Yasunori Mitsuda is a composer best known for his work on the soundtracks for the Chrono and Xeno video game series. His music style is recognizable from its minimalistic nature. Mitsuda has stated in many interviews that he listens to a wide variety of music genres, from folk music, rock, pop, and jazz, which have influenced many of his compositions. During his creative process, he utilizes a form of “dualistic introspection” in order to embody both a “clinical and objective listener” and a “passionate creator”, though it is mostly the passionate side that shines through as he creates, at his own admittance. With over 20 years of experience in composing, Mitsuda is definitely a Pro-c creative.
.jpg)
There is a story that Yasunori Mitsuda had come up with the ending theme for Chrono Trigger, “To Far Away Times”, in a dream. During the game’s development, he would often camp out in the studio, leaving all the equipment running. If he fell asleep, and a melody came to him, he’d be able to get to work on it immediately after waking up. It seems that the creative process comes easier to Mitsuda when he keeps himself in this work mode at all times, even into his unconscious thoughts.
One of the more recent games Mitsuda has worked on is Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Music plays a major role in this game. In a world of never-ending war between two nations, where soldiers are given only ten years to live, there exists those called “Off-seers” who perform on flutes to send off those who have lost their lives in battle, or for the few who have made it to the end of their last year, their "Homecoming". The two main protagonists are Off-seers from opposite sides. They, along with their friends, after being brought together by a man from neither side, learn about the life that they could have if they could break out of this cycle of endless bloodshed. The death of this man is what pushes them on their journey to end this war, even if it puts them against their former allies.
The use of the flute, specifically the Shinobue flute, was suggested by Mitsuda as a good choice for the emotional tone of the soundtrack and to “incorporate a distinctive Japanese taste”. Mitsuda had also requested to have these flutes custom made, his reason being that by “making flutes from scratch, you can create a sound that hasn’t been heard before”. He believed that by making the flutes from scratch would better allow him to “freely control the scale and expression”. Two flutes would be made for two melodies for each protagonist, flowing into a single piece. The development team then designed the in-game flutes with the intention of having real life counterparts made to be used in recording. These designs were then sent to professional craftsmen, resulting in two flutes that would be used to record the music that the protagonists would play in the somber moments of the game.
Yasunori Mitsuda constructs his music to fit in with the world of each game he composes for. He says that game music is "something that should last with the player". By creating music that works alongside the experience of playing the game itself, it can create a lasting memory for the player, and leave them feeling the emotions that the characters in the game feel. The creativity of Mitsuda makes music that can stick with the player even after the game is completed, and sometimes lets them see the experience of life from a whole new perspective.
I found the parts about his unconscious process especially when he was sleeping incredibly interesting. I feel like everyone has found some success by 'sleeping on it,' but keeping the sound equipment on and sleeping in the studio is another level. I would wonder the costs of keeping the machines on at all times, but from the success of Mitsuda's games, it sounds like it was worth it. His creativity and expertise really shows in his request to have custom made flutes for each protagonist. He is clearly an incredible Shinobue flute player and his desires to compose "something that should last with the player" highlights the precise and effort he puts into his works.
ReplyDeleteSeeing Mitsuda's ability to create emotion in 16-bit audio transformed onto modern hardware really shows how much experience he has as a creative. The fact that two custom flutes were made to give the feeling of Xenoblade Chronicles 3's music a unqiue taste is something I never new. I really enjoy the idea that Mitsuda is quite literally creating from scratch, something that I would define as one of the most creative actions one can do.
ReplyDelete