Kirkhope’s resignation explanation
Initially, he "won’t be doing any composing at Big Huge Games"
For fans of his music (ie. everyone), Grant Kirkhope’s hop across the pond back in July may have happened a bit quick for it to truly sink in. Now with the dust settled and the boxes unpacked, Grant decided to expand on his reasons for moving on to Big Huge Games in an interview at Overclocked ReMix, covering the gamut of his career at Rare along the way.
It’s a fair question- why leave co-workers and friends after such a long stint? “I think I knew it was time for me to take on more responsibility. I still wanted to provide assets for the games, but wanted to have more control over the general direction of the audio.” Of course, this sort of change brings sacrifices. “Initially, I won’t be doing any composing here at BHG. My role here is to provide the overall direction for how the audio will sound in the games we have going.” For our sake, we hope Grant doesn’t go the way of Koji Kondo, despite it being pleasing to see the guy invigorated. “The most important part of the move here was for me to feel excited about games again, that “can’t wait to get to work in the morning” feel that I had at Rare all those years ago… and I’ve got it! I’m sure I’ll be back to composing as well as sound design in the future.”
The experience provides a sharp contrast to thirteen years prior, which as Grant describes, paints a rather rude awakening. “When I first arrived I was given Donkey Kong [Land] 2 on the Game Boy to do. Dave Wise showed me how to do it but it was all in Hex, I hadn’t a clue what he was talking about. I thought I was going to have to resign…!” A far cry from the sophisticated equipment and extensive sound teams of the now, but it had its perks. “I do really [prefer working alone], but it’s just not possible today, the games are far too big.” Case in point, Nuts & Bolts features over half of Rare’s musicians on staff, rather fitting for a composer’s send-off. “I don’t think it changes [the creative process] too much, it just takes a bit of sorting out who does what.”
While Grant’s future projects are currently under lock and key (sound familiar?), he sounds excited to reveal whatever the Maryland team is toiling away at soon enough: “The projects here are very exciting and I really am enjoying working on them along with the rest of the audio team… but it’s all a bit secret… shhhhhh!”
Surely any Rare fan will be keeping an eye on whatever Big Huge releases next, for we definitely will be. Good luck, Grant!
Somehow related news
- Composer Grant Kirkhope leaves Rare ()
- Rare’s secret titles go smart ()
- Banjo and crew hit Facebook ()
- “Banjo’s new look is meant to be self-referential” ()
- Glitches & Secrets in the Nuts & Bolts demo ()
“under lock and key (sound familiar?)”
Well, no, I’ve never heard of SnS.
Comment by Anon — 17.Oct.08 @ 5:37 pm