Where was Masayoshi Soken born and what was his early education?
Masayoshi Soken was born in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, before his family relocated to Tokyo. He enrolled in the Tokyo University of Science to study chemistry.
Questions about Masayoshi Soken
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did Masayoshi Soken join Square and what was his first role?
Masayoshi Soken joined Square in 1998 where his early contributions were primarily focused on crafting subtle audio textures. He assisted Kenji Ito on sports video games such as Gekikuukan Pro Baseball: The End of the Century 1999.
When did Masayoshi Soken become the sound director for Final Fantasy XIV?
Masayoshi Soken assumed the role of sound director for Final Fantasy XIV in 2010 following a significant reshuffling of the development team. He composed the expansive soundtrack for A Realm Reborn and formed the rock band The Primals.
When did Masayoshi Soken reveal his cancer diagnosis and how did he continue working?
Masayoshi Soken revealed his cancer diagnosis during the Final Fantasy XIV Digital Fan Festival in May 2021. He had been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment throughout most of 2020 and continued to work on the game sometimes composing from a hospital bed.
When did Masayoshi Soken collaborate with Tom Morello on a Final Fantasy XIV track?
Masayoshi Soken achieved a long-held dream by collaborating with Tom Morello in 2025 on a track for Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail. The track Everything Burns was written and performed with the band Beartooth for the Arcadion Heavyweight raid series.
When did Masayoshi Soken win the Game Award for Best Score and Music?
Masayoshi Soken won the Game Award for Best Score and Music in 2023 for his work on Final Fantasy XVI. This award is a testament to his enduring impact on the gaming world and his contributions to the series.