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Australian retailer reveals 'SingStar' mic bundle for The Beatles: Rock Band
First, we heard that The Beatles: Rock Band would be released as a SingStar PS3 game with all the non-singing gameplay removed. Then Harmonix told Joystiq that it was just a potential microphone bundle for Rock Band, marketed at the SingStar-loving PAL audience.The real bundle, as revealed by Australian retailer JB Hi-Fi, is somewhere in between, though the corrected Harmonix story was way more accurate. It's a regular copy of The Beatles: Rock Band and two SingStar mics, in a big SingStar package. JB Hi-Fi states that it will be out September 24 for $99 AUD ($86.61 US), and we have yet to see it pop up on any other retailer sites, so we don't know if it's PALexclusive or Australia exclusive, or where it'll be out. We'll check with Sony.[Via Kotaku]
SingStar Home space coming September 24
There's a time and a place for dancing -- even within the virtual confines of PlayStation Home. Fortunately, Sony is attempting to prevent the spread of inappropriate move busting by introducing an interactive dance floor-equipped SingStar space on September 24. Said dance arena doesn't just cast pretty lights onto its inhabitants -- it actually changes the current song based on which dance the majority of players are doing. Check out a video of the dance floor in action after the jump.In addition, the SingStar space will include a music video jukebox, an interactive music quiz, and even a few "fetching" rewards for visitors. We're excited for said prizes -- provided they lend themselves to our favorite pastime.
Sony to offer voice recognition, image enlargement tech in upcoming SDK
Sony has been working on distributing a number of new technologies, already available in some PS3 programs. The first is voice recognition software, employed by SingStar, that allows the PS3 to quickly recognize up to 20 different languages. In SingStar, players are able to quickly go through the song library by simply calling out various commands or speaking the names of artists and songs. While the technology is currently exclusive to Sony, a report by Dig Info reveals that the company plans on making it available to all PS3 developers in future iterations of the console's software development kit.Another tech developed by Sony allows the PS3 and PSP to quickly zoom in on massive images. Already used in a Japanese release calendar program (available for free from the Japanese PlayStation Store), this technology streams massive amounts of visual data -- including video -- quickly and scales it appropriately. Like the SingStar voice recognition tools, this tech will be available for developers in an upcoming SDK update. We're not exactly sure how games will be able to take advantage of this, but it certainly looks impressive.Check out videos after the break.[Via Engadget]Source - High-Resolution Enlargement TechnologySource - PS3 Voice Recognition
ESRB: Sing about urine and unprotected sex in SingStar Latino
Looks like Sony is expanding its SingStar library once again with SingStar Latino, an upcoming Spanish-language karaoke collection for PS2 and PS3. The ESRB description reads like a Harlequin novel at times, referencing "tight pants, bikini tops, bra-like tops, shirts/dresses that expose deep cleavage" and even more scandalous -- "touching breasts and crotch, grinding and gyrating hips." Is it getting warm in here?The ESRB also highlights some lyrics that are simply bizarre when taken out of context. One song seemingly encourages unprotected sex, according to the ESRB's translations: "Y no me hables de sexo seguro" [And don't talk to me about safe sex.] The full song -- Chenoa's "Cuando tu vas" -- is about love over sex.As for this lyric? "Mi agüita amarilla...Mo ja las ca lles...Y la empie zo a mear." [My little yellow water...It wets the streets...And I start to pee.] We can't even fathom how to explain that one. Watch both music videos after the break.
US SingStore adds Blondie, individual Coldplay tracks
Brace your faces, karaoke fans -- SingStar's US store has added even more content to help you sing the night away. This week the US SingStore has added a Blondie song pack comprised of five hits from the 70s-80s phenom as well as individual Coldplay tracks, originally released together as a package a few months ago.The store is also adding a few international flavors with tracks from (the awesome) Los Delinquentes with fellow Spanish star Bebe and Portugal's ironically named (because he's totally not a giant) Sir Giant. Full track listing can be found after the break.
Swag Saturday: SingStar Spectacular (PS3) [update]
Update: The comments have been closed and the winners will be chosen in the next 48 hours. Check those inboxes!Do you know how much we love you, dearest readers? So much so, that while we're giving away a sore throat-inducing pack of SingStar and SingStar Queen this week to one lucky reader, we're not giving you any of those nasty plastic peripherals that we know you hate so much. That's right -- two singing games, none of those ridiculous microphones!Lunacy you say? How about this? We'll throw in a complimentary Joystiq sticker along with the fantastic SingStar Swag Saturday Spectacular! All you have to do is leave a comment below telling us how many plastic peripherals you already own. A winner will be chosen at random after the contest ends tomorrow evening and emailed shortly thereafter. You can thank us later, don't worry about it. Leave a comment telling us how many plastic peripherals you already own (for any console). You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada, excluding Quebec.(Nous sommes désolés, Québecois!) Limit 1 entry per person. This entry period ends at 7:01 pm ET on Sunday, August 30. We'll randomly select one at that time to receive: one copy of SingStar and SingStar Queen (ARV $30 and $37, respectively). For a list of complete rules, click here %Gallery-1946%%Gallery-64920%
Rumored 'SingStar: Beatles' was a Beatles: Rock Band microphone pack
Harmonix's Sean Baptiste has repeatedly denied the baffling rumor of a The Beatles: Rock Band-based SingStar Beatles game on the Rock Band forums. One of his denials indicated that there was some element of truth buried deep within the rumor. "This isn't true, just a misheard rumor," he said. "I'll have more details later in the day about whatever it is they misheard."A Harmonix/MTV Games spokesperson gave us the real info: it isn't SingStar, it's a The Beatles: Rock Band microphone bundle -- and even that is in the realm of hypotheticals. The spokesperson told us that the companies "have been working very closely with all of our partners to create various retail promotional opportunities in Europe to support the existing installed base of existing music video game hardware with potential offerings such as "The Beatles Microphone Bundles."Someone must have heard discussion about a pack that was like SingStar: Beatles, and mistakenly believed it was SingStar: Beatles. The full statement is after the break.
Become a dancing queen in the SingStar Home Space
If you're one of the few that love to bust a groove in PlayStation Home, then you'll love the upcoming SingStar Home Space. The Home expansion features a virtual dance floor, complete with a SingStar-themed jukebox that lets visitors choose the tunes. You'll be able to Quincy to the tunes of Britney Spears -- and who doesn't want to do that?
MCV: EA releasing SingStar: The Beatles 'within days' of The Beatles: Rock Band
MCV reports that a PlayStation 3-exclusive Beatles version of SingStar will be released this fall, published by The Beatles: Rock Band publisher MTV Games and distributed by EA. Why MTV Games and not regular SingStar publisher Sony? Well, "MCV understands that SingStar: The Beatles will effectively be an instrument-free port of The Beatles: Rock Band." We'll now have a brief intermission for the collective "what?" The title will supposedly be released "within days" of The Beatles: Rock Band and will include SingStar mics. While it remains to be seen if this (possibly nonexistent) spinoff game also has the potential to make people cry, its mere existence almost certainly will.
Universal songs to hit European SingStore
Music from Universal's catalog is headed to the SingStar's European SingStore. According to Eurogamer, Sony has signed a deal with Universal (UMG), which will release its first content on August 8. As an early reward, Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" was released yesterday due to "popular demand" from fans of the karaoke game. A listing of tracks for wannabe European pop stars can be found after the break -- and yes, to quell any fears, Tiffany is on the list.
SingStar's top June downloads
Some of you people must have some strong vocal cords -- or just wish you did -- as Evanescence's "My Immortal" and "Bring Me To Life" were the top SingStar downloads for June. Good for you if you can hit some of those notes ... or at least find the pitch. Rounding out the top five were Ray Charles' "Hit The Road Jack," Roxette Ballads, and "So What" by Pink.Actually, there are some respectable post-pub choices in the full list. Check it out after the break.
UK music charts want to add rhythm game DLC tracking
UK's aptly named Official Chart Company has a fairly progressive idea for how to more accurately tabulate the sales success of musical artists on its Official Download Chart -- by including the sales statistics for tracks offered as downloadable content for rhythm titles such as Rock Band, Guitar Hero: World Tour and SingStar.To compile and include this data, it would take a great deal of negotiation between the record companies, the Official Chart Company and the game's developers, but we think it's definitely worth the trouble -- if only so we could try to get Stephen and the Colberts on the UK Weekly Top 40.
Report: 25 million played music games in April, banjo sales at all-time low
You may not know this, but April is actually the biggest month of the year for banjo sales in the US. You see, the annual Jugband Jamboree takes place in April each year, across various states in the country, but nobody attended this year thanks to those darn Guitar Heroes, Rock Bands, and Singstars.A new report (via GI.biz) came up with the data, based on research done by firm Interpret. In fact, aside from the staggering 25 million US gamers that got down with one music game or another, data showed that these gamers purchased 67% more CDs than those who didn't enjoy rhythm-based games. In addition, 29% of these wannabe rockers actually downloaded or streamed a music video in the past three months (compared to the 15% that partook overall), and 45% listened to music via a social network (versus 32% overall). So, as much as celebrities like to bash these kinds of games, it's helping more folks get into music, which, to us, is a good thing.
ESRB: Buzz Jr. RoboJam, SingStar Sampler Pack coming to the US
A few more discoveries were made today off the ESRB website. Looks like American PS3 owners will be able to download Buzz Jr. RoboJam off the PSN some time soon. The family friendly PSN game is a port of a PS2 game with the same name and has some of the easiest Trophies around. It'll require the Buzz! buzzers though, so many trophy hunters will be out of luck.A new SingStar game has also been discovered on the ESRB. The SingStar Sampler Pack looks to be yet another expansion to the franchise, this time featuring David Bowie, Fergie, Amy Winehouse, Rockwell, and the Smashing Pumpkins.Finally, long-lost PSN game topatoi looks like it may actually be coming out. You can watch the bizarre promo trailer here and check out our gallery.%Gallery-66362%
Evanescence, Gorillaz and Korn hit the European SingStore
One of the great things about the new European PlayStation Blog is that we'll now be alerted to SingStar updates as and when they happen. Handy that. A lot easier than searching for our game disc, plugging in our mics and loading up the SingStore every two weeks, that's for sure.Today's update is quite an eclectic mix, with a few interesting highlights. You can check out the full list out of the break. As for our picks of the fortnight, we're suckers for a bit of Evanescence. Some Gorillaz is always welcome too, even if we are completely rubbish at the rapping bits in "Feel Good Inc."
SingStar celebrates fifth year, dev hints at video editing features
SingStar turned five years old today. Since it first released in Europe, it has spawned a series of twenty-six (we think -- it's hard to keep track) titles in the region alone. The development team at London Studios aren't done yet, though. Speaking to Develop, the studio's development director, Mike Haigh, has said that "watching how people use video and the pause button gives us good indication as to what to do next, and that's a hint at what we might be doing in the future."Video editing features would be a great addition to SingStar PS3's feature list. Watching people prance about singing badly is already fun enough, but some of the My SingStar Online videos have included some very clever uses of the pause button in order to create even funnier masterpieces. With full control we could see even more impressive pieces of video and, who knows, maybe the start of a new web TV show.
Play the Game: SingStar Queen will breakthru to the US in August
Are you ready for a Killer Queen lineup? SingStar Queen is ready to rock you on August 18th, when it launches on both PS2 and PS3. If you want it all, you'll want to pick up the PS3 version, which will include 25 songs and full access to SingStar's community features, including the SingStore. (The PS2 version bites the dust with only 20 songs and no online features.)SingStar Queen will feature all the enhancements of next week's 3.01 update, including a revised SingStore and Trophy support. So, tie your mother down and please stop me now. Writing with constant Queen innuendos puts this blogger under pressure.
SingStar 3.01 patch gets last-minute delay, now releasing Apr. 22
Were you expecting an update notification when you popped in SingStar today? We were too. Were you disappointed when you didn't get any? Yeah, we were bummed as well. Looks like the 3.01 update to SingStar has hit some kind of last-minute roadblock. The patch now has a revised release date: April 22nd.Karaoke stars, looks like you'll have to wait just a little longer to get your hands on the new SingStore interface and start unlocking Trophies.
SingStar 3.01 update goes live tomorrow, adds Trophies, voice control
Looks like it's time to pick up SingStar again. A free 3.01 patch will be made available for all PS3 versions of SingStar, adding Trophy support and a new voice control feature that lets you select songs using vocal commands -- no need to pick up a controller! Finally, My SingStar Online will be revamped with a brand new look.The SingStore and My SingStar Online community features will be down during the update, so expect about eight hours of offline karaoke drunkenness. We're sure you'll be able to deal.%Gallery-3205%
'SingStar Extras' will bring new features to game and SingStore
SingStar director Dave Raynard revealed to Eurogamer that some adjustments will be made to the SingStar franchise, namely the addition of something called "SingStar Extras" and all-new gameplay features. SingStar Extras isn't a game, but a new section in the SingStore where users can purchase paid or free "features." He hasn't detailed what these new features are, but he says they will most likely be revealed at E3 in June. A voice control option will be coming to the series via SingStar Pop Edition later this month. What other unannounced features could SCEE be working on?
