More speakers are coming soon.
This year’s lineup of speakers is being announced gradually, with CiGADC once again committed to delivering cutting-edge and high-value insights for developers. Each year, CiGADC carefully curates its guest speakers, bringing together top creators from around the world to discuss the most relevant games and industry topics of the year.
One of the featured games, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Heroes, is a full remake of the 1993 classic that sold over a million copies in Japan. The remake, released late last year, was widely acclaimed for reviving the golden age of JRPGs. The SaGa series is beloved not only for its innovative gameplay and grand storytelling but also for its unforgettable music—particularly its dramatic battle themes that remain iconic even after 30 years.
The composer behind the SaGa series, Kenji Ito, has been a central figure throughout the golden era of JRPGs. He joined Square (now Square Enix) in 1990 and composed for titles such as Final Fantasy Adventure and the Romancing SaGa series, leaving a lasting mark on game music history.
In 2001, Kenji Ito founded his own label, gentle echo, expanding his work beyond games into anime and vocal music. He has written songs for popular voice actresses such as Sumire Uesaka and Shoko Nakagawa, showcasing a remarkably diverse career.
At the 2025 CiGADC Developer Conference, we are honored to welcome Kenji Ito, alongside Zhu Jin, founder and CEO of Castalia Audio, for a special on-stage conversation. Castalia Audio provides full-scope audio production services for both AAA and indie games. Before founding Castalia, Zhu Jin served as General Manager of CRI Middleware China and has deep expertise in game audio technology and industry ecosystems. He is also active in academic research, focusing on the history, theory, and interactivity of game music.
Kenji Ito and Zhu Jin will present:
“Behind the Music of Kenji Ito and the Indie Music Production System of CASA.”
In this session, Kenji Ito will explore his creative philosophy and compositional approach through the lens of the SaGa series, revealing the essence of “Ito-style” music production—how to infuse games with soul through melody and emotion. Zhu Jin will share insights from both a producer’s and researcher’s perspective, discussing how Castalia Audio builds unique, emotionally resonant sound experiences for indie games. He will introduce Castalia’s all-in-one production system that integrates composition, recording, and middleware tools, offering next-generation developers creative and cost-efficient audio solutions.
