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MTV and Midway Join Forces

Posted by Zonk on from the sitting-in-a-tree dept.

Next Generation has the news that Midway and MTV are working together on several upcoming titles. From the article: "The first game to come out from the three-title deal is L.A. Rush, which will feature promotional MTV branding as well as appearances, in some form, of MTV celebs. The soundtrack will include 75 songs from 20 artists. It seems likely that MTV's sales department will now seek to take advantage of Midway's games to move high-spending clients into the game space. MTV is also a major destination for game advertising, though it's not known how Midway will benefit from that end of the relationship."

20 of 27 comments (clear)

  1. Terrible. by turtled · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Now, MTV (Music television) has a channel, that doesn't play music anymore. Jump ahead to branding games; will they not be games anymore, but interactive commercials that you pay for?

    --
    "I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." -- Sigmund Freud
    1. Re:Terrible. by hal2814 · · Score: 1

      Personally, I think it's a good fit that the music channel that doesn't make movies anymore teams up with the arcade company that doesn't make arcade games anymore.

    2. Re:Terrible. by generic-man · · Score: 2, Informative

      MTV Networks is a unit of Viacom that owns MTV, MTV2, VH-1, VH-1 Classics, Nickelodeon, and various other networks. It's not just the single non-music channel.

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      For more information, click here.
    3. Re:Terrible. by generic-man · · Score: 2, Informative

      I find it funny that you claim that "Nickelodean is just plain stupid," misspelling the name of the channel in the process.

      It's ironic -- just like the Alanis Morrisette video I watched on MTV!

      (warning: Alanis irony is not real irony)

      --
      For more information, click here.
  2. Is it a bad sign..... by reverseengineer · · Score: 3, Insightful
    The first game to come out from the three-title deal is L.A. Rush, which will feature promotional MTV branding as well as appearances, in some form, of MTV celebs. The soundtrack will include 75 songs from 20 artists.

    Ok, "branding," celebrity appearances, soundtrack... is it a bad sign that the article contains absolutely no description of the actual plot, gameplay, or even genre of this game? I know I shouldn't judge based on such limited information, but I can't help but think Midway is putting promotion way ahead of producing a fun game here.

    --
    "FDA staff reviewers expressed concern about the number of patients who were left out of the study because they died."
    1. Re:Is it a bad sign..... by Suddenly_Dead · · Score: 1

      They're MTV games, what type of "plot" and "gameplay" are there supposed to be?

    2. Re:Is it a bad sign..... by 77Punker · · Score: 3, Informative

      LA Rush is likely a sequel to the kick-ass racing games that appeared in arcades and on the N64. I also believe that some versions appeared on PS and PC.

      The games were SF Rush for N64, PS and arcade, Rush: The Rock/Alcatraz Edition in the arcade, Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA for the N64 and PC, and Rush: 2049 for N64 and the arcade. Those were some great games, especially the first two for N64.

      I've been waiting a long time for a sequel to appear. I hope this shows up on Gamecube!

    3. Re:Is it a bad sign..... by FlipmodePlaya · · Score: 2, Insightful

      While there may be some truth to what you suspect, you shouldn't have expected to find gameplay details in this article. The article was written about the new partnership between MTV and Midway, using the game as evidence of that fact. It listed details supporting the fact that MTV and Midway are in collaboration, such as the soundtracks and whatnot. This was NOT an article about the game itself.

      I imagine this game will be no more impaired by the licensing (and, in fact, perhaps aided by it) than the ESPN sports games were. Fans generally would rather here commentary by the same man telecasting the games they watch than some generic voice actor, and generally do want to hear music by their favorite artists rather than game composers. It's likely positive, no need to be suspicious.

    4. Re:Is it a bad sign..... by AuMatar · · Score: 1

      Speak for yourself. I'd like to get rid of the annoying damn commentating completely, and I want game music on my games, not whatever absolute crap the RIAA is trying to shove down my throat this week. Remember this is MTV- the music is lkely to be Britney Spears, NSync, and a few rap groups, not anything good.

      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
    5. Re:Is it a bad sign..... by Phudman · · Score: 2, Informative
      Preview of L.A. Rush

      I was somewhat interested in it before because I loved the S.F. Rush games on the N64 and DC. But now I'm not so sure I want to buy something with MTV all over it.

    6. Re:Is it a bad sign..... by robbway · · Score: 1

      Since Midway distributes San Francisco Rush, and other "Rush" titles, I'm hoping that LA Rush is a racing title. The Rush series are known for their shortcuts, longcuts, and coin collection for status.

      I'd really like to drive the ZZTop car as a "branding," especially with their music.

  3. Oh lovely by RogueyWon · · Score: 1

    I must say, it's most considerate of them to put all of the titles I'm not going to want to touch with a barge-pole together on one label, for easy avoidance. Major in-game advertising AND appearances by MTV celebs. How... delightful.

    1. Re:Oh lovely by superpulpsicle · · Score: 1

      In other news...

      MTV catch phrases have been replaced midway style.

      "Bling Bling" - Toasty
      "Baby Baby" - Babality
      "Beotch" - Get over Here
      "Represent" - Finish him

      Other artists will now rename themselves.

      Dr. Dre - Shao Kahn
      Eminem - Subzero
      Wutang Clan - Wutang Clan
      Michael Jackson - Sonya

    2. Re:Oh lovely by AuMatar · · Score: 4, Funny

      The Micheal Jackson one doesn't work. Sonya is a white woman with martial arts skills. MJ has no martial arts skills.

      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
  4. Will Be As Lame As The Dreamcast 360 Stuff by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    As someone who has worked in the games biz for over a decade I am disgusted by this.

    This is the shit that happens when you have a bunch of ovehead people, producers,lawyers,marketing types sitting around with nothing to do while those of us who actually make games are busy working.

  5. I'm sure these will be at least as much fun... by lightspawn · · Score: 2, Informative

    as MTV Sports: Skateboarding Featuring Andy McDonald.

    Here's a snippet from the review:

    "Rather than exploit some of MTV's actual properties, the name is simply tagged onto games that might appeal to the same audience that watches Total Request Live religiously. But MTV Sports: Skateboarding, THQ's latest entry in its MTV Sports line, couldn't possibly appeal to anyone."

  6. Dynamite! by Taulin · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I just can't wait for the "Napolean Dynamite" game!

  7. Holy crap by drxray · · Score: 1

    Midway are going to publish the next Unreal Tournament.
    Does this mean we'll have to pimp our leviathans?

    I suppose playing against people using celebrity skins could be quite fun though - oops, I flakked Britney again...

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    Slashdot - Mutual Assured Discussion
  8. It finally happened! by allaunjsilverfox2 · · Score: 1

    Television has invaded my once sacred console! Ma! GET THE GUN! I've got some target practice to get in.........

    --
    Restore the madness of youth's lechery
  9. So what you're saying is... by Popageorgio · · Score: 1

    Soon I can shoot Carson Daley?