Famed Composer Leaves Square Enix
Celebrated FF composer Nobuo Uematsu walks.
The celebrated composer of the Final Fantasy series, Nobuo Uematsu, has revealed that he will be leaving Square Enix.
In an announcement through Uematsu's own newsletter, the composer stated that he was leaving the publisher on good terms and would be setting up a company of his own named Smile Please.
Uematsu worked on a variety of projects during his time at Square Enix (previously Square), but he is best known for his graceful aural accompaniment to the publisher's successful Final Fantasy games. Uematsu scored the series almost single-handedly until 2001's Final Fantasy X on PlayStation 2.
In May of this year, Uematsu took part in the first live performance of his work outside Japan at the Dear Friends concert held in Los Angeles. The sold-out event saw the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra perform several songs from the Final Fantasy series.
Uematsu also said that he wants to continue with the Black Mages, a band he formed to perform heavy metal versions of Final Fantasy music. Their second album is due for release in Japan in December.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games