'Kingdom Hearts' Composer Yoko Shimomura Is To Be Honored At This Year's BAFTA Game Awards

Video Games

Apr 1

Shimomura hard at work on her piano — Image Source: KH13

Yoko Shimomura, the composer behind Kingdom Hearts, Street Fighter II, and Final Fantasy XV will be honored at this year’s BAFTA Games Awards. In response, the composer shared her delight and gave thanks to all who helped her on her path. She said, “I am who I am today thanks to all the people who have supported me, allowing me to continue being involved with the music that I love and discovering the medium of games where that music can flourish. I am deeply grateful to everyone in the games industry, to those who ask me to write my music, and to all those who listen to it. I would like for them, and for everyone who has been a part of my life, to join with me in celebrating this award. Thank you so much.”

Shimomura’s career began in 1988 with Capcom before moving to Square in 1993 and then switching over to freelance work in 2002. Evan as a freelance Shimomura had a working relationship with Square Enix and contributed to every Kingdom Hearts title. Recently, she composed the music for the Japanese RPG Reynatis. BAFTA CEO praised Shimomura in a statement, “A pioneer of video game music, pianist and composer, Yoko has created unforgettable soundtracks for so many beloved games and paved the way for women in the industry at a time when it was overwhelmingly male-dominated. Her groundbreaking work has already inspired countless artists and will continue to resonate for generations.” The BAFTA Games Awards will take place on April 8 in London and will be streamed on BAFTA’s YouTube and Twitch accounts at 19.00 BST / 14.00 ET / 11.00 PT.