PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
VIRSIX GAMES is crowdsourcing game content for STAR AUDITION – a game enhanced by smart speaker technology. Virsix Games will crowdsource game content through a Kickstarter campaign where backers can submit scripts to be included.
Created by Nolan Bushnell (founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese), STAR AUDITION uses Amazon Alexa and Google Home to deliver cinematic elements that enhance gameplay. STAR AUDITION is an act-it-out party game, similar to Charades or Pictionary, where players take on the role of Hollywood actors auditioning for their next big break. Players perform dialogues randomly selected from a multitude of scripts across a variety of film genres, from the golden age of Hollywood to today’s blockbusters. To win, auditionees impress a panel of judges, the other players, by giving their best theatrical performance.
“New technologies always inspire new experiences and ways to have fun,” said Nolan Bushnell, co-founder of Virsix Games and the founder of Atari. “By leveraging Kickstarter’s unique community to crowdsource game content, we believe we will be able to create a game like no other. Tapping into Kickstarter’s creative pool of backers will help make STAR AUDITION unique and engaging in ways we never imagined.”
The STAR AUDITION Kickstarter perks include the option to contribute scripts to be reviewed by Mr. Bushnell and the Virsix team, as well as Hollywood producers and directors. Selected scripts will be included and become part of the final game, read by thousands around the world. Other Kickstarter perks include an autographed copy of the game, as well as a virtual play party, mentorship hour, and Two Bit Circus play party — each with the Godfather of Video Games himself, Nolan Bushnell. More information on how to submit ideas and other perks can be found here.
To make sure each game feels fresh, Virsix created millions of playing combinations, as well as optional smart speaker extended play to heighten player immersion with cinematic sound effects and musical overlays. Optional rules also include extra roles for players and the ability to improvise lines. Each game lasts 20-30 minutes for a full play-through.
“We really wanted to create a new type of game that merged technology and cinema in unique and interesting ways,” said Zai Ortiz, Co-Founder of Virsix Games and Hollywood Creative Director. “We worked with real-life Hollywood voice actors to develop almost endless AI synthetic voices and cinematic sounds from all the iconic Hollywood movie genres. Combined with the creativity of our Kickstarter backers and community, players will feel like they’re on a real-world movie set. We are very excited to bring this game to life.”
Utilizing the best of two creative industries – the video game realm and the world of Hollywood entertainment – STAR AUDITION fills an empty space between two art forms to create human connections that ignite imagination, wonder and undiscovered joy. Combined with crowdsourced content, STAR AUDITION takes gaming into uncharted territory to power the next generation of play.
Read the latest edition of PCR’s monthly magazine below:
Like this content? Sign up for the free PCR Daily Digest email service to get the latest tech news straight to your inbox. You can also follow PCR on Twitter and Facebook.
