Tetsuya Mizuguchi Interview [Eurogamer] [Pic]

We started on Xbox 360, but we have no reason not to provide this game to other platforms.

If I had a reason to remake Space Channel 5 on the new platforms, I will do that.

Going to meet Yoko Ono was inspiring for me.

I've heard from many who want to play the original Rez, but couldn't buy it in stores anymore. I feel that's the big reason why we're releasing Rez now. I can't say we're doing Rez 2. I am ready to go to the next level. Sequels are a good approach, and Rez is a life theme for me.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh... (grabs heart) Give me water... The Wii is special. It's not such a high def direction, but it's a fun direction as a future toy. That kind of idea always stimulates us in our ideas. This [the Wii] is another direction.

No, I wasn't nervous. He was nervous. During the filming, I had to give him direction like "relax."

Tetsuya Mizuguchi, the man behind Rez and Lumines, talks with The Guardian's Alek Krotoski. Miz, like usual, is a good interview with much to say about music, clubbing and those evil Lumines Live micro-transactions. And he offers this back story on working with The King of Pop:

We were in the middle of production of Space Channel 5, in 1998 or 1999. I got a call from the US from my partner (the exec producer of Space Channel 5), and he said, "Oh, Michael wants to act in Space Channel 5." I said, "Who's Michael?" "Who is Michael Jackson?," he said. "The Michael Jackson, the real Michael Jackson!"

My partner had shown him the 60-70% complete version, when it was almost at the end of the game. We had one month to finalise. But Michael wanted to do something so we suggested that if he was OK with it, we could programme the people in the game do the Michael Jackson dance when taken over by the aliens He said yeah. We initially had five aliens who danced. One of them became Michael Jackson.

And one of them is still is, Miz. Brian Ashcraft

Working With Jacko [Gamesblog]

While the American version of Lumines II featured the likes of Beck, Gwen Stefani and New Order, the Japanese release looks set to have totally different tunes. The game's creator Q Entertainment just announced that Japanese reggae band Def Tech will be lending it its tune "KONOMAMA" to the game. Never thought of it before, but Def Tech's music should vide well will Lumines puzzling. Hit the jump for the band's smash hit tune "My Way," which won't appear in the game but is still kewl. Brian Ashcraft

Def Tech Lends Tune To Lumines II [Famitsu]

Friday night. I was just wrapping up a handful of posts, ready to head to the Spike TV Video Game Awards. Despite my personal feelings for the VGAs, I was excited to attend. I'd get to talk to some famous and semi-famous folks on the red carpet, slip Rachel Leigh Cook my card, then watch Tenacious D rock out and bask in the insanity of the show. As I put away the laptop, my stomach warned me something was wrong.

I hadn't eaten but a handful of random snacks all day, so I assumed it was just hunger. Better eat a proper meal, I though. After heading down to the Galen Center at USC, I decided "I should get a Fatburger and put something in my stomach." One third of a Fatburger later, I threw in the napkin. Or towel. Back to the VGAs!

That's when, to my surprise, I saw Tetsuya Mizuguchi (of Rez and Lumines fame) walking out of the VIP area with two lovely ladies, one decked out in an Every Extend Extra t-shirt by Beams. I yell "Mizuguchi! Can I get a pic?" He complied, giving me his best goblin face. I thanked him, we shook hands and Miz sped off to catch up with CliffyB. They hugged! So sweet.

As I approached the two, ready to grab a shot, my stomach gave me the signal: this Fatburger is scheduled to launch within the hour. Shit. I grew more delirious as fever took over, but had the common sense to stay away. If I approached the two, I was sure someone would wind up with vomit splash on their red carpet walking shoes. And I wanted to prevent being blacklisted from press access at all future events.

That was it. I knew my night at the VGAs was over. I handed my tickets to Freeloadin' Scott Andrews, sped home, car window down just in case, waiting for my digestive system to go in reverse.

Didn't take long, but I took comfort in the fact that I'd met one of the few game designers I've always admired. It's a shame I didn't have the strength to stay, as I'd have like to chat him and Cliff up a bit. Plus, if I got Mizuguchi sick, I'm going to feel awful. I was also bummed that I didn't get to retell a full night of adventure to the Kotaku readership.

Hopefully, I'll be back next year in full health to absorb the full impact of the VGAs and give Miz a big old mancrush-style hug. Michael McWhertor

Finally downloaded Lumines Live!, and it was pretty much like the version on my PSP, but bigger. Thing is, the game on my UMD is a full game, not a crippled download—this all, ironically, has given the PSP and UMD the best press it has had in months!

At E3, Microsoft touted the music video element of Lumines Live!, an element not found in the current half-baked version, but an "Artist Pack" available next year. The initial purchase leaves gamers with a mere 12 skins, five puzzles, five missions and one CPU opponent. Xbox 360 owners are pissed.

Microsoft's Gamerscore blog is running damage control, stating:

The material posted on Xbox.com, and that was sent out in the media alert wasn't detailed enough, and believe me, the message is being heard. When we said 'full version,' we didn't make what that meant clear enough. You are getting all of the 'modes' that are in the game, but the base version includes only some of the skins, puzzles, missions, or CPU opponents. There will be future content you can choose to buy. Just like other games with downloadable content, you can choose what you might enjoy the most, or stick with the base game.

Eh? Isn't that what my PSP is for? Brian Ashcraft

The Message Is Being Heard [Gamerscore via 1Up]

Late last night, I was all raring to download Lumines Live! So much so that I stayed up late, waiting for the Xbox Live maintenance to wrap up. It did, but not in Japan, where I can home.

I woke up early again today. Still, wonk city, couldn't log on.

Lumines Live! reviews had already hit the internet, and the overwhelming reaction: Hate. Micro-transitions up the whazoo keep what was the most enjoyable PSP puzzler from creating a satisfying 360 experience. The game's creator, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, has already offered his two cents on possible criticism the XBL version might get:

Lumines has this image... It came in a package, it came on a UMD. And now it's not. So now people are worried. And maybe even upset that they can't even get the full pack in one software product. But really, it's just changing the way we provide the content... So, in our eyes, the game doesn't have to come in a package. We just feel like we're shifting our audience and we're starting to deal with different people. That's not to imply the PSP and Xbox Live users are that much different, but naturally, the way we are accepting media, goods, music, and games, we ourselves are changing our attitudes. So we're trying to follow a new path. So at the same time the audience is changing, we're changing along with it. We think this is the way of the future.

And that future is paved with streets of gold. Miz is slightly off here. Micro-transitions aren't exactly "the future." In a way, they're the past. Publishers have figured out a way to put arcade cabinets in the home and connect them with a money train leading right to the company coffers.

Still, I'm kinda excited to play Lumines on my big ass TV. Brian Ashcraft

Miz Talks Micro [IGN, Thanks Dix!]

The release of Lumines Live! for Xbox Live looms every closer, now that we have the list of achievements. While the release date is still TBD according to the official Lumines Live! Web site, gamers can look forward to going through the following motions for a total of 200 Gamer Points.

1. Clear "Base" - Clear one round of Challenge Mode "Base".
2. 20K - Play Challenge Mode "Base" and score 20,000 points.
3. Time Attack 60sec. : 30 blocks - Play Time Attack Mode 60sec. and erase 30 blocks.
4. Time Attack 180sec. : 90 blocks - Play Time Attack Mode 180sec. and erase 90 blocks.
5. Time Attack 300sec. : 150 blocks - Play Time Attack Mode 300sec. and erase 150 blocks.
6. Time Attack 600sec. : 300 blocks - Play Time Attack Mode 600sec. and erase 300 blocks.

7. Time Attack 60sec. : 70 blocks - Play Time Attack Mode 60sec. and erase 70 blocks.
8. Time Attack 180sec. : 200 blocks - Play Time Attack Mode 180sec. and erase 200 blocks.
9. Time Attack 300sec. : 300 blocks - Play Time Attack Mode 300sec. and erase 300 blocks.
10. Time Attack 600sec. : 600 blocks - Play Time Attack Mode 600sec. and erase 600 blocks.
11. Half Million - Play Challenge Mode and score 500,000 points.
12. Single Lap Quarter Million - Play a Single Lap of the Skin Edit Mode and score 250,000 points.

I'm really looking forward to this release and recommend anyone who didn't get in on the PSP version hotness download this as soon as it's live. Michael McWhertor

Lumines Live! [Achieve360Points]

In this 17 minute interview from September (but posted today), Lumines creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi talks music, sequels and Pong. And all in a pink shirt! Brian Ashcraft

He Makes Puzzle Games [VGB]

Swedish game site Spelbeber shot this video of Lumines luminary Tetsuya Mizuguchi playing Lumines II at Nordic Game 06. Here, Miz shows never-before-seen tracks. Very cool, even if Lumines II still looks like, well, Lumines. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Spelfeber]

Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Q Entertainment is moving into the online realm. The good folks at Gizmodo Japan just kicked a press release our way, announcing Meteos Online and Angel Love Online. Previously appearing on the Nintendo DS, Meteos was described by Mizuguchi as a "mutli-tasking puzzle game." The online version will a six-player mode as well as extra content not featured on the DS version. Angel Love Online is a Taiwanese-produced MMORPG, and there are plans to do an online beta test in China. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Q Entertainment]

In Lumines, the music matters. A lot. Game site 1Up has a peak at the sequel's soundtrack with this track called "Heavenly Star." While the video was inspired by A-ha's "Take On Me" music vid and was designed by Japanese visual artist Glamoove, the song is sung by the Genki Rockets and was co-penned by game creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi. This must be twenty colors of coolness. Brian Ashcraft

Eds Note: 1Up sent word that the video had to be taken down.

More Here [1Up]

To mark the sale of Tetsuya Mizuguchi's techno shooter Every Extend Extra, Japanese clothes retailer Beams is selling this shirt. Beams is known for its high quality, hipster duds and has done game shirts in the past for the Xbox 360 and even Rez! The US $45 tee was designed by in-house shirt maker Tsuyoshi Kusano, who also whipped up the game's logo. Trippy! Brian Ashcraft

Order Here [Beams] Thanks, Steven!

What? You don't know Q Entertainment?! They're the ones responsible for games like Lumines, Meteos, and Ninety-Nine Nights, founded by heterosexual man crush, Tetsuya Mizuguchi. What?! You don't know Tetsuya Mizuguchi?! He's the producer responsible for gaming mana like Rez, Space Channel 5 and Sega Rally. C'mon, guys. Pay attention!

1UP's article is a great primer on the company and their philosophy, which is to exploit the best aspects of the platform for which they are developing. A preview look at their remake of Gunpey for both the PSP and DS, each with different interfaces and visual styles is a perfect example. Taking puzzle hit Lumines to virtually every viable platform is an indicator that the company knows how to capitalize on a hit.

Don't miss Mielke's interview with Mizuguchi and Q CEO Shuji Utsumi for thinly veiled hints at reviving Rez, developing for the Wii, and so much more.

Northern Lights - A Week With Q Entertainment

You're a big, powerful game designer with smash hits under your belt. What to do for funsies? Well, if you are Tetsuya Mizuguchi, you commission Nike to make one-of-a-kind sneakers with rainbows and rhinestones patterned after your PSP puzzler Lumines. But, if you're DoA's Tomonobu Itagaki, you drink. A lot. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Game Girl Advance]

Back in 2002, Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Rez caused quite a stir when the game was packaged with a "trance vibrator." And even a bigger stir when 1Up's Jane Pinckard explained exactly what it does. Just like with electric toothbrushes, getting off wasn't the original point confesses creator Mizuguchi:

That was kind of a joke, but a very serious joke. No sexual meaning. We always listen to music by ear, and you can watch the visuals moving, the dynamics in Rez, so it's kind of a cross-sensation feeling. I like to feel the vibration by the foot. So I think it's the feet and the hands.

Among other things, sure. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Eurogamer]

Big-in-Japan Korean pop princess BoA apparently didn't make the final cut for Lumines II reports game site Siliconera. At E3, the songstress's tunes appeared on the floor demo for hip designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi's latest puzzler. Logic tells us that her music should find its way into the finished product, but Buena Vista Games PR says this isn't going to happen. As the US version and the Japanese version could be different, there is a chance BoA could still make an appearance. She's a logical choice as the singer appeared on Mizuguchi's Ninety-Nine Nights for the Xbox 360. And we all remember how that turned out. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Siliconera]

While the first Lumines featured the hypnotic groves of Japanese band Mondo Grosso, the sequel will get some "pretty big names" says creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi. Those artists will be revealed in the upcoming weeks, but my money's on the likes of Fatboy Slim or the Chemical Brothers as Mizuguchi's a big fan of both acts. And those guys could use a boost. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Eurogamer]