Over the previous couple of years, I’ve interviewed Playdigious a number of occasions. 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 at all times needed to interview him. With the latest 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. Be aware that this interview was performed earlier than Penny’s Massive Breakaway that includes Tee Lopes was just lately showcased.
TouchArcade: Inform us a bit of bit about your self and the journey you’ve had through the years going from beginning out, doing music for video games like Fling, the Sonic 2 HD undertaking, to the place you’re immediately as one of many premier composers within the trade.
Tee Lopes: It’s been an unimaginable journey thus far. I began out as a hobbyist, creating music for fan initiatives and indie video games like Fling and the Sonic 2 HD fan undertaking. These early experiences helped me refine my abilities and develop my very own distinctive musical model. 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 neighborhood, which has allowed me to develop as a composer and pursue my ardour on an expert degree.
TA: How do you method 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 method it with a deep respect for the legacy and historical past of the collection. It’s vital to grasp what makes the music in these franchises iconic and beloved by followers. I examine 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 provides me extra artistic freedom to discover completely different types and experiment with recent concepts. It’s an thrilling alternative to assist form the identification 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 intention to attempt to slot in with the bottom recreation or the collection as a complete?
TL: When engaged on the Mr. X Nightmare DLC, my intention was to strike a steadiness between respecting the bottom recreation’s unimaginable soundtrack whereas additionally including my very own private contact. I needed to keep up the energetic and hard-hitting vibe that the Streets of Rage collection is understood for, but in addition infuse it with my very own musical model. It was vital to create music that will really feel like a pure extension of the bottom recreation whereas enhancing the general expertise for gamers.
TA: You’ve just lately been confirmed to be engaged on Sonic Superstars. You’re additionally doing Steel Slug Ways this 12 months and the TMNT Shredder’s Revenge DLC. You teased on Twitter many extra initiatives. Are you able to say if these will likely be revealed in 2023 or will they be launched this 12 months?
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 for the time being. Nonetheless, I can say that a few of them will likely be revealed this 12 months, whereas others are scheduled for launch within the close to future. I recognize the keenness 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 through the years for you?
TL: Working with each huge publishers and indies has been an enriching expertise in several methods. Massive publishers usually have well-established growth pipelines and bigger groups, which may present loads of assets and assist. Collaborating with them permits me to work on high-profile initiatives and attain a wider viewers. Then again, working with indies affords a extra intimate and private expertise. It permits me to be intently concerned within the artistic course of, have direct communication with the builders, and contribute my concepts and experience in a extra hands-on method. Each varieties 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 virtually 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 are feeling about being so intently related to Sonic?
TL: It’s an unimaginable honor to be intently 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 attempt to create music that captures the spirit and vitality of Sonic whereas additionally bringing one thing recent and thrilling to the desk. The optimistic 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 prospect (one thing that hasn’t occurred but)?
TL: There are such a lot of wonderful video games on the market, but when I needed to decide one, I might love to attain a Castlevania or a Mega Man recreation. These collection have at all times had a panoramic musical identification, and it might be an exhilarating problem to contribute to their iconic legacy. The wealthy lore, and memorable characters of these universes provide 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 wonderful! Sonic has been doing a incredible job of reaching out to completely different fan teams and ensuring they don’t depart the older followers behind. Sonic Frontiers, particularly, has been extremely daring by exploring new territory, which is a superb 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 foundations 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 among the finest 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 unimaginable vitality and depth to the monitor. We had an incredible synergy, and he positively pushed the music to new heights. It’s at all times 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 unimaginable soundtracks throughout completely different media that it’s onerous to select just some favorites. Nonetheless, some soundtracks which have left a long-lasting impression on me embrace the works of Nobuo Uematsu, significantly the Closing Fantasy collection, Yuzo Koshiro’s compositions for the Streets of Rage collection, 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 collection. 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 just haven’t had the prospect to make occur but?
TL: One composer that I’ve at all times dreamed of collaborating with is Yuzo Koshiro. You’ve positively heard his unimaginable music in video games like Streets of Rage and the Shinobi collection. He has at all times identified how you can make these catchy, high-energy tunes that stick to you. I believe teaming up with him could be a blast, and our musical types may completely carry one thing distinctive and superior to the desk.
TA: Are you able to give us a touch of what we are able to anticipate out of your rating for Sonic Superstars?
TL: I can’t present particular particulars about my rating for Sonic Superstars for the time being, 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.
