video-games-live
Latest
Video Games Live heads around the world on tour
Video Games Live, which plays your favorite video game music (including some of WoW's greatest hits) with a full orchestra, is off on a world tour this year. This means that wherever you are, there's a reasonable chance they'll be playing somewhere in the vicinity. The tour kicked off in Phoenix, Arizona this weekend and is heading to Mexico before jumping around the US and then moving on to China, the Middle East, Europe, South America, and Canada. (Sorry, Australia!) If you're interested in catching Video Games Live, well, live, check out their tour dates page for tickets and backstage packages -- though tickets to shows later this year and next year aren't available yet. And if they aren't stopping anywhere in your area, they have three albums of great gaming music -- Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 -- available on iTunes and Amazon to get your game on.
Video Games Live dates over 50 new concerts around the world
Video Games Live has announced 50+ new dates for its gaming-focused concert tour, including first-ever stops in McAllen, Texas, Spokane, Washington, Benthlehem, Pennsylvania and more. The show will also travel through Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, China and other regions. The 10-venue pass through Mexico will include guest apperances from Journey composer Austin Wintory, God of War series contributor Gerard Marino, Symphony of the Goddess conductor Eimear Noone and more. The press release also teases appearances from "game composer friends from Japan," leaving us to dwell in anticipation for now. A listing of each show's date, city and venue can be found in the press release below, and you can keep track of ticket sales with Video Games Live's tour schedule. Musical tours like Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy or the Zelda series' Symphony of the Goddess pay tribute to catalogs spanning a single series, but Video Games Live's varied selections might entertain those looking for some variety in their live gaming symphonies. [Image: Video Games Live]
Video Games Live Level 3 album out now
If you're a fan of great video game music, you're probably familiar with Video Games Live, which produces orchestral arrangements of songs from your favorite games. Last year, frontman Tommy Tallarico took to Kickstarter to fund VGL's third album, Level 3, and the finished product is now available on iTunes and cdbaby. (Kickstarter backers, don't fret -- digital downloads and physical rewards will be headed your way soon.) On the Warcraft front, the album features VGL's take on Invincible from Wrath of the Lich King (zoom the video above to 4:25 for a preview). If you're interested in picking up your own copy you can get Invincible for $1 or the entire album for $10 -- and if you enjoy Level 3, you should definitely check out VGL's back catalog which features more music from World of Warcraft and plenty of other games.
Video Games Live: Level 3 rocks its goal on Kickstarter
The Kickstarter campaign to fund the third studio album for Tommy Tallarico's Video Games Live is a success. The pledge drive has surpassed its goal of $250,000 today, within its final 24 hours of the pledge drive. Video Games Live is a confluence of video game music and live spectacle, usually a touring live concert series where musicians cover select tracks from video game soundtracks while gameplay is projected on a massive screen. There are currently two Video Games Live albums, each available on iTunes. The target release date for this third studio album is February 18, 2014. Some planned compositions already outed include pieces from Street Fighter 2, the Monkey Island series, Skyrim, Journey, Shadow of the Colossus, Beyond Good and Evil, Tetris, Silent Hill 2, World of Warcraft and Diablo 3.
Video Games Live Kickstarter project heads to the finish line
It's going to be a photo finish for the Video Games Live's Level 3 project on Kickstarter, which is in its final days with nearly $30,000 to raise to meet its goal. If you're not familiar with Video Games Live, it's a group headed by Tommy Tallarico that tours the country playing live orchestral arrangements of video game music -- and the group has frequently graced the BlizzCon stage. The current fundraising campaign is aimed at producing the group's third studio album -- dubbed Level 3 -- and though they haven't finalized the tracklist yet, it will feature tracks VGL hasn't yet tackled from games like Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger/Cross, Shadow of the Colossus, Skyrim, Journey, Monkey Island, Destiny, DOTA, Assassin's Creed, Earthworm Jim, Silent Hill, Zelda, Mario, Pokemon, Super Smash Bros., Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, Mass Effect, Katamari Damacy, BioShock, Beyond Good & Evil, Metal Gear Solid, Street Fighter II, Uncharted, Portal, Tetris, Red Dead Redemption, Devil May Cry, Megaman, Soul Calibur, Resident Evil, Pac-Man, and our favorites, World of Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo. Blizzard tracks from WoW and Diablo are confirmed to be on Level 3 -- so we may be treated to a studio version of Invincible, as played by Video Games Live in the video above. Sound interesting? It's not too late to chip in -- and pick up a ton of great video game music for a very modest cost. Backers can get Level 3 as well as VGL's earlier albums and plenty of other extras: check Kickstarter for all the details.
Video Games Live tunes in to Kickstarter to fund third album
Video Games Live is a bit of a beast to describe. It's a concert, stage show and game demonstration all wrapped into one multimedia event where artists mix rock and symphony instruments as they play your favorite game tunes along to synchronized footage and on-stage acting. Think someone dressed up as a soldier from the Metal Gear Solid series searching across the stage while an orchestra plays the alert theme from the games while a video of gameplay from Metal Gear Solid projects behind them, and you have an idea of what to expect. The show has been running for awhile now, and has released two albums (which you can download via iTunes) in that time. Now, event host Tommy Tallarico has taken to Kickstarter in hopes of funding a studio-recorded album as opposed to the previous two live albums. Backer rewards include a personalized message from David Hayter (Solid Snake) and even a tour of Blizzard Entertainment, provided you've got a couple grand to splurge. You can learn more about Video Games Live by checking out their website.
Twitch to stream Video Games Live, debut music from Destiny, AC4
If you were sad that you couldn't make it out to the Video Games Live concert at Comic Con this week, you're about to give Twitch a great big hug. The 20-song concert, featuring orchestral renditions of some of your favorite game music, will be streamed live on Twitch Saturday night. It's also your chance to get a sneak peek (or listen, really) at music from upcoming releases Assassin's Creed 4 and Destiny. Other set list representatives include Dota 2, Diablo 3, Street Fighter 2, Shadow of the Colossus, Journey, Skyrim, Chrono Trigger, and Chrono Cross. Streamers can expect to tune in to a bit of Final Fantasy and Castlevania too - it wouldn't be VGL without a bit of FF. The streamed pre-show begins at 9PM ET (6PM PT) on Saturday, July 20, featuring interviews with some of the composers behind the tunes on show, including Journey's Austin Wintory and Dota 2's Tim Larkin - and Metal Gear Solid voice actor David Hayter - why not, we suppose. The concert proper starts at 11PM ET (8PM PT).
Video Games Live coming to Irvine in July
Many of you may be familiar with Video Games Live, a concert series celebrating the music and art of video games. Music from Blizzard's games has been featured in other Video Games Live concerts, but this is the first time the event will be held in Blizzard's home town of Irvine, California, and the planners are well aware of the games giant in the performance's backyard. If you use the promo code "Blizzard" when you purchase your ticket, you'll get a 20% discount on the price. The show will be performed by the Pacific Symphony, along with video footage, synchronized lighting, and live-action interactive performances. If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend, tickets are now currently on sale for the show on July 17th.
Video Games Live at E3: Journey, Skyrim, Diablo 3, Earthworm Jim and more
During the week of E3, on June 6, Video Games Live will take over the Nokia Theater L.A. Live arena. Being E3 and all, and L.A. being one of the most frequently played venues for Tommy Tallarico's live video game concert, this year he wanted to add some special scores – like Austin Wintory's Journey score, conducted by Wintory himself.It's just one of the more recent audio accompaniments added for the June 6 show. There are also select tunes from Skyrim, which will be handled by a secret guest conductor; composer Russell Bower will conduct some Diablo 3 tunes. Donkey Kong Country, Star Fox and even a Street Fighter segment – to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Capcom's fighter – are planned. Akira Yamaoka will also play guitar at some point.Finally, there's Earthworm Jim to consider, a game that Tallarico himself worked on. Apparently folks have been asking him to add it to Video Games Live for quite some time now, which we're totally in favor of – as long as we get that thrash metal remix of "Use Your Head" we've been waiting our entire lives for.
Video Games Live announces Canadian tour
If Scott Pilgrim vs. the World taught us anything, it's that Canadians really dig video games – so much so that they are imbued with super powers. Seemingly aware of the Great White North's vengeful, all-powerful gaming fans, Video Games Live has announced several new stops in Canada. This October and November, the orchestral game music tour will visit Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia.Ticket sales begin on Friday, April 27. The Video Games Live Twitch.tv channel will be streaming a press conference on April 25 at 9pm ET to announce specific pre-sale dates and take setlist requests from fans. Check out the VGL website for more information and the complete list of dates.
Video Games Live adding smaller venues in 2012, help bring it to your town
Video Games Live will celebrate nearly a decade of success in 2012 by heading "off the grid" and hitting up smaller venues and towns across the globe."We continually receive thousands of emails a year from families and gamers who would love to experience our show, but find it hard to travel to major cities and have to deal with travel expenses, overnight stays, getting the kids out of school, etc. and we would like to try to accommodate as many people as possible to share in the experience," said Video Games Live creator and executive producer Tommy Tallarico.That accommodation starts on the VGL site by signing up for the Video Games Live Mailing List (it's along the right column) and noting your city/state/country details. The top 10 cities with the most sign-ups will be announced next month and added to the 2012/2013 tour.We contacted Tallarico to make sure there wasn't some regional restriction in the fine print on where the show would travel. He replied, "It's for the entire world!"Also, audience members in those 10 locations will receive a free poster, program and Video Games Live album. So, get signed up with your Hotmail account you haven't used since 2007 and get VGL to your town! Also, bonus points to the tiny village in Venezuela that gets the orchestra to show up.
Video Games Live announces packed Los Angeles show
You're probably getting excited about E3 (and who can blame you?) but it's a bit more difficult for us who've come to view the yearly event as "The One Week We Actually Have to Work Pretty Hard." But whether you're a jaded misanthrope like our staffers or a rational human who hasn't had their heart replaced with a heart-sized stone, there's a new can't-miss event at the conference: The 200th Video Games Live show, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 8 at the Nokia Theater. The slate of guests and material is large enough that you'll have to read the full list on the VGL site, but just for starters, the all-new show includes the live premiere of music from Red Dead Redemption, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm and Resident Evil 5. Also look for performances of Portal hit "Still Alive" and Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross themes, with composer Yasunori Mitsuda in attendance. What is this feeling in our chest rocks? Is it ... excitement?
Video Games Live debuting theme from Might and Magic Heroes 6
Though Black Hole's upcoming strategy title Might and Magic Heroes 6 won't see the light of day until next March, a bit of its soundtrack will go public later this week: Video Games Live will play a selection from the game's score during its December 17 show in Paris, France.
Video Games Live announces 42 North American shows
If you're a resident of the great continent of North America, you don't have much of a reason for not seeing a Video Games Live performance during the next few months. The orchestra recently announced 42 shows across America, Mexico and Canada, covering both coasts -- and quite a few fly-over states as well. (H-town WV, represent!) Check out the full list of upcoming concerts after the jump! Update: The Kansas City, Mo. show has been canceled. [Thanks for the heads-up Courtney!]
Video Games Live: Level 2 hitting Blu-ray and DVD October 19
If you're looking for a new addition for the rack you keep on your entertainment center which specifically houses your concert DVDs, we've got a great suggestion for a box that'll look great between "Rush in Rio" and Dixie Chicks' "Top of the World Tour: Live." We're speaking, of course, of "Level 2," the upcoming concert video from Tommy Tallarico and his band of gaming troubadours, Video Games Live. "Level 2," which will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 19, features a 100-minute concert performance and hours of bonus interviews and behind-the-scenes featurettes. A CD will be released on the same day, featuring 16 of the group's video game-inspired suites. For a full tracklist, as well as information about pre-orders, check out Video Games Live's official site, or check out the trailer after the jump for a sneak peek at the performances therein.
MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others
MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family. Sensible parents have long recognized that the way kids react to video game violence varies according to their personalities. A recent post at Bitmob illustrated one parent's recognition of the innocence with which his four-year-old son approached an opportunity to play Grand Theft Auto. "I understand not every kid is like mine, so I wouldn't recommend that every parent allow their child to play Grand Theft Auto," he wrote. "But I would recommend that you listen and pay attention to your little ones to determine what they are capable of handling and what they are not ready for yet." Now, new research tells us how to determine exactly that. A report in the June issue of Review of General Psychology has pinpointed the factors that determine why violent video games provoke hostile behavior in some teens but not in others.
Video Games Live comes to PBS this summer
Video Games Live, the wildly popular traveling concert series that performs music from major video games, is visiting a new venue this August: the television. VGL was founded in 2002 by video game composers and game industry veterans Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall. Since its inception, the symphony performance has prided itself on introducing the experience of a live orchestra performance to an entirely new generation of listeners; most attendees are viewing the symphony for the first time. In addition, it's a celebration of the gaming industry, the creative process of designing music for video games, and a showcase for art of video game music to both gamers and non-gamers. The concert series literally travels the world, performing in countries such as Canada, Mexico, Brazil, England, Scotland, France, Taiwan, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal and most of the United States (including, of course, BlizzCon). Both because of the subject of the concerts and because of the quality of entertainment, concerts can easily sell out. Thankfully for those of us who haven't been able to afford the cost or simply live nowhere near the touring locations, PBS will be airing a 90-minute Video Games Live special, consisting of never-before televised live musical performances from the Mario, Zelda, Sonic, Halo, Final Fantasy, Castlevania, God of War, Civlization, Chrono Cross and Guitar Hero franchises, including a musical journey through classic gaming. And of course, music from both Warcraft and StarCraft will be making an appearance as well. For those who don't catch the televised performance, there will also be a CD and DVD/Blu-ray release that coincides with the nationally televised special, including over three hours of bonus material. Check out the trailer above for more details about what is sure to be a gorgeous night of entertainment!
Video Games Live special brings orchestral game music to PBS
Are video games art? That question may still be a cause of debate for some, but there is little question that there is artistry in video games -- like the music, which often doesn't receive the attention it deserves. Game music composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall have been doing their best to change that for years now with their symphonic Video Games Live show, however, and it looks like they'll soon have what could be their largest audience yet. The group recently announced that PBS will be debuting a 90-minute Video Games Live special on July 31st, which will continue to air throughout August, and be available on DVD, Blu-ray and CD. Check with your local PBS affiliate for the exact time and air dates in your area, and head on past the break for a taste of what's in store.
PBS to air 90-minute Video Games Live performance
If you've yet to experience the profound orchestral magic of the Tommy Tallarico-fronted musical outfit Video Games Live, you'll soon have the opportunity to do so from the safety and comfort of your own home. The group recently announced it will perform a 90-minute special for PBS, which will debut July 31, and then air on various PBS affiliates across the country throughout August. We suggest contacting your local affiliate to find out if the special will come to your neck of the woods. If you're planning on tuning in, you can check out the trailer posted after the jump to see what you're in for, or read this press release to see what games the orchestra will be sampling during its performance. We don't see Gitaroo Man on said list, but we're hoping that's just an unfortunate omission on behalf of the copywriter.
Video Games Live holding another performance at E3
Once again, the ludological troubadours of Video Games Live will take time out of their busy schedules to visit their orchestral brand of rocking upon attendees of the Electronic Entertainment Expo on Thursday, June 17. Tickets are now available for purchase, with prices ranging between $24.99 and $74.99 (for the nosebleeds and the court-sides, respectively.) You don't have to be an E3 attendee to gain access to the show -- but if you're in L.A. that week, why wouldn't you go check out all those piping hot new games? Come on, now. You're being ridiculous. [Via BigDownload]
