VIDEO GAMES LIVE ALBUM DEBUTS AT #10 ON THE BILLBOARD CHARTS!

First Worldwide Release of Compiled Game Music Makes History!

LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 31, 2008 –  EMI Classics and Video Games Live is proud to announce that the ‘Video Games Live – Volume One’ album was successfully launched in North America to great acclaim and rave reviews last week during the sold out performance at Comic-Con International with the San Diego Symphony.  To further establish the significance of video game music and the worldwide popularity and success of Video Games Live, the album made an unprecedented debut on the U.S. Billboard charts at #10.

BILLBOARD TOP 10 LIST

"What a fantastic honor for us and the entire game industry", said prolific video game composer and co-creator/executive producer of Video Games Live, Tommy Tallarico.  "It’s one of those things you always dream about as a musician growing up."

The album is currently available in North America in all retail stores that sell music, online distributors such as Amazon.com and Walmart.com and available for download on iTunes.

Album reviews:

"Every last song sounds gorgeous and the quality is amazing.  I give this CD a full 100%! Whether or not you’ve been to a VGL concert before, you MUST buy this album!  Even friends and family who do not know anything about game music still enjoy this album as well.  The music is just that beautiful."
Amazon.com (5 stars)

"Awesome album.  Awesome music.  This album is absolutely amazing!  I listen to a lot of of soundtrack music and this is one of my favorite albums yet.  It totally blew me away!  Fantastic!  Beautiful album.  You will love it."
iTunes (5 stars)

"This disc is an absolute must-have!"
G4 TV

Video Games Live is the largest and most successful video game concert in the world having already performed around the globe to over 250,000 people.  The debut performance took place on July 6th, 2005 at the world famous Hollywood Bowl with the LA Philharmonic.  Over 11,000 people attended making it the biggest video game concert in the world.  Most of the game music played (Halo, Sonic, Metal Gear Solid, Warcraft, Tomb Raider, Myst, Kingdom Hearts, Tron, Medal of Honor, Advent Rising, etc.) had never been performed live.  Video Games Live followed with groundbreaking first ever game concert performances in countries such as Brazil, England, New Zealand, Spain, Mexico, Canada, Scotland, Taiwan and Portugal.  Video Games Live was also the very first American video game concert to perform in Asia (Korea).  In 2007 they were recipients of a major industry award in Brazil for "Special Breakthrough Achievement" following their sold out performances in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.  Video Games Live concerts have since taken place around the world, selling out multi-thousand-seat venues within hours or days of being announced including their debut on Broadway in New York City.

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Interview with The Bourne Conspiracy Composer Paul Oakenfold

“[EA’s] GoldenEye: Rogue Agent was a great experience for me because I am a big fan of James Bond, and I had previously worked on Die Another Day. Since [The Bourne Conspiracy] game I have been offered a bunch of others, but I have declined. I really like to work on games and films that inspire me.”

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In The Studio with Unreal Tournament 3 Composer Rom Di Prisco

“I would like to hear more experimentation, and more freedom in genres and styles; fewer soundtracks trying to sound like a Hollywood blockbuster movie, which sends me right for the mute button…the industry as a whole needs to have more confidence in letting game composers explore something a little different than just trying to mimic the latest film soundtracks.”

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“Creating the Score for an Epic” by Age Of Conan Composer Knut Avenstroup Haugen

“Composing the score for a game of such epic proportions as Age Of Conan – Hyborian Adventures is an adventure in itself. So, confronted with this daunting task, I couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed at first. More than three years in the making, the score for the finished game totals to about 3 ½ hours of music.”

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In The Studio with Composer Tim Wynn

“The Punisher was great since it was my first big time game and it spanned so many styles. Warhawk was great because there was so much cool music to write and Chris Lennertz and I were lucky enough to get recognized for the score. The Simpson’s Game was incredible since it was the first time I was able to record an orchestra up at Skywalker Ranch. Not to mention Tiberium, Red Alert 3, and Red Faction Guerilla which are on going…”

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As media partner for this year’s Develop Conference Audio Track, Music4Games has announced a giveaway competition for two readers to win a Super Pass, worth GBP 625.

This pass gives you full access to everything the Develop Conference has to offer. You can attend the Develop Mobile & Online Day, any session or workshop and the Expo and Expo seminars during the Develop Conference.

For the complete article, please click HERE.

For more information, please visit http://www.develop-conference.com/. (more…)

The Develop Conference & Expo, 29 – 31 July 2008, is where the European developer community comes together to learn from each other and share experiences, be inspired by world renowned experts and gurus, get up-to-date with the latest development tools and techniques, make new contacts and catch-up with old ones. Plus, celebrate innovation and achievement at the Develop Industry Excellence Awards.

With a comprehensive programme of seminars, sessions and workshops, the Develop Conference touches all levels of the development community. The seven-track conference programme will centre on four key themes including AUDIO, which reflect some of the major issues facing today’s developers. The Audio Track takes place at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on Thursday, 31st July.

For the complete article, please click HERE.

For more information, please click HERE.

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