One of the many games shown off at Microsoft’s press conference was iNiS Studios’ karaoke game, Lips. Lips is a mash of Karaoke Revolution and Rock Band with a very distinct visual flair and attitude about it. Some key facts were unveiled today, including the impressive ability to allow players to utilize either their Zune or iPod to sing whatever they desire. This music-grabbing mechanic seems akin to the original Xbox title Music Mixer in which you could access songs saved on the Xbox hard drive.
In addition to that, Lips will ship with two wireless microphones, both of which are motion sensitive and have flashing lights. If anything spells "Wii-killer," it is an apparatus that both flashes and senses motion at the same time. The real idea behind the motion sensing is for players to be able to gyrate and bump their flashing microphones as if they are holding a real strobing percussion instrument for specific song segments. Think Rock Band, but slightly more elaborate. Two additional people can also get in on some mad Lips percussion-action by simply using the Xbox 360 controller. Apparently, players can assign their controller brethren specific percussion instruments, including the cowbell, so they can join in on the action instead of just laughing at you for acting so weird.
Lips is also promising downloadable music content in addition to using your own. Some of the featured artists shipping with the game are Young MC, Duffy, as well Peter Bjorn and John. I have no clue who any of those people are, but I'm not exactly known for my musical tastes or experience.
Hit the break for the announcement trailer shown at the press conference, and take a gander at the screenshots below. Are you ready to jump around with a flashing phallus in your hands while singing? God knows I am.
At first I thought this might just be a weird Singstar rip off, but after seeing that I can add in my own music from my iPod, not only Zunes I'm totally sold.
It was weird when they blanked the screen when Duffy came on. I was kind of thankful because I really don't like that song XD but is there a licencing issue, not being allowed to film a musical artist without paying royalties?
so you can sing along to your own music, but is it in some sort of "free mode" or does it actually recognize the song and score you on it as you match the pitch and timing and all that, like it were a song that shipped with the game? that's what i want to know.
@kawitchate: The only program Music Mixer would just mute out the vocals and let you sing along. Basically a "free mode" like you described. Since that was, like, six years ago...hopefully Lips will provide just a little more.
I don't understand how it would be able to recognize your mp3s and show the words and everything. They need to go into more detail about that before I get excited about it.
@GuitarAtomik: There's no way it could show the words to any and every song you could possibly download from iTunes or the Zune service, right? It's probably just going to mute out the vocals. But there has to be more to it than that...but what?
I love Karaoke games, though, so I want it no matter what. I kinda wish they'd change the name. Plus, I hope the DLC is cheap.
Why wouldn't it be able to display the lyrics. Granted it would still be a 'free mode' in the sense of pitch and all of that, but if the mp3 (or whatever format file we use in this case) is properly tagged you can store all of that information within it.
If you can read the lyrics to a song on your iPod why can't it display them on the game screen?
I'm excited because all I care about is turning my 360 into a fucking badass karaoke machine. Karaoke "games" aren't much different than straight-up karaoke, except in a game you're expected not to suck.
If I can sing any song I want (hopefully with the lyrics provided in some way) then I will be so, so freaking happy.
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Contest:
9:39 PM on 07.14.2008
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![E3 08: [UPDATE] Lips lets you use your own music photo](http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/ul/95213-lipsbanner.jpg)
Oops.
if it's "free mode" as you describe, DO NOT WANT
I love Karaoke games, though, so I want it no matter what. I kinda wish they'd change the name. Plus, I hope the DLC is cheap.
Seriously though, I'm with GuitarAtomik. More details.
If you can read the lyrics to a song on your iPod why can't it display them on the game screen?
If I can sing any song I want (hopefully with the lyrics provided in some way) then I will be so, so freaking happy.