SingStar

:"This article concerns the series as a whole. For the PlayStation 3 version, see SingStar (PlayStation 3)".

"SingStar" is a competitive karaoke video game series for the PlayStation 2, developed by London Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Thirteen English-language installments of the series have been released for the PlayStation 2, with a version for the PlayStation 3 released in December 2007. The games have also undergone a number of non-English releases in various European countries.

"SingStar" games are distributed either as the software alone, or bundled with a pair of USB microphones - one red, one blue. The games are compatible with the EyeToy camera, allowing players to see themselves singing.

Overview

Gameplay

"SingStar" games require players to sing along with music in order to score points. Players interface with their console via "SingStar" USB microphones while a music video plays in the background. The pitch players are required to sing is displayed as horizontal grey bars, which function similar to a musical stave, with corresponding lyrics displayed at the bottom of the screen. The game analyses a player's pitch and compares it to the original track, with players scoring points based on how accurate their singing is. Different modes of "SingStar" may vary this basic pattern, but the principle is similar throughout.

"SingStar" includes a variety of game modes. The standard singing mode allows one or two people to sing simultaneously, either competitively or in a duet. The game also offers a "Pass the Mic" mode, which allows up to eight people to play a series of rounds in two teams. The original "SingStar" for PlayStation 2 also featured "Star Maker", a single player career mode, however this was dropped in subsequent releases due to the popularity of the multiplayer and party modes.cite web| url=http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/ps3/previews/singstar--working-title-eea283.html | title=Q&A: SingStar senior producer Paulina Bozek | publisher=Yahoo! | accessdate=2007-12-10]

Track lists

Most "SingStar" games for PlayStation 2 differ only in the track list contained on the game disc. "SingStar" games typically ship with 30 songs, the maximum which can fit onto a single-layer DVD.cite web| url=http://www.gamepro.com.au/index.php?id=1378482113 | title=Interview with SingStar Producer Paulina Bozek | publisher=GamePro Australia | date=2004-07-05 | accessdate=2007-12-10] Individual "SingStar" games are loosely based upon genres, such as rock or pop music ("SingStar Rocks!" and "SingStar Pop" respectively). "SingStar" games are sometimes localised for release in different regions, with customised track lists to suit foreign markets and territories. In addition, a number of non-English language "SingStar" games have been released exclusively in some European countries.

All PlayStation 2 "SingStar" games allow players to swap out the current disc (called the master disc) for another "SingStar" disc. This allows access to the songs on other versions without the need to reset the console. When a new disc is swapped in, the game retains the functionality and appearance of the master disc. By starting with a new version, players can swap in their old "SingStar" disc and experience them with the functionality and cosmetics of the master disc.

Network features

The PlayStation 3 version of "SingStar" introduced a number of online features, accessed through the PlayStation Network. Users are able to purchase songs online from the SingStore, allowing them to expand their current music selection. The SingStore launched with 41 songs,cite web| url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=9732 |publisher=PALGN| last=Van Leuveren |first=Luke |title=Australian Singstar Store launches |date=2007-12-06 |accessdate=2007-12-10] with 372 songs currently available for download. [cite web| url=http://threespeech.com/blog/?p=1013 | title=SingStar - Your Questions Answered | publisher=Three Speech | date=2008-04-17 | accessdate=2008-04-18] All music videos are currently in standard definition, although videos will be offered in high definition if possible. [cite web| url=http://games.kikizo.com/news/200705/061_p4.asp | title=Why SingStar PS3 is the Future | publisher=Kikizo | date=2007-05-22 | accessdate=2007-12-10]

My SingStar Online is the online community component of "SingStar" for the PlayStation 3. The idea for My SingStar Online was inspired by people uploading photos and videos of "SingStar" parties to websites such as Flickr and YouTube. [cite web | last = Mason | first = Kevin | title = My SingStar Online | publisher = IGN | date = 2007-04-16 | url = http://blogs.ign.com/Sony_SingStar/2007/04/16/52351/ | accessdate = 2007-06-17] The game will record photos and videos of players singing with the PlayStation Eye (or other compatible USB camera), which can then be saved to the PlayStation's HDD or uploaded to the My SingStar Online network. Users are able to rate each others performances and leave comments on other people's profiles.

Releases

Over 70 "SingStar" SKUs have been released worldwide, including 15 titles in the United Kingdom and Australasia, and 6 titles in the North America. In addition, a number of non-English titles have been released exclusively in some European countries, including titles in Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Finland. A majority of "SingStar" titles are designed for the PlayStation 2 platform, with only two versions currently released for the PlayStation 3.

Development

Initial design

The technology behind "SingStar" began as a research project into sound input by SCE London Studio's prototyping department. [cite web| url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/puzzle/singstar/news.html?sid=6154657 | title=Q&A: SingStar senior producer Paulina Bozek | publiser=GameSpot | last=Cocker | first=Guy | date=2006-07-25 | accessdate=2007-12-11] The project was initially focused on developing a pitch detection system and game concepts aimed at a children's audience. Two main game concepts were developed: "Songlines", a third-person adventure game in which the player would sing to unlock new environments, and "SingAlong Safari", where players would complete missions by singing along with animals.cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20050902/carless_01.shtml | title=Postcard from GDC Europe 2005: SingStar - That's Entertainment | last=Carless | first=Simon | publisher=Gamasutra | date=2005-09-02 | accessdate=2007-12-11]

In 2003, the game underwent a direction change. The new concept featured contemporary music, and would use two microphones to allow for multiplayer scenarios. [cite web| url=http://www.skillset.org/games/overview/people/article_4356_1.asp | title=Paulina Bozek - Senior Producer | publisher=Skillset | accessdate=2007-12-10] A prototype game was developed, which included pitch detection technology, a basic interface display, a scoring system and samples of (then unlicensed) music. The first game demonstration took place at a Team SCEE conference in Paris, featuring the songs "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "Independent Women" by Destiny's Child.

Hardware

The "SingStar" games come bundled with SingStar-branded microphonesEndash one red and one blueEndash which connect to the PlayStation console via a single USB converter. The USB converter was required so that both microphones would use a single USB port; the PlayStation 2 only has two USB ports, and the second port needed to remain free for EyeToy functionality. [cite web| url=http://blogs.ign.com/Sony_SingStar/2007/02/19/47165/ | title=Pass the Mic | work=Sony_SingStar's Blog | publisher=IGN | last=Bates | first=Richard | date=2007-02-19 | accessdate=2007-12-11] The PlayStation 2 Headset was originally considered as an alternative to microphones, however the headset was not technically sufficient, and London Studio felt that handheld microphones were important to the authentic experience.

Wireless bluetooth microphones are currently in development for the PlayStation 3. The microphones were planned to launch with the game, but running two bluetooth microphones together was found to be difficult.cite web| url=http://blogs.ign.com/Sony_SingStar/2007/07/16/60444/ | title= Your SingStar Questions Answered! | work=Sony_SingStar's Blog | publisher=IGN | last=Mason | first=Kevin | date=2007-07-16 | accessdate=2007-12-11] As a result, "Singstar" for the PlayStation 3 launched with USB microphones, with wireless microphones expected to launch in 2008.

Audio technology

The microphones detect pitch using digital signal processing, which analyses the frequency of the incoming signal. The frequency is then compared to stored information to evaluate if the note is correct. Regular singing segments do not feature speech recognition, and so humming into the microphones at the correct pitch will also score points. Rap sections use a combination of speech recognition and rhythm detection. [cite web| url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/04_03_07_09_27AM.htm | title=Striking a Chord with SingStar Pop’s Tamsin Lucas | last=Bedigian | first=Louis | publisher=GameZone | accessdate=2007-12-11]

Tracks on the original "SingStar" for PlayStation 2 were mixed from master records, which allowed the artist's voice to be completely removed from the song. This feature was dropped in subsequent games because the requirement for master tracks would have restricted the studio's choice of songs. "SingStar" for PlayStation 3 introduced the ability to digitally suppress vocals, using ADRess (Azimuth Discrimination and Resynthesis) technology developed by the Audio Research Group, based in the Dublin Institute of Technology. The ADRess settings vary for each track, and the technology is able to successfully remove the vocal tracks from 80% of songs.

The PlayStation 3 version also includes various VST plugins developed by Sound Forge, adapted to run natively on the console. The input signal undergoes a vocal signal chain which includes high-pass filter, wave hammer compressor and a reverb with a 1.2 second decay. Users are able to control the audio processing during playback, adding features such as pitch shifting.cite web| url=http://www.developmag.com/tutorials/67/Heard-About-SingStar-PS3 | title=Heard About: SingStar PS3 | publisher=Develop Magazine | last=Broomhall | first=John | date=2008-04-03 | accessdate=2008-04-19]

Marketing

The "SingStar" series has been promoted through a number of advertising platforms, including television and cinema, print and digital advertising. "SingStar" advertisements are designed to convey the social aspects of the game. The advertisement for the PAL release "SingStar Rocks!" features two men singing Song 2 by Blur on a public rooftop, while onlookers watch in surprise. [cite web | url=http://tbwa.alextorrance.co.uk/talk/2006/04/tbwalondon_launches_sony_playstations_singstar_rocks_through_international_tv_campaign_ | title=TBWALONDON launches Sony PlayStation’s ‘SingStar Rocks’ through international TV Campaign | last=Canavan | first=Avril | publisher=TBWALONDON | date=2007-04-07 | accessdate=2007-12-12] Tony McTear, creative director of the advert, said that "the commercial really captures the spirit of the game."cite web| url=http://www.mad.co.uk/Main/News/Disciplines/Creative/AdvertisingCampaigns/Articles/0af68fe6353c48ecb23b6ad7e128b4c1/SingStar-Rocks-commercial.html | publisher=mad.co.uk | title=SingStar Rocks commercial | date=2006-04-21 | accessdate=2007-12-12] Similar style advertisements were created for the American launch of "SingStar Rocks!", which feature public performances in a mall, [cite web| url=http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=4595525 | title=mall 30 | publisher=MySpaceTV Videos | date=2006-12-19 | accessdate=2007-12-12] a subway, [cite web| url=http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=4595510 | title=subway 30 | publisher=MySpaceTV Videos | date=2006-12-19 | accessdate=2007-12-12] and a fire escape. [cite web| url=http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=4595498 | title=fire escape 15 | publisher=MySpace TV Videos | date=2006-12-19 | accessdate=2007-12-12]

In September 2006, "SingStar" took part in a television sponsorship deal with MTV in the United Kingdom. "SingStar" sponsored MTV's "Throwdown" program, which consisted of a 3 minute clip of viewers lip syncing to a song. Viewers were requested to upload a video of themselves singing to the "SingStar"-branded MTV Flux website, with a compilation of the most viewed videos being shown on "Throwdown". [cite press release| url=http://www.mtvnetworks.co.uk/node/37 | title=invENTS at Manning Gottlieb OMD develops groundbreaking TV sponsorship campaign for SingStar on PlayStation 2 | publisher=MTV Networks | month=August | year=2007 | accessdate=2007-12-12] The campaign ran until February 2007, and resulted in a 15% boost in "SingStar" sales. [cite web| url=http://utalkmarketing.com/Pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1939&Title=Introducing_PlayStation_to_the_female_market___ | title=Introducing PlayStation to the female market | publisher=UTalkMarketing | accessdate=2007-12-12]

"SingStar"'s advertising campaigns have targeted a variety of demographics typically ignored by the gaming industry. The games have received coverage in women's and girls' magazines, including "Heat" and "Harpers and Queen" in the United Kingdom. [cite web| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Livewire/Boys-zone/2005/03/30/1111862402778.html | title=Boys' zone | last=Hill | first=Jason | publisher=Fairfax Digital | work=The Age | date=2005-03-31 | accessdate=2007-12-12] . In 2004, Sony PlayStation launched its first online advertising campaign targeted towards teenage girls, [cite news| title=PlayStation taps into girls' market for SingStar game | date=2004-05-27 | accessdate=2007-12-12 | publisher=New Media Age] and in 2006 ran an advertisement in "Attitude" targeted towards gay males. [cite web| url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/british-gay-gamers-get-pitched/2 | title=British gay gamers get pitched | work=Joystiq | last=Sliwinski | first=Alexander | date=2006-10-19 | accessdate=2007-12-12]

Reception

The "SingStar" series has been largely successful in Europe and Australia, and has collectively sold over 12 million units in the PAL region,cite web| url=http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/04/27/singstar-reaches-1-million-downloaded-tracks/ | title=SingStar reaches 1 million downloaded tracks | last=Yoon | first=Andrew | publisher=PS3 Fanboy | date=2008-04-27 | accessdate=2008-04-27] and an additional 1.5 million units in the United States. [cite web| url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3167607 | title=Previews: SingStar | last=Kennedy | first=Sam | date=2008-04-20 | publisher=1UP | accessdate=2008-05-03] Over 1 million songs have been downloaded from the online SingStore. In 2005, "SingStar" and "SingStar Party" jointly received the award for originality at the BAFTA Games Awards. [cite web| url=http://www.gameinfowire.com/news.asp?nid=5909 | title=2nd Annual BAFTA Games Awards Winners Announced | date=2005-03-03 | publisher=Gameinfowire.com | accessdate=2008-04-25]

Critical reception

The first "SingStar" game was well received by gaming critics. Eurogamer described it as the "definitive social game", and commented that the game was "buffed, polished and arranged to generate the maximum degree of entertainment." They did however criticise the scoring system for occasionally getting out of sync with the song. [cite web| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=55663 | title=SingStar review | publisher=Eurogamer | last=Bramwell | first=Tom | date=2004-06-01 | accessdate=2008-04-25] Australian website PALGN described the single-player as "a little lacklustre", but praised the multiplayer component as "the best asset of SingStar" and described the game as "addictive." [cite web| url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?&id=1282 | title=SingStar review | publisher=PALGN | last=Van Leuveran | first=Luke | date=2004-06-28 | accessdate=2008-04-25]

"SingStar" debuted in the US with the release of "SingStar Rocks!", where it was compared against the "Karaoke Revolution" series. IGN criticised the lack of ability to remove the artists vocals, and said that the use of original music videos "hurt the ability to really get lost in the song." They also described "SingStar"'s interface as a "crude hacked together system" compared to the scrolling timeline interface of "Karaoke Revolution". [cite web| url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/745/745870p1.html | title=SingStar Rocks! Review | last=Lewis | first=Ed | publisher=IGN | date=2006-11-14 | accessdate=2008-04-25] 1UP criticised the lack of character generation, rewards and unlockable features, and said "SingStar" " [lacks] the 'game' feel of "Karaoke Revolution"." [cite web| url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3155508 | title=Reviews: SingStar Rocks | publisher=1UP | last=Chu | first=Karen | date-2006-11-27 | accessdate=2008-04-25]

A number of PlayStation 2 titles have offered additional gameplay features. The duet mode added in "SingStar Party" was described as "hit and miss [with some songs split] into 'fun bits' and 'boring bits' seemingly on purpose." [cite web| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=57129 | title=SingStar Party review | publisher=Eurogamer | last=Bramwell | first=Tom | date=2004-11-09 | accessdate=2008-04-25] The rapping segments introduced in "SingStar Pop" were described as "the hardest parts of the entire game", and were a feature which added variety to the series. [cite web| url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=2562 | title=SingStar Pop review | last=Van Leuveran | first=Luke | publisher=PALGN | date=2005-06-03 | accessdate=2008-04-25] "SingStar Pop" also introduced Medleys, which consist of a random combination of song choruses. The new medleys were described as "funny to watch, and intense to play", although potentially frustrating. [cite web | title=SingStar Popworld review | url=http://ps2.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=8306 | publisher=Boomtown | last=Hamer-Morton | first=James | date=2005-05-25 | accessdate=2008-04-25]

The main difference between PlayStation 2 "SingStar" titles is the track list contained on the game disc. Some "SingStar" track lists have been better received than others. Eurogamer described the UK track list for "SingStar Legends" as "simultaneously eclectic and fantastic" [cite web| title=SingStar Legends Review | publisher=Eurogamer | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69383 | last=Fahey | first=Rob | date=2006-11-01 | accessdate=2008-04-25] , whereas "SingStar Pop Hits" felt like "a loosely thrown together collection of what the charts say is cool, with little regard for what will make for a fun karaoke party." [cite web| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=75094 | title= SingStar Pop Hits review | date=2007-04-11 | accessdate=2008-04-25 | publisher=Eurogamer | last=Fahey | first=Rob] The localisation of some "SingStar" games also has played a part in their reception; PALGN praised the localised Australian content in "SingStar Rocks!" [cite web| url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=4364 | title=SingStar Rocks! review | publisher=PALGN | first=Luke | last=Van Leuveran | date=2006-05-06 | accessdate=2008-04-25] , whereas "SingStar Pop Hits" (which featured an almost identical track list to the UK release) had songs Australians had never heard of. [cite web| url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=4364 | title=SingStar Pop Hits review | date=2007-07-02 | first=Luke | last=Van Leuveran | publisher=PALGN]

ee also

*List of downloadable songs for the SingStar series
*UltraStar - An open source clone of the SingStar engine
*Karaoke Revolution
*Lips
*SingSong

References

External links

* [http://www.singstargame.com Official "SingStar" website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/singstarvip "SingStar" VIP Lounge]