When I first entered the video game market as a kid, almost every game I played was on a Nintendo console, with only a few basic PC titles to diversify the mix. Eventually I managed to get around to picking up the PlayStation 2, where I was introduced to Sony’s realm of gaming not through one of their consoles many RPG’s, not through a complex strategy game, but through SingStar (and to a lesser extent EyeToy).
While many great franchises have come and gone, SingStar has stood the test of time with it today celebrating its 10th Anniversary on the market. To celebrate this milestone, Sony Computer Entertainment have announced that they will be re-releasing the game to another generation of consoles through a new companion app in addition to a new compilation disc (Singstar: Ultimate Party) for both PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 platforms.
The app which is set to go live later this year will include support for iOS and Android phones which converts them into microphones, meaning there is less limitations when it comes to group singing. Players will also be able to share their favourite, or more likely most embarrassing moments through better social media support. The PlayStation 4 edition will feature augmented reality support as well, allowing players to turn their living rooms into music sets and adopt their favourite music personas through a range of AR masks.
Single songs will be priced at $2.05 AUD with sets of five songs to be available at $9.55 AUD. Compilation discs such as the announced Ultimate Party collection will be available for around $39.95 AUD as well. While there has been no official confirmation on this, the PlayStation 3 edition did allow you to import tracks from the original PlayStation 2 discs…. so might be worthwhile keeping them on hand for another couple of months to boost your track collection.
Dave Ranyard | Studio Director of SCEE WWS
I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since we first launched SingStar – it’s great to see how popularity of the brand has grown over the decade with 26 million discs now sold worldwide and 25 million tracks downloaded. Back in 2004 we were really breaking new ground, there weren’t really any party or social games around at that stage and the idea of singing into a console was very new! But we’ve always said, people love singing together – and SingStar has always delivered and continues to deliver on the promise of enabling social singing. What’s really exciting about today is that we’re announcing a reinvention of SingStar, this time for the digital generation!
Chris Bruce | Game Director of SingStar
I’m really excited about the new SingStar as we’ve really worked hard to bring the game right up to date for PS4 with a brand new look and feature set. The new microphone app means SingStar is now for everyone, and we’re looking forward to introducing a new generation of singers to the brand. Personally I can’t wait to see some of the new videos the community will be sharing. They never fail to surprise us with their inventiveness, so who knows what they’re going to do with the new PS4 camera and augmented reality effects…. it’s sure to be entertaining!
