[GRWC8] SingStar [Review]

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A.I.
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Post[GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by A.I. » Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:41 am

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Anonymous wrote:SingStar PS3 Review - Time to Throw Away your Brush!

How many times have you watched the latest pop sensation warbling their latest hit and felt certain that you could do better? If you’ve ever harboured the secret belief hope that you could be a stadium class singer if only you had the opportunity, Singstar gives you the chance to find out just how good, or bad, you really are.

Singstar on the PlayStation 3 is a brand new update to the very successful PlayStation 2 game. At heart it is a karaoke game that grades you on your singing performance. Each song’s lyrics are shown on-screen, whilst a series of horizontal bars gives you a visual indication of the correct pitch that you have to hit for a professional performance. You are also graded on your timing and rhythm.

Whilst the programming team behind the game claim singing alone can be a relaxing experience, Singstar really comes alive when played with others. The game is supplied with two microphones which allows you to duet with a friend, or sing against them in a sing-off, or even have a two teams of two in a team sing-off. The first time I picked up the microphone to sing in front of guests I admit I did feel self-conscious, but after ten minutes of team sing-offs, everyone’s inhibitions disappeared and in between all the belly-aching laughter we all found ourselves taking the competition a bit too seriously. Already I see the potential for Singstar parties up and down the country.

36 songs are included which span most musical genres. With songs by Britney Spears, David Bowie, American R&B group Outkast, and Brit-rock Franz Ferdinand there is something for everyone. When you do want to expand your musical repertoire all you need do is connect to the Singstar store, which works in a similar way to the iTunes store. It’s an online shop accessed through the game where you can search for your favourite songs to download in packs of three.

What really stands out with this new version of Singstar is the ability to record your singing performance for posterity. If you connect the upcoming PlayStation Eye camera, or the old PlayStation EyeToy, it will video you whilst your singing and take several still pictures. You can then upload your performance to your MySingstar Online profile webpage. Inspired by the MySpace social networking site, it allows you to share your singing highlights and lowlights with the world. Whilst most videos are likely to be of comedy value, it is possible that somebody might be offered a recording contract on account of their MySingstar performance, as is the case with singer Lilly Allen who has become something of a poster girl for the MySpace generation. She claims she was ‘discovered’ after a record executive heard her music on MySpace, however she vainly denies accusations that such serendipity had more to do with the industry connections of her famous father Keith Allen, and famous stepfather Harry Enfield.

In an age of reality shows like X-Factor or American Idol, where everyone believes they deserve to be a star. Singstar definitely captures the spirit of our times. Now you don’t need to be humiliated by a camp multi-millionaire to discover if you can sing, you can find out in the comfort of your own home. Whilst I was disappointed to find out that I wont be the next George Michael or Stevie Wonder, I did find it really enjoyable to croon along to some of my favourtie pop songs. I have discovered that singing is actually unbelievable amount of fun.

Singstar is genuine social entertainment that you will find yourself coercing family and friends to stand up and grab the microphone. Its one of those rare games that can really bring people together. Singing into your brush just wont cut it any more.


All comments and feedback welcome. Thank you.

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PostRe: [GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by Hero of Canton » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:14 pm

First observation: This seems to have been written some time ago - i.e. not for this competition.
Second observation: It seems to be written for a non-gamer audience - it reads like a review in a mainstream publication, possibly a newspaper.

Anonymous wrote:How many times have you watched the latest pop sensation warbling their latest hit and felt certain that you could do better? If you’ve ever harboured the secret belief hope that you could be a stadium class singer if only you had the opportunity, Singstar gives you the chance to find out just how good, or bad, you really are.


Yep, nice intro. I'd personally go with 'how good - or bad - you really are', but perhaps that's just me.

Singstar on the PlayStation 3 is a brand new update to the very successful PlayStation 2 game. At heart it is a karaoke game that grades you on your singing performance. Each song’s lyrics are shown on-screen, whilst a series of horizontal bars gives you a visual indication of the correct pitch that you have to hit for a professional performance. You are also graded on your timing and rhythm.


No complaints here. Good stuff.

Whilst the programming team behind the game claim singing alone can be a relaxing experience, Singstar really comes alive when played with others. The game is supplied with two microphones which allows you to duet with a friend, or sing against them in a sing-off, or even have a two teams of two in a team sing-off. The first time I picked up the microphone to sing in front of guests I admit I did feel self-conscious, but after ten minutes of team sing-offs


Too many sing-offs! Otherwise, fine.

Already I see the potential for Singstar parties up and down the country.


Well, I imagine the already-popular series would likely have inspired plenty of Singstar parties already. It's a fair observation, but once again that smacks of a lack of knowledge about the game's history.

36 songs are included which span most musical genres. With songs by Britney Spears, David Bowie, American R&B group Outkast, and Brit-rock Franz Ferdinand there is something for everyone.


Brit-rockers, surely?

When you do want to expand your musical repertoire all you need do is connect to the Singstar store, which works in a similar way to the iTunes store. It’s an online shop accessed through the game where you can search for your favourite songs to download in packs of three.


Slight factual inaccuracy aside - you can download single tracks - this is good stuff.

What really stands out with this new version of Singstar is the ability to record your singing performance for posterity. If you connect the upcoming PlayStation Eye camera, or the old PlayStation EyeToy, it will video you whilst your singing and take several still pictures.


Gaaaaaaah! It was going so well. Also, the PlayStation Eye has been out for some time.

You can then upload your performance to your MySingstar Online profile webpage. Inspired by the MySpace social networking site, it allows you to share your singing highlights and lowlights with the world. Whilst most videos are likely to be of comedy value, it is possible that somebody might be offered a recording contract on account of their MySingstar performance, as is the case with singer Lilly Allen who has become something of a poster girl for the MySpace generation. She claims she was ‘discovered’ after a record executive heard her music on MySpace, however she vainly denies accusations that such serendipity had more to do with the industry connections of her famous father Keith Allen, and famous stepfather Harry Enfield.


I'm not sure how relevant that Lily Allen bit is, and that makes it sound like she won a recording contract for MySingstar as opposed to MySpace.

In an age of reality shows like X-Factor or American Idol, where everyone believes they deserve to be a star. Singstar definitely captures the spirit of our times.


Comma rather than a full stop after 'star'.

Now you don’t need to be humiliated by a camp multi-millionaire to discover if you can sing, you can find out in the comfort of your own home.


:lol: Awesome.

Whilst I was disappointed to find out that I wont be the next George Michael or Stevie Wonder, I did find it really enjoyable to croon along to some of my favourtie pop songs. I have discovered that singing is actually unbelievable amount of fun.


'favourite', and 'an unbelievable amount of fun'.

Singstar is genuine social entertainment that you will find yourself coercing family and friends to stand up and grab the microphone.


Doesn't quite sound right. It should be 'Singstar is genuine social entertainment that will have you coercing family and friends', or 'Singstar is so entertaining that you will find yourself coercing'.

Its one of those rare games that can really bring people together.


It's.

Singing into your brush just wont cut it any more.


Won't. And I'm spent.

Right. It may seem that I've been a pedantic bugger here, but that's because the review gets a heck of a lot right, and its mistakes are perhaps down to having to rush bits prior to deadline. The stuff about the PSEye makes it seem as if it's a review that's been written before and then tweaked for this competition - not that there's a problem with that - but I wonder if that's partly responsible for the increasing number of tiny errors before the end.

That said, it's a very well-written piece on the whole, that - when subbed - would not look out of place in a mainstream publication. It might not be a specialist press review, but that doesn't make it any less valid, and this stands a strong chance of winning one of my votes (though I've not read the details about the voting process just yet, so I'm not sure how many we have).

Very good work, Mr. Writer.

DML wrote:F'NARR!
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PostRe: [GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by Eighthours » Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:02 pm

It's above average, but it's automatically not going to get my vote due to the apostrophe howlers. Sorry guys, but if you can't be bothered to learn very simple rules (that have already been pointed out in the criticism for many articles submitted in this competition already, so there's even less of an excuse now than there was at the start of this process), then I can't be bothered to vote for you.

You will never, ever get anyone to take your writing work seriously if you make such basic mistakes. It's like speaking in broken English in an interview for a job that demands good communication skills. It's an instant killer, and I think that more of you need to realise this!

Content-wise, this is a good review for a mainstream audience. As with so many other pieces in the competition, more ruthless attention to detail would have bumped up the impact of the piece ten-fold and might have secured my vote.

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PostRe: [GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by Puffin » Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:29 pm

Eighthours wrote:It's above average, but it's automatically not going to get my vote due to the apostrophe howlers. Sorry guys, but if you can't be bothered to learn very simple rules (that have already been pointed out in the criticism for many articles submitted in this competition already, so there's even less of an excuse now than there was at the start of this process), then I can't be bothered to vote for you.

You will never, ever get anyone to take your writing work seriously if you make such basic mistakes. It's like speaking in broken English in an interview for a job that demands good communication skills. It's an instant killer, and I think that more of you need to realise this!


Incredibly rude beyond comprehension over simple comprehension.

Has you ever considered that some people don't want to take their writing work seriously?! Of course you haven't, because someone's put a comma in the wrong place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talk about taking all the fun out of the competition with lines like..."..if you can't be bothered to learn very simple rules, I can't be bothered to vote for you..." I bet these people cant WAIT to join in next time.

When Gamers Go Bad!! No. 2!!
captain red dog wrote:At risk of being picky, that isn't the classic Taker. Taker should have grey gloves.
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PostRe: [GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by Eighthours » Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:25 pm

Puffin wrote:
Eighthours wrote:It's above average, but it's automatically not going to get my vote due to the apostrophe howlers. Sorry guys, but if you can't be bothered to learn very simple rules (that have already been pointed out in the criticism for many articles submitted in this competition already, so there's even less of an excuse now than there was at the start of this process), then I can't be bothered to vote for you.

You will never, ever get anyone to take your writing work seriously if you make such basic mistakes. It's like speaking in broken English in an interview for a job that demands good communication skills. It's an instant killer, and I think that more of you need to realise this!


Incredibly rude beyond comprehension over simple comprehension.

Has you ever considered that some people don't want to take their writing work seriously?! Of course you haven't, because someone's put a comma in the wrong place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talk about taking all the fun out of the competition with lines like..."..if you can't be bothered to learn very simple rules, I can't be bothered to vote for you..." I bet these people cant WAIT to join in next time.


Of course, your selective quoting missed out the part where I talked about the good content of the review and how the errors lessened its impact.

I notice you've only seen fit in this entire process to come in here to chide me, rather than actually say anything about any of the entries. What a surprise.

Has you ever considered that some people don't want to take their writing work seriously?!


They submitted pieces for a WRITING COMPETITION to be judged by other people, you numbskull. If they didn't want their stuff to be taken seriously, they wouldn't have entered. You belittle the competition with your oh-so-familiar targeted twaddle.

I'm here to offer constructive criticism. What are you here for? I think we all know the answer, and it has nothing to do with the entries. Kindly take your long-running, incredibly sad vendetta with me elsewhere.

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PostRe: [GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by Hero of Canton » Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:47 pm

Puffin wrote:Has you ever considered that some people don't want to take their writing work seriously?!


Well, they're entering a writing competition. If they want to stand a chance of winning, then of course they have to. I have no qualms with people entering purely for fun, but unless their piece is of a high enough standard, then they can't expect it to get a vote.

Of course you haven't, because someone's put a comma in the wrong place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


If that's all it was, then Eighthours probably wouldn't have even mentioned it. The pieces he's referring to have more than just a comma in the wrong place.

Talk about taking all the fun out of the competition with lines like..."..if you can't be bothered to learn very simple rules, I can't be bothered to vote for you..." I bet these people cant WAIT to join in next time.


Well, you've conveniently ignored the positives there. And people hoping to win a writing competition have got to expect criticism, and without that they'd never improve. I suppose we should be saying that all entries were brilliant and there's no room for improvement, should we?

DML wrote:F'NARR!
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PostRe: [GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by Puffin » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:46 am

Eighthours wrote: Of course, your selective quoting missed out the part where I talked about the good content of the review and how the errors lessened its impact.


Of course I have, because I am talking about the vile negatives, rather than the barely lukewarm postitives. Did I have an issue with HoC's review? Nope. Because he didnt come across as a bully.

Eighthours wrote: I notice you've only seen fit in this entire process to come in here to chide me, rather than actually say anything about any of the entries. What a surprise.


Wrong. Get your paranoid head out of your arse. If anyone had done what you had done, I would have said the same. I have also read each one and voted. Just because have had the time to post on people's work, doesn't mean I typed eighthours into the search.

They submitted pieces for a WRITING COMPETITION to be judged by other people, you numbskull. If they didn't want their stuff to be taken seriously, they wouldn't have entered. You belittle the competition with your oh-so-familiar targeted twaddle.


That is soo wrong it's unbelieveable. I have entered. I wrote mine in coffee break. It's awful but it was fun writing it. I enjoyed myself. Isn't that what isnt about instead of searching for grammar mistakes and telling people you cant be bothered to vote for them.

I'm here to offer constructive criticism. What are you here for? I think we all know the answer, and it has nothing to do with the entries. Kindly take your long-running, incredibly sad vendetta with me elsewhere.


You were rude. I dont see any constructive aspect about your 'constructive critisism'.

Just think, if a dyslexic 16 year old wrote something but knew he lacked proof reading skills but entered it anyway because he was was proud of his work then found you berating it because of grammar errors etc.

I think that's a harsh way to go about it, 'automatcially not voting for it' because of gramma mistakes. Not everyone is as perfect or anal about it as you are, I voted purely on content. If they put its instead of it's, that washes over me. This is a fun competetion, not a GCSE exam. You need to seriously calm down, or change your career become a teacher that no-one likes.

Last edited by Puffin on Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:02 am, edited 2 times in total.
When Gamers Go Bad!! No. 2!!
captain red dog wrote:At risk of being picky, that isn't the classic Taker. Taker should have grey gloves.
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PostRe: [GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by Puffin » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:57 am

Well, they're entering a writing competition. If they want to stand a chance of winning, then of course they have to. I have no qualms with people entering purely for fun, but unless their piece is of a high enough standard, then they can't expect it to get a vote.


Exactly. It wasn't what he said, with everything twatish he does, it wasn't what he said, its how he said it. Why can't he just be nice or polite or have to put a I am holier than you attitude one.

Ok, he's likes writing and has experience at it, doesn't give him the right to be rude to others who don’t have as much experience. If I did a songwriting competition, I wouldn't dare to what he does. I know I would produce a better song than him, as I've been writing songs for 10 years. Experience should give you the right to pass worthwhile advice and criticism , but not be rude.

If that's all it was, then Eighthours probably wouldn't have even mentioned it. The pieces he's referring to have more than just a comma in the wrong place.


I was being overly sensational. Say that in the same tone as 'wont someone think of the children' and you'll see what I mean.
Well, you've conveniently ignored the positives there. And people hoping to win a writing competition have got to expect criticism, and without that they'd never improve. I suppose we should be saying that all entries were brilliant and there's no room for improvement, should we?


As I said, I haven't ignored the positives there, I wasn't talking about the positives. If someone said to you, You're a dick, you're ugly, your family are ugly and I wish you were dead, but you're wearing quite nice clothes, I guess. You'd hit me. Would I plead innocence on the floor with my nose bleeding, "well you've ignored the positives there." OTT I know, but the motive is the same.

I wouldn’t dare tell people what he just said, it's pissing on their work and I don’t think it's on.

PS I've learnt that you're is a much more rounded and fairer individual, HoC. Starting to, I wouldn't say like, more accept you. :D

Right, I've said my piece. No more about it ok?

Last edited by Puffin on Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
When Gamers Go Bad!! No. 2!!
captain red dog wrote:At risk of being picky, that isn't the classic Taker. Taker should have grey gloves.
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PostRe: [GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by Eighthours » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:03 am

Puffin wrote: If someone said to you, You're a dick, you're ugly, your family are ugly and I wish you were dead, but you're wearing quite nice clothes, I guess. You'd hit me. Would I plead innocence on the floor with my nose bleeding, "well you've ignored the positives there." OTT I know, but the motive is the same.


It isn't at all. You're wrong.

Puffin wrote:That is soo wrong it's unbelieveable. I have entered. I wrote mine in coffee break. It's awful but it was fun writing it. I enjoyed myself. Isn't that what isnt about instead of searching for grammar mistakes and telling people you cant be bothered to vote for them.


There are quite a few people who've entered the competition who would like to do some videogames journalism in the future, rather than entering as something to do for fun in their coffee breaks. My feedback has been aimed at that group, as this competition has in the past been an outlet for them - indeed, I believe that Canton himself started out in a GRWC comp.

If you take a look at the comments that Canton and I have made across the pieces, you'll see that we've tried to tell people what they're doing right and wrong when it comes to the potential of publication. As it's impossible to differentiate between the various motives for entering since the pieces are anonymous, I have treated them all as being written with the same goal in mind. It was either that, or comment on them all from the perspective of fun instead - which would do the writers who are serious about doing this in the future a disservice when it comes to helping them.

This particular piece frustrated me because, despite being entered very late, it appeared that the writer had not taken proper account of the consistent feedback posted by several people in the threads for many of the other pieces.

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PostRe: [GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by Kinetic » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:53 am

Jesus.

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PostRe: [GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by ~Earl Grey~ » Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:32 pm

Hero of Canton wrote:If that's all it was, then Eighthours probably wouldn't have even mentioned it. The pieces he's referring to have more than just a comma in the wrong place.



You're RIGHT!!! It was TWO APOSTROPHES!!! Hang him high!

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PostRe: [GRWC8] SingStar [Review]
by ~Earl Grey~ » Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:16 pm

Anonymous wrote:SingStar PS3 Review - Time to Throw Away your Brush!
American R&B group Outkast


As opposed to the Lithuanian yodelling trio of the same name.


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