The lights are on
UPDATE: Akira Yamaoka himself has confirmed with OCV his previously rumored departure from Konami. We wish the musician the best in his future (hopefully horror-related) endeavors.ORIGINAL STORY: If you’re a fan of Konami’s seminal horror series, Silent Hill, then you're no doubt familiar with the eerie, mood-setting music that proliferate the games. Akira Yamaoka, the man responsible for composing the unsettling tunes, is rumored to have left Konami after 16 years with the company.According to Aeropause, Yamaoka opted to leave the company instead of transferring to a different international division. The report also indicates that he’s likely taking a vacation after his departure. We hope he doesn’t try any foggy, secluded resort towns.With the quality of the Silent Hill series slipping as the years pass, Konami desperately needs to retain every facet that makes the series infamously frightening. Unfortunately for Konami, Yamaoka was one such asset, and if the rumor of his departure is true then series’ fate may become even more dire.We've contacted Konami for confirmation.
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That's a real shame. Yamaoka is a talented man, and his contributions to SH are some of the best musical compositions ever created for a game.
the Silent Hill franchise has been going downhill since part 4 (it wasn't even a real Silent Hill game!).
I really hope that this is just a rumor and not true. I really love the Silent Hill games and the scary music that goes with the games. But if it is true, I would be really sad at Yamaoka leaving, because his music makes the games awesome to play.
DUDE! Thats a shame man. Yamaoka is a beast at what he does. The music in that game is so good I actually bought the soundtracks. The guys has talent. The song with the stairs on fire is the best though. When Laura is acting the way she always does, like an absolute idiot. But I'd rather it be him leaving Konami than Uematsu Leaving the Final Fantasy franchise.
@Christian: Part 4 was still scary bro! lol
I really hope this isn't true, because if it is, this would be another step to the series' downfall (I actually liked Homecoming). His work is easily some, if not the, best in gaming and I'm close to owning all the soundtracks. SH just won't be the same.
Also, do we really have people who have to say first?
Well, that sucks.
i loved silent hill. poor pyrimid head.....or however you spell it >.>
Wow. That is a huge loss.
It is such a shame what has happened to the series.
I met Yamaoka years ago at a Konami event. Very nice guy, we talked about music for a bit. After that, I ran into him a few years later and I didn't recognize him because he'd died his hair. So, he comes up to me to chat, and I give the look like he's crazy because I don't recognize him. I still feel bad about that.
For anyone that doesn't quite recall Silent Hill's music, here's a link to possibly my favorite track by Yamaoka:
www.youtube.com/watch
CONFIRMED and totally bummed. Per producer/vocalist/lyricist Joe Romersa, "sad, but true." *SOB*
If this news is accurate and true then it is nothing short of a terrible loss for Konami...
jeez, goodbye Akira, we miss u already.
Wow... having to get a new composer for these games is going to take some time... could you see John Williams doing Silent Hill? I can't... perhaps Danny Elfman? XD
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Konami is garbage in my eyes now, So this is great news from my point of view.
The music was the best part of the game...
So many good SH songs ...
NOOOOOO!!!!! That is arguably the best part of the games. ANGRY FACE
That's terrible...I'm a fan of all the Silent Hills, and to see the original creator leave is just disheartening...does that mean the new Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is being canceled, or are they doing it without him?..
Oh, really, this is such a shame. This is almost just like taking Pyramid head out of the Silent Hill series. He's the heart and soul.