KaraokeRevolution
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Hitman, UFC, American Idol added to Games on Demand
Three new games have landed on Xbox Live Games on Demand this week. The games offer some vastly different experiences, so there should be something for everyone. For those who enjoy watching sweaty dudes pummel each other, UFC 2009: Undisputed is the game for you. If you prefer more discreet (perhaps even sneaky) violence, Hitman: Blood Money might be more up your alley. If, on the other hand, you'd rather have your singing talents mocked by a virtual Simon Cowell -- and who wouldn't -- it's Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 all the way. Each game runs $29.99 in North America. As usual, pricing and availability will vary in other regions. Shortcut: Add UFC 2009: Undisputed to your download queue [via Xbox.com] Shortcut: Add Hitman: Blood Money to your download queue [via Xbox.com] Shortcut: Add American Idol Encore 2 to your download queue [via Xbox.com] [Via Major Nelson]
Karaoke Revolution vs. SingStar: Which is tougher?
The surface differences between SingStar and Karaoke Revolution are obvious. One uses the official versions of songs, the other uses covers. One has full music videos in the background, the other has animated 3D singers and environments. One has remained blessedly license-free, the other gave us the image of an uncanny-valleyified Simon Cowell that can never be erased from our minds.But the surface differences don't really matter in the end. What really matters is how well each game judges your vocal performances. After all, this judging is what separates the karaoke video game from the weekly "talentless hack night" at your local bar. When we noticed that SingStar Pop and Karaoke Revolution Vol. 2 both shared the Britney Spears hit "...Baby one more time," we knew we had a definitive test on our hands.That's right: two systems, two games, two microphones, one performance. Which game would be more lenient on our awful singing? Continue reading to find out.Previously: Joystiq Video: Karaoke Revolution Country
Karaoke Revolution contest
In another contest, gamers can compete across the U.S. to become the next (virtual) American Idol. Using Konami's Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol, players will sing a favorite song, and videos of top scorers will be posted for internet humiliation voting. The most internet-famous singer will then be flown to a real "American Idol" taping to stare longingly at the actual singers.The contest begins today at the DigitalLife expo in New York and reaches 10 cities through mid-November. Players can register on-site.The full schedule follows: New York: Jacob J. Javits Convention Center, October 13-14 Philadelphia: King of Prussia Mall, October 21 Dallas: The Parks at Arlington, October 22 Washington D.C.: St. Charles Towne Center, October 28 Houston: Willowbrook Mall, October 28 Atlanta: Lenox Square, November 4 San Francisco: Stonestown Galleria, November 4 Boston: Northshore Mall, November 11 Los Angeles: Glendale Galleria, November 11 Chicago: Woodfield Shopping Center, November 18 Keep an eye on the Karaoke Revolution site for more information. The site hadn't been updated when this post went online. Seacrest out.
MTV snaps up Guitar Hero developer [update 1]
How much is a franchise like Guitar Hero worth? Roughly $275 million. That's what you get when you add the nearly $100 million that Activision paid for publisher RedOctane and the $175 million in cash that MTV is set to pay for developer Harmonix.True, RedOctane also has a modest game rental business and Harmonix is also the developer behind the successful Karaoke Revolution series, but there's no question that Guitar Hero was the game that sent these two companies fortunes into the stratosphere.The MTV deal, as reported by the New York Times, will utilize Harmonix's experience with music-based games to design play-and-remix-and-sing-along experiences for MTV's web, mobile and VMTV virtual world services. That's all well and good, but we'd like to see what this partnership can do with the console-based MTV Music Generator series, which has lagged a bit since CodeMasters took the publishing rights over from... Activision. Hmm...[Update 1: Harmonix has issued a press release with more details about the buyout][Thanks Ben]
Joystiq Video: Karaoke Revolution Country
As luck would have it, the edited version of Randall and I's Karaoke Revolution performance live in LA just got uploaded during a nice slow night of blogging. Now, instead of getting washed away in a torrent of E3-related posts, it'll sit on the front page, gathering exposure and accumulating your precious mockery ... alright Joystiqers, have at it!If the embedded video isn't working, check out our local version (.mov).[Thanks, Alexia and Randall!]
Sega acquires Secret Level & Sports Interactive
Sega moved one step closer to gaining further ground in the Western market by acquiring San Francisco developer Secret Level through an undisclosed deal. Last July, Sega put Secret Level to work, tasking the developer with reviving a classic franchise - rumored to be After Burner - for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Apparently, pleased with the studio's work, Sega decided to acquire Secret Level, rather than build an internal team from scratch. Sega has also announced the acquisition of UK studio Sports Interactive, developers of the Football Manager series. [Thanks, The1]
