James Hannigan
Intro
Media
Studio
Credits
Reviews
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(Sim Theme Park/Theme Park World)

(Soundtrack.net - 'Republic')

(FA Premier League Manager; Evil Genius; Republic)

('Best of 2007' - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

('Best Game Score', 2007 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

 
 
 

Introduction

James Hannigan is a composer with involvement in a variety of industries, but most prominently within the area of interactive entertainment. Starting his career at Electronic Arts in the mid-1990s after a short stint in television, James worked on various EA Sports titles (FIFA/F1) and hits such as Origin's Privateer 2: The Darkening (1996) - one of the earliest games to use live action, featuring performances by Clive Owen, John Hurt and Christopher Walken - along with others of the era such as Warhammer (Mindscape). James later returned to freelance work and based himself at Pinewood Studios in West London, scoring tens of video games, commercials and library projects in the years since and accumulating four BAFTA nominations for music and a win with Electronic Arts in 2000. His credits include Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Freelancer, Republic, Evil Genius, Brute Force, Catwoman, Reign of Fire, Conquest, Grand Prix 4, Warhammer, Mr. Bean, Sim Theme Park, Lost In Space (film; sound design) and many others.  Projects scheduled for 2008/9 are yet to be announced.

At this time, Video Games Live are touring with a segment of James's music from the latest Harry Potter installment - recently debuting at London's Festival Hall and featuring the Philharmonia orchestra.

Participating as a panellist at events such as the Edinburgh International Festival, Musicworks and The BAFTA Interactive Festival, James also writes articles and has been featured on the cover of Develop Magazine, profiled in Post, Audio Media, Resolution and other publications. Click here for Media. (Picture shown: Harry Gregson-Williams, Prof. Stephen Deutsch and James Hannigan at the Edinburgh International Festival.)

 

Reviewer Comments/Awards

9.5/10 - IGN's rating for music,'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' review.  'Best of 2007'

 

"James Hannigan has not only written the best music in the video game series, but he has surpassed Nicholas Hooper’s film score. That’s right, this is better than the film score. I really hope someone over at Warner Bros. is listening to this score." - 'Movie Music UK' on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

 "Wonderful music..." Gamespy.. 

"10/10. The music in Republic is amazing. It is possibly the greatest and most appropriate music in any game ever."- Game FAQ..

"Powerful and rewarding, the Republic soundtrack is something fans of game music should seek out... Hannigan, with the skillful ensemble and support of Eidos and Elixir Studios, has accomplished something great. I'm proud to include this among my collection of film and orchestral music" Jay Semerad - Music4Games

"Hannigan's musical accompaniment to this game of Cold War rebellion hit the mark in terms of what sounds should support the on-screen images." - Soundtrack.net on Republic, Top 5 Computer Game Soundtracks of 2004...

"As well as looking great, the cities feel real, with character voices and exceptional musical score helping to generate a believable atmosphere." Sky News...  

"...the music by James Hannigan lends real atmosphere wherever you are in the game, adjusting to specific actions. (The opening theme creates an excellent sense of melancholy and foreboding).... Excellent music and sound: 9/10" - IGN...

"Music and sound are extremely good throughout...The music is near perfect. Use of sound effects, garbled speech, radio broadcasts and so on are wonderful and add to the immersion greatly." - IGN on Evil Genius...

"Haunting vocal lines mixed with richly scored strings serve to make the music score truly memorable. The unconventional approach to style works very well and emphasises the drama of the game without relying on cliches. Production values are superlative, and composition first-rate, with the music setting the mood beautifully and creating a lasting impression for the title." - The British Academy of Film and Television Arts on FA Premier League Manager

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Copyright © 2000-2007 James Hannigan and Post Linear Creations Ltd. All rights reserved

The British Academy Award is based on a design by Mitzi Cunliffe