Nils Iver Holtar

nils (at) nilsih (dot) com

  • About
  • Audioverdrive
  • SPiON
  • RedOut
  • Misc
  • About

    Hello!

    I currently work as an AI programmer for IO Interactive in Copenhagen. On the side I dabble with sound and music.

    This site contains a small sample of things I have been working on - feel free to check it out!

  • Audioverdrive

    In April 2013, I completed my masters degree in Game Design at the IT University of Copenhagen. My thesis, titled "Audioverdrive: Exploring bidirectional relationships between music and game", is a study in ways to couple music and game, the primary focus being on elevating the music into more than an aesthetic component of the combined experience.

    I created a mapping software that allowed me to use Ableton Live as a game-scripting tool, dictating the behaviour of a simple space-shooter game I made for the iPad.

    Live demonstration video

    Ableton also did a short interview with me, where I elaborate a bit.

    The thesis

    The written part of the thesis offers an analysis of various music implementation strategies in existing games, and places my own work in context with them. It also offers more details on the technical setup. You are welcome to check it out here.

    Paper

    Prior to finishing the thesis, I also co-wrote a paper with my supervisors Mark Nelson and Julian Togelius. It was later part of the proceedings at ICMC 2013 in Perth.

  • SPiON

    Torjus Førre Erfjord, Edvard Førre Erjord and me have been making music and playing concerts together since 2008.

    Our latest project is SPiON.


    We are also behind the elusive sci-fi band Ultra Sheriff.

  • RedOut

    RedOut is an awesome high-speed low-poly racing game from the Italian game studio 34BigThings.

    I have been fortunate enough to be involved in parts of the soundtrack for this title!

    The game is out on Steam right now, with more stuff on the way!

  • Games

    Hitman 2
    AI Programming


    Expeditions: Viking
    Sound Design and Audio implementation


    Clandestine
    Sound Design and Audio implementation (Audio Occlusion, etc)


    Hyperdrive Massacre
    Two music tracks


    Expeditions: Conquistador
    Additional sound design


    Paul and Percy
    Music


    Space Crescendo java prototype
    Everything


    Films

    Tokt
    Music


    Brief pixelated disaster
    Music and some muffled screaming


    AECO visitor's guidelines film
    Sound design


    Norad's 2013 campaign "NM i bistand"
    Music


    Theater

    Kong Arthur-spelet, 2010 to 2014
    Music and Sound Design + Live performance