From porn to Piaggio Vespas, the background to Nobuo Uematsu's life

Among the most famous names in the video game industry, Nobuo Uematsu is one of the most loved characters by fans despite having always held roles related to the music: a symptom of how the video game medium can reach people's hearts through one of its many media languages.

Master Uematsu is famous for being a backbone of the franchise final Fantasy, thanks also to his indissoluble bond with Hironobu Sakaguchi, considered the father of the saga. This bond has survived even today, so much so that, even if now far from Square Enix (or rather, from the old Square Soft), both have continued to collaborate for different video games, such as lately for the realization of the mobile game Fantasian.

Our colleagues and friends of Topgamer they managed to interview the master Uematsu, giving fans and readers a long discussion on many moments in the composer's life, inside and outside video games. Various topics were touched upon, including a mention of musical works carried out in theporn industry, and his love for Piaggio wasps.

To begin with, Uematsu told its beginnings as a musician: since he was a middle school student he dreamed of becoming a composer, but he became one at 25, when he accidentally joined the old Square Soft, thanks to a chance meeting with a girl who worked there during a party at home with friends. At that time he was the only person from Square Soft chewing music, which is why he became the composer of Final Fantasy.

I think the music in a video game is like oxygen. If you play a game with the music turned off, it's like you can't breathe.

Nobuo Uematsu in the interview with Topgamer

Uematsu immediately settled in Square Soft because he spent all his time, from morning to night, doing what he had always wanted all his life: composing. In those days, moreover, he did not consider that work as a means to be recognized by other people, but as a pure expression of his passion. His unmistakable style it consolidated in this way, naturally and over the years, unintentionally. Uematsu defines his compositions as follows: “Soft, smiling, sweet, feminine and occasionally pissed off“.

His work at Square Soft was not only the consolidation of his desire, but also a long period of training: Uematsu has never officially studied music in a school, but Square Soft was his personal academy. After leaving Square Enix, the author founded his own personal label, Dog Ear Records, through which he collaborated on several video games (most of which with his friend Sakaguchi) and anime. Apparently, the master, in order not to miss anything, has also achieved music for porn movies.

The interview was then directed towards the development of Fantasian of Sakaguchi, where the master Uematsu put his hand to more than 60 unreleased tracks. It was a very tough challenge, especially for the large number of pieces to be composed as the composer's mental and physical strength have decreased compared to the beginning of his career, but it was also a fun job because, as usual, Uematsu tried to put all of himself into it.

For what concerns hypothetical future collaborations with Square Enix, Uematsu said he was available for any project that has meaning for him. At the moment, however, the master is focused on sue personal compositions, such as the follow-up to the "10 Short Stories" album he created over 10 years ago, and the live music and reading for his fan club.

During the interview, Uematsu also shared his Spanish passions: pasta and pizza, strictly homemade (as shown in the shot taken by Topgamer above), wine, history, but also Piaggio Vespas. In particular, Uematsu has been driving the wasp for over 35 years, even though he had to sell it last year and is still regretting it, much to consider this episode the biggest mistake of his life.

As for the musical field, the maestro he liked Ennio Morricone so much that he was about to have him compose a song for Final Fantasy VI, but unfortunately the idea did not materialize. Uematsu also appreciates Nino Rota e Giorgio Moroder, author who has been following since 1972 with his song "Son of my father" which has been a great success in Japan. Also unmissable in its ranks of favorite Spanish artists PFM.

We invite you to browse the Topgamer interview for more details, and to try Fantasian which seems to be a really interesting game beyond the creative and sound contribution of Nobuo Uematsu.