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Akira Ueda

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Ueda, Akira. "History". Audio Games. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b Robinson, Andy (May 22, 2006). "Suda 51: Contact established". Computer and Video Games. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Ueda, Akira. "Company". Audio Games. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
  6. ^ Spencer (September 3, 2009). "Sakura Note Team Talks Localization". Siliconera. Retrieved 2009-09-03.
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