Games continue to appeal to a broader audience
June 2, 2009 by JR · Leave a Comment
Videogames attract more players
Two-thirds of Americans play; 42% own a game console
By Susanne Ault — Video Business, 6/2/2009
JUNE 2 | PHYSICAL: The Entertainment Software Assn. reports that 68% of U.S.
households enjoy computer or video games, representing a 3% uptick over
2008.
Adult gamers have been playing for 12 years on average, marking a decrease
from 2008. That indicates to ESA that more people are picking up game
controllers for the first time.
Releasing the study during the annual E3 Expo game conference, which it
produes, ESA touted the category¹s ability to attract new players.
³This is the new golden age of entertainment software. Our products are now
being enjoyed by over two-thirds of Americans,² said Michael D. Gallagher,
CEO of the ESA. ³As the findings of the 2009 Essential Facts illustrate,
more and more Americans across all demographics are now embracing the
interactive entertainment experience that computer and video games provide.²
In other findings in ESA¹s Essential Facts study, 42% of Americans own a
game console. The average player is 35 years old, and 43% of players are
female.
Almost half of all games sold are rated ŒE¹ for Everyone by the
Entertainment Software Ratings Board.
Gaming is increasingly a family activity, adds ESA. More than 60% of parents
with children under 18 believe gaming is a positive part of their kids¹
lives. These parents are present when kids purchase/rent games 92% of the
time. Also, these parents say they monitor their children¹s play 91% of the
time.
©2009 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights
reserved.
E3 is this week – You Rock Guitar
Inspired Instruments introduces the world’s first all digital guitar that is a musical instrument a video game controller and a hi-speed USB/MIDI controller.
Los Angeles – June 2009 – Inspired Instruments, Inc. announced the introduction of its hybrid guitar the ‘You Rock Guitar’ designed specifically for those who want to migrate from video games like Rock Band and Guitar hero to playing real guitar music. The You Rock Guitar’s patented technology bridges the gap between rhythm based video games and real music.
According to Kevin Kent, CEO of Inspired Instruments “The transition between video games and real music performance has been elusive and real holy grail for the millions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band players who want to step out of the game box and onto a real stage. Playability must be immediate. Never having to tune the guitar is essential. The feature set must include incredible sounds and game-like fun in the jamming. The integration of multiple levels of technology makes the You Rock Guitar the most advanced game and music controller in history – all at an incredible value. This is guitar 2.0”
Precision Musical Instrument – Guitar Mode
The Your Rock Guitar is the perfect complement to any guitar-player’s collection, adding fun, convenience, versatility, and range. It never requires stringing and never goes out of tune, perfect for the first time player. It connects to your existing amplifier for jamming sessions, or headphones for quiet time. Its USB interface connects to MP3 players & cell phones, so you can record & playback on an iPod or phone. The same connectivity makes the perfect companion for computer programs like Garage Band on Mac or Cakewalk on Windows™. So it’s a great learning tool for those just getting started, or casual players looking to improve. The guitar’s connectivity makes it an incredible platform.
For gamers and first time guitar players, the “You Rock Mode” auto-corrects finger positioning mistakes and digitally filters out wrong notes, making you sound like a real rocker from beat one. It encourages a player to practice and learn the guitar while playing. It takes you from a simple A-chord jam and then migrates you through the chord progressions that changed the world of rock and roll. These chord progressions are the building blocks for creating music and being able to jamming with your friends. The USB/MIDI controls are fast enough for professional studio song writing, sequencing, and professional composition. The built-in sampled guitar sounds are 16 bit and include acoustics and electrics, over ten thousand dollars worth of great guitars. They will keep you rocking all day and night no matter what your mood is; Stratocasters, clean and electric same for Les Paul’s, acoustics, 12 strings, even a 12 string Rickenbacker, some great rock and punk guitars, even power chords and mutes.
“What’s amazing about the You Rock Guitar is that it grows with you. I’m no musician, but have always wanted to play. This product is so much fun, it seamlessly improves my playing skills. That’s why we say; Have fun, Music will happen!” says, JR deSouza, Inspired’s VP of Marketing & Business Development.
Video Game Controller – Game Mode
The YOU ROCK GUITAR’S GAMEFLEX™ plug-in cartridges allow a single guitar to connect to any of the video game consoles; Nintendo Wii, Xbox360, or Sony’s PlayStation, making it compatible with ROCK BAND™ and GUITAR HERO™ games, and helping protect your investment against obsolescence as new games & consoles come to market. The You Rock Guitar picks up where today’s products reach their limits. It eliminates the barriers that exist between the video game & music worlds. And as game developers & publisher take advantage of this new platform they’ll be able to develop games that exploit musical gaming with no boundaries.
Cliff Elion, President of Inspired Instruments states “Gaming requires something beyond a MIDI guitar, in fact, you cannot play any of the popular console music games with a MIDI guitar, that’s why we invented the multi-touch fret board technology. The future of music gaming can now be in your hands.”
Market Availability
The product will be available online and at retail stores across the country in the fall of 2009.
YOU ROCK GUITAR – Pre-production proto-types will shown at booth 407 at the E3 show, June 2-4th, 2009.
About Inspired Instruments
Inspired Instruments is dedicated to providing customers with innovation at every opportunity, real music for real gamers. You Rock Guitar is the registered trademark of Inspired Instruments, Inc.
Danny Gokey is the better man – heart and soul
May 14, 2009 by Kevin · Leave a Comment
Gokey said he tried to rearrange more songs, but those didn’t always make it on the show.
“People want to see a creative element,” he said. “They want to see an old song made fresh again. I think ‘Idol’ from this point on, ever since last year, you can’t go on singing the same arrangement of a song. You’ll get bashed.”
Gokey auditioned for the show only four weeks after his wife, Sophia, died last summer from surgery for a congenital heart defect. Sophia loved the show, and they had agreed he would try out.
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Besides touring this summer with the top 10 finalists, Gokey plans to grow Sophia’s Heart Foundation, which he started after she died. The foundation helps children who need “restoration in various areas of their lives,” according to its Web site.
Gokey, known for his assortment of spectacles, plans to start his own eyeglass line or even model them to raise money for the foundation. He said he has about 50 pairs now, up from the 15 at the show’s start.
He also wants to make a “soulful” album with rhythm and blues beats and a hint of salsa and meringue.
Gokey said he was proud of his accomplishment, although there were things he would have done differently. Not only did he try his best despite his insecurities in competition, but he had to deal with his grief.
“I saw strength in me that I didn’t know I had,” he said.
Now he wants to tell people: “If I can do it, you can do it.”
E3 – Debut of the YOU ROCK GUITAR
May 2, 2009 by Kevin · Leave a Comment
First Guitar Hero made you just that. Then you joined the band with RockBand. Now it’s time for you to really rock with the YOU ROCK GUITAR. The You Rock Guitar is a game changer. Through a unique patent pending guitar neck technology and software focused on the successful experience of playing guitar, even for the first timer, we have the instrument that millions of dedicated gamers want. This one is the Holy Grail. Parents will value and support this purchase for their kids, seeing a benefit from time & energy of learning towards a real and valued musical path. Everyone else will simply dig that they sound awesome from day one. Incredible technology, outrageous sounds and it NEVER needs tuning.
Be one of the first to go from gaming to real guitar playing, do it in style, do it with power, now it’s your turn to rock.
E3 – You Rock Guitar – PR
May 1, 2009 by Kevin · Leave a Comment
Saturday, June, 2009 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The You Rock GuitarTM to début at the E3 show, June 2nd – June 4th, 2009″
Los Angeles – June, 2009 – Inspired Instruments, Inc. will debut its all-digital-guitar the ‘You Rock Guitar’ at E3. The You Rock Guitar’s patented technology answers the call of the millions of music gamers waiting for the next big thing by bridging the gap between music and games.
Patented Hybrid Musical Instrument
The You Rock Guitar is the perfect complement to any gamer or guitar-player’s collection, adding fun, convenience, versatility, portability and exceptional sound quality. Its exclusive design eliminates the hassle of tuning or restringing a traditional guitar. It connects to an existing amplifier for jamming sessions, or headphones for quiet playing time. Its USB interface connects to any computer, Mac or PC. The guitar can plug into any iPod, MP3 player, cell-phone or stereo receiver. Use iTunes library as your back-up band. The internal sound sources are of 16-bit audio quality. The patented neck feels like strings and frets and is well suited in professional MIDI studios for songwriting, sequencing or additionally driving multiple MIDI instruments in a live performance. Cliff Elion, President of Inspired Instruments states “Gaming requires something beyond a MIDI guitar, in fact, you cannot play any of the popular console music games with a MIDI guitar, that’s why we invented the multi-touch fret board technology. The future of music gaming can now be in your hands.”
Video Game Controller
Inspired has designed the GAMEFLEXTM plug-in cartridge system to overcome the incompatibility of multiple game platforms, specs and controllers. These cartridges plug into the guitar body and enable it to remotely connect to any desired video game console; Nintendo Wii, Sony PS2/3 and Microsoft XBOX – no need to buy a new guitar every time a new game or system is released. “The YOU ROCK GUITAR with GAMEFLEX cartridge technology eliminates the barriers and limitations that existed between game play and real play, and it will enable game developers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in musical gaming”, says Inspired Business Development executive JR deSouza.
Want More?
The guitar has built-in sound loops with many of the chord progressions that changed the world. The product’s YOU ROCK MODE allows only the right notes while you learn to play chords, scales, and riffs. Additional sound sets will become available, each set includes, the guitar sound, the loop and the YOU ROCK MODE.
According to Kevin Kent, CEO of Inspired Instruments “The bridge between video games and real music performance has been elusive and somewhat of a holy grail for the millions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band players who want to step out of the box and onto a real stage. It must be fun from chord one. Never having to tune the guitar is essential to converting gamers to real music.
Market Availability
The YOU ROCK GUITAR suggested retail price is $179.99 and the GAMEFLEX modules $19.99-$24.99 each. Product will be shipping nationwide during the summer. For additional information visit www.yourockguitar.com
YOU ROCK GUITAR… Have Fun, Rock Will Happen.
About Inspired Instruments
Inspired Instruments is dedicated to providing customers with innovation at every opportunity, real music for real gamers. You Rock GuitarTM and GameFlexTM are registered trademarks of Inspired Instruments, Inc.
Coming soon to E3 the You Rock Guitar
