Masaya Matsuura: Music Consumes My Thoughts
In December of 1996, Sony Computer Entertainment unleashed PaRappa the Rapper onto the scene, a revolutionary game featuring a slim rapping dog named PaRappa on a mission to win the heart of his crush, Sunny Funny, a human-looking flower. Developed by NanaOn-Sha, a game studio established by Japanese pop icon Masaya Matsuura, of the band Psy•s, this game quickly became a worldwide sensation due to its endearing aesthetics by American artist Rodney Greenblat and catchy tunes that covered topics ranging from martial arts to urgent bathroom needs.
More than just a game, PaRappa the Rapper is heralded as the pioneer of the rhythm game genre, laying the foundation for future titles such as Sega’s Samba De Amigo and the popular Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises. Despite its success, before diving headfirst into game development, Matsuura had a flourishing music career with Psy•s. His passion for music dates back to his childhood, where music was all he could think about, attributing a deeper significance to it beyond the melodies and rhythms we hear.
Reflecting on his music career, Matsuura was introduced to the Fairlight CMI, a groundbreaking digital synthesizer that was instrumental in shaping his early music compositions by using sampling technology. This experience sparked his interest in exploring various dimensions of digital audio and allowed him to experiment with changing sounds at different bitrates, inspiring his approach to music production.
When asked about his exposure to games before transitioning into game development, Matsuura shared that his gaming experiences primarily revolved around classics like Pong, Space Invaders, and Xevious from the 1980s. Unlike his peers in the industry, Matsuura’s entry into game development was unplanned, triggered solely by the success of PaRappa the Rapper. He candidly admitted to being oblivious to the gaming landscape and preferring to focus on his musical strengths rather than comparing himself to others.
Moreover, Matsuura delved into his early game projects like Metamor Jupiter and The Seven Colors: Legend of PSY•S City, emphasizing how these interactive experiences intertwined with his music. His unconventional journey from a music icon to a game developer showcases his unique perspective on blending music and gaming seamlessly, marking him as a maverick in the industry.
In conclusion, Masaya Matsuura’s venture from a music maestro to a game developer illuminates the interconnectedness between music and gaming, epitomized by the timeless classic PaRappa the Rapper. His unorthodox approach and creative vision have left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape, bridging the gap between two distinct art forms and inspiring a new generation of game developers to think beyond traditional boundaries.