TOKYO—Nobuo Uematsu, well-known composer of the soundtracks to the Final Fantasy series, has announced his plans to leave publisher Square Enix after nearly 20 years. In a newsletter sent to members of his fan club "Nobiyo no Shippo," Uematsu said that he will establish his own independent studio called Smile Please.
(more details @ GAMESPOT.news : http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/11/01/news_6111914.html)