Silent Hill composer and producer Akira Yamaoka, in his new role at Grasshopper Manufacture, tells Gamasutra in a
new interview that he hopes to produce content that will surprise people who have followed his career.
"I appreciate the fact that you said a lot of people care about what Akira Yamaoka does. And there's this association of Akira Yamaoka and
Silent Hill and the mood there -- there's a specific sort of flavor, and twisted color, and a personality that's followed me around where I've created, thanks to the work that I've done and my accomplishments," Yamaoka said.
"To a certain extent, I've produced and delivered content I either favor or appreciate as the creator. Up until now, that was my approach... However, in today's entertainment, the key is to be able to quickly provide content that is enjoyable, fun, and entertaining to the user. Whether it be online games or social networking-related, the user is in control and in the driver's seat."
He also said that in the current creative environment of Grasshopper Manufacture, he faces challenges in making a direct creative contribution to projects.
"This is not to say that I'm completely giving in, as I will continue to produce my own work -- one that defines who I am. However, at the same time, I would like to produce content that will reach an audience who isn't familiar with my work and me," he said.
"So in essence, I'm almost starting to do a complete 180, where I want to create content that maybe by the time you finish you're like, 'Oh my gosh, this is from Akira Yamaoka?! Wow, this is completely new to me! It isn't a side of Akira Yamaoka that I knew. Well, he's evolved, or he's changed, or something has happened.'"
He suggested we might catch a glimpse of the next Akira Yamaoka project soon, however. "And so hopefully if all goes well, maybe by the end of this year we might be able to deliver content that fits that profile that I just talked about," he said.
The full interview, an extensive conversation with the renowned creator, is
live now on Gamasutra.
