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Gaming audio legend Richard Joseph died yesterday at the age of 53, following a short battle against lung cancer.

Joseph was responsible for an incredible list of British-developed videogaming classics over the past twenty years, including Sensible Soccer, The Chaos Engine and Cannon Fodder.

Close friend Jon Hare revealed the tragic news to Eurogamer this morning, and described Joseph as "one of my closest friends."

"He was one the pioneering British computer gaming musicians - and one of the best," added Hare.

After a stint as an EMI-signed recording artist, Joseph broke into videogaming in the mid-80s with Palace, penning memorable soundtracks for several hit C64 games such as Barbarian and Cauldron 2.

But some of his best-loved work came about when he hooked up with Hare at Sensible Software and began a long-standing stint with the developer.

"He worked on everything from 3D Tennis onwards," said Hare, "including Mega-Lo-Mania, Wizkid, Sensible Soccer, Cannon Fodder, Sensible Golf, and even last year's Sensible Soccer 2006.

"But he didn't just do the music - he'd arrange songs I'd written, do the sound effects, the lot."

Indeed, the BAFTA-winning Joseph was one of the pioneers of sampling in games, with many Bitmap Brothers tunes featuring well-known artists of the era such as Betty Boo. But his own creations for Sensible were perhaps his best known work, such as the controversial "War Has Never Been So Much Fun" tune in Cannon Fodder and, of course, "Goal Scoring Superstar Hero" used in Sensible Soccer.

During his time at The Bitmap Brothers, he pushed game soundtracks to the forefront of the experience, in titles such as Gods, Speedball 2 and The Chaos Engine. The latter, in particular, featured a pulsating interactive soundtrack that ebbed and flowed with the action, creating a tense audio backdrop to the proceedings.

Later in Joseph's distinguished career, he also gained recognition at Electronic Arts, gaining a BAFTA award for his work on Theme Park World. More recently, he contributed soundtracks to Elixir's Republic and Evil Genius.



As a huge fan of Soldiers of Fortune (The Chaos Engine) being one of my favorite games this truly is sad. That man sure could make the most of an Amiga or 16 bit system.  :(

I don;t know who he is but that sucks.

I believe he worked on Elder Scrolls Oblivion as well.

Bogus... Chaos Engine alone (on my mobile) had cool music. Talented guy, it's a same.

Don´t know exactly who was, but rest in peace Joseph...

Here's his game credit list from Mobygames:

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006), 2K Games
Sensible Soccer 2006 (2006), Codemasters Software Company Limited, The
Evil Genius (2004), Sierra Entertainment, Inc.
Republic: The Revolution (2003), Eidos, Inc.
SimCoaster (2001), Electronic Arts, Inc.
Sim Theme Park (1999), Electronic Arts, Inc.
Creatures 2 (1998), Mindscape, Inc.
Glover (1998), Hasbro Interactive, Inc.
LEGO Loco (1998), Lego Media
Croc: Legend of the Gobbos (1997), Fox Interactive
NBA Shootout '97 (1997), Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd.
Sensible Soccer '98 (1997), GT Interactive Software Corp.
The Chaos Engine 2 (1996), Renegade Software
Diggers 2: Extractors (1995), Vic Tokai, Inc.
Flight of the Amazon Queen (1995), Renegade Software
Sensible World of Soccer (1995), Renegade Software
Silverload (1995), Psygnosis Limited
3 Ninjas Kick Back (1994), Sony Imagesoft
Cannon Fodder 2 (1994), Virgin Interactive Entertainment, Inc.
International Sensible Soccer (1994), Renegade Software
Mr. Blobby (1994), Millennium Interactive Ltd.
Putty Squad (1994), Ocean Software Ltd.
Rise of the Robots (1994), Time Warner Interactive, Inc.
Sensible Golf (1994), Virgin Interactive Entertainment (Europe) Ltd.
Super Troll Islands (1994), American Softworks Corporation
Brutal Sports Football (1993), Millennium Interactive Ltd.
Cannon Fodder (1993), Virgin Games, Ltd.
The Chaos Engine (1993), Spectrum Holobyte, Inc.
James Pond 3: Operation Starfish (1993), Electronic Arts, Inc.
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1992), Millennium Interactive Ltd.
The Aquatic Games (1992), Millennium Interactive Ltd.
Cyber Empires (1992), Strategic Simulations, Inc.
Daughter of Serpents (1992), Millennium Interactive Ltd.
Global Effect (1992), Millennium Interactive Ltd.
Lure of the Temptress (1992), Konami of America, Inc.
Putty (1992), System 3 Software, Ltd.
Rome: Pathway to Power (1992), Millennium Interactive Ltd.
Sensible Soccer: European Champions (1992), Renegade Software
Sensible Soccer: European Champions: 92/93 Edition (1992), Renegade                   
Wizkid: The Story of Wizball II (1992), Ocean Software Ltd.
Gods (1991), Renegade Software
James Pond 2: Codename: RoboCod (1991), Electronic Arts, Inc.
Magic Pockets (1991), Renegade Software
Mega lo Mania (1991), Image Works
Moonshine Racers (1991), Millennium Interactive Ltd.
Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight (1991), Mindscape International Ltd.
Stormball (1991), Millennium Interactive Ltd.
Cadaver (1990), Image Works, Mirrorsoft Ltd.
International 3D Tennis (1990), Palace Software, LTD.
James Pond: Underwater Agent (1990), Millennium Interactive Ltd.
Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe (1990), Konami (America), Inc.
Death Sword (1987), Palace Software, LTD.
Cauldron II: The Pumpkin Strikes Back (1986), Palace Software, LTD.
Rad Warrior (1986), Palace Software, LTD.

What did I post here?

Apologies if it was completely tasteless.

Oh, wow Tan, thanks for the info!, i didn´t know he had programmed all that games.