Hello.
My name is Ueda, the Director of Contact.

I was in charge of planning this game's scenario, worldview, and things like maps, design, and backgrounds. I have no idea how well the Japanese-specific jokes and wordplay will be translated (because I do not speak English), but I'm sure that the localization staff will do a great job of communicating the unique world of Contact.

I intended Contact to be a lighthearted experience, but I've developed a deeper attachment to it, since I can play it anywhere at any time. I'm confident gamers will be able to play Contact for a while. Personally, I hope players in their 30's (like me) will try Contact. The colorful graphics were designed to create feelings of nostalgia; just like the interplay between the "real" and "game" worlds. We used a style of music which is only possible in video games--I want gamers to listen to the opening and ending themes with headphones if they can.

We have a lot of respect for the history and culture of video games--I grew up with it all around me, so I put all my effort into making games of my own. The essential qualities of a video game are excitement, laughter, emotion, and maintaining the player's interest. Though Contact is the first original game I have directed, it reflects the respect I have for the old, wonderful video games I used to play. I would be happy if this came across to the players in America.

I've started my own company, independent of Grasshopper Inc. called Audio Inc. We want to provide "great music," the kind which is only possible in video games. I'm sure Grasshopper will continue to make powerful and fascinating products, and it is Audio Inc.'s goal to keep up with them by creating products of equal quality.

grasshopper manufacturer inc.

A game company that releases critically acclaimed titles like "Killer 7." Their games are known for unique world views and dark atmospheres.
http://www.grasshopper.co.jp/

audio inc.

After building my team at Grasshopper while developing "Shining Soul" and "Shining Soul II" for the GBA, as well as "Contact" for the Nintendo DS, I have established Audio, Inc along with that team. We started under this new name as of January, 2006.
"Contact" is both our final work as part of Grasshopper, and our first work as Audio Inc.
http://www.audiogames.jp/