After Feibi and Phil, we carry on our interviews with Chris aka iMexx, who works at Kobojo as a sound designer!

Hi Chris, could you introduce yourself to our readers in a few words?

Well, my name is Khatchadour (Chris to make it easier/simpler ) I’m 36 , I’m a music and sound addict . I compose and “make noises “ since I’m seven (the age I moved to France). I have probably owned about 20 consoles and computer in my life… so I’ve always had the craze for video games!

Concerning my studies , I have a international trading BTEC Higher National Diploma (nothing really related to my actual job) and also a Computer maintenance BTEC Higher National Diploma. But my true passion is sound, which I have learnt in situation. I’m a self- taught person!

On the work front, I have worked in several multimedia creation studios (video games, computer generated images) and I have been composer in a demoscene group (artistic programming creation) in the nineties. I’ve started then…. and I’ve always kept sound /music in my life till now!

I’ve also worked as a computer graphics expert, DJ, artist… in fact when it comes to career, I’m kind of a nomad who can’t sit still! I have “officially” started working in the sound designing 3 years ago, but back then, sound designer wasn’t considered as a job!

How did you fell in love with sound?

I‘ve started very young when my parents bought me my first computer (an Oric Atmos) and while fiddling with it, I’ve learnt to create sounds by programming. Very fast my eyes and ears started shining and by 13 I fell in love with DJ mixing. So I started mixing while still working on the composing /noising thing.

What do like the most about your job?

What I absolutely love in my job is to search and find new audio concepts, moving people emotionally speaking with my creations… but I also like playing videogames and discovering new techniques!

And with Kobojo, what’s your role? Which projects have you worked on?

Actually, I’m in charge of the sounds and the music on all of kobojo’s productions (Goobox), and I’ve been working in this project since the very beginning!

About Kobojo’s games, any special favorite? A game you particularly enjoyed playing? musics you love?

I have two special favorite at the moment: ElementZ and PyramidZ. These two games are very relaxing to me every time I play: they’re not stressful and are simple games… which is all I love! Generally speaking, I’m quite influenced by the “8-bit” audio generation (eighties video games sounds and music ). I’ve grown up with them and feel kind of nostalgic of that time… in the more recent video games, I’m a real fan of the Burnout series’ music!

Can you tell us what is your process to create an audio/ musical universe for a goobox game?

Well, it takes several steps… first Philippe gets in touch with me and tells me about a new concept (or game). He quickly puts me in the right mood by telling me about the project’s universe ,and to be sure we perfectly agree on this, he gives me examples of more or less recent video games. Then I prepare a list of sounds I need to create, then, once the prototype is made I spend a lot of time observing all the actions and animations, sometimes even video captures, to work on the synchronization. After that I give Philippe my first sound list who then integrates it to the game prototype, and we look together for what’s good or not for me to change/add/delete sounds if needed.

Once the choice of sounds is confirmed, there is one last step: the music. Once more Philippe and I have to reach an agreement on which style/theme to use on the project. It is a bit like being in a recording studio and we discuss whether we put more bass, less rhythm… We have to agree on everything! Of course I’m not giving you every details of our operations… that is top secret… but still you can now picture it!

If you had not chosen this job, what would you have liked to do?

In fact, I have fulfilled most of my dreams, so it’s quite hard to tell… I think that if one day Kobojo moves on the moon, I would follow! Otherwise, going back to Dubai to work in video games studios such as GameCo or Kobojo… with very cool and professional people!

That’s nice for the team to say this! By the way do you play goobox video game? What is your level?

Sadly, I don’t have much time to play with the projects I’m working on. I’m quite ashamed but I’ll tell you: I’m only at level 5 or 6…

Thank you Chris for this interview! Do you have anything to add? A message you’d like to share?

Well, as I’m surrounded by talented people, I’d like to speak about three of them… First here’s Arnaud’s website Wild-dna.com . He’s my best friend and a very good coder. Then there’s Nuwarsawaf.com, my wife’s website who’s an architect /interior designer working on 3DSMax and looking for a job, and eventually my own website, Mexy.org (in which you can find PyramidZ music ). I have some time left for other projects, so feel free to contact me!

And of course, I want to thank Philippe who chose me to work on his team for Kobojo’s adventure… And I feel really good, like I belong here!