Arcade Runner

Arcade Runner was an iOS game developed by Dan Counsell, owner of Realmac Software, in 2017. This was my third game collaboration with Dan, following my work on Almost Impossible! and Almost Impossible! 2.

For this project, Dan wanted the audio to match the game’s fast, colorful, retro-inspired visual style. I created an upbeat electronic soundtrack built around bright synth leads, pulsing basses, energetic pads, and arcade-like rhythmic movement. The goal was to give the game a lively, nostalgic feel without simply imitating old hardware.

To build the sonic palette, I worked primarily inside Logic Pro, using Retro Synth to design custom leads, pads, basses, and other melodic elements. I also used Logic’s FM synthesis tools to create percussion sounds, including a synthesized kick drum and filtered-noise snare. This gave the soundtrack a cohesive, fully synthetic character that fit the game’s arcade aesthetic.

In addition to the music, I designed the game’s sound effects using the same retro-synth-based approach. Coin collection sounds, jumps, landings, crashes, impacts, and other gameplay cues were all created to feel like they belonged to the same bright, electronic world as the score. Rather than relying on stock effects, I built the audio around a consistent synth palette so the music and sound design felt unified.

The result was a compact, arcade-inspired audio identity designed to support quick gameplay, instant feedback, and the energetic pace of a mobile runner.