A Veteran Hits A Wall
Fifty resumes, one interview. That’s how the last year has gone for Alexander Brandon, the composer behind Deus Ex and Unreal, who told PC Gamer he’s struggled to land a steady role despite three decades in game audio.
Brandon’s credits stretch from composing on landmark PC shooters to directing audio on Wasteland 3 and Neverwinter Nights 2, plus the kind of unglamorous voice and sound work that keeps projects moving. On paper, it reads like a career that should open doors. In 2026, it’s not doing that.
Full-Time Roles Are Drying Up
“My take on things is: Full-time is far less likely, high-paying full-time is probably more competitive than it’s ever been,” Brandon said in an interview with PC Gamer. “I’ve submitted 50 resumes and gotten one interview in the last year.”
His last full-time post was audio director at Frost Giant on Stormgate, a spiritual successor to StarCraft that, per PC Gamer, has struggled to pull in players. Brandon was laid off in 2025 and credited CEO Tim Morten for hanging on “till the bitter end in terms of keeping his people employed.”
He’s far from alone. Brandon said other “unbelievably senior and legendary-status people,” including Bungie’s former head of audio, have been pushed toward contract work as top-tier studios post fewer permanent openings. “You have to weigh: ‘Yeah, I could get a full-time job, but how long is it going to last?’” he said.