Paris-based Yullaby has been climbing the ranks since 2006, and they are very close to releasing an awesome-looking puzzle game on WiiWare called Magnetis. It has a really cool mechanic and an incredible soundtrack by Nino himself. Check it out:

http://wiiware.nintendolife.com/news/2009/06/magnetis_wiiware_trailer

Support startup developers! Keep an eye out, or check back here often; I’ll announce as soon as it’s through Nintendo approval and released to the public.

I don’t often (uh, actually never) post about other people’s work here, but this is too good to pass by – Joshua Morse, who many of you know from his awesome game music arrangements, has released an EP of 5 tracks done entirely using FM synthesis. It was recorded on various ancient hardware devices and software recreations thereof, capturing the sound of 80s genesis/arcade soundtracks in the styles of funk, jazz, soul, and the like. The range of timbres and colors in jm’s work is amazing, and he has a great sense of harmony. These tracks are pure groove, and the best use of FM I’ve heard in a long time. Go listen right away.

WAVEFORM

While you’re at it, browse around at iimusic – they have some AWESOME people on board, including the inimitable, maniacal Norrin Radd.

For starters, E3′s reputation as a shock to the senses is well-deserved, but I heard it was much worse last year. I’m glad, because I wouldn’t have been able to take it. I saw many awesome things, but I’ll leave the writeups to professionals.

I was there with my company, Gameloft, and spent most of the time with my intimidatingly talented Parisian and Quebecois counterparts, Romain and Mathieu, and our other work buddies. We had company meetings early in the week, and then rocked out at E3. My show on Tuesday was a total success, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity.

During the week, I hung out with SO MANY PEOPLE. Basehead, Mustin, Dale North, Mazedude, The Wingless, Zyko, Arcubalis, Atooi, Pyro (the dude who started my entire career!), Antony and Pete (the dudes who made Legend of Kay!) and various other new and old friends. Between the show, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Hollywood, we were all over the place, and it was all incredibly therapeutic. I could write a book about all the fun we had: ”How to Good-Bye Depression: Go Los Angeres with Very Friends”

So, I’ve been thinking. I stupidly neglected to make and hand out business cards, and I’m long overdue for a nice clean website for the promotion of my freelance career. I love this site, but it’s obviously personal stuff, and there’s so much music just laying around that potential clients have nowhere to start. Besides, they’d probably end up listening to bubble bobble a cappella first, and be all “Forget this idiot, why did you send me here?”

I guess, then, this means another entry on my truly epic list of junk to do. Yay!

I had no idea how One Bit Music was going to pull off an entire set just standing around with a jewel case full of circuitry, but he played live drums the whole time, and it was EXCELLENT! Then Bit Shifter got up and blew up the speakers (literally!) with a fantastic set.
Then it was my turn and the PA’s tweeter was gone – so everything was bassy and there were no highs. Nevertheless, My lighting rig (four RGB LED cans controlled via MIDI, and a green 3D laser) worked flawlessly, choreographed to the music. It flashed at dramatic points, washed the stage during buildups, and simulated everything from lightning to police beacons. I shredded on guitar and went nuts on keys – both at once, as a finale – and having practiced for over 2 months, I didn’t screw up as much as I should have, given how nervous I was.

I got to meet several people who are big in the chip scene, and was surrounded by friends. This sort of positive energy was really, really badly needed, as I’ve been pretty stressed out lately.

One of the songs I played is from a still-unreleased game, so I can’t give it out yet – but here are most of them. This also marks my first releases using two new tools: Little Sound DJ and MML.

1. Enter the Dragon Theme (VOPM / YM2151)
2. Bread Command (LSDJ / Gameboy)
3. Thriller (2A03+VRC6 / S3M) [s3m source]
4. Dracula Man X2 Alpha Turbo (PC Engine / HuSIC) [mml source] [HES compiled file]
5. Blast Off Again (Korg OASYS FM, 8 Channels)
6. FX3 Preview (NES + VOPM)
7. Katamari Damacy Theme (NES + VRC6) [s3m source]

Hope you enjoy these. I’m back in the studio in a big way now that I’m all settled in, and between my own projects, VGMix development, work, and a few indie projects, I am happily keeping busy.

Thanks so much to everyone who came out and everyone who listens, to Peter (herr_prof) for putting this whole thing together, and to The Tank for having us out there. I can’t wait to do it again.