Game Connect 07 - The Japanese Sound

The Japanese Sound - Hitoshi Sakimoto, Composer

This sessions focuses on the music and sound effects created in the Japanese game developer scene today. The talk also discusses the pros and cons of using traditional musical instruments or synthesizers.

Hitoshi Sakimoto is a veteran video game composer with over 20 years experience to his credit. He began his career as a freelancer when companies saw potential in his sound programming and composing skills. His first major title was Magical Chase which saw the beginning of a relationship with game designer Yasumi Matsuno. In recent years, Sakimoto famously created the massive score to the most current Final Fantasy title, Final Fantasy XII as well as contributing to the Final Fantasy Tactics spin-off, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. He also produced the score to the popular Konami game, Gradius V, as well as contributing to Atlus’ Stella Deus. Sakimoto recently scored his first anime soundtrack, Romeo x Juliet.

Currently, Sakimoto is composing the scores to a number a video games, including Bandai Namco's Deltora Quest: The Seven Jewels and Mistwalker's ASH -Archaic Sealed Heat.

The Difficulty of Drawing - Masaaki Kaneko

Sound design is one of the important factors in game development. While previously sound design was greatly limited by hardware, modern advances have left game designers free to do almost anything. This session focuses on the importance of the message the designer wishes to convey to the player, especially with sound design. The session also focuses on how music lets you significantly control the impression of the user.

Masaaki Kaneko was born in Toyama, Japan. 1974. Experienced in Sound effects making, MA(multi audio), Sound Manipulation, Mixture, and Master in anything to do with sound other than composition. One of his characteristics is the delicacy of the sound to express a feeling of air. Without composing he tries day and night to achieve his motto, to bring as much of his own characteristics to his sounds.