply to listen to, chucking out sci-fi's tired standard of pew-pew tropes for an original and remarkable style all its own ...


quartertothree | Phoenix HD
... (Phoenix HD) While most games like this tend to play action music - or J-pop interpretations of action music - Phoenix HD plays a soothing almost Vangelis style theme. "Just relax," it seems to electronically intone. 'Breathe, take your time, have fun...' Thanks, soundtrack! I think I will! ...

- review score: 4 stars


IGN | Star Defense
... Star Defense benefits from superlative visuals and sound ...

- sound: 8.5 Great effects and music
+ editor's choice & best of 2009 award.


EuroGamer.net | The Chronicles of Spellborn
... (The Chronicles of Spellborn) Combined with the truly lovely environmental art, the unique setting makes for a game that's a joy to explore. Soft edges and diffuse lighting abound, with beautifully composed incidental music and background sound giving the whole game an evocative twilight feel ...

- review score: 8/10


Birmingham Post and Mail | Album GrijsGebied
... (GrijsGebied) Florianz makes truly immersive sound art which owes everything to the European tradition of early Tangerine Dream and the pure aesthetics of Brian Eno at his most abstract. ...

- Rating: 5/5