Ragnarok: The Imperial Princess of Light and Dark (Interview)

Hideki Sakamoto: The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for creating this wonderful opportunity.

OSV: Can you start by telling us how you were approached by GungHo Online to work on this game? Given that the franchise is rooted in Korea, was it explained to you why they were looking for a composer from Japan to score the game?

Sakamoto: I had received a direct offer from Mr. Yokoyama who is a game producer at GungHo. It appeared that he took an interest in the music in my titles, Echochrome and What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord?. I think that because the release is to be handled by a Japanese company that a Japanese individual such as myself was brought on board.

OSV: The music from the Ragnarok franchise is famous for its memorable pop-oriented compositions by soundTeMP. Previous spin-offs (including Ragnarok DS) featured re-used music from the online game. Do you know what went into the team’s decision to create an all new score for this game, and did you feel pressure to meet fans’ expectations given their love for the original Ragnarok Online soundtrack?

Sakamoto: I didn’t feel any pressure at all. I think it is important for me to have creative freedom without having to be constraint by previous titles. This time all the tracks are brand new but it is not my plan to take away from the series’s image as seen in previous titles.

OSV: Did you take the time to familiarize yourself with the music from Ragnarok Online before taking on this project?  As an originally-developed Korean title, did this have any bearing on what you went about to create for the game?

Sakamoto: I wanted to have a fresh take on the series so I must apologize that I did not listen to the music in the original Ragnarok Online before starting my work. I am not very familiar with the differences between game music in Japan and Korea and truthfully I am not influenced by anything in particular when I begin composing. This time what I did to familiarize myself with the project was to look over scenario and character materials and game system mechanics to shape what I’d imagine the music would be like in my head.

OSV: The visuals in the Ragnarok universe are also very distinctive. How did the vibrant graphics and other gameplay elements (including the strategy RPG genre) factor into your sound for the game?

Sakamoto: When composing music, I thought I would make music that would not be distracting. Compared to my other works, it is a bit rare but I think there is a lot of tracks that have a melody with a restrained rhythm in them.

OSV: The music we’ve heard in the gameplay videos is very pop-oriented, almost emulating the original Ragnarok Online music in style. What directions were given to you regarding how the game should sound, and was it challenging to write this kind of music?

Sakamoto: Although the producer did not indicate that he wanted the soundtrack to have an especially pop-oriented sound, perhaps in requesting for me to work on this project that may have been the intention. I am rather skilled in that type of music so I was able to compose music with very little difficulty.

OSV: You’ve been known for your work with live session players, so what tools did you use to create this soundtrack? Are there live players, and do you perform yourself on the soundtrack?

Sakamoto: This time around, I created all the music electronically via a computer. Thus, there was no performances by myself or other studio musicians. However, the timbre is real so maybe it will sound like a live performance to some people.

OSV: How many minutes of music are you writing for the game, and will all of the music be featured on the special soundtrack disc that is launching with the game in Japan? Do you know at this time of the game will be released in Korea and elsewhere in the world, and will the soundtrack be available outside of this limited edition

Sakamoto: I wrote 11 tracks for the game, totaling around 20 minutes of music. As for the soundtrack release, it will only be available as a pre-order bonus as of this time.

OSV: What are some of the unique challenges and most rewarding moments you experienced while working on this title?

Sakamoto: This time I thought about how I shouldn’t overuse electronic instruments where I could. For battle tracks, I knew it would be the easy route to just use an electric guitar but I stubbornly tried to utilize an acoustic guitar where possible. So in trying to bring out the intensity of a battle, it did prove to be a bit of a challenge but it was a good experience.

OSV: If you had to pick a character class from the Ragnarok universe that best represents who you are as a person, what character class would you be and why?

Sakamoto: Without a doubt, I would be an acolyte. Despite my outward appearance, I’m an indoor-type of a person who is a bit lacking in energy.

OSV: Is there anything you’d like to say to fans in Japan and abroad who were fans of the original Ragnarok Online game and its soundtracks regarding your soundtrack to Ragnarok: The Imperial Princess of Light and Dark? Is there anything they should keep in mind when they listen the soundtrack?

Sakamoto: I think everyone can experience a whole new Ragnarok in this game. There is a lot of music that has orchestration at its core, so at any rate I’d like to some day perform some of the music at one of my concerts. I would be rather pleased if everyone enjoys the passionate and sentimental tracks in the game.

OSV: Thank you for your time. We can’t wait to hear your music in the game!

Sakamoto: Thank you very much for this opportunity!

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[Thanks to Christopher Ling and Kai Ohler for translation]

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