Nobuo UematsuDeveloper BIO
Nobuo Uematsu was born on March 21, 1959 in Kochi, Japan. After graduating from Kanagawa University, he composed music for commercials before joining Square Co., Ltd. (now
Square Enix Co., Ltd.) in 1986. He went on to compose music for over thirty game titles, including the popular
FINAL FANTASY series.
Since the 1987 release of the first title in the acclaimed FINAL FANTASY series, the franchise has developed into one of the best-selling video game series across all platforms in the history of the interactive entertainment industry, selling over 47 million units worldwide (as of September 2003). The music from the game series have grown to such popularity that veteran composer Nobuo Uematsu was named as one of the "Innovators" in
Time Magazine's "Time 100: The Next Wave - Music" feature.
Uematsu composed and produced the FINAL FANTASY VIII theme song, "Eyes on Me," which featured Hong Kong pop diva Faye Wong and sold a record 400,000 copies. The song won "Song of the Year (Western Music)" at the 14th Annual Japan Gold
Disc Awards in 1999 --- it was the first time music from a video game won that honor.
In February 2003, Uematsu produced "The Black Mages," an album composed of FINAL FANTASY battle music arranged in rock style. He formed a group called the Black Mages and performed as the keyboardist himself. In April, a two-day concert was held in Tokyo, Japan, commemorating the album, which has sold 30,000 copies to date.
Uematsu's talents are not limited to video game music. He composed the theme song of the animated film "Ah! My Goddess" and has written music for vocalists including Emiko Shiratori and Rikki.
Fans appreciate his likeable personality as well as his musical talents. His column "Nobuo Uematsu no Minna Sounano?" has appeared in the popular Japanese gaming magazine Weekly Famitsu for over two years. A compilation of the column was published in a book form in February 2002. Due to overwhelming response, a second compilation is in the works.
Uematsu currently works as composer and producer for Square Enix's Uematsu Productions.
In November, 2004, Nobuo Uematsu leaves
Square Enix to start up his own company
Smile Please.
From:
http://www.square-enix-usa.com/uematsu/Websites
Games CreditedSuper Smash Bros.: Brawl (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (2007), Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Lost Odyssey (2007), Microsoft Game Studios
Blue Dragon (2006), Microsoft Game Studios
Final Fantasy III (2006), Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy XII (2006), Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (2003), Nintendo of America Inc.
Final Fantasy Anthology (European Edition) (2002), SCEE
Final Fantasy Origins (2002), Square Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy Chronicles (2001), Square Electronic Arts L.L.C.
Final Fantasy X (2001), Square Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy IX (2000), Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated
Chocobo Racing (1999), Square Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy Anthology (1999), Square Electronic Arts L.L.C.
Final Fantasy VIII (1999), Square Co., Ltd.
Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring (1998), Square Co., Ltd.
Esoteria (1998), Kirin Entertainments Inc.
Final Fantasy VII (1997), Square Co., Ltd.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Chrono Trigger (1995), Square Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy III (1994), Square Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy V (1992), Square Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy II (1991), Square Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy III (1990), Square Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy Legend II (1990), Square Co., Ltd.
Rad Racer II (1990), Square Soft, Inc.
Final Fantasy II (1988), Square Co., Ltd.
Final Fantasy (1987), Square Co., Ltd.
