Akira Ueda
Akira Ueda (上田 晃, Ueda Akira) is a Japanese video game designer, director, graphical artist, and composer. After previously working for several notable companies, he currently designs games from his own company Audio, Inc.
Career
[edit]Ueda was born in 1970 in Tokyo, Japan.[1] He moved to Urayasu, Chiba at the age of 10. As a teenager, he took a part-time job at Tokyo Disney Resort, where he worked until 1988, when he attended Tokyo Design Academy. He was hired by Square in 1990.[1][2]
At Square, Ueda worked mostly as a background and map designer, most prominently on Super Mario RPG.[3] In 1995, he joined co-worker Kenichi Nishi and others in the establishment of the independent developer Love-de-Lic, where Ueda carried over his responsibilities from Square in the design of the company's first two releases.[1] In 1999, Ueda left Love-de-Lic and joined Grasshopper Manufacture. He continued to design backgrounds and maps, but his debut as a director came with the two Shining Soul games released for the Game Boy Advance. He was also directed and acted as the main designer for Contact on the Nintendo DS.[3][4]
Ueda left Grasshopper Manufacture in 2005 and founded Audio, Inc. the following January.[1] The company currently consists of Ueda and 8 other individuals.[5] So far, the company has made several Japan-exclusive releases on the DS, including its most recent game, Sakura Note: Ima ni Tsunagaru Mirai.[1][6]
Works
[edit]Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1991 | Final Fantasy IV | Sound effects |
1993 | Secret of Mana | Background and map design |
1996 | Super Mario RPG | |
1997 | Moon: Remix RPG Adventure | Background and map design, planning |
1999 | UFO: A Day in the Life | Background and map design |
2001 | Flower, Sun, and Rain | 3D map design |
2002 | Shining Soul | Director, background and map design |
2003 | Shining Soul II | |
2004 | Michigan: Report from Hell | Director |
2006 | Contact | Director, planning, scenario, background and map design |
2007 | Deltora Quest: Nanatsu no Houseki[1] | |
2008 | Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro: Neuro to Miko no Bishoku Sanmai | |
2009 | Sakura Note: Ima ni Tsunagaru Mirai | Designer |
2012 | Paper Mario: Sticker Star | Planning |
2013 | The Denpa Men 2: Beyond the Waves | UI design |
2013 | Megpoid the Music | UI design |
2013 | Fantasy Life Link | UI design |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Ueda, Akira. "History". Audio Games. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ^ Mafia, Kajita (November 7, 2009). 郷愁を誘う独特の雰囲気が魅力的な「サクラノート ~いまにつながるみらい~」開発者インタビュー [Charming and unique atmosphere of nostalgia, "Sakura Note: Ima ni Tsunagaru Mirai" Developer Interview] (in Japanese). 4Gamer.net. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
- ^ a b Robinson, Andy (May 22, 2006). "Suda 51: Contact established". Computer and Video Games. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
- ^ Sheffield, Brandon (June 1, 2006). "Killer Contact: A Chat with Grasshopper Manufacture's Suda51". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ^ Ueda, Akira. "Company". Audio Games. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
- ^ Spencer (September 3, 2009). "Sakura Note Team Talks Localization". Siliconera. Retrieved 2009-09-03.