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Joystiq

Silent Hill's Akira Yamaoka officially leaves Konami

by Richard Mitchell on Dec 2nd 2009 1:58PM

That eerie, oppressive sound you hear is that of a million Silent Hill soundtracks being played in memoriam of Akira Yamaoka. Original Sound Version has confirmed Yamaoka's departure from Konami, a rumor that began circulating yesterday. Yamaoka is known primarily for his work on the characteristic soundscapes of Konami's Silent Hill series, including the upcoming Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. In fact, the man has composed the soundtrack for every game in the series (with the exception of the GBA spinoff, Silent Hill Play Novel). He has also served as a producer on the series since Silent Hill 3.

Exactly where the composer plans to go from here is unknown, though OSV claims to be preparing an interview with Yamaoka in "the coming days." In the meantime, we plan to let his music lull us into a nervous, nightmare-ridden sleep.

[Via Hell Descent]

Source

Tags: akira-yamaoka, konami, peace-out, silent-hill, soundtrack

Reader Comments (28)

Oh man, please let this not be the end of his work in Silent Hill. I understand that composers get more recognition and respect once they form their own company and take contract work, but ... Silent Hill isn't Silent Hill without Yamaoka.

Just played Homecoming and it's really bad. I hate the physics engine that makes it feel like your character is the hulk. And the glitched text which added the very useful "b = back" button to read what you accidentally skipped, which DOESN'T EVEN WORK. Then theres the fact that the guy is killing monsters and is talking to people like it's a normal day out. It's retarded. wait wait, I didn't even mention how when you see "What is up with you" and you choose it, it says that exact line. It makes sense, but it seems like the most awkward dialog I've ever seen.

Also there's no easy mode, the game isn't crazy difficult, but the combat is so terrible I mostly just want to skip it usually.

@Tiptup: So, um, that has something to do with the music, right? There's a lot of people we can blame shit games on, but I don't think the composer is high on the list.

Probably they can hire him for future games in the series, but I assume they'd have to pay more, so who knows.

Oh, I just wanted to post my view on Silent Hill, I know it was offtopic. The music in it is FANTASTIC. Marvelous as always. Really sad to see Akira go.

Well - at least he's leaving on a high note - he will be missed. I've been following much of his work - even that outside of the SIlent Hill Series into games such as Beatmania, Pop'n Music and even Winning Eleven and Quiz Magic Academy.

Good luck in all your future endeavours.

You missed a perfect meme opportunity you know.....

e.g.:

Looks like Akira is leaving on a ....

*dons sunglasses*

....High note.

YEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Unless he contracts to do more work for Konami, this will also greatly affect the entire Bemani line of games, particularly beatmania IIDX. He's contributed a LOT of work to that series.

Could you pick a more homo-erotic picture?

I think the answer to that one is a very obvious "Yes."

So suddenly its acceptable to wear snake, skin tight trousers and a shirt with 2 buttons done up.

But no wait everyone, he wrote some music for a game, my mistake. He's super awesome, I want a poster on my wall.

Well, I guess the series is over. I mean after they gave the franchise to Climax Group, it didn't feel like SH anymore. But we still kept at it, at least since the only part of the original SH games was Yamaoka, seeing how he's been with the franchise since the beginning. Now that he's gone, I wonder how many fans will still be picking up future games.

I love his pants. Nothing says, "I'm a bad ass mutha fucka" like some snake skin pants.

Was just about to comment....

Those pants are epic.

leopard print is a close second. if it was real lepuuuuuuuurd

Then its over. Unless they can find a man of the same calibur to do the music; our beloved franchise is dead.

..well more so then what Homecoming did.

*Calling Mores of Gnaw Their Tounges and the guys from The Axis of Perdition*

I've always recognized the music of Silent Hill games. I remember spending hours on the internet trying to find places to buy a couple of the songs he made for those early Silent Hill 2 trailers.

" eerie, oppressive sound you hear is that of a million Silent Hill soundtracks being played in memoriam "
Oh come on!
He doesn't only do "Oppressive" soundtracks.
When I read this article "Promise Reprise" kept ringing in my head.....(it kinda has a farewell theme to it).
Really,look it up and re-read the article,it's really good(and fits).
it's Silent Hill 2 OST just in case....

Yesterday I went to Gamestop and reordered Shattered Memories on the Wii for the bonus soundtrack. I was going to get the game regardless, but I went their yesterday just for the soundtrack. If Yamaoka can be contracted to compose future Silent Hill music, I will be okay.

I hope that is the case, because I'm not ready to leave this series just yet.