Kotaku: xs games

PopStar Guitar Adds More Early Teen Favorites

Mike Fahey — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:20:00 MDT

As much as I like to make fun of XS Games' PopStar Guitar for even existing, I can't shake the feeling that if I were 20 years younger or so I would really get a kick out of their track listing. They've just revealed five new original master recordings for the game, two from Fall Out Boy, one from Paramore, and two from the All-American Rejects, joining a lineup packed with tunes from The Jonas Brothers, Hannah "Stop Calling Me That" Montana, Maroon 5, and Three Doors Down. The track list reads like an iTunes shopping list for creepy internet men who want to pretend they're 14-year-old girls on MySpace.

Oh well, I suppose they'll look a little less ridiculous playing PopStar Guitar than they do playing We Cheer.

XS GAMES CRANKS UP THE VOLUME, BLARING NEW TRACKS FOR POPSTAR GUITAR™

Master Songs From Fall Out Boy, Paramore and All-American Rejects
to Round Out PopStar Guitar's Blockbuster Playlist
NEW YORK - Oct. 16, 2008- Videogame publisher XS Games announced today five new songs for PopStar Guitar™, the all-new music rhythm game for Wii™ and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Original music from Fall Out Boy, Paramore and All-American Rejects will allow players to release their PopStar within. The new tracks round out a star-studded line-up of original mastered tracks from some of today's hottest Pop artists.

Over 50 Songs Including Original #1 Hits:

· Thnks Fr Th Mmrs by Fall Out Boy
· Sugar We're Going Down by Fall Out Boy
· Misery Business by Paramore
· Dirty Little Secret by All-American Rejects
· Move Along by All-American Rejects
· Shut Up and Drive by Rihanna
· S.O.S by Jonas Brothers
· See You Again by Miley Cyrus
· Wake Up Call by Maroon 5
· Makes Me Wonder by Maroon 5
· All The Small Things by Blink 182
· Welcome To My Life by Simple Plan
· When I'm Gone by 3 Doors Down
· It's Not My Time by 3 Doors Down

"We are thrilled to continue to unveil new original recording artists that will be featured in PopStar Guitar," said Steve Grossman, chief executive officer of XS Games. "The game's fresh line-up of today's top Pop artists paired with the innovative AirG peripheral for Wii will deliver a very rewarding gaming experience for pop music fans and gamers alike."

In PopStar Guitar, players embark on a journey as a budding guitarist with aspirations of becoming the ultimate Pop music sensation. Throughout the game, players develop skills to help them achieve their goal of success on the main stage of a worldwide "Battle of the Bands" competition, which will bring them international stardom. A fun and family friendly title, PopStar Guitar is sure to bring the family together this holiday season.

PopStar Guitar will be available for Wii™ and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The Wii™ version of PopStar Guitar will retail for $59.99 and will come packaged with two AirG™ peripherals straight out of the box ready for multiplayer gameplay. For PlayStation®2 system players, PopStar Guitar supports officially licensed PlayStation®2 system non-USB guitar peripherals and will retail for $29.99.

Developed by Broadsword Interactive, PopStar Guitar is rated "T" (Teen) by the ESRB and will be available in November 2008.

Please visit the official PopStar Guitar website for all the latest news and announcements at www.popstarguitar.com.

Popstar Guitar Wii Controller & Screens

Stuart Houghton — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:40:00 MDT

XS Game's arriviste rhythm game for the PS2 & Wii PopStar Guitar will come with yet another funny-looking WiiMote add-on, the AirG™. (PS2 owners can use something a bit more Guitar shaped - the game is compatible with Guitar Hero peripherals)

XS have released some new PSG screens, together with a pic of the new AirG™ sleeve. It looks like it might be a bit cramped unless you twin it with the Nunchuk - more of a Popstar Ukelele.

The Jonas Brothers And Rihanna Join PopStar Guitar

Mike Fahey — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:20:00 MDT

It seems recently that a day doesn't go by without some rhythm game announcing new artists, new albums, or new features for the forthcoming versions of their franchise, and XS Game's PopStar Guitar wants in on some of that hot announcement action. In a press release that claims to be announcing four new blockbuster tracks, five new tracks are listed, which I assume means one of them isn't blockbuster enough. Is it Rihanna's "Shut Up and Drive", "SOS" by the Jonas Brothers, "See You Again" by Hannah Montana, or "Wake Up Call" and "Makes Me Wonder" from Maroon 5?

Whichever of the selections is deemed unworthy of blockbuster status, one thing is perfectly clear: the demographic for this Wii and PS2 game does not include me. Should sell like hotcakes to preteen girls and their creepy admirers though.

XS GAMES TURNS UP THE VOLUME ANNOUNCING FOUR NEW BLOCKBUSTER TRACKS FOR POPSTAR GUITAR™

Master Tracks From Rihanna, The Jonas Brothers and Maroon 5 to be Featured in New Music Rhythm Game for the Wii™ and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system

NEW YORK, NY - September 10, 2008 - Videogame publisher XS Games announced today that hit songs from 2008 MTV Video Music Award nominees and performers Rihanna and The Jonas Brothers, will be featured as master tracks in PopStar Guitar, a new music rhythm game for the Wii™ and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Players will be able to unlock their inner pop star as they perform live versions of these chart-topping hits by popular artists.

Pop Star Guitar # 1 Hits include:
· Shut Up and Drive by Rihanna
· SOS by The Jonas Brothers
· See You Again by Miley Cyrus
· Wake Up Call by Maroon 5
· Makes Me Wonder by Maroon 5

"To deliver an authentic pop music experience in PopStar Guitar, we knew we had to include original music from today's hottest artists," said Steve Grossman, chief executive officer of XS Games. "PopStar Guitar's music coupled with the innovative AirG peripheral for the Wii, will enable players to jam like a real star."

In PopStar Guitar, players assume the role of a lead guitarist on a musical journey, beginning in a garage band and eventually progressing to the main stage of a worldwide "Battle of the Bands" competition. The game features twelve playable characters, 25 visually stunning venues and more than 50 pop songs, including many # 1 Hits from the original artists. Players can customize their band and give them a unique look, as well as win a number of VIP vehicles, so their band can travel like real pop stars! With three difficulty levels, PopStar Guitar will feature a single player Career Mode along with single player and multi-player mini-games.

Developed by Broadsword Interactive, PopStar Guitar will be available for the Wii™ and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The Wii™ version of PopStar Guitar will feature the AirG™, an exciting new peripheral that snaps onto the Wii Remote™ and transforms the controller into an air guitar. For PlayStation®2 system players, PopStar Guitar will function with any 5 button PlayStation®2 system compatible guitar.

Available November 2008, PopStar Guitar is rated "Teen" by the ESRB.

PopStar Guitar - Oh Look, Another Guitar Game

Mike Fahey — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:20:00 MDT

Electronic Arts. Activision. Konami. XS Games? The relatively tiny publisher is wading into deep waters this October when they ship PopStar Guitar, a guitar playing game for the Wii and PlayStation 2. The game features more than 50 pop songs from artists such as 3 Doors Down, Simple Plan, Blink 182, and many other bands you'd be likely to find on that damn Buzz Cuts CD they keep advertising on television. The game includes single player and co-op mode, allowing one or two players to visit 25 unique venues on their road to making their hands tired.

The difference with PopStar Guitar is the way you control it on the Wii. While the PS2 version is compatible with Rock Band or Guitar Hero controllers, the Wii version ships with something called the AirG, which attaches to your Wii remote to form "an electrifying air guitar." Sounds dangerous. Look, I'm all for competition in the marketplace, but you have to bring something more to the table than a one-shot accessory and more than 50 pop songs " including several masters performed by the original artists." Several?

XS GAMES ANNOUNCES POPSTAR GUITAR™, NEW MUSIC RHYTHM GAME FEATURING HITS FROM TOP POP RECORDING ARTISTS

PopStar Guitar For the Wii™ Includes the Unique AirG™ Peripheral,
Turning your Wii Remote into an Air Guitar

NEW YORK, NY - July 22, 2008 - Videogame publisher XS Games announced today its new music rhythm game, PopStar Guitar™, featuring songs from top pop music stars including 3 Doors Down, Simple Plan, Blink 182 and many more. PopStar Guitar allows players to unlock their inner pop celebrity and star as the lead guitarist in their very own band. Shipping in October 2008, PopStar Guitar will be available for the Wii™ and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The Wii™ version of PopStar Guitar will feature the AirG™, an exciting new peripheral that turns the Wii Remote™ into an air guitar.

"The popularity of music rhythm games is at an all time high, but to date the games have primarily featured hard core metal, classic and alternative rock music," said Steve Grossman, chief executive officer of XS Games. "With popular songs from today's top pop artists, PopStar Guitar is a game the whole family can enjoy. We've also created a dynamic new air guitar game play experience with our AirG peripheral for the Wii, allowing players to have a blast as they unleash their inner pop star."

PopStar Guitar features a single player Career Mode and two-player Co-operative Mode, along with single player and multi-player mini-games. The game takes the player on a musical journey that starts with forming a garage band to playing at 25 unique venues and eventually performing in the worldwide "Battle of the Bands" contest. Twelve playable characters are featured in the game and can be customized to give the band its own unique look. PopStar Guitar features over 50 pop songs, including several masters performed by the original artists.

Exclusively for the Wii™, PopStar Guitar will come with the AirG™, a peripheral that snaps onto the Wii Remote and turns the controller into an electrifying air guitar. For PlayStation®2 system players, PopStar Guitar will function with any PlayStation®2 system compatible guitar peripheral.

PopStar Guitar has not yet been rated by the ESRB.