What Have You Done: Synthesis and Subverted Heroism

Developed in just 24 hours during the 2015 Global Game Jam, this project explored a heavy narrative concept: a hero who realizes too late that the “evil” forces they defeated were actually the protectors of the world. Because I was scoring four games at once during this event, the music for this title was composed in a focused, high-energy session starting at 2:00 AM.

I collaborated with developer and pianist Yaniv Hefetz, brainstorming sketches using a Nord Lead synthesizer and a vintage drum machine. Taking inspiration from the driving energy of Super Contra 2, we crafted an upbeat intro that dissolves into a melancholic theme to mirror the protagonist’s tragic realization.

Technically, the in-game audio was a deep dive into pure synthesis. I avoided samples entirely, instead synthesizing the ambient forest sounds – from the howling wind to the rhythmic clicking of branches – alongside abstract, loose-tempo musical motifs to create an unsettling, organic atmosphere.

You can experience the game and its tragic twist by playing it HERE.

Technical Roles: Music Composition, Synthesized Sound Design (Nord Lead), Narrative Audio Direction.

Project Credits:

• Kobi Romano, Tomer Barkan, Max Goz, Yaniv Hefetz
• Gil Elnekave, Tal Goldberg, Oded Kovach, Hadar Shmir
• Mojo Kid – Music & Sound