 |
| Patrick Gann |
We're going to get emotional... and review that new Xenogears CD.
03.27.11 - 7:55 PM
Hey everyone. It's Patrick "Ramza" Gann here. Today I'm making my final post as an RPGFan editor.
I started at RPGFan in 1999 with no real vision for what I wanted to do. I just wanted to contribute to a cool site. I think I lucked out, big time. With the exception of a two-year hiatus (2001 to 2003), I've been pretty active on the site since that 1999 start year. And I've been the head of the soundtracks section for the past eight years. Along the way I've also written a boatload of game reviews, gone to E3 a few times, and generally had a wonderful time. The other RPGFan staff are fantastic people. I could go on for pages and pages about how great they all are. But I won't.
Even though it's hard for me to let go, I'm not worried about what's going to happen. I've spent the better part of the last month putting one of our newer staffers, Stephen Meyerink, through the ringer. He is now fully trained to provide you, dear reader, with quality soundtrack reviews on a regular basis. He also informs me that he'd like to overcome that terrible barrier I never could: switching from RealAudio to something -- anything -- else for our audio samples. Please support him in his new role as head of the RPGFan Soundtracks section. One way to do this is by submitting your own reviews for the section. It gives him more work!
(Good news for me: Stephen told me I can contribute as a guest for the soundtracks section should some amazing VGM stand out from time to time. I'll try to chime in once or twice a year!)
I've chosen to leave the site for entirely personal reasons. I'm still a gamer, still a lover of RPGs, and certainly still a fan of VGM. But I can no longer provide quality, time-sensitive coverage to RPGs and their music. That's why I'm heading out. I'll still be active on the forums if you want to keep in touch.
I'm going out with a bang today, though. Two excellent, fully orchestrated albums are coming your way.
First up! Ni no Kuni (the DS version) was released in Japan. Its soundtrack, written entirely by Joe Hisaishi (famous for his work with Hayao Miyazaki on films such as Spirited Away), is done entirely with a recorded orchestra. I believe it's the Tokyo Philharmonic, or the Tokyo Metropolitan: one of those... basically, it's awesome. You'll not want to miss out.
Second, we have a double-review for that new Xenogears orchestral album entitled "Myth." Our editor-in-chief Eric Farand, alongside our new soundtracks head Stephen Meyerink, weigh in with semi-contrasting opinions on the quality of this surprise release.
Much love, everyone. Much love.
