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Report: 25 million played music games in April, banjo sales at all-time low

by David Hinkle { Jun 26th 2009 at 5:45PM }

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

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 19th 2009 at 6:00PM }

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: Topatoi

Evanescence, Gorillaz and Korn hit the European SingStore

by Jem Alexander { May 28th 2009 at 7:30PM }

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."

Continued →

SingStar celebrates fifth year, dev hints at video editing features

by Jem Alexander { May 21st 2009 at 7:15PM }

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

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 17th 2009 at 1:00AM }

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

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 16th 2009 at 4:45PM }

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

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 15th 2009 at 12:00PM }

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: SingStar

'SingStar Extras' will bring new features to game and SingStore

by Majed Athab { Apr 6th 2009 at 2:00PM }

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?

Trophies: SingStar

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 31st 2009 at 11:30PM }

At long last, Sony is patching Trophies into their karaoke game, SingStar. We're hoping to provide more info on the upcoming patch soon.

View Trophy List | Visit Trophy Portal

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Billy Joel and Queen headline SingStore update

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 26th 2009 at 4:30PM }

Another SingStore update goes live today in Europe. Check out the full list, via Three Speech:

English

Incubus - Drive
Blur - Good Song
Sherbet - Howzat
Roy Orbison - In Dreams
Modest Mouse - Ocean Breathes Salty
Trace Adkins - Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
Andreas Johnson - Sing For Me
Billy Joel - Tell Her About It
The Triffids - Wide Open Road
Phyllis Nelson - Move Closer
Helena Paparizou - My Number One
The Fray - You Found Me
OutKast - Roses
Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water
Trace Adkins - You're Gonna Miss This

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The shameful top 10 SingStar downloads

by Alexander Sliwinski { Mar 17th 2009 at 11:15AM }

Sony has revealed the disturbing list of top SingStar tracks downloaded from the SingStore. The Guardian is clearly of the same mindset as us when it speculates that only the impulsive purchases of those coming home after a long night of drinking at the pub can explain this list:

10. "American Pie" - Don McLean
9. "Baby One More Time" - Britney Spears
8. "Take On Me" - A-ha
7. "Eye Of The Tiger" - Survivor
6. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" - Cyndi Lauper
5. "Torn" - Natalie Imbruglia
4. "Suspicious Minds" - Elvis Presley
3. "Just Like A Pill" - P!nk
2. "Final Countdown" - Europe
1. "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" - Bonnie Tyler

Since the launch of the SingStore, four million songs have been purchased from the service. A majority of these tracks are from the '80s, with the artists split across genders. We're just stuck on "Total Eclipse of the Heart" in the top spot -- really!?

SingStore Update: Britney, MGMT, 'Ice Ice Baby' & more

by Xav de Matos { Feb 28th 2009 at 1:00PM }

Good morning North American SingStore,

With all the New Release insanity this week we completely forgot that you received a bunch of brand new content. Let's have a look at the list ... Oh, Britney Spears, MGMT and Vanilla Ice, among others. Well, at least you're keeping busy -- and even promised "a lot in the pipeline" for the SingStar franchise. We expect that pipeline to be filled with music.

A complete list of this week's content can be found after the break.

Continued →

This week's SingStore update: Blow Monkeys

by Andrew Yoon { Feb 23rd 2009 at 10:00PM }

ThreeSpeech has unveiled yet another update for PS3 singing game, SingStar. The song list is quite eclectic, covering a wide variety of genres.

The Divine Comedy - Becoming More Like Alfie
Roy Orbison - Blue Bayou
The Blow Monkeys - Digging Your Scene
The Blow Monkeys - It Doesn't Have To Be This Way
Suede - Europe Is Our Playground
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax
Sunrise Ave - Romeo
Donots - Saccharine Smile
Donots - Stop The Clocks
Börni - Scream My Name
LFO – Summergirls
MGMT - The Youth
Mario Biondi - This Is What You Are

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Wireless SingStar Mics coming to Europe March 20

by Jem Alexander { Feb 19th 2009 at 2:30PM }

Wireless microphones? Yes, they've been a long time coming, but -- at last -- they're almost here. Europe, you'll be able to get your hands on them March 20, though there's no word on price. The mics are compatible with both PS2 and PS3 versions of SingStar and their launch supposedly "coincides with the release of SingStar Pop Edition" -- the same press release says Pop Edition won't be out until April. Go figure.

There's also mention of a new control system which will be introduced with Pop Edition. You can now select songs by simply speaking the name into the microphone. You'll never need to touch your Sixaxis again. Check after the break for the full track list.

Continued →

This week's SingStore update is full of love songs

by Majed Athab { Feb 9th 2009 at 4:45PM }

This week's SingStore update features a theme of love. Hmm, we wonder why? What special event could possibly be coming this week? Hopefully we'll have things figured out by Thursday, February 12 when this update hits. Find the rest of this week's tracks after the break -- including more Suede (ew).

Lovesongs