Sometime in 1996
I had something echoing in my head. That was the day that Radiant Silvergun
was born. However, I can't remember the exact date of this big event.
I'm awful at remembering things…
Sometime in November, 1996
The game's plot was progressing, moving forward inside my head. While doing
this, I was given a team. With tears in my eyes, I thought at length, "Thi…
Thi… This is my chance! The time for me to make the shooting game of
my dreams has come!!" I gave myself to this industry, to make a shooting
game, but when I tried, without exception, unhappiness pounced on me. For
the past nine years, I hadn't even been permitted to touch the "Sh"
in "Shooting game".
"Ahh, Thank you God. I'm elated," and I rushed onto the road of
good fortune.
Sometime in December, 1996
The plan was shaping up. The team's preparations for next year's start were
going smoothly. "My heart is spinning around the world, ha ha ha,"
I was in a thoroughly optimistic mood. "Next year looks like a radiant
year."
However…
Sometime in January, 1997
I found myself in a tight squeeze. Over the New Year's Holidays, I ate some
good mochi*, and the sake was also delicious.
For my radiant future, I made the traditional New Year's Day shrine visit.
"What happened? What's wrong? What did I do? God, I don't understand
what's wrong with me. Mercy, please give me mercy."
January 31, 1997
On this day, my company disappeared…no one survived…
February 1, 1997
A Dark Day.
Sometime in February, 1997
Will this be okay? No, not at all. I can't let my Silvergun die! "Anywhere
is fine. Borrow my strength! Just ask!"
Later in February, 1997
With my design documents in hand, I made the rounds at game companies that
seemed like they could make this game…
I gave it my best…but without exception…people just frowned when
they heard about shooting games. When people said things like, "Aren't
shooting games dead?" I stopped visiting game makers.
Still later in February, 1997
A phone call came from Treasure. While they encouraged me by saying things
like "Won't you return?" and "Why don't you try again?"
I thought "Treasure makes action games. Can I make a shooting game
for them?"
Sometime in March, 1997
I broke down. (Yes, okay) I hadn't drawn a "dot painting"
in almost six months, so I had a feeling of "Give me some kind of job!
Even if I can't start my shooting game now it will be okay!!"
March 20, 1997
So, I returned to Treasure, and everyone knows what happened after that.
I really appreciate Treasure's generous, open-minded president!! (Masato
Maegawa)
(I was able to start about six months later)
Okay, let's talk about this CD. Before the RADIANT SILVERGUN SOUNDTRACK + arrived, there were two CD singles released. The first was a limited game show edition, which sold for 1200yen (about $10 US) and included three tracks: RETURN, DEBRIS, and PENTA. The differences of this CD are that RETURN is a different version, and each song has a somewhat different mix. The second CD was a campaign disc, which was sent to everyone who reserved the Saturn version of the game. It was a collection of seven so-called out takes that were not in the game. Basically, this CD is the campaign CD and RS Soundtrack. (Incidentally, we're hearing now that people want the campaign CD, but that's too bad). As fans of Mr. Sakimoto, we'd like to have all his work, right?
This project was demanding on Sakimoto in many ways. I think I was surely an obnoxious director who made many abstract demands. So I really appreciate that (Sakimoto) answered my demands and met my expectations 100%. He made wonderfully exciting, burning music. Although the bright image of Treasure's Gunstar Heroes had been captured, at the end I asked for songs that expressed "Tragedy that can't be overcome by destiny" and "The feeling of surpassing before the destruction". I was answered with songs like "The Stone Like" and "Karma". Even now, I am moved to tears when I hear the The Stone Like. (Not because it reminds me of hard times during the game's development!)
Also, two days before the master was up and running, we greatly inconvenienced him by suddenly changing the audio dubbing in the ending movie. This confirmed my inadequate direction and decision-making abilities. If it were just a regular musician, and not Sakimoto, we would have gotten into a fight.
I thought, if it's okay with him, I would like to ask him to work on the next title too, but that doesn't seem possible now. I have high expectations for when we are able to work again, and I would like to wish Mr. Sakimoto health and prosperity.
*Mochi: a small, round rice cake; which can be eaten with condiments such as kinako (roasted soy bean flour), manju (sweet red bean paste), soy sauce dip, and seaweed.
© 2004 Silver Translations