Tetsuya Mizuguchi Interview [Eurogamer] [Pic]

I think most dramatic and thematic games exist, and it's really hard. This is for an example: it's really hard to cry if you play a game. You can cry when you watch movies. I have, and everyone has that kind of experience. This is an emotional movement, very strong. But we can't cry when we play a game. This is a different catharsis. This is a physical reason. This is like a basic instinct. I think the game is designed as an experience. It's designed as a catharsis experience.

You have some accomplishments all the time, but accomplishment is a very strong keyword. It's a very strong factor of the game. I think in our 40 year history, we may [continually] redesign this, maybe. But in the last five years, you can get the resolution. This kind of resolution makes you have a very effective emotional possibility, with music, effects, hi-def movie effects. I think there can be growing, growing, and growing. There's some games coming in that class.

Well worth a read through, though be prepared for more talk from the interviewer than usually shows up in interviews.

Expressing The Future: Tetsuya Mizuguchi [Gamasutra]

Mizuguchi: ...What is music? Music has many elements, so how can we cut and separate and remake the parts in the process of game design? So then, game designers have to know what is fun, what is the essence of music?

Matsuura: Essence of music, I don't know. I really don't understand the essence of music. I've been composing music for thirty years, and I still don't understand what music is. But I'm still looking for the certain shape of my music. Anybody who can define the existence of music, I really respect.

Mizuguchi: Yeah, I agree with you. Music is like a universe — many, many elements. Lyrics, chords, rhythm, beats, playing, listening. Emotionally, you feel something. When I was 11 years old, I listened to my first Beatles music. I couldn't understand English, but I felt emotion or something, sort of... I want to love somebody! It's the power of music, of chords... very physical things, very emotional things. Not logic — I don't know, maybe logic. If I understand the lyrics, and it's a new chemistry. Music, we have a long history with music, but new music is coming still. I don't know why. It's a universe. Amazing.

Mizuguchi explained he was inspired by games at a young age, fascinated by Atari's dedicated Pong platform. He says he also discovered the music of The Beatles at the same time, combining the two experiences in a visual and emotional way.

He says he later was motivated to join Sega when he saw the Sega R-360 arcade cabinet for the first time. The enclosed, fully rotating cabinet gave developer AM2's G LOC a more realistic flight simulator experience (and surely induced plenty of nausea). When Mizuguchi saw the R-360 for the first time, he thought "Wow, who did this?"

His first project at Sega, arcade racer Sega Rally, got its own answer to the R-360 later, with a full-sized rally car chassis that sold a total of four units.

Moving on to the console division, the producer went to work on Space Channel 5. It was the result of his fascination with MTV culture as a child and his first foray into merging the emotional response from music with interactive entertainment.

His next was Rez.

The game, once known as K-Project was not just inspired by the paintings of Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian painter who had experience with the condition known as synesthesia. It was also partially inspired by Mizuguchi's early fascination with the Sensorama, a multi-modal device that promised an experience combining wide vision, motion color, stereo sounds, aromas, wind, and vibrations. "Wow," Mizuguchi said, questioning "What is this? What's happening inside?"

Combining those two motivators with Mizuguchi's interest in understanding why people, regardless of region, reacted to music at clubs and festivals physically—and vocally, as Mizuguchi said "Waaaaagggh!", arms stretched high.

These combinations continued, with games like Lumines, which recreated the "play with music" gameplay design and Ninety Nine Nights, Q Entertainment's attempt to combine action games and movies. NNN, Mizuguchi explained, was heavily influenced by Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon. Lumines II, which felt to many like a retread, was an attempt to more heavily incorporate music videos into the gameplay.

All of these marriages of medium are just portions of what Mizuguchi feels will bring to game development, now, according to him, still in its infancy. The "Big Bang" he says will be a hybrid product for a mass audience that combines online connectivity, video games, music, movies, community and advertising.

Since moving to Q and partnering with friend and now CEO, Shuji Utsumi, Miz says he's begun to come to terms with balancing art and commerce. Utsumi, he says, has been a good influence, especially when Mizuguchi becomes "too artistic." "Games," he says "are entertainment, not just art."

They fired up the game, I chose my level and as soon as it started I could feel the first pulses of vibration at the small of my back, at my feet and in my hands. As the level progressed the vibration became more intense and the controllers did not always vibrate in tandem, sometimes they ping-ponged back and forth creating a unique sensation. Having only played the Dreamcast version and not being among the small number of people to have actually gotten a hold of a trance vibrator, I had no idea how immersive having all that extra vibration could be. If you have played Rez before and were on the fence about getting Rez HD, the multiple controller vibration (it can support up to four) should be enough to push you over the side.

When we saw the game demoed in Tokyo last year, they were still undecided on how they would incorporate the vibration into the game. One thing they didn't want to have to do was design a new peripheral, so they needed to come up with something else as Mizuguchi explains..

In this game, the vibration is really important. The mix of sound, music and vibration is like a chemistry. I didn't just want to have controller vibration, I wanted to do the Trance Vibration again and that kind of thing is difficult to reproduce. So one day, one of the game designers came up with the idea of the multiple controller vibration since most people have more than one 360 controller. We all thought it was a really fantastic idea.

Since the announcement that the PS3 controllers would once again feature rumble, I asked is they had considered bringing Rez HD to the PSN Store as well and Mizuguchi said that yes, it is definitley something they would like to do and have considered. So if all goes well, PS3 owners could well see Rez HD arriving on their consoles in the near future. For 360 owners just a few more days and you'll be playing Rez HD in all its vibrating glory. Remember, one controller at the small of your back, one at your feet and one in your hands, that's the Miz way. As to where you put that fourth, that is entirely up to you, just remember to wipe it off when your done.

His response to GameSpot when probed about another futuristic dancing game? "With Space Channel 5, if I have reason to improve on the HD experience, I will do that. Have you asked Sega?" adding a bit of laughter. The annoying kind that hints that he's not ready to spill something yet. He answered similarly to Game|Life's question on the matter with the same godforsaken laughter.

Look, Miz. We aren't laughing. We've still got the Ulala and Morolian refrigerator magnets up, if that tells you anything. Despite Sega's dismissal of the idea, their new tendency to look backward for hits only makes us want more Space Channel 5.

We know it's rumor, and we actually don't believe a lick of it yet, but let's get this done already. No more laughing! And can we get a cute microphone controller, while you're at it?

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.

Rez HD Official Site

I've had a pet project I've been working on for years, three of them if my memory is right. It started as a simple idea: You can judge a lot from a person's desk. I bet you could judge just as much from their home entertainment system. So I decided it would be fun to try and track down some pictures from the work desks and home gaming set-ups of the people who work in and cover the video game industry. Simple right? Not so much.

Turns out that many of the people are either too busy or too private to want to participate in such a project. To make matters worse, there's always fear that something sitting on someone's desk, that ends up in a photo, could actually be news worthy. Like a secret project or the next big thing. But I didn't give up and about once a year I'd harass a bunch of game developers for photos. Finally, this year, the harassment paid off.

What started as a trickle of photos turned quickly into the collection of galleries you'll find on the jump: More than 40 different photo galleries from 17 studios, seven publications, two industry movers and shakers and a couple of fun surprises.

You'll get to see the desk of such greats as Sid Meier, Peter Molyneux and Tetsuya Mizuguchi along with plenty of others. Remember you can comment both on the next page and on each individual photo if you click on them.

If I find there is interest, I will try to periodically update this gallery of galleries with more developers, journalists and industry movers and shakers. Have fun.

DEVELOPERS
2K Games

ASTRO Gaming

Buzz Monkey Software

Capcom

Eat, Sleep, Play

Electronic Arts

Firaxis Games

Flying Lab Software

Gearbox Software

Harmonix Music

Incognito Entertainment

Insomniac Games

Kojima Productions

Lionhead Studios

NanaOn-Sha

Naughty Dog

NCSoft

NetDevil

Neversoft Entertainment

Ninja Theory

Pandemic Studios

Petroglyph Games

THQ

Q Entertainment

JOURNALISTS

Blue's News

BoingBoing

EGM

The Escapist

GameLife

Joystiq

Kotaku

MTV

Slashdot Games

VE3D

VH1

INDUSTRY FOLK

MISCELLANIES
I AM 8-BIT

Penny Arcade

Whorecraft

Video Games Live

Thanks, Aokaze!

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."

When Rez first came out for the Dreamcast, I played it extensively and still even plug the old girl in every once in a while for the sole purpose of playing Rez. I've beaten the game quite a number of times so when Mr. Mizuguchi fired up the game for us to watch I got a great rush of nostalgia as I heard the familiar music start to play. He played through the first level of the game with predictable ease and as he got to the boss he turned to me and gestured towards the controller. I was instantly filled with a mixture of elation and terror. Here I was in a room with one of my idols playing his own game in front of him, surrounded by co-workers and being tasked with a boss level. But, I rose to the occasion and took the chair offered me by Mr. Mizuguchi and went in for the kill.

I was immediately impressed at how sharp everything looked. With the relatively simple graphic style of a game like Rez, you might think that HD wouldn't do much for it, but the difference was obvious from the very beginning. The controls, while still in the early stages of development, were very smooth and I actually found them to be much easier to deal with than the Dreamcast's. Having the rumble built right in to the controls without the purchase of the Trance Vibrator was a great addition as it was something I hadn't been able to try before. The music also sounded great, and I was told that all the tracks were being remastered for the full 5.1 Dolby experience. I managed to make it through the whole boss level like a pro, only devolving once and when it was all over I was rewarded with a clap on the back and a handshake from Mr. Mizuguchi.

Rez HD is going to be a great addition to the XBL lineup and will give players who formally couldn't get their hands on it a chance to play for the first time. It will also be terrific for old fans who will be able to experience the crisp new graphics, widescreen and remastered music creating a new way to enjoy an old game.

My work all these years has been to entertain people through video games, but this virtual Tokyo concept could be the next step and path... The Tokyo we are trying to create is based on the image of city. How do people in Tokyo perceive the city? How about foreigners? That's what we want to express.

Escape to block-busting puzzles and pulsating beats in this exciting new puzzle game for your PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system! Be entranced by brilliant, interactive evolutionary backgrounds from cells to dream-like landscapes in four unique themes over 40 levels.

Puzzle Scape [Got Game via GameSetWatch]

Don't you wish game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi would've brought PSP game Lumines to the DS, instead? He doesn't have to. Germans are doing it for him! Well, not exactly. Germany's bhv Software is releasing Luminator DS third quarter 2007 in Europe. This DS title has only fifteen skins and 15 "CD quality" songs. I'm no lawyer, but it seems as though we've moved beyond flattery into the gray area of copyright infringement. Brian Ashcraft

Luminator DS [Siliconera]

Nakazato also gives the Xbox 360 a fighting chance in Japan, the console in which his company is heavily invested:

I think most of the Japanese gamers will go to casual games on the DS and such, but there will be a high-end gamer market. For those gamers, because of a lack of Japan-made games, they're going to start playing U.S. games. Then, I think the Xbox 360 will have a better chance.

Xbox Live is so sophisticated - on that point I think even Sony is behind, even after their most recent announcements, like Home. I think their infrastructure is still behind. If Microsoft has a chance to succeed in Japan, I think the Xbox Live services and new entertainment fully using Xbox Live are important.

An amazing, and, at seven pages, long interview with great insight into the inner workings at FeelPlus, Capcom and Microsoft. Don't miss it. Michael McWhertor

Ray Tracing: A Japanese Game Market Expose With Ray Nakazato [Gamasutra]

Amid the usual banter and camaraderie, there was as an announcement from Mizuguchi that his next project "is not going to be a video game" but an interesting environmental/convservation themed something. Sounds interesting. I hope that Q? Entertainment can break out of their puzzle rehash rut.

Also hinted at was that Kojima and Grasshopper's Suda 51 may be working on a Snatcher related project. Will it be a sequel to the Sega CD classic from Konami? We don't know! But we're anxiously awaiting the next Hidechan podcast to see what Kojima has to say about it. Michael McWhertor

Kojima Meets Mikami in Snake vs Zombie Event [1UP]

The shoot-em-up from Tetsuya "The Milkman" Mizuguchi will feature the requisite HD graphical upgrade as well as 5.1 surround sound treatment that will provide a "clubbing experience right in the living room". However, the XBLA version will also feature a mode called "S4, Wiz ur Muzik" and will allow players to use custom tracks in-game. Wicked cool.

Leaderboards, acheivements, online play, it's all there. Let's just pray that Q will find some way to get the entire game, not a crippled, money-grubbing piecemeal version up on day one. *prays* Amen. Michael McWhertor

Adding more fuel to the fire that Miz and Q? Entertainment will be bringing a version of the previously-for-PSP game Every Extend Extra is today's report from CVG that reveal this week's GDC will be the time and place for a new XBLA announcement from Q. Could it be Gunpey? Meteos? What will it be?!

We'll let you know if we corner Miz! Michael McWhertor

GDC: Mizuguchi's new XBLA game [CVG]

This painfully awkward interview-slash-commercial for Q? Entertainment's Meteos cash-in for the Nintendo DS is as cringe-worthy as it is confusing. Look, I love you, Miz, but the once stellar name of Q? is desperately in need of something fresh. How about fewer ports and more original content? We're all out of Lumines goodwill at this point. Michael McWhertor

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]

It's widely known that the Lumines Live! screwjob from last year didn't sit well with Xbox 360 owners. Releasing a hobbled version of the game on Xbox Live Arcade with the promise of future through-the-nose payments rightly warranted some gamer finger wagging (and poisonous Kotaku comments).

But next week's Lumines Live! download packs might just make that bitter microtransaction pill a tad easier to swallow. For a limited time (until February 21), the following add-ons will be available at a reduced price.

- VS CPU Pack (100 MS Points)
- Puzzle/Mission Pack (100 MS Points)
- Heavenly Star Skin (Free for Gold Members)

See? Q Entertainment loves you. Of course, once that period of goodwill is over, the regular screwjob price for each will creep back up to 300 MS points.

Unless you want to be reminded how you shouldn't have snoozed from your Live peers, make sure you're ready to download these packs starting January 24 at 1 AM PST. Michael McWhertor

Get a Deal on Lumines Live! Add-On Packs [Xbox.com via Gamerscoreblog]

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

While Lumines II may not be winning the hearts and minds of PSP gamers quite like the first one did, at least you can maybe get a free trip to Miami out of it. All you need to do is suffer through the Lumines II Remixer at the official site then send in your remix.

What do you get if you win? Sadly no games! Instead the winner will receive a trip for two to Miami for the Winter Music Conference, a VIP "experience" with Junkie XL (hopefully no awkward passes from the artist), hotel accommodations, round-trip airfare, car rental and $500 spending cash. I suppose you could do worse. If only Tetsuya Mizuguchi were there I'd spend all night on my remix.

Go on aspiring DJs! Get your virtual wiki-wiki, scritch-scratch on. Michael McWhertor

Lumines II Video Mixer

In a speech given at the Montr al International Games Summit, Q Entertainment co-founder Tetsuya Mizuguchi spoke his mind on the future of the gaming industry, calling for integration of other media types in games, and bringing in fresh new talent. In my opinion there is no better person than the creator of Rez and Space Channel 5 to discuss innovation.

This industry is a kind of sponge," Mizuguchi continued. "If you want to make something, if you need some kind of technology, the games industry is always kind of sucking many things. So if you want to connect to people, technology is coming - [and there is] no form and no limit.

You've really got to love the language barrier. Wouldn't life be so boring if we all understood each other? Michael Fahey

Mizuguchi calls on games industry to embrace new talent [GamesIndustry.biz]

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]