Nobuo Uematsu: On the Record

The legendary Final Fantasy composer goes on the record in this honest and joyful account of his life and career.One of the most celebrated and prolific composers in video game history, Nobuo Uematsu is the original composer of the phenomenally successful Final Fantasy games. His work is known by millions and has been performed by some of the most prestigious orchestras around the world.Although Uematsu had no formal training, his enduring scores advanced video game music beyond the early limitations of the medium, and he continues to push the boundaries of his art today. Here, veteran gaming journalist James Mielke explores the life, inspirations, and influences of the beloved musician, from his childhood and first forays into music to his time at Square Enix and the global success of his concert tours.Drawn from hours of conversations with Uematsu, as well as his wife, his peers, and industry titans such as Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, and fellow acclaimed composers Daniel Rosenfeld (Minecraft), Yoko Shimomura (Street Fighter II, Kingdom Hearts, Super Mario RPG) and Hitoshi Sakimoto (Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy XII, Valkyria Chronicles), this intimate biography offers a glimpse into the heart and mind of the man often referred to as the Beethoven of video game music.

James Mielke has spent over two decades leveling up in various facets of the video game industry, from journalism (Ziff Davis Media) to communications (Shinra Technologies) and development (Q Entertainment, Q-Games, Tigertron). Prior to this, he worked primarily as a freelance designer and illustrator for a wide variety of clients, including Marvel Comics, Condé Nast, Hearst Publications, Graj + Gustavsen, and Grey Advertising. James is the founder of BitSummit, Japan’s leading indie gaming event, and currently lives in Wellington with his wife and two kids.