Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Building the Mt. Rushmore of Japanese RPG devs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/building-the-mt-rushmore-of-japanese-rpg-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/building-the-mt-rushmore-of-japanese-rpg-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/building-the-mt-rushmore-of-japanese-rpg-devs/#commentsThis is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.
Here's a question for you: if you were building a Mt. Rushmore for Japanese RPG developers, who would be on it? I'm partly borrowing this idea from sportswriter Bill Simmons, who once sat down to build a "Mt. Rapmore." He, in turn, got the idea from the Internet. So no, this is not a new question, but it does help put the history of the genre in proper perspective. Personally, I love asking myself these questions, because I'm an incorrigible nerd. So let's get to work building our own shrine to JRPGs, shall we?

Continue reading Building the Mt. Rushmore of Japanese RPG devs

JoystiqBuilding the Mt. Rushmore of Japanese RPG devs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Nobuo-UematsuRieko-KodamaYuji-HoriiWed, 21 Mar 2012 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kickstarter project offers hundreds of video game inspired tunes for a few bucks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/kickstarter-project-offers-hundreds-of-video-game-inspired-tunes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/kickstarter-project-offers-hundreds-of-video-game-inspired-tunes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/kickstarter-project-offers-hundreds-of-video-game-inspired-tunes/#comments If you've been looking for a way to experience more video game and video game-inspired music, here's a pretty cheap one-way ticket right into the scene. Nubuwo is a site that's been created to cover exactly this kind of music, and over on Kickstarter they've compiled the talent of 12 different musicians across quite a few games into one big bundle for sale.

For $6, you can pick up either a 92-track "Vocal Pack" featuring the likes of Laura Shigihara, Floex, and the great Mega Ran, or a 150-track "Instrumental Pack" with the soundtracks to The Binding of Isaac, Bit Pilot, and ilomilo.

For $9, you get both of those, and for $15 you'll get 25 more tracks from excellent indie games like Spelunky and Antichamber, a couple interview segments with Final Fantasy composers Nobuo Uematsu and Kumi Tanioka, and a few other goodies. Higher donations can get you the tunes on actual CDs, and signed by the composers.

JoystiqKickstarter project offers hundreds of video game inspired tunes for a few bucks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antichamberfloexiosiphonelaura-shigiharamega-ranmobilemusicnobuo-uematsupcspleunkytunesvideo-game-inspiredWed, 29 Feb 2012 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix offers chance to meet Nobuo Uematsu in London]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/square-enix-offers-chance-to-meet-nobuo-uematsu-in-london/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/square-enix-offers-chance-to-meet-nobuo-uematsu-in-london/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/square-enix-offers-chance-to-meet-nobuo-uematsu-in-london/#comments Are you going to be around London on November 5? Would you like to meet longtime Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu at the sold-out "Distant Worlds" concert? Will you be able to show enough restraint to leave your Cait Sith costume at home?

Continue reading Square Enix offers chance to meet Nobuo Uematsu in London

JoystiqSquare Enix offers chance to meet Nobuo Uematsu in London originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>distant-worldseuropefinal-fantasynobuo-uematsusquare-enixsquare-enix-membersukFri, 17 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Last Story Wii bundle, Uematsu music revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/the-last-story-wii-bundle-uematsu-music-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/the-last-story-wii-bundle-uematsu-music-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/the-last-story-wii-bundle-uematsu-music-revealed/#commentsMistwalker's Wii RPG The Last Story will receive a big push from Nintendo in Japan when it comes out January 27. The company will offer the game in a bundle with a white Wii and Classic Controller Pro for ¥25,800 ($300), neatly packed in a box (pictured above) that buyers may want to hang onto for display purposes. It looks really nice, is what we're saying.

The first run of the game will also be bundled with bonuses including a mini-soundtrack and an artbook. Speaking of the soundtrack, Nintendo also revealed that Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu has created the music for The Last Story (via a Japanese-language Iwata Asks interview with both Uematsu and his fellow Squaresoft veteran Hironobu Sakaguchi). The addition of Uematsu certainly makes that mini-soundtrack more appealing!

JoystiqThe Last Story Wii bundle, Uematsu music revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundlejapanmistwalkernintendonobuo-uematsurpgthe-last-storywiiThu, 18 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy returns to the San Francisco Symphony July 15 and 16]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/26/final-fantasy-returns-to-the-san-francisco-symphony-july-15-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/26/final-fantasy-returns-to-the-san-francisco-symphony-july-15-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/26/final-fantasy-returns-to-the-san-francisco-symphony-july-15-and/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Following sold-out performances last year, the San Francisco Symphony will be performing two concerts next month featuring music from the Final Fantasy series. What's more, series maestro Nobuo Uematsu will be in attendance and appear at meet & greet events following the July 15 and 16 performances.

Continue reading Final Fantasy returns to the San Francisco Symphony July 15 and 16

JoystiqFinal Fantasy returns to the San Francisco Symphony July 15 and 16 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Final-Fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivNobuo-Uematsusan-francisco-symphonySquare-EnixSat, 26 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fantasy Life's collection of lives]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/fantasy-lifes-collection-of-lives/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/fantasy-lifes-collection-of-lives/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/fantasy-lifes-collection-of-lives/#commentsLevel-5 released character art of people working in the twenty different job-based "lives" in the developer's newly announced Fantasy Life. The designs show the very Little King's Story-esque style being used by character designer Hideo Minaba, which is going to charm the money right out of our bank accounts. Each one of these lives represents a unique set of quests, and a unique ending with a different Nobuo Uematsu vocal theme.

The identity of each Life isn't labeled, though Andriasang printed a list from Famitsu magazine of all the jobs to go along with the picture. Many of them seem pretty obvious given the tools in their hands, and six of them are outright revealed by a second picture. Both images, and the list, are available after the break.

Continue reading Fantasy Life's collection of lives

JoystiqFantasy Life's collection of lives originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasy-lifehideo-minabalevel-5nobuo-uematsurpgMon, 31 Aug 2009 13:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Contact creator's next game: 'Sakura Note']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/contact-creators-next-game-sakura-note/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/contact-creators-next-game-sakura-note/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/contact-creators-next-game-sakura-note/#commentsMarvelous Entertainment revealed Contact director Akira Ueda's next project, Sakura Note, with a teaser web site. According to 1UP's summary of a Famitsu preview of the game, the game involves two mysterious sakura trees in two towns. One is blooming late in the year, and the other is dying. This is somehow connected to a new arrival in your neighborhood, and subsequent attacks against her by ghosts. In order to solve these two mysteries, you explore the nostalgic scenery of two neighboring towns, "talking to people and unlocking new story episodes as you go along."

The game is being created by an all-star team. As on Level-5's Fantasy Life, Nobuo Uematsu and Hideo Minaba are contributing music and character design, respectively. Kingdom Hearts' Kazushige Nojima is writing the story, and Half-Minute Hero producer Kenichiro Takagi is producing. Sakura Note will be out in Japan November 5.

JoystiqContact creator's next game: 'Sakura Note' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureakira-uedaaudio-inccontactmarvelousnobuo-uematsusakura-noteThu, 27 Aug 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Level-5 invites players into a 'Fantasy Life' ... in a doomed town]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/level-5-invites-players-into-a-fantasy-life-in-a-doomed-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/level-5-invites-players-into-a-fantasy-life-in-a-doomed-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/level-5-invites-players-into-a-fantasy-life-in-a-doomed-to/#commentsIn addition to the London Life RPG inside Professor Layton and the Devil's Flute, Level-5 announced another collaboration with Brownie Brown, the Sword of Mana developer and Mother 3 co-creator: Fantasy Life, a town simulation in the vein of Animal Crossing.

Fantasy Life occurs in the world of Fantazeal, which shows prophesied signs of impending destruction after a shadow passes over the moon. If this were a normal RPG, you'd portray some kind of teenaged hero fighting to save the world from this catastrophe, but in this game, it basically doesn't seem to matter: you choose a job and undertake daily "Life Quests" related to that job, to improve your wealth and happiness levels. The game includes local and online wireless functionality, allowing others to visit your town.

Aside from Level-5 and Brownie Brown, Fantasy Life features more big names. Nobuo Uematsu is composing an opening theme, as well as ending themes for the ending of each job's "life," and character design is being done by Hideo Minaba, a Final Fantasy series alum who most recently designed the characters in Little King's Story.

[Via Andriasang]

JoystiqLevel-5 invites players into a 'Fantasy Life' ... in a doomed town originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brownie-brownDSfantasy-lifehideo-minabalevel-5Nintendonobuo-uematsuWed, 26 Aug 2009 13:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Majesco bringing Away Shuffle Dungeon stateside]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/majesco-bringing-away-shuffle-dungeon-stateside/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/majesco-bringing-away-shuffle-dungeon-stateside/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/majesco-bringing-away-shuffle-dungeon-stateside/#commentsFiled under: ,

When Majesco announced last month that it would dedicate the bulk of its 2008 lineup to the Nintendo DS, we took this to mean that the company would do its part keeping store shelves stocked with casual games and cooking sims aplenty. We were unprepared, however, for the Cooking Mama evangelist to take up publishing duties for Away Shuffle Dungeon, the oddly named DS "roguelike" RPG from Mistwalker and AQ Interactive.

Offering a mix of both 2D and 3D gameplay, Away Shuffle Dungeon promises to cast players in the role of a lone hero branded with the unfortunate name, Sword, as he races to collect treasure and rescue prisoners caught in dungeons before they "reconfigure," hurting anyone left inside. The game also boasts some impressive credits, which include such luminaries as Final Fantasy sire Hironobu Sakaguchi and esteemed composer Nobuo Uematsu, as well as character designs by Sonic creator, Naoto Oshima.

Even so, we're still having a hard time getting over that title, and even now have simply begun referring to Away Shuffle Dungeon by a label more fitting its newly-named publisher. Readers, we give you Dungeon Mama.

JoystiqMajesco bringing Away Shuffle Dungeon stateside originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aq-interactiveawayDShironobu-sakaguchihironobusakaguchimajescomistwalkernaoto-oshimanobuo-uematsunobuouematsushuffle-dungeonshuffledungeonTue, 08 Jul 2008 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy tracks remixed for new album releasing to Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/final-fantasy-tracks-remixed-for-new-album-releasing-to-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/final-fantasy-tracks-remixed-for-new-album-releasing-to-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/final-fantasy-tracks-remixed-for-new-album-releasing-to-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,


When asked by Final Fantasy junkies what their favorite aspect of the franchise is, you're likely to get a variety of answers. From the battle system to the epic tales weaved by each game, Square Enix has accrued quite the fan base over the years. If you ask us, one of the things we've always loved about those games were the music.

And here comes one more reason to be jealous of the Japanese. Famitsu reports that Square Enix will be releasing a remix cd on August 6th that focuses on Final Fantasy tracks. Nobuo Uematsu's famous songs will be remixed by Ante.

If you'd like a taste for yourself, check out the official site for the remix right here.

[Via Famitsu]

JoystiqFinal Fantasy tracks remixed for new album releasing to Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cdfamitsuff-remixfinal-fantasymusicnobuo-uematsusquare-enixWed, 18 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamers won't wait long for Blue Dragon DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/02/gamers-wont-wait-long-for-blue-dragon-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/02/gamers-wont-wait-long-for-blue-dragon-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/02/gamers-wont-wait-long-for-blue-dragon-ds/#commentsFiled under:


Blue Dragon DS, the spin-off (or possible continuation) of the Xbox 360 RPG, was just announced and now Mistwalker promises it will be on shelves by next March. Those guys work fast! But just to sweeten the pot, they've also promised another title to release even sooner -- AWAY Tsuresarareta Hitobito, aka Away: The Kidnapped People -- which is slated for January 31 in Japan. There are some big names working on Away, most notably Mistwalker's Hironobu Sakaguchi and renowned composer Nobuo Uematsu.

Both titles look to have some serious potential, and if ASH is any indication, we can start expected a flood of scans right about ... now, and video precisely three days before the games are released.

It's okay, Mistwalker. We like you anyway.

JoystiqGamers won't wait long for Blue Dragon DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AwayBlue-DragonHironobu-SakaguchiKidnapped-PeopleMistwalkerNobuo-UematsuTue, 02 Oct 2007 13:10:00 EST