I'm Michael Curran, a seasoned audio director, composer, and sound designer in the video game industry. Over the past two decades I’ve led audio teams at Firaxis, Stardock, and Oxide Games, delivering immersive soundtracks and interactive audio for AAA titles like Ara History Untold, Civilization Beyond Earth, and Ashes of the Singularity. I excel at assembling and guiding global collaborations—outsourced composers, orchestras, and ethnic instrument ensembles—while coordinating recording sessions from Prague's FILMharmonic Orchestra to Mongolian ensembles. With extensive experience in Wwise, Unity, and major DAWs, I shape cohesive soundscapes from concept to final mix that elevate gameplay and storytelling.…

Michael Curran

I'm Michael Curran, a seasoned audio director, composer, and sound designer in the video game industry. Over the past two decades I’ve led audio teams at Firaxis, Stardock, and Oxide Games, delivering immersive soundtracks and interactive audio for AAA titles like Ara History Untold, Civilization Beyond Earth, and Ashes of the Singularity. I excel at assembling and guiding global collaborations—outsourced composers, orchestras, and ethnic instrument ensembles—while coordinating recording sessions from Prague's FILMharmonic Orchestra to Mongolian ensembles. With extensive experience in Wwise, Unity, and major DAWs, I shape cohesive soundscapes from concept to final mix that elevate gameplay and storytelling.…

Available to hire

I’m Michael Curran, a seasoned audio director, composer, and sound designer in the video game industry. Over the past two decades I’ve led audio teams at Firaxis, Stardock, and Oxide Games, delivering immersive soundtracks and interactive audio for AAA titles like Ara History Untold, Civilization Beyond Earth, and Ashes of the Singularity. I excel at assembling and guiding global collaborations—outsourced composers, orchestras, and ethnic instrument ensembles—while coordinating recording sessions from Prague’s FILMharmonic Orchestra to Mongolian ensembles. With extensive experience in Wwise, Unity, and major DAWs, I shape cohesive soundscapes from concept to final mix that elevate gameplay and storytelling.

See more

Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Audio Director at Oxide Games
January 31, 2025 - August 9, 2025
Led audio design and composition, including complete soundtrack creation for Ara History Untold AAA game, released in September 2024. Directed voice acting asset casting, editing, and direction. Managed a team of 3 sound designers and directed 2 composers to unify the soundtrack. Coordinated and directed outsourced composers, orchestrators, and ensembles including FILMharmonic Orchestra and Choir Prague, and collaborated with ethnic instrument performers globally. Purchased and integrated over 100 ancient and ethnic instruments into the soundtrack and oversaw all editing and final mixing of the soundtrack. Also led audio design and composition for an unreleased AAA fantasy game built in Unity (2023).
Audio Director at Stardock Games
November 30, 2017 - August 9, 2025
Coordinated, scheduled, and directed outsourced sound designers and composers. Led audio design, composition, and sound design for several PC titles including Star Control (2018), Ashes of the Singularity (2016), Sorcerer King Rivals (2016), and Galactic Civilizations III (2015). Managed casting, direction, and editing of voice acting assets.
Sound Designer, Composer, Audio Lead at Firaxis Games
March 31, 2014 - August 9, 2025
Led a team of sound designers and composers while coordinating external sound designers, composers, orchestrators, and production companies. Oversaw large ensemble and orchestra recordings, including the FILMharmonic Orchestra and Choir Prague. Served as lead audio designer and composer for Civilization Beyond Earth (2013), which won IFMCA best score and was ASCAP nominated for best score in interactive media. Also cast, directed, and edited voice acting for multiple Civilization titles and Sid Meier games from 2003 to 2014.
Company Manager, Sound Designer, Composer, Audio Lead at Children’s Theater Association
August 31, 2003 - August 9, 2025
Performed diverse duties including audio direction, stage managing tours, working with child actors, voice casting and recording, sound effects, playwright, company management, and composition from May 1996 to August 2003.
Sound Designer, Composer, Audio Lead at Firaxis Games
August 1, 2003 - March 1, 2014
Led a team of sound designers and in-house composers; directed outsourced designers, composers, orchestrators; oversaw recording of large ensembles and orchestra for Civilization titles (e.g., Beyond Earth, Gods & Kings, Brave New World, IV-era titles).
Audio Director at Stardock Games
April 1, 2014 - November 1, 2017
Led audio design and music for multiple titles; coordinated outsourced sound designers and composers; directed recording of orchestral and ensemble performances; contributed to Star Control, Ashes of the Singularity, Sorcerer King Rivals, Galactic Civilizations III, and related projects.
Audio Director at Oxide Games
May 1, 2018 - January 31, 2025
Led audio design for Ara History Untold (AAA; released Sept 2024); directed a team of 3 sound designers; coordinated outsourced composers and production companies; orchestrated large ensembles and ethnic instrument recordings; oversaw editing and final mixing of the soundtrack.
Sound Designer at Oxide Games
August 1, 2025 - April 1, 2026
Sound design for Ashes of the Singularity II; collaborated with development teams to implement immersive audio.
Composer at Stardock Games
October 1, 2025 - April 1, 2026
Composer for Ashes of the Singularity II; collaborated with developers to create cohesive musical themes and integration with gameplay.
Composer at Dragon Snacks Games
May 1, 2025 - July 1, 2025
Composer for Dragon Snacks Games; contributed to sound design and thematic music for the project.
Lead Audio Designer/Lead Composer at Unreleased Project
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Lead audio designer and lead composer for an AAA-grade project built in Unity.
Lead Audio Designer/Lead Composer at Civilization Beyond Earth
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Lead audio designer/lead composer for Civilization Beyond Earth; IFMCA award for best score in interactive media (2013) and ASCAP nomination.
Lead Audio Designer/Lead Composer at Sid Meier's Ace Patrol
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Lead audio designer/lead composer for Ace Patrol on PC OS titles.
Lead Audio Designer/Lead Composer at Civilization V: Brave New World
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Lead audio designer, sound designer, and lead composer for Brave New World expansion.
Lead Audio Designer/Lead Composer at Civilization V: Gods & Kings
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Lead audio designer, sound designer, and lead composer for Gods & Kings expansion.
Lead Audio Designer/Lead Composer at Civilization V
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Lead audio designer, sound designer, and lead composer for Civilization V.
Lead Audio Designer/Lead Composer at Civilization IV: Colonization
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Lead audio designer, sound designer, and composer for Colonization expansion.
Sound Designer, Composer at Sid Meier's Revolution
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Sound designer and composer for Civilization Revolution across multiple platforms.
Lead Audio, Sound Designer, Composer at Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007
Lead audio designer, sound designer, and composer for Beyond the Sword expansion.
Sound Designer, Composer at Civilization IV: Warlords
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006
Sound designer and composer for Warlords expansion.
Sound Designer, Composer at Sid Meier's Railroads!
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006
Sound designer and composer for Railroads! (PC).
Sound Designer, Composer at Civilization IV
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2005
Sound designer and composer for Civilization IV.
Sound Designer, Composer at Sid Meier's Pirates
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004
Sound designer and composer for Pirates (Xbox, PC).
Sound Designer, Composer at Civilization III: Conquests
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2003
Sound designer and composer for Civilization III: Conquests.

Education

Add your educational history here.

Qualifications

Industry Experience

Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Education, Other, Software & Internet, Professional Services

Skills

Experience Level