Masuda: We took inspiration from Hawaii specifically, but we wanted to do more than just copy the sort of music you’d hear there.
You’re anticipating my next question! As the game’s composer, what styles and motifs were you going for this time? I think right now I’m able to scratch that itch by working on some of the music in the games. I wouldn’t want to just give up creating things. I think both roles are a lot of fun, and they both offer unique ways to make your mark on Pokémon. Making decisions about when to release for example the virtual console versions, or the Red and Green or Red and Blue original Pokémon games and how those would interact with the brand as a whole. When you work as a producer, you have more influence over the big picture, and the Pokémon brand as a whole. That’s a lot of fun as someone who likes to create things. When I was directing the games, I was directly involved in the creative aspects and really in the trenches with everyone else. Masuda: Recently I really have come to feel that both roles, producer and director, are a lot of fun in their own rights.
