Idol chatter: Metal Gear Maestro.

Most Metal Gear fans associate Harry Gregson-Williams with scoring the series' stirring cut-scenes, but Norihiko Hibino deserves just as much credit. Whether counting down an intense alert sequence, punctuating a brutal boss battle, or simply providing a tense backdrop to Snake's sneaking, Hibino's work is an indelible part of the Metal Gear experience--not bad for someone whose career arc began as the manager of a movie theater in Kansas City, KS. We met with Hibino at his Tokyo studio, GEM Impact, to discuss the nuances of tactical-stealth audio.

EGM: How did you end up going from managing a movie theater in Kansas to composing for Metal Gear?

Norihiko Hibino: After I came back to Japan, I hoped to become a musician or producer. Working for a videogame company is actually really good, because they provide all the gear! At the time, Pro Tools and other recording gear was really expensive, and there was no "light" version for everyone. That made working for a developer a must.

EGM: How did you become involved …