Nobuo Uematsu, the legendary composer best known for shaping the sound of the Final Fantasy series, has once again shared his thoughts on the current state of game music. While the gaming industry continues to grow into one of the largest entertainment sectors in the world, Uematsu believes composers are facing more restrictions than ever before. Instead of enjoying the freedom to experiment and create bold, distinctive works, many find themselves boxed in by industry expectations. The result, he argues, is music that feels safer, more predictable, and less adventurous compared to the classics of the past.

Limited Freedom for Composers

In his recent interview, Uematsu noted that directors and producers now hold enormous influence over how game soundtracks are created. Decisions about tone, instrumentation, and even melody are often dictated from the top. No matter how talented or experienced a composer might be, they frequently struggle to express their ideas in full.

Uematsu also suggested that the problem comes partly from a lack of musical awareness among producers. In his view, many simply don’t understand or appreciate the vast variety of musical traditions around the world. Because of this, they tend to favor what is safe and familiar. Too often, game soundtracks are shaped to resemble big Hollywood-style orchestral scores, sometimes imitating the style of John Williams. While Williams’ work is undeniably brilliant, Uematsu believes relying too heavily on this template makes the landscape of game music sound repetitive.

Inspiration from Elton John

Despite his criticisms, Uematsu drew inspiration from one of his musical idols: Elton John. He explained that Elton John, while always mindful of the commercial realities of the music industry, consistently managed to create powerful and original songs. This balance of artistry and accessibility, Uematsu believes, is exactly what game composers should strive for.

He even encouraged today’s musicians to experiment more boldly, suggesting unusual fusions such as combining techno beats with classical orchestral arrangements. For Uematsu, this kind of creative risk-taking is what keeps music exciting and alive.

The Missing “Weirdness” in Modern Game Music

One of Uematsu’s strongest criticisms was directed at the overly polished nature of modern game soundtracks. With the rise of digital synthesizers, sequencers, and advanced software, many soundtracks today are clean and technically flawless. Yet in his opinion, this very polish has stripped away the “weirdness” that once made game music feel fresh and memorable.

He pointed to his own work on the iconic Final Fantasy VII track “One-Winged Angel” as an example. At the time, the idea of blending Latin choral chants with a rock-inspired orchestral piece was unusual, and some of his own teammates opposed the concept. But that “strangeness” became one of the most celebrated pieces of game music in history.

Hope for the Next Generation

Despite the challenges, Uematsu remains hopeful about the future. He expressed optimism that the new generation of composers, many of whom grew up listening to his work, will bring fresh ideas and bold creativity into the field. What he hopes to see most is courage: the willingness to break away from industry norms, to push beyond safe formulas, and to surprise players with sounds they did not expect.

For Uematsu, that spark of originality is the key to keeping game music alive. As long as young composers continue to chase unique ideas rather than play it safe, the art form will never lose its soul.