I’m still here …..
Well, it’s been a while I know. It’s been an interesting few months I can tell you. Reckonings release all went well, it’s probably sold over 1.5 million by now, VGChartz seem to think that it’s still selling 10,000 a week, even tho’ they think it’s sold under 1.5 million, which I’m pretty sure it hasn’t.
It was pretty upsetting to see BHG go down so fast, we really were days away from a new publishing deal for Reckoning 2, we’d done quite a bit of work on it too. If the Governor of Rhode Island hadn’t mentioned the word “solvency” in connection with 38 Studios maybe it would have been a different story …. who knows … one things for sure tho’ …. after that event it was all downhill from there, everyone who was involved with us walked away and waited to see what happened.
It was rough the first few weeks after that, fortunately I had booked my yearly family vacation in the UK and I was also going to do some gigs with the old band I used to play for, Little Angels, culminating at the Download Festival ….. it was fantastic fun to do it all again!
I was lucky enough to get some contract composing work when I got back to the US for Zynga, I’m still doing that at the moment, it’s for a game that should be hitting Facebook in October I think so you can hear some new music from me pretty soon.
I have another development that’s going on at the moment that I’ll tell you about soon ….. !!
Onwards and upwards!
6 Comments
July 24th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Good luck, man. I’m disappointed that Retro Studios was filled up. Hiring you, much like them getting the rights to the Donkey Kong Country series, would have been another symbolic step for Retro indicating that they are Nintendo’s new Rare and, among the great amounts of new/different talent already at Retro, there would also be some actual skill or talent from the original Rare itself. It’s sad that, that couldn’t have happened. I sincerely hope you find a great position elsewhere.
Oh, and the next game soundtrack gig you get, I suggest you choose something that will allow you to do some really clear and catchy melodies, kind of like the original Banjo-Kazooie/Tooie music style but without their trademark “wumpa-wumpa” style. I just kind of feel like that would work out well for you, but I dunno, just a thought.
July 26th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Glad to hear you haven’t ended up in the gutter.
July 28th, 2012 at 7:44 am
Man, I’m just glad to see you’re doing stuff. Keep it up.
July 29th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
Congratulations!
I heard about Retro Studios, sorry to hear about that.
But for the amazing composer you are, I’m glad you are still finding amazing things to do!
Wait….
For Facebook? O.o
You know what, your might just make Facebook better.
Whatever the game is. I’ll just watch someone play it to hear your new music!
Live on Grant Kirkhope!
Live on!
August 7th, 2012 at 7:33 am
Mr.Kirkhope, have you ever heard of the Youtube channel “PoopPoopFart”? No? Well the Name might sound very misleading as the guy behind the channel makes OUTSTANDING covers of your Banjo-Kazooie themes! he does all of them with acoustic guitars, recorders, banjos spoons, a glockenspiel etc.
I think he really deserves recognition by one of the most iconic videogame composers of all time!
August 10th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
You should come to WA state and get in touch with DigiPen. I’m sure you’ve heard of them – they’re *the* games school! I’ve finished one year out of four on a BA there and will be starting classes again next month. They’re starting up a new music/sound design program this year, and while I don’t know if they’re looking for any more industry pros to help out with it, I know I’d love to take any courses you had a hand in…!