Game music continues to influence your creative ... The world -class DJ ZEDD and the game music, and Valorant [exclusive interview]

In addition to win the Grammy Awards, the worldwide DJ / truckmaker EDD (Reading: Zed) is a global DJ / truckmaker known for producing songs by big artists such as Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande.

• ◆ Game music that has been inspired since childhood
• ** ◆ A specialty-linked skin Spectrum
• ◆ The impression of the new map as a gamer, and the VCT (international tournament)

In addition to the remix of the main theme of The Legend of Zelda, which many music fans were shocked, in 2021, we designed the collaboration skin Spectrum for the popular tactical shooter Valorant, and worked on the sports scene of the same year. It is nothing but an enthusiastic gamer who has been active in game culture, such as remixing the official theme Die for You.

Fortunately, the editorial department had the opportunity to interview him for the first time in three years for the Electronic Dance Music Event ULTRA JAPAN 2022.

Super Nintendo World, which was talked about on SNS. And the thoughts of game music and inspiration from them. Regarding Valorant, which is still enthusiastic as a player, please take a look at an interview that captures EDD as a gamer.

―― Thank you for your cooperation today. First, how was the Super Nintendo World visited yesterday? (smile)

EDD: It was incredibly wonderful! Certainly, the opening was 2021, right? However, I watched the images of Shiner Miyamoto introducing the park many times, so I enjoyed it like a garden.

◆ Game music that has been inspired since childhood

――I was good (laughs). Speaking of Nintendo, the remix songs of The Legend of Zelda have been released in the past. Please tell me not only Zelda but also inspiration from game music in the past.

EDD: I have been influenced by game music. For example, Gran Tourism has a wonderful soundtrack and has been inspired since childhood. It was a chance to listen to rock music more than before, and Feeder was my favorite rock band at the time. And the music on the menu screen was made in intelligent like jazz, and I recorded them and listened to them.

I guess Sonic the Hedgehog is also the case. Game music can be said to be an influence on your creative.

――What are the other game titles that are impressive for music?

EDD: The main theme of Zelda, Super Mario and Halo stimulates emotions. There are many games that play great music, but it's important to be linked to play and shake your emotions.

――I've been a fan since you listened to the remixed Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites. Is there still interaction with Skrillex, who produced the original song?

EDD: That is, it's a fan right after his debut. Thank you! Have you been in contact with Skrillex for the past few years? Because the phone number has changed (laughs). But I've heard that you're creating new works and visiting various countries.

-Skrillex used the sound of Angry German Kid (famous as a keyboard crusher in Japan) in the work My Name is Skrillex. What if EDD would sample the voice of the agent appearing in Valorant and used it for songs...?

EDD: That's a very good question (laughs). (I'm a little worried) In VALORANT, I often use Ran, Jet, and Phoenix, so I wonder if agents choose from them. However, among my friends, I like Brimstone's What Do they Think this is... backyard scrimmage? But if you decide one, Jet Ultimate...

-Watch this!

EDD: That's right (laughs). Watch this! Using Valorant voice is a great idea, so you might have it (laughs)

――I'm very honored (laughs)

EDD: (while shaking hands with an interviewer) It's a collaboration between you and me (laughs)

――I look at the clips posted on Twitter, and you've been playing Valorant with audio engineers. Do you often play games with people involved in the music industry?

** EDD: I don't remember alpha or beta, but Valorant has been playing with musicians since the test stage. I still often play with Millennium and Jazz.

** ◆ A specialty-linked skin Spectrum

-In Valorant, you worked on the collaboration skin Spectrum. What did you feel when your creative appeared in the game?

EDD: It's like The dream has come true! After all, as a gamer, I'm very happy to be able to use the skin I wrote in my favorite game.

When making a skin, I set a goal to incorporate various features in each weapon. As a result, when I was able to add more elements than expected, and when everyone enjoyed the production of the skin, I think it was worthwhile to work. There are many players who use Classic skin.

—By the way, I am also one of the users who love Classic kin.

EDD: Thank you! Where do you like Classic skin?

-The sound, muzzle flash laser and form are very nice. And it's a personal story... I really like red.

EDD: (while pointing to a smartphone placed instead of a voice recorder) Speaking of which, the smartphone you are using is also red (laughs).

-That's right (laughs). By the way, did you decide on your own weapon lineup?

EDD: That's not what I decided. That's because it takes more than a year for development from CHI, but only 9 months left when the collaboration was decided. There is already something that Riot Games has been working on as another series, and the lineup will be diverted. What I mainly worked on was the design of the shape, color scheme, and production effect.

-I don't particularly like phantom (laughs)

EDD: If you play Valorant, you will have experience, but if you play for a few months, you will fall into a slump, and you may not be able to play as you want. At that time, switch from phantom to Vandal. There is a compatibility for each map. If it is a vandal, long distances are strong. But if you shoot through smoke, the phantom is stronger, and that exhilaration is hard to taste.

◆ The impression of the new map as a gamer, and the VCT (international tournament)

-In the official interview, you said, I want you to add a map. What kind of impression did the latest new map Pearl have when you play?

EDD: It is difficult to judge whether it is good because it is not enough yet. I have to play the new map for several months. For example, during the test period of the Spectrum at the time, the map Breeze appeared, and the first impression is this map is the worst (laughs). But as I went into it, it came to be a good map.

I like Pearl at the moment, but the point is that the invasion of the A site is narrow. Also, it's fun to have a music score of songs flowing with Spectrum skin in a certain place.

-(at the time of the interview) The international tournament Valorant Champions 2022 is currently being held in Istanbul, but what are the supporting teams?

EDD: I'm playing with various members, so I'll answer neutral here (laughs). The finals where the best players gather is fascinating because angles and setups that I don't know are shown.

――You are incorporating the play seen in the international tournament into yourself.

EDD: Tactics that I have never seen pop out, so I want to take that kind of play aggressively. I don't think it's good for everyone to rotate with a rope.

――I think you especially like duelists, do you have such an agent?

EDD: Of course, I understand that it is an element that is necessary for the game... I personally don't like Sentinel so much, so I want an agent that can take immediate action. It seems like you can play aggressive.

— After all, aggressive play is the most fun!

EDD: That's right! Not only is it waiting, but I want to move on the map and expand the area, so it would be fun if there was an agent that would be easy to take high places, such as a grappling hook used by Winemaker in Overwatch. Maybe.

Rather than an aggressive type like a jet, it's a support agent that moves quickly like a ninja or a spider-man.

— It's a unique agent. Finally, please give a message to the reader.

EDD: Thank you for creating such an opportunity today! I'm glad that everyone is involved in music, and thanks to everyone, I came to Japan like this.

In particular, I have been inspired by Japanese game music for a long time, and I am now because of them. I thought the original sound source was really genius, and without them, no remix was born. I hope that such intelligent music will continue to be born!

EDD latest release information Make You Say: HTTPS: //umj.lnk.to/zedd_makeyousay EDD Japan Official Site: HTTPS: //www.universal-music.co.jp/zedd/