Over the previous few years, I’ve interviewed Playdigious a number of instances. Playdigious was chargeable for bringing Streets of Rage 4, TMNT Shredder’s Revenge and extra to cell. Each of these have music from Tee Lopes, who most individuals know due to Sonic Mania. I’ve been a fan of Tee Lopes for ages now, and have all the time wished to interview him. With the current announcement of Sonic Superstars from SEGA for all consoles and PC platforms, I figured it was a good time to lastly chat with Tee Lopes about online game music, the present state of Sonic, Sonic Superstars, his favourite soundtracks, composers, and extra. Word that this interview was performed earlier than Penny’s Large Breakaway that includes Tee Lopes was lately showcased.
TouchArcade: Inform us just a little bit about your self and the journey you’ve had over time going from beginning out, doing music for video games like Fling, the Sonic 2 HD mission, to the place you might be at the moment as one of many premier composers within the business.
Tee Lopes: It’s been an unbelievable journey to this point. I began out as a hobbyist, creating music for fan initiatives and indie video games like Fling and the Sonic 2 HD fan mission. These early experiences helped me refine my abilities and develop my very own distinctive musical fashion. As I gained extra recognition, alternatives began opening up, main me to work on greater initiatives and collaborate with gifted builders. I’m grateful for the assist of the gaming group, which has allowed me to develop as a composer and pursue my ardour on an expert degree.
TA: How do you strategy composing for long-running franchises in comparison with engaged on one thing for a model new property?
TL: When composing for long-running franchises, I strategy it with a deep respect for the legacy and historical past of the sequence. It’s necessary to grasp what makes the music in these franchises iconic and beloved by followers. I research the earlier soundtracks, immerse myself within the universe of the sport, and attempt to seize the essence of what makes that franchise particular whereas including my very own musical voice to it. Then again, engaged on one thing new offers me extra inventive freedom to discover completely different types and experiment with recent concepts. It’s an thrilling alternative to assist form the id of a model new property and contribute one thing distinctive to the gaming world.
TA: Constructing on the earlier query, what was your thought course of on the Streets of Rage 4 Mr X Nightmare DLC: Did you purpose to try to slot in with the bottom recreation or the sequence as an entire?
TL: When engaged on the Mr. X Nightmare DLC, my purpose was to strike a steadiness between respecting the bottom recreation’s unbelievable soundtrack whereas additionally including my very own private contact. I wished to keep up the energetic and hard-hitting vibe that the Streets of Rage sequence is thought for, but additionally infuse it with my very own musical fashion. It was necessary to create music that may really feel like a pure extension of the bottom recreation whereas enhancing the general expertise for gamers.
TA: You’ve lately been confirmed to be engaged on Sonic Superstars. You’re additionally doing Metallic Slug Ways this yr and the TMNT Shredder’s Revenge DLC. You teased on Twitter many extra initiatives. Are you able to say if these will probably be revealed in 2023 or will they be launched this yr?
TL: I’m actually excited to be part of these video games! As for the opposite initiatives I’ve been teasing, I can’t present particular particulars in the intervening time. Nonetheless, I can say that a few of them will probably be revealed this yr, whereas others are scheduled for launch within the close to future. I respect the passion and persistence of my followers, and I can’t wait to share extra about these upcoming initiatives when the time is true!
TA: How has it been working with huge publishers in comparison with working with indies over time for you?
TL: Working with each huge publishers and indies has been an enriching expertise in numerous methods. Large publishers usually have well-established improvement pipelines and bigger groups, which may present numerous assets and assist. Collaborating with them permits me to work on high-profile initiatives and attain a wider viewers. Then again, working with indies provides a extra intimate and private expertise. It permits me to be carefully concerned within the inventive course of, have direct communication with the builders, and contribute my concepts and experience in a extra hands-on method. Each sorts of collaborations have their very own deserves, and I’ve loved the distinctive challenges and rewards that include every.
TA: Lots of people affiliate Tee Lopes with Sonic music. It nearly feels such as you’re the music equal of when Christian Whitehead or Headcannon are concerned in a recreation to some followers. How do you’re feeling about being so carefully related to Sonic?
TL: It’s an unbelievable honor to be carefully related to Sonic and to have the assist of such a passionate fanbase. Sonic holds a particular place within the hearts of many players, myself included, so being entrusted with the duty of composing music for the franchise is a dream come true. I try to create music that captures the spirit and vitality of Sonic whereas additionally bringing one thing recent and thrilling to the desk. The constructive reception from followers motivates me to proceed pushing the boundaries and delivering memorable sonic experiences.
TA: What recreation would you like to attain given the possibility (one thing that hasn’t occurred but)?
TL: There are such a lot of superb video games on the market, but when I needed to choose one, I’d love to attain a Castlevania or a Mega Man recreation. These sequence have all the time had a panoramic musical id, and it could be an exhilarating problem to contribute to their iconic legacy. The wealthy lore, and memorable characters of these universes supply infinite inspiration for creating an eclectic, kick-ass soundtrack.
TA: What do you assume of the present state of Sonic and Sonic Frontiers?
TL: I believe Sonic is doing superb! Sonic has been doing a improbable job of reaching out to completely different fan teams and ensuring they don’t go away the older followers behind. Sonic Frontiers, specifically, has been extremely daring by exploring new territory, which is a good transfer. What’s even cooler is that it’s nonetheless rising and altering, which implies the way forward for the franchise appears to be like promising. The Sonic films have additionally been a blast, reaching new heights and even breaking the principles in some methods. I can’t wait to see what’s coming subsequent for Sonic, and I actually hope I get to be part of it.
TA: Your work in TMNT Shredder’s Revenge is well my favourite. How was it working with Jonny Atma on top-of-the-line songs of 2022 (Panic within the Sky)?
TL: Thanks for the sort phrases! Collaborating with Jonny Atma on “Panic within the Sky” for TMNT Shredder’s Revenge was an absolute blast. Jonny is a gifted musician, and his vocals added an unbelievable vitality and depth to the observe. We had an awesome synergy, and he positively pushed the track to new heights. It’s all the time a pleasure to work with fellow passionate artists, and I’m glad our collaboration resonated with followers.
TA: What are your present favourite soundtracks throughout all media?
TL: There are such a lot of unbelievable soundtracks throughout completely different media that it’s arduous to choose just some favorites. Nonetheless, some soundtracks which have left a long-lasting impression on me embrace the works of Nobuo Uematsu, notably the Closing Fantasy sequence, Yuzo Koshiro’s compositions for the Streets of Rage sequence, the haunting melodies of Michiru Yamane in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night time, and the long-lasting compositions of Koichi Sugiyama within the Dragon Quest sequence. These are just some examples amongst numerous others that proceed to encourage and captivate me.
TA: Is there a composer you’d like to work with sooner or later that you simply haven’t had the possibility to make occur but?
TL: One composer that I’ve all the time dreamed of collaborating with is Yuzo Koshiro. You’ve positively heard his unbelievable music in video games like Streets of Rage and the Shinobi sequence. He has all the time identified how you can make these catchy, high-energy tunes that persist with you. I believe teaming up with him could be a blast, and our musical types might completely deliver one thing distinctive and superior to the desk.
TA: Are you able to give us a touch of what we are able to count on out of your rating for Sonic Superstars?
TL: I can’t present particular particulars about my rating for Sonic Superstars in the intervening time, however I can guarantee you that I put my coronary heart and soul into contributing music that captures the essence of Sonic and brings a recent sonic expertise to the sport. I hope that followers will benefit from the music and really feel a way of pleasure when taking part in Sonic Superstars!
Due to Tee Lopes for his time right here.
