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Friday, October 5, 2012
10/05/2012 - Q&A With Wii Sing 80s ProducerQ&A with Wired Productions’ Senior Producer on all things We
Sing 80s
Hi Kev, thanks
for letting us steal you for a few minutes!
And thank you for having me.
So,
how long have you been part of the team at Wired Productions?
I have been part of the Wired Productions
team, from the outset, for four years, and I have been in charge of We Sing development for the last year.
As
Senior Producer, what is your role with regards to the We Sing games?
As Producer, my role with the We
Sing series is to make sure that we maintain the high levels of quality that the series is known for, as well as managing
and maintaining our relationship with developer Le Cortex and publisher Nordic Games. Not only that, but also establishing
and maintaining the relationships with the many record labels that we have regular contact with for licensing the songs that
appear on the We Sing games.
What has been the biggest challenge with We Sing 80s and with the We Sing
franchise as a whole?
Choosing and licensing the songs can be the biggest challenge for a We Sing
game. There are many songs that we think should be in a game, including personal favourites and generally songs that just
plain rock. If we could, we would put them all in, but after all the “heated debates” about why Spandau Ballet
are a better fit than Duran Duran, it eventually comes down to a few key factors, including, what can actually be licensed
from our thoroughly researched list of songs, performance and global appeal. Music licensing can be challenging, but when
you get a track list full of hits, and a really fun, appealing game, the rewards are very satisfying.
What
is new about We Sing 80s?
Well, the big new thing is quite obvious in the title of the game. This
time we are focusing on the great music of the 1980s. It was a decade very much defined by its own unique sounds and many
flamboyant artist, we aim to do that justice with We Sing 80s celebrating one of music’s most iconic and well-loved
decades.
Since the first game launched in 2009, the We Sing series of games have been ridiculously
popular, what is it, do you think, that makes them so endearing to gamers?
I believe We Sing’s
popularity comes from both its simplicity and accessibility. While the aim of the game is to see how many points you can earn
from how well you sing, it’s designed to allow even the more challenged singers to have a good time. Everything can
be accessed straight away, and with the ability to have up to four singers at the same time, those that are a little shy when
standing and singing in front of others have the pressure taken off of them. This makes it a much more fun and comfortable
experience for everyone.
What game play feature would you love to add to the We Sing series of games?
I would love to add DLC (Downloadable Content) to the We Sing series and we know it is one of the features that fans
have been crying out for. We haven’t been able to do it up to now due to the limitations of the Wii, in terms of storage
size and download limits, and also in getting the balance of quality to match. Though you never know what will happen in the
future.
The 80s are such an iconic era; we can’t stop revisiting the fashion, the music, the
culture! What do you think it is about the 80s that makes it such a memorable and iconic decade?
The
80s was so unique in many ways, that I think it endears itself long in the memories of those that witnessed it first-hand.
For the younger generation, as you say, there are so many 80s references in much of today’s music, fashion and culture.
It’s a period that definitely lends itself to a party and we’re hoping We Sing 80s helps people relive the fun
and flamboyance of that period.
What’s your favourite song on We Sing 80s?
Do I have to choose one? It has to be Queen – I Want to Break Free. You can’t have a good karaoke session without
a bit of Freddy Mercury.
What song do you wish could have made it onto We Sing 80s?
If I could I would have had the 80’s classic, ‘Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors’ theme tune. (http://youtu.be/hLU1GfIIGLE). Oh you want an actual song? I would have loved to have some Guns ‘n’
Roses – Paradise City in We Sing 80s. This has to be one of the classic songs of the 80s and in rock as a whole.
We all know you’re far too young to have witnessed the 80s first-hand, but, who is your favourite
80s artist and what’s your favourite 80s song?
Hey, some of the greatest kids TV comes from
the 80s! ;) There are some obvious ones like Duran Duran, The Human League, Frankie Goes to Hollywood that could be reeled
off, but if I had to choose I would have to say Madness. They were a band that was never afraid to have fun with their music
and also their videos. It is something that is genuinely missing in a lot of bands today. My favourite song has to be ‘Our
House’, which again, was a fun, light-hearted song.
So, what’s next for We Sing and for
Wired Productions?
Unfortunately I can’t go much into too much detail about what’s next
for We Sing, we have to keep some surprises. What I can say, is that we are working hard on the future of the franchise and
hope that what we have in store will delight and surprise everyone at the same time. For Wired Productions we are currently
working on our first PlayStation Vita title Let’s Fish! Hooked On, that’s something I am very excited about.
Thank you.
We Sing 80s is out now, produced
by Wired Productions.
Submitted By: E. Thomas
Thursday, October 4, 2012
10/04/2012 - REVIEW AtGames Sega Genesis & PortableREVIEW: AtGames Sega Genesis Console & Portable
  AtGames continues the legacy
of the Sega Genesis giving fans two ways to play their favorite Genesis games. Read our review of the Sega Genesis classic
console and it's handheld cousin, the Genesis ultimate portable.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
10/03/2012 - Gears of Glory Apex Ace Out NowGEARS OF GLORY: APEX ACE OUT NOW - RACING FANS SPIN OUT IN EXCITEMENT
EDINUBRGH, UK- October 3rd, 2012: Gears of Glory: Apex Ace, the pick-up-and-play top-down technical
racer, has been declared fit to race by Domipheus Labs and is available to purchase and play now on PC from http://buy.gearsofglory.co.uk.
A Demo is available to those who register for OnlineServices,
at https://services.domipheus.com. A test race is also available which gamers can use to test game performance
and handling before registering for the demo/purchasing.
Features of the release to buy today include;
- 24 Challenging circuits which increase in difficulty over four tiers.
- Time-trial gameplay with car handling more
technical than your typical top-down racer.
- Earn trophies by achieving fast laps and completing dynamic challenges,
rising in overall standings.
- Get the multiplayer kick in singleplayer - race anyone on the leaderboard, any time.
- Dynamic Opponents system deploys other players on the racetrack to race as players improve, outrace them to rise in the
standings.
- Player Challenge: Pick an opponent, and race against their physical car.
- Find and maintain space
to overtake, or spin out in a collision.
- No upgrade trees or paid-for performance perks - everyone using the same racecar
- a truly level playing field.
- No AI whatsoever. All opponents on track are other players in the racing community.
Opponents don't need to be online for players to race them.
- FREE 24 hour demo with access to 12 circuits when registering
for Domipheus Labs OnlineServices at https://services.domipheus.comRacing fans can grab the game from our distribution partners
IndieCity, Desura or Indievania, as well as direct from the developer at http://buy.gearsofglory.co.uk for £2. Friends can buy four licenses together and save 25% when purchasing
direct.
Domipheus Labs have used the Open Beta route, choosing to release at a discount now and add Online Multiplayer
and In-game track editor at a later date. More information on these features will be available in due course. Buying now entitles
players to these updates as they are made available.
For more information, see http://buy.gearsofglory.co.ukSubmitted By: E. Thomas
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
10/02/2012 - NIGHTS and Sonic Advenure 2 Now AvailableNiGHTS into dreams... and Sonic Adventure 2 Now Available for Digital Download
“Both of these titles represent something special in SEGA’s history, and that made them natural choices
for the SEGA Heritage Collection” said Chris Olson, Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA Networks Co., Ltd. “NiGHTS
offered 3D gameplay that had never been seen before on a home console, and Sonic Adventure 2 introduced rival character
Shadow the Hedgehog to the Sonic the Hedgehog series. I hope players enjoy the opportunity to play these classic SEGA titles
in their finest form to date.”
Both NiGHTS and Sonic Adventure 2 have been remastered in
high definition and upgraded for current consoles, now featuring full support for achievements and trophies.
Sonic
Adventure 2 also offers players the ability to grab the “Battle Mode” downloadable content for an additional
$3.00/£1.99/€2.49/AU$4.25/240 Microsoft Points this Friday, adding in maps and characters from the the Gamecube
re-release of the game. Players who buy a copy of NiGHTS into dreams…, meanwhile, will receive free access
to the Christmas NiGHTS bonus content, containing levels previously only available through special promotions and
SEGA Saturn holiday bundles.
As a further bonus, anyone who buys a copy of either game on the PlayStation Network
will receive a free, exclusive NiGHTS or Sonic Adventure 2 theme for their PlayStation 3!
For
more information on NiGHTS into dreams… and Sonic Adventure 2, both of which will also be coming
to PC digital download in the coming months, please visit http://www.sega.com/.
For press assets please visit www.sega-press.com. For more news, follow SEGA on Twitter @SEGA or “like” us on
Facebook.
About SEGA® of America, Inc.
SEGA® of America,
Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA® Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment
both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products
for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony
Computer Entertainment. SEGA®’s global website is located at www.sega.com.
About SEGA® Europe Ltd.
SEGA® Europe
Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA® Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive
entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops and distributes interactive entertainment software products
for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony
Computer Entertainment Europe. SEGA®’s global website is located at www.sega.com.
Official Website | Facebook | @SEGA
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox
logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
“PlayStation” is a registered trademark
of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Submitted By: E. Thomas
Monday, October 1, 2012
10/01/2012 - Atari Flashback 4 ReviewREVIEW: Atari Flashback 4
 The
Atari Flashback returns with a new and improved design and brand new wireless controllers. Click the link to read our review
of this amazing new console. It's sure to be the hot retro gaming product this Holiday Season.
Click Here to Read the Review
Submitted By: E. Thomas
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