Naofumi Hataya

Naofumi Hataya, born November 13 in Saitama, Japan, is a musician and composer working for Wave Master. He graduated from Rikkyo University, where he played in a band. Though Hataya did not want a career in music, he was looking to improve his skills, so he sought a job at a music-related company. In 1990, he took a job at SEGA, and the rest is history.

Aliases

Hataya is presumably frequently credited under the aliases Nao Chan, Hata, Hatabaw and N.H.. While there is no clear direct evidence that all these names are pseudonyms, various similarities can be noted between these names to link them together, as well as several motifs shared between many of the songs that these names are associated with also are found in Hataya's work.

For example, the chord progression and arrangement for Sky High Zone and Underground Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Game Gear shares similarities to music for the strategy game The Hybrid Front, the "REPLAY" music from the 32X version of Virtua Racing, and the "Chance" BGM from Chuu Kyuukai Miracle Nine; all of these games were composed by Hataya.

In addition, the music for the stage Ocean Palace in Sonic Heroes bears a melodic similarity to the theme song to Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which is credited to Nao Chan (which is a diminutive form of Naofumi, similar to how Jimmy and Jimbo are diminutives of James in English). It's also present in Sonic Chaos, despite he wasn't involved in that game's soundtrack. The Ocean Palace BGM is credited as being composed by Hataya, though it is performed by Jun Senoue.

He is not to be mistaken for Masayuki Nagao, an employee of Santos (before it was renamed Megasoft upon Sega's acquisition of the company in 1991; Hataya joined Sega in 1990), whose aliases include N. Gee and Nagao N. Gee.

Production History

Games credited under aliases have a star (*) next to them

Nikkan Sports Pro Yakyuu VAN (1991) — Sound Effect
Golden Axe II (1991) — Sound Effect
Kiss Shot (1992) — Music Create
Tougi Ou King Colossus (1992) — "Assistant" (exact job unknown)
Quiz Scramble Special (1992) — Music
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit) (1992) — Sound*
Golden Axe III (1993) — Music and Sound Effect
Sonic CD (1993) — Original Music, Japan Version Music, Special Thanks
The Hybrid Front (1994) — Music and Sound Effect
Ristar (1995) — Special Thanks, Music Composer [uncredited]
Virtua Racing Deluxe (1994) — Replacement music, arrangement
Knuckles' Chaotix (1995) — Special Thanks
Shadow Squadron (1995) — Sound Special Thanks
Chou Kyuukai Miracle Nine (1995) — Music and Sound Effect
Sega Rally Championship (Saturn Version) (1995) — Replacement Music Composer
NiGHTS into Dreams (1996) — Music Composer & Arranger
Christmas NiGHTS (1996) — Music Composer & Arranger
Sonic R (1997) — Sound Advisor
Burning Rangers (1997) — Sound Director, Composer
Biohazard (?) — "Data porting" (exact job unknown)
Sonic Adventure (1998) — Special Thanks
Space Channel 5 (1999) — Sound Director, Music Composer
ROOMMANIA#203 (2000) — Sound Design, "digitized" (meaning unknown)
Samba de Amigo (2000)
Samba de Amigo VER.2000 (?) — Composer of "Vamos a Carnaval"
Super Galdelic Hour (2001), a PlayStation 2 game by Enix with sound handled by Wave Master — Music
Space Channel 5: Part 2 (2002) — Sound Director, Music Composer
Blinx: The Time Sweeper (2002) — The producers wish to thank the following
Space Channel 5: Special Edition (2003) — Sound Director, Music Composer
Space Channel 5: Part 2: Special Edition (2003) — Sound Director, Music Composer
New Roommania: Porori Seishun (2003) — Sound Design, "various materials to create" (unknown), sound effects
Sonic Heroes (2004) — Music Composer
Feel the Magic XY/XX (2004) — Sound Director
Sonic Gems Collection (2005) — Sound Director
Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) — Sound Section Special Thanks (Sound Effects)
Sonic and the Secret Rings (2007) — Sound Effects
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (2007) — Music Composer & Arranger
NiGHTS into Dreams (PS2 Version) (2008) — Supervisor
Sega Superstars Tennis (2008) — Special Thanks
Sonic Unleashed (2008) — Special Thanks
Let's Tap (2008) — Sound Creator
Sonic and the Black Knight (2009) — Game Sound Department
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (2009) — Music Composer
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (2010) — CS1 R&D Sound
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 (2010) — Special Thanks
Sonic Colors (2010) — Music Composer

Song Credits

Ristar

Go Ahead [Area Clear] - Composition
Let's Go!! [Round Clear 1] - Composition
Fuu.. [Game Over] - Composition

Christmas NiGHTS

<EVENT> Missing Star - Arrangement
Welcome to Christmas NiGHTS - Arrangement
The Dragon Gave a Loud Scream : In Holy Night - Composition
Jack Frost's Chime : Bitter Ver. - Arrangement
Jack Frost's Chime : Spicy Ver. - Arrangement
New Year's "9TH" - Arrangement
Rolling Eggman - Composition
Dreams Dreams : Sweet Mix in Holy Night - Arrangement
Dreams Dreams : Nightopian Ver. - Arrangement

Sonic Heroes

Stage 02 : Ocean Palace - Composition
System Screen : Select - Composition, Arrangement
Special Stage : Bonus Challenge - Composition, Arrangement
Stage 12 : Mystic Mansion - Composition, Arrangement

Sonic Colors

Area - Tropical Resort - Composition
Area - Terminal Velocity - Composition