Rumor: Square Enix in-house composers sent home

I’ve always loved Square Enix games because music never seemed to be an afterthought. I believe the soundtrack is such an important part of the experience, and the company’s releases always seemed to show that they were on the same page. Now, in a new string of layoffs, some of their best are being sent home.

Earlier we heard about Final Fantasy XIII composer Masashi Hamauzu jumping ship. That was one of their best. Now it seems that the company will make cuts for budgetary reasons and will send home the rest. Some of the listed composers have been at Square for 15 years now. According to the rumor, heavy hitters like Junya Nakano and Tsuyoshi Sekito are clearing out their cubicles now. Check out the full list after the jump.

What would Square Enix do for music after this? Outsource. Bleh. While these external composers and music houses would likely report to an internal music director, I still feel the move from in-house to outsourcing is placing a lesser focus on music.

In the scheme of things, these composers will still work, and I’m sure they’ll be fine. SEMO reports that Junya Nakano and Kumi Tanioka have recently become part of the sound alliance GE-ON-DAN. Hamauzu is looking to start up his own studio. Who knows? Maybe Square Enix will hire these guys for their next game score.

Square Enix Axes Music Staff [SEMO]

Masashi Hamauzu (Final Fantasy XIII, Dirge of Cerberus, SaGa Frontier II)
Junya Nakano (Final Fantasy X, Threads of Fate, Musashi: Samurai Legend)
Tsuyoshi Sekito (The Last Remnant, Dawn Of Mana)
Naoshi Mizuta (Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy Gaiden)
Kumi Tanioka (Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Chocobo series, Code Age Commanders)
Takeharu Ishimoto (The World Ends With You, Dissidia, Compilation of Final Fantasy VII)