Rumor: Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka leaves Konami


Aeropause claims that Akira Yamaoka, the man responsible for Silent Hill's evocative sound, has apparently left Konami after 16 years and is currently vacationing in Europe. Fans of the survival-horror series would rightfully claim that Yamaoka, whose work has been a constant in the entire series, is inextricably linked to Silent Hill.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories producer Tomm Hulett told Joystiq in an interview back in June that Yamaoka's music "adds a special element, it's kind of the atmosphere of the town." He continued, "If Akira's music isn't there, it just doesn't sound quite right. And I'm sure that there are people out there who could emulate the sound and try to get it close, but there would be something missing." We've followed up with the publisher for confirmation and comment.


Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/rumor-silent-hill-composer-akira-yamaoka-leaves-konami/)

Wow, if this is true. ;_;

Oops, Can a mod merged this with my Konami news and stuff or the Silent Hill thread?

Music isn't the only thing that makes the series. XII doesn't have whatshisface and it's just fine.

/hides himself from the VGM people.

I'm not saying I'm not sad, I'm just saying it'll be alright.

There goes the last remnant of Team Silent, I guess.

I don't think there's any question whether another talented composer can get it done, but it's not the same. Not the Yamaoka point of view.

That's FF though... this is Silent Hil... something that is indeed very special and different.

It's a pretty valid comparison, though. I'm sure SH fans will whinge about this the same way FF fans whinged about that guy who's name escapes me right now. Nobuo Uematsu, maybe?

Homecoming wasn't made by Team Silent, and it's PURE UNADULTERATED LOVE. I for one, am not worried.

Yeah, you do make a valid point. I thoroughly enjoyed Homecoming although lots of people hated it.

Well, the guy's music and sound contributions meant something to all of my SH experiences so far. So yeah I'm sad to potentially lose that and I don't think it's terrible to say so.

I'm not saying I'm not sad

I didn't know that was supposed to be empathy, actually.

I am going full bore optimism, for a reason. I probably am somewhat scared.

I think I would be scared if Mary Elizabeth McGlynn stopped doing the vocals for the series...

Rumor now confirmed (http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=6037), sadly.

:(

My intention wasn't to be flippant about him leaving, it was to be as optimistic as possible. I just don't want to be someone who just throws something away because one thing changes, even if it is a REALLY big thing. Like I said, I have reason to be optimistic, I love the game that wasn't done by the original team. Still, it's a horrible loss. The music is part of the overall experience and certainly makes up a big part of my love for the games, even if I'm not the kind of person who can readily name individual instrumental tracks.

Just trying to keep an open mind and my head up. Didn't mean to upset ya, DJ.

It fucking sucks.

I didn't want to give off the impression I was pulling a Chicken Little. I think I understand, it's not like the major stuff hasn't already been handed off to entirely different teams already. I just really like what the guy has brought to the equation for a decade now. Only I and maybe IDX are into the SH VGM stuff so yeah, I thought no one else cared very much.

Anyway I wasn't upset with you, just a bit annoyed with having another 'maverick' opinion that no one seemed to agree with again.

I must say, I'm quite saddened by this news :(. I've loved the SH music and I thought he did a great job with helping the series keep its "creepy" element.

I wonder how future SH music is going to sound...

I don't think you were in any danger of having a maverick opinion. I highly doubt there is anyone who isn't going to be surprised and saddened by this. The more I look at my original posts, the more I'm o_O at myself.

Those came from the Neg that has no right walking into Silent Hill threads. Still, it's probably that optimism that is going to see me through. Especially if what that one guy in the Shattered Memories OSt thread said. If they're aiming to reboot the series, AND are going to have new music. Wow, just culture shock.

We'll see where it goes, though.

I didn't want to give off the impression I was pulling a Chicken Little. I think I understand, it's not like the major stuff hasn't already been handed off to entirely different teams already. I just really like what the guy has brought to the equation for a decade now. Only I and maybe IDX are into the SH VGM stuff so yeah, I thought no one else cared very much.

I care... :(

Being more of a Yamaoka fan than just his SH stuff, I'm more interested in what he'll be doing next.

I know it's already posted.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/silent-hills-akira-yamaoka-officially-leaves-konami/

I forgot to mention, another sad leave was David Wise. Composer of the great Donkey Kong Country music and many others.
He resigned from Rare on October 30.

:(

Man this is so bad, SH completely died to me if he doesn't continue working on the game's music.
Because to me, Yamaoka wasn't just music for the game it powers the expression of the setting, the music gets you so in it that puts on red alert, play an SH with headphones was great experience with his music, man.......................................

So long Akira, I wish you the best.
May your future compositions be more than perfect.

This sucks, Yamaoka is one of the greatest vg musicians, also his works were the prime reason i played all SH games. It isn�t going to be the same now :(

Well, now the last part of what was keeping me connected to this series is gone. I guess it is for the best, since I felt the series died with the 4th entry.

You know, just because Akira Yamaoka left Konami doesn't necessarily mean that he won't do anymore composing for the Silent Hill series. He could go freelance like Nobuo Uematsu or Hitoshi Sakimoto. Both were originally employees of Square before they struck out on their own and yet they still do composing for Squarenix games. Perhaps he just wanted to broaden his horizons in terms of what genres of games he wanted to work on. who knows. I just don't think his departure means the end of him working on music for the Silent Hill games quite yet. We just have to see what happens.

Meh, it'll be just like Tatsh. He'll release awesome music and everyone'll be like "Ooooooh...with this sucks" and people will still play Rislim -remix-.

hehe

I guess he wants to improve his skills and do something different as Silent Hill. Surely it's hard if people reduce you to just one project.

BTW leaving Konami doesn't mean to leave Silent Hill :)