In an exclusive post on the PlayStation.Blog, Audio Director of Sucker Punch Rev. Dr. Bradley D Meyer spoke in-depth about the two composers who brought the Ghost of Tsushima music to life. The audio director also touched on the process of creating the score and the game’s themes.
In response to the horde of fans who wanted to know more about the atmospheric music featured in the trailers, Meyer was keen to answer all of their questions. The director explained that the initial process involved sampling music from film, television and other games that were inspirational and captured the tone of Ghost. This process lead the audio team back to two composers, Ilan Eshkeri and Shigeru “Ume” Umebayashi. Meyer noted that the team instantly wanted the musical creators to come on-board.
Meyer’s post then turned to answer why Sucker Punch wanted two composers for the game and the answer was simple. “Ghost of Tsushima is BIG” said the director who acknowledged how the vast world within the game had to be supported musically. He also commented on how the score had to compliment Jin’s emotional transformation from regimented samurai to stealthy ghost. Meyer complimented the two composer’s ability to thread emotion throughout Ghost’s story, combat and exploration equally.
Eshkeri’s scores for 47 Ronin and Stardust had memorable melodies throughout that sometimes featured instrumental experimentation which was a big influence to the team. Like any good game score, Meyer knew that Ghost had to have a recognizable theme that would stick in the mind of the player and Eshkeri seemed like the perfect man for the job.
Umebayashi, on the other hand, is a veteran among film composers who has scored for classics including House of Flying Daggers and The Grandmaster. Meyer touched on the composers skill in drawing the audiences mind back to certain places in time through his music. Umebayashi was given a set of keywords used to describe the emotional curve of protagonist Jin including, Serenity, Occupation, Exile, Haunting and Sanctuary that the composer referred to when creating the game’s main themes.
Meyer concluded by touching on the recording process that was done partly in London at Abbey Road and Air Studios and partially in Tokyo as well as Buddhist monks from the Honjyuji and Myounji temples that chanted for the recording.
The score created for this 13th century adventure might very well be a masterpiece as well as the game itself and the brief insight into its creation makes it all the more special.
Ghost of Tsushima will be released July 17.
Source: PlayStation.Blog
