By: Sophia Tong, GameSpot - Posted on July 31, 2009

Most people are bound to recognize at least one melody from a popular video game, but how often do you actually know who is responsible for it? Behind the Games: Meet the Composers highlights some of the most talented minds in this specialized segment of the video game industry. Here's your chance to find out how the composers got their start, what their musical backgrounds are, and what drives them to do what they do every day. Whether you're a video game music fan or an aspiring musician, Meet the Composers digs deep to uncover what it's like to be in the shoes of a virtuoso.

Nobuo Uematsu | Composer and Founder, Smile Please Co. Ltd. & Dog Ear Records

Nobuo Uematsu
Last.fm Profile:
植松伸夫
Currently Listening to:
A little bit of everything
Currently Working on:
Final Fantasy XIV (PS3 | PC)
Biggest Musical Influences:
Vienna Boys Choir, Elton John, Pink Floyd
First Instrument Played:
Harmonica



Biography:

Nobuo Uematsu is one of the most prolific and well-known video game music composers today, often referred to as the John Williams of video games. He is known for his work on the Final Fantasy series, but his credits also include anime soundtracks and arranged albums. Even though he left Square Enix in 2004 to form his own production company Smile Please and later started Dog Ear Records in 2006, Uematsu continues to take freelance assignments to compose music for video games, working closely with Blue Dragon developer Mistwalker Studios. Mr. Uematsu is currently working on the soundtrack for Square Enix's upcoming massively multiplayer online game, Final Fantasy XIV.

Born in Kochi, Japan in 1959, Uematsu enjoyed music at a young age, but never had any formal training. As a self-taught musician who learned to play the piano at the age of 12, he spent some time playing in amateur bands as a keyboard player after graduating from Kanagawa University. His big break came in 1987 when he was asked by Hironobu Sakaguchi to compose for a game called Final Fantasy. More than 20 years later, his work is still extremely popular. His Final Fantasy music was the centerpiece of the first-ever video game music concert in the US called "Dear Friends," which was held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles in 2004. He has also been making appearances at the Distant Worlds: Music From Final Fantasy series of concerts, which is currently on tour and scheduled to make stops around North America.

Abridged Discography:

  • Final Fantasy IV (SNES | PS | GBA | DS)
  • Final Fantasy VI (PS | GBA)
  • Final Fantasy VII (PS | PC)
  • Final Fantasy VIII (PS | PC)
  • Final Fantasy IX (PS)
  • Chrono Trigger (SNES | PS | DS)
  • Blue Dragon (X360)
  • Lost Odyssey (X360)
  • Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
  • Away: Shuffle Dungeon (DS)

Watch a behind-the-scenes interview with Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu.

Who are your favorite video game composers? What are your thoughts on music in video games? Let us know with a comment.

242 Comments

  • Honenheim

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 11:39 pm PT

    Wheres the GREAT kenji kawai when you need him.......his work in folklore was quite magestic.

  • ExireHG

    Posted Sep 3, 2009 10:44 am PT

    If Uematsu delivered me my mail I'd probably collapse. XD Uematsu is one of my favorite composers/musicians period. Motoi Sakuraba next!! He's literally been everywhere and done just about all the composing for the entire Star Ocean and Tales series, plus many other great stand alone games. T

    here are a lot of great Japanese composers. Yasunori Mitsuda, who did Xenogears, both Chrono games, Shadow Hearts, and the first Xenosaga. I wish I could vouch for Yoko Kanno, one of the best in the business. But she doesn't really do game music, mostly anime. Still, she's more than godly in her own right, Gamespot should feature her anyway. XD

  • shadowClint

    Posted Aug 31, 2009 11:21 am PT

    I think they should interview Frank Klepacki next time (Red Alert series), I mean Hell March is like the main theme of the RTS genre.

  • Wings_008

    Posted Aug 29, 2009 7:57 pm PT

    subtitles?, where you can hear the man speaking is much than hearing a hot translator's voice, or is it?
    this man adds life to games, his music are very memorable

  • ramen38

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 2:57 pm PT

    This guy just adds so much quality to games that I enjoy playing them even if the gameplay isn't fun. Thanks Nobuo!

  • ChidoriBoyU

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 1:37 pm PT

    loved this guy's music in FF VII PLEASE SHOJI MEGURO NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Meme_lon_chin

    Posted Aug 11, 2009 9:55 pm PT

    Great Composer, I became a fan when I heard FFVII soundtrack, also, he did an awesome job in the movie FFVII: Advent Children which I love

    LONG LIVE UEMATSU!

  • Broculus

    Posted Aug 11, 2009 6:42 am PT

    I guess it has already been said that Uematsu is a living legend and heard of his heroic tales of godlike awesomeness!?
    Well its all true. Uematsu rules!

    I especially enjoyed this interview for a very specific reason. It brought me much closer to Uematsu. Since i have already felt kinda connected to him through the keyboards, the cello and now bikes and his songs being the only music giving me instant goosebumps. And most importantly:

    He was the first composer to kindle my fascination with VG-music and in turn i was in the VBC, which ignited his interest in music in general.

    Thank you for the Interview

    Anti-Thank You for the Fudged up system that let me write this comment 12 days after my initial try...

  • Gioh

    Posted Aug 11, 2009 6:31 am PT

    i prefer Moby.

    Sure those childish chimes stick, but wont catch me playin that on my HiFi.

    Lol, also includes...its all he does!

  • Aesahaettr

    Posted Aug 11, 2009 6:26 am PT

    That was truely epic to hear him speak about his works. Having recently written a dissertation about him and his influence I wish i'd seen this earlier and added it for some browny points. More people should hear his music instead of labelling it 'Video Game Music' and just ignoring it as so many have in my experience. Looking forward to the next composer

  • whistlermike

    Posted Aug 10, 2009 9:23 pm PT

    I agree with tebian, there are many amazing works by great composers that don't get the recognition they deserve

  • tebian

    Posted Aug 10, 2009 6:38 pm PT

    He is truly one of greatest artist in our time with so many works that go unheard cause they are "game" soundtracks. You sit in the Distant Worlds concert and I dare you not get a feeling of amazement at the range of the music and just the share quality of work he composes. The man stands alone in the gaming field in my opinion and should be heard by more in the general public outside Japan.

  • valentha

    Posted Aug 10, 2009 7:19 am PT

    Stan LePard (Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge) is my favorite game composer. His composition for the Crimson Skies game for the X-Box was outstanding and really set the mood of the era. Love the music of the Soundtrack and hope that Smith & Tinker when they do the next Crimson Skies game being Stan LePard back for the music.

    George Oldziey comes to mind for good music. Liked his compositions for the Wing Commander series.

  • ShirkDawg

    Posted Aug 9, 2009 11:44 pm PT

    Nobuo Uematsu, Yasunori Mitsuda, and Hitoshi Sakimoto have got to be my three favorite composers. They put most other game music to shame. It's sad that most games of today focus more on voice acting, while music gets the shaft.

  • xrman

    Posted Aug 9, 2009 6:48 pm PT

    This guy is a legend. Gamespot should interview the composers from the Xeno series.

  • KidKombo

    Posted Aug 9, 2009 5:02 pm PT

    good interview, its nice to finally see the face behind the name. Nobuo has inspired me so much and is a major reason why i adore the older Final Fantasy games. coincidentally, i started playing FFIV yesterday and the first thing that really hit me was the music....just amazing and so ahead of its time, no other game soundtracks in that era (1991) sound anywhere near as complex or as beautiful. a true visionary!!!

  • Teckblader

    Posted Aug 8, 2009 9:52 am PT

    Nice interview but why don't they use subtitles? getting al little annoyed by the voice of the translator

  • MrFinalFantasy

    Posted Aug 8, 2009 1:08 am PT

    ah! his songs always seem to calm me down before the storm. wait. was that one of the titles for a song in FFIX? i am not sure. but yeah. he's great.

  • Darkchaoss

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 10:06 pm PT

    Very nice interview =D was waiting for one of these for a while. Nobu's music is amazing.

  • somberfox

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 3:10 pm PT

    This guy's music is legendary.

  • icecold49

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 4:03 pm PT

    Haha this guy is awesome. Looking forward to hearing about his two secret projects. I lol'd when the interviewer asked for info on ffXIV.

  • bVorkitup

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 10:34 am PT

    Awesome. Here's hoping you guys cover other excellent composers like Chris Huelsbeck, Rob Hubbard, and Inon Zur.

  • Sablicious

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 7:37 am PT

    Well... he sure does LOOK like Elton John! : /

  • tekken220

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 2:21 am PT

    I don't like the idea of a FFVII remake because I'm tired of fangirl-ish comments about Cloud.

  • NeoTaintedAngel

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 8:30 pm PT

    Am I the only one who is sick of the world of Final Fantasy VII? We've gotten enough games on that, can't we see a remake of like, Final Fantasy VI? I mean, give VII a break. (Inb4Fanbois rip me to shreds.)

  • itachi100

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 2:22 pm PT

    @ArmoredBreaker

    actually, most players are against the remake, and everyone already knows it will NEVER happen. but yes, uematsu is amazing. and why wasn't FFV listed in that list?

  • Mc_Trickz

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 12:43 pm PT

    The BEst!!This guy is a legend already!

  • ArmoredBreaker

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 11:25 am PT

    Everybody hopes for a remake of final fantasy VII, Nobuo Uematsu is the awesome!!

  • pathock3

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 9:59 am PT

    hey this is great! bravo gamespot! my favorite game composer is jeremy soule and I'd love to see one for him!

  • gmreedy

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 9:22 am PT

    So...when are we going to see the next composer, or is he the only one gamespot is showing?

  • seeddrmmr

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 8:49 am PT

    This man basically wrote the soundtracks to my young life I spent so much time listening to his creations...no one has ever brought so much soul to a limited 8/16 bit video game. He's one of the best. Thank you for some of my fondest childhood memories, Mr. Uematsu.

  • Kenzuke

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 8:27 am PT

    @ Kcoshiob

    I agree completely, simplicity is often "better" than complexity in that the songs and melodies are easier to remember recognize if they are fairly simple. The Prelude theme that's been in pretty much every Final Fantasy game to date proves this.
    Simple, and beautiful, it is definitiely fantastic.

  • Kcoshiob

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 7:13 am PT

    Such great and simple melodies. Something a fully trained musician may overlook because of their very simplicity.
    Most of my gaming memories are wrapped up in this man's music. FFIII/VI being my fav.

    This can only be followed up by Eric Brosius, or Matt Uelman.

  • chechak7

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 1:53 am PT

    FF music is awesome ...Nobuo Uematsu is great ....ya I hope Square Enix is preparing for the remake of FFVII & Final Fantasy VIII

  • FoxDie85

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 12:28 am PT

    No one can compose music like him ..
    especially, for Final Fantasy VII (best game and music ever) ..

    I hope Square Enix is preparing for the remake of FFVII, and I hope they'll ask Nobuo Uematsu's help .. (:

  • Sweet_Genocide

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 11:16 pm PT

    This guy is great.

  • nestorafranco

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 7:46 pm PT

    he can control our emotions with the tips of his fingers...

  • guitardude1243

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 7:16 pm PT

    He is great composer, part of what makes Final Fantasy series so great.

  • JVII

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 7:02 pm PT

    Looks like they did the opposite of saving the best for last.

  • wattss78

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 6:00 pm PT

    867 5309

  • Decretum

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 5:39 pm PT

    Fantastic interview, but I had difficulty listening to the translations. The jagged and cut voice over is really annoying.

  • Falru

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 5:19 pm PT

    Lol @ 10 minute-written song becoming the main FF theme xD

  • canana

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 3:01 pm PT

    @Sophia - Good job for the feature, it really show something beyond the composer.

  • lutomboy

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 2:24 pm PT

    i wonder what the other 2 things he is working on ??

  • TheFreakyManga

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 1:30 pm PT

    That guy is amazing... I loved the music in all of his games especially for FFIV for the DS!

  • PSgeek

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 1:12 pm PT

    He really is the John Williams of video games

  • SymphonyOfAshes

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 12:21 pm PT

    I love Nobuo~

  • blank33

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 11:13 am PT

    Nobuo is a composing genius.

  • joeisnub

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 11:09 am PT

    sweet feature, he has some of the most memorable soundtracks ever

  • Jaster_DCX

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 10:54 am PT

    nice video gamespot

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