One of the video game industry's most recognized music producers and composers is responsible for some of the medium's most memorable scores, Nobuo Uematsu's influence on generations of fans and talent within the business resonates within the games he's contributed towards, from Rad Racer to Square Enix's Final Fantasy series, and anime such as Granblue Fantasy: The Animation. Active for over 40 years, the keyboardist wishes to place more focus elsewhere for the rest of his career.

During an interview with German newspaper outlet Die Zeit (paywall), Uematsu states that he does not intend to compose music for a full video game again, instead choosing to focus more on the work with his band. At 64 years of age, it's understandable that one would like to wind down their workload. In 2018, he chose to take a hiatus due to fatigue and growing health concerns. His last major work included reuniting with long-time friend and former Square Enix co-worker Hironobu Sakaguchi (the father of the Final Fantasy series) to compose a score for Fantasian, an iOS role-playing game from Mistwalker studios available through Apple services. 

Square Enix/Final Fantasy Legend, Nobuo Uematsu says he doesn't think he's ever going to compose music for an entire game again.

He said he wants to spend the time he has left on other projects.

Source: https://t.co/uM6kqhnwqY pic.twitter.com/nDKsFYUL6k

— Stealth (@Stealth40k) February 25, 2024

Uematsu worked for Square Enix from 1986 to 2004, composing music for 30 Final Fantasy games, including returning in 2021 to produce the main theme Hollow for Final Fantasy VII Remake. His name is credited for 119 video games such as Chrono Trigger, Lost Odyssey, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. He has also produced the main theme for Ah! My Goddess: The Movie, a movie released in 2000, based on the anime/manga. He has been referred to as the John Williams of video game music, being one of the first names to bring appreciation and awareness to the interactive medium.

SOURCES: Die Zeit