Kizyr

Dangit; I missed the chance to make the first Doom reference. But really, stay away from any portals. And don't let The Rock become your CO. KF

Heh, yeah, it was funny. I mean sure, I've seen better Mario-related jokes and parodies (Game Over comes to mind). But it's not like Seth's take is inherently bad. KF

I can't remember when I started listening to OCR, but I think it was around 2003-2004. I'd just download mixes from games that I knew, or soundtracks that I liked, and went from there. Though since I got an MP3 player last year, I just download everything and Random Play All. In fact, OCR is the very reason that I got an MP3 player, so I could listen through everything on the site. Anyway, there are only a few that come to mind immediately, but I'm sure there are more that'd be triggered once I listen to the right mixes again. First, and the biggest one, is Reuben Kee's Ascension to Cosmo Canyon. When I moved out of my hometown to DC (after college), I didn't yet have a job or place to live lined up, so there was a bit of uncertainty with that move. Ascension to Cosmo Canyon was the first song I heard as I pulled out of the driveway, so I always associate that song with leaving home and setting up new roots elsewhere. Also, I associate Russell Cox's To Zanarkand Once Again with first getting onto the interstate during that trip, for the same reason. The last one that comes to mind is the first time I heard Jill's voice, in sephfire, GrayLightning, & pixietricks's Journey's End. That was more recent (2006, I think). But since my MP3-CD player was just set to random, I didn't know what the song was or even that it was from OCR at first--I kept looking through all the original soundtracks and other music folders. I think I might have some memory associated with DCT & Just Us's Memories Frozen in Time... but I can't put my finger on what. KF

This makes me want to here more Kings Quest (and other Sierra games) as the source of remixes. Well, 'cept maybe those old EGA ones with the PC soun--no, wait, those could turn out good in the right hands. Anyway! I really enjoy this one. I did recognize the Concerning Hobbits bit/reference, and I thought it was a great blend of that plus the KQ5 theme. Very relaxing, and very pleasant-sounding. KF

I think they took the success of the Saturn NiGHTs controllers (which were really good controllers for that specific game, mind you) and went overboard with it. Unfortunately, they're lousy controllers for any other game that doesn't play like NiGHTs. I think the design of their Saturn controllers was the most comfortable. They should've stuck with something similar to that. KF

That's what concerns me, also... Sudden behavior changes are generally not a good sign. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions, but it's not unreasonable to be at least a little concerned that something might've happened. If DJP = The Wingless, then I don't know what to believe anymore. KF

Any thoughts on incorporating some of the little yelling sound effects from the game into a few tracks? I'm ambivalent on SFX in tracks. Sometimes it kills it, though there're several ones that come to mind that use them really well (like Anthem of a Misguided Youth). But the first thing I think of from Gunstar Heroes are those little yells the characters do when they get hurt or throw guys around. KF

Dezoris Winter just came up on my random playlist when I signed in and saw this thread. Yeah, I remember GrayLightning was behind some of the first tracks I listened to off of here. Didn't realize there was such a mystery behind him. KF

I still have (and play) my Sega Saturn. I got that one the same week of its release, at the $400 launch price... which is the reason I never buy new stuff as soon as it comes out anymore (with the exception of certain games). Sega did a lot of things right with the Dreamcast and Saturn. There was just a lot more things they did wrong with respect to their competition. I'm glad they still survived as a developer, though, since I really agree with I-n-j-i-n comments about their innovation. KF

http://midishrine.com/midi/24492.mid This one is from Final Fantasy 2 - Magicians Tower (that's the NES FF2, not the SNES FF4). 24491 also sounds familiar, I'm thinking Sky Shark (NES), but I could be totally off-base. KF

Even though this sort of broke with the urban theme of the rest of the SF2 album, it was really, <i>really</i> good. Just perfect for T-Hawk's stage. Vurez is great at evoking a certain atmosphere with his remixes, and all the extra effects and arrangement choices he made here worked out to accomplish just that. KF

SNES only. Sorry. For NES, I prefer NESten. FCE Ultra is also decent. KF

What if she were summoned by Maya for a little while? Anyway, I'd definitely like to hear this improved and eventually submitted, since it's sounding real good so far. I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of comments, though. KF

Agreed on the rising/falling sounds. I think they can be taken out with little to no loss. The intro section before it really 'picks up' at 1:30 is definitely too long, too--it'd really improve things if you could eliminate or greatly reduce it. I definitely like how it starts sounding after the 3:00 mark. KF

I'm afraid I can't offer as detailed comments. But as far as the melodic arrangement goes, I think it's a good interpretation of IceCap Zone, and original enough to be considered on OCR--which is a bit tough considering how often this theme is remixed. (That's based on melody alone; quality and a lot of other things would definitely need to be cleared up first, I think.) Agreed on the 'bouncy' sound coming off weird. Have you considered trying to work in the "Stage 2" theme? It might give you a little more source material to work with. Though I think I already hear some of the baseline in there. KF

Looks like I'll definitely be going to MagFest this year. (I live in Arlington, so there's not much excuse.) I can't say if I'll go to any New Years Eve celebrations, if y'all do manage to get one together, since I still don't know if I'll be out of town on the 31st. If there's anything going on Jan. 1st - 4th, though, I'll probably be able to make it. KF

Tales of Phantasia was only mentioned once, I believe. But, it's my favorite RPG on the SNES (definitely over Chrono Trigger and FF6/3--though I liked both of those). It was only released in Japanese for the SNES and Playstation, although there's: - an English version released for the GBA (based on the PSX one, so I recommend this one first) - plenty of GameFAQs resources for the SNES Japanese version - an English patch/ROM for the SNES version I'm afraid I can't help you with the third option. Just the first two. Also, Mad-Gear tends to have copies of the Super Famicom and PSX versions of Tales of Phantasia available, at least at conventions. Both for a really low price, I should add. KF

Bah, with my hiatus from posting I missed quite a bit, it seems. I'm looking forward to listening to all of the winners/runners-up here. Glad the contest turned out to be a success! ...I think? ...it certainly looks like a success. KF

For 'variations', I think you should concentrate on the main theme. The percussion/bass is a tad repetitive, but you can work on that later--if the main theme sounds repetitive, then that's a bigger problem. I think it does have a lot of potential and is heading in a good direction. There are some parts (like before 0:23) where it does sound like you're remixing, but there are still others (like immediately after 0:23) where it just sounds like a straight rip from the original. And unfortunately it sounds like it toggles back and forth between an ok remix and a straight cover--that's where you could introduce some more variety. I think other folks might be able to give you better advice regarding production quality and that sort of thing (it does sound MIDI quality still, but you may want to work on arrangement first before moving onto fixing that up). But as a general idea, I think you may be trying too hard to make the genre fit the theme, rather than reworking the theme to fit the genre. Hope that helps, and good luck! KF

If you check folks' profiles, there is a part under "Additional Information" for collaboration status. However, I'd really recommend having a good plan in mind before contacting anyone, and understand that a lot of folks might be busy. As for posting individual parts, there is the Works-in-Progress thread that might be appropriate for that. But, I dunno what the rules/standards are on what's posted there in terms of how 'complete' something has to be first. KF

If I had the time, I'd like to put together a "Dire Dire Docks (Otakon Fanservice Edition)". It'd be a slight rearrangement of the Dire Dire Docks theme with a faster tempo, maybe a calypso rhythm going there, and every part replaced with a damn cowbell. Although, I still liked that segment--thought it was really fun and enjoyable. I was expecting at least one of the judges to say something like "It needs more EQ work". KF

One thing that struck me listening to this again at the OCR panel... The way Jill did the vocals for the main melody, plus the overall atmospheric vibe of the song, reminds me a lot of the opening song for Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex. In a good way; I really liked that song. KF

Sorry! Whenever I try to remember everyone in a group I always forget someone... It wasn't intentional! Anyway, yeah, OCR-Ball is great. The game was basically (paraphrasing): Xerol: If it hits the shed, it's out Pezman: Playing with a Pepsi in one hand is worth 50 points Kizyr: Hitting the camera is out Pixietricks: If everyone on the team hits the ball, you win 20 games Dyne: If it hits zircon, it's out DrumUltima: Hitting Jill in the face wins 150 games Pixietricks: Also, running into zircon & pixietricks in the Dealers' Room: Me: You mind if I get a picture of the three of us? P/Z: Sure! (...) Z: I think Dale was behind us P: Did he put bunny-ears on us? ...check the picture Dale: No no, there's no need to-- Me: Dammit, Dale!! Nah, I kid. I kid. Here're a few other shots: Opening of the panel: http://www.lunar-net.com/kiz/OCR-panel01s.jpg Zircon begrudgingly adding more cowbell: http://www.lunar-net.com/kiz/OCR-panel02s.jpg Still Alive: http://www.lunar-net.com/kiz/OCR-panel03s.jpg Unfortunately I don't have more from the panel; those were my best [resized] shots. KF

Ok, Digged (joined Digg just for this). I'm looking forward to hearing how this all turns out. Particularly all the ending themes. KF

You might want to check out some of the OCR albums, and search for some of the pre/post-release threads on the forums about them. Even if it's not quite what you have in mind, it might give you some idea of how collaborations can sometimes work (or not work?). Some other folks who actually are good at remixing (unlike myself) might able to help you out more. KF