Video Games Live Kicks Off London Games Festival

Mike Fahey — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:00:50 MDT

The London Games Festival is coming up in October, and what's a major gaming event without a visit from Tommy Tallarico and his traveling band of musical companion elves? Certainly not the LGF, that's for sure. They're kicking off the festival with a visit from the Video Games Live ~~concert~~ interactive celebration of gaming at the Royal Festival Hall on the 22nd. Along with the old standards from Zelda, Halo, Warcraft, Myst, etc., concert goers will enjoy a pre and post show festival featuring demos of Holiday Xbox 360 titles, a cosplay contest, meet-and-greets, and a special arrangement from Halo 3 The Music (not to be confused with Halo 3 The Ride). Hit the jump for full details, ticket purchasing information, and all sorts of musical PR goodness.

XBOX 360™ BRINGS VIDEO GAMES LIVE CONCERT TO THE ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL ON THE 22nd October 2007
A spectacular, interactive evening of music, visuals and games

Video Games Live™, the premier concert celebrating the most memorable music from the biggest video games, is brought to London by Microsoft® Xbox 360, IMG Artists, and Raymond Gubbay in association with the Southbank Centre, as the opening event of the London Games Festival. The biggest scores from the most iconic games will be performed by members of the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall on 22nd October 2007, at 7.30pm. Tickets can be bought from the Royal Festival Hall box office on 0871 663 2500, or http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/calendar?action=production&production=17937&performance=17938

Video Games Live™ is not just a concert, but a musical, visual and interactive celebration of gaming that will enthral anyone who has ever played a video game. Whether it's the power and passion of forthcoming Xbox 360 blockbuster Halo® 3, or nostalgia for the days of Pong and Space Invaders, Video Games Live™ is sure to be a hit with gamers and non-gamers alike.

Hosted and Conducted by co-creators Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, the prestigious Philharmonia Orchestra and a Choir will perform live alongside exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussion, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. Special events surrounding the show commence at 5.30pm, including a pre- and post-show festival, featuring all the Xbox 360 blockbuster Christmas titles. Guests will enjoy game demos, a cosplay contest with exclusive prizes for the best outfit, game competitions and meet-and-greets with Tommy Tallarico, Jack Wall, and other leading industry names.

Video Games Live™ features the biggest and best-loved video games of all time including such beloved and popular franchises as Halo®, Mario™, Zelda®, Final Fantasy®, Warcraft®, Myst®, and Sonic™. There's even a special retro Classic Arcade Medley featuring over 20+ games from Pong® to Donkey Kong® including such classics as Dragon's Lair, Frogger, Space Invaders, Duck Hunt & Tetris!

This event will also feature a special arrangement from the iconic Halo 3, composed by Marty O'Donnell, to be performed live by the Philharmonia Orchestra for the first time.

The London Games Festival, running from 22nd - 26th October, is a celebration of gaming and interactive entertainment featuring diverse events for different audiences across the capital. Visit www.londongamesfestival.co.uk for more details.

Voice Comes to Second Life

Mike Fahey — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 08:20:14 MDT

If you wander into Waterhead, a popular gathering spot for completely insane people in Second Life, you are generally greeted by a barrage of annoying sound clips, dancing, flying sperm cells, and sometimes even gunfire, but this morning it was eerily quiet. There were people there, but they were just standing still, like zombies. Voice chat has hit Second Life, and in one of the few places the new feature seems active the populace has come to a standstill. It's even creepier than normal.

To use voice you have to download a special version of the program client, and right now only certain areas will be available for voice chat, such as Waterhead. It is a vicinity system, meaning if you are close to someone talking you will hear them, which should make the in-world bordellos oh so interesting to poke around in down the line, pun sorta intended. Would have tried the feature out myself, but I don't want anyone finding out I am a beautiful woman that only plays a guy in game.

As a bonus for those of you who get upset because of the coverage Second Life receives here, I've included this picture of a furry leopardess dressed as Gordon Freeman, complete with head crab. Never say I didn't give you anything. Michael Fahey

Voice First Look Viewer Available for the Live Grid [Second Life]

Kotaku: organized noise

Video Games Live Kicks Off London Games Festival

Voice Comes to Second Life