This interview was originally published in May 2004 on Defunktion.net:
Founder of Japanese game (and sound toy) development house NanaOn-Sha, Matsuura-san is responsible for creating several games which blend music with rhythm-based play; his latest title, Vib Ripple, utilises the Sony Playstation 2 coupled with a digital camera, generating unique playable levels based upon real-world photographs taken by the user. If ever there was a game for designers, this may be it.
“I have no point of reference for how a dog should sing…”
Q:When and why did you begin creating?
A:I started my career as a musician. I was signed to Sony from 1983 - 1993, making music on my computer and working with a singer, Chaka. I released 10 albums in all, under the name PSY-S (pronounced ’size’). I guess the music sounded a little like Yazoo or Depeche Mode. Eventually I began to think about interactivity. My first experiments didn’t work, I had decided I wanted to attempt to express good and bad together. My focus shifted to exploring interactive music creation.
Q:What was the first commercial project you worked on?
A:Before PaRappa the Rapper, I created several digital music toys - The Seven Colours, TOOL-X and Tunin’ Glue ().
Q:What are you currently working on?
A:I’ve just finished Vib-Ripple; I’m working on the latest Sony Aibo ERS-7 - creating the sound for it. I was surprised to think about who, or what, the music player is. I’ve never understood what a robot is, Aibo is both a dog and a robot - I have no point of reference for how a dog should sing. This project is post-virtual reality, post-digital-creation; after this I will continue to work on pieces for real environments.
Q:What has been your favourite project so far?
A:This is a very tough question. I really love PaRappa, but some other projects are much closer to me. i think the most important thing is the character; sometimes I love them and sometimes I hate them.
Q:When you aren’t creating, what are you doing?
A:I love playing with my dogs! I have a rubber dog and a real dog and I like to play with them.
Q:Where does your inspiration come from?
A:I take my inspiration from the smallest of things. I have a friend, a really smart guy, but when he talks he makes akward hand movements. Very repetitive, almost obssessive! Maybe he’s not aware that he’s doing it, but I realise it helps him express himself. Looking at these movements, these strange and important things, plants the seed and the idea begins to grow.
Q:Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A:Sometimes I feel that no-one wants me to make a new game or toy. Going to events such as GDC, meeting the people and feeling the atmosphere changes my mind though - it encourages me to continue creating. In ten years I’ll be over fifty! My friends will have retired. But I’m a creator, and will be until I die.
Q:If you hadn’t become a game-designer/toy-maker/musician, what would you be doing?
A:A sushi chef! Or creating strange embroidery!
Q:What are you going to do, when you finish answering these questions?
A:I’m going to go play with my dogs!
Related Links:
NanaOn-Sha
Aibo ERS-7
PSY-S Discography
Mojib-Ribbon
Vib-Ripple
Um Jammer: Live at the Roxy ‘99
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