Mat@MDickie.com
Popscene














 


Will my retirement from wrestling prove to be the best move I ever made, or the biggest mistake? Hoping to prove otherwise comes "Popscene" - a music simulator in the mould of the Wrestling MPire series. God knows the music business has just as many vibrant personalities as wrestling does, so let's see what they could be getting up to...


The Best Of The Best

It wouldn't be the music industry without the occasional awards ceremony! Every now and then you're treated to a special event that honours the "Best Single", "Best Album", and "Best Artist". It's all superbly executed too - with a different star introducing each category, reading out the nominations, and then declaring the lucky winner. The camera then scans the crowd, and by the time it returns the victor is at the podium delivering some words of his own. A cool touch here is that there are several different comments. Some acknowledge the label and its owner, some thank the support of friends - and some even take the opportunity to taunt their enemies (trust Eminem to be the first person to do that in testing!). Speaking of support, it's the whole band that goes up to the podium - which is another nice touch. The whole gimmick is great for a bit of comic relief, and also as one of the few ways to see your peers in the flesh, but it does have real game implications. The winner enjoys a boost in popularity and happiness - not to mention soaring records sales if they're promoting a record! It's possible for you to be that lucky winner, but it's far from guaranteed. When the event is announced in the press, you might find that you're not even nominated. Chasing that recognition is another great thing to play for...


Courting Controversy

In addition to award ceremonies, our popstars are also no stranger to the inside of a courtroom! This highly entertaining new feature places you right there whenever there's a legal dispute in your career. You'd be surprised how often that is. Former employees can sue you for "unfair dismissal", or claim the rights to songs that were produced during their time. Even complete strangers are inclined to make wild accusations if they think there's something to be gained! Whenever these issues arise, a court date is set and that's where it's settled. It's a frighteningly random process, where the judge listens to each defendant and then rules one way or the other. You often find yourself suffering at the hands of bogus claims. However, it's a great twist on the gameplay that stresses out even the most successful career...


Nip & Tuck

The sub-plots can even extend to the hospital when you feel it's time for plastic surgery! You can change costumes at any time, but if you want to change the body underneath then things aren't quite so simple. You have to come to this spin-off of the editing screen, which is dedicated to your face and body. In real-time, you change whatever you'd like and see the results take effect on your hospitalized character. The surgeon then reminds you how much it'll cost, and once you confirm it the changes are done. You then return to the standard editor where you can throw some clothes onto your new body. If you have a sex change then that's essential! In addition to causing a dent in your bank balance, the process also hospitalizes the character for a couple of weeks - so it's not to be entered into lightly. It's basically a comical feature that you can waste your money on when you've got nothing better to do. However, as in the wrestling games, characters do change shape over time - and this is your only way of turning back the clock!


The Way You Move

As the game draws towards completion, I've been spending most of my time piling in the content. Dozens of news events, meetings, and court cases have been implemented - so many that you'd have to play through the game dozens of times to see them all! More importantly, I've also been adding performance styles. Until recently there were different speeds of the same old animations, but now there are completely unique animations for each style - from rap and rock to sexy ballads. There are also different animations for each kind of band member. In addition to the vocalist, others like guitarists and dancers also have their own interpretation of the style - which keeps everything nice and consistent. That said, the gimmick is strictly for your own amusement because it has absolutely nothing to do with your progress! It's just that choosing the right one makes the performances more convincing - and ensures that you enjoy them as much as the audience...


The Battle Of The Bands

Another thing that's making the game feel more complete is that the characters are piling up nicely. There's already over 100 unique artists scattered across the 6 talent pools - and there could be almost twice that in the final version. There's still no shortage of familiar faces either. Everybody from The Beatles to The Spice Girls have put in an appearance - plus dozens of fictitious characters that you can mould as you see fit. There's even a handful of novelty characters that aren't even part of the music business! Thanks to the many sub-plots, you can also come across a doctor, a judge, a radio DJ, and a Hollywood agent. Not to mention a certain game developer who wants to buy your songs for a videogame! The relationships play a bigger part than ever too, with a tangled web of alliance and rivalries encompassing the entire musical world. It's easier to sign friendly faces, yet almost impossible to sign those you've wronged. With so many court cases flying around, you'd be surprised how many that turns out to be...


Dancing In The Dark

You know the game is on the home straight when you're already thinking about the publishing! I can exclusively reveal that the game's artwork features a series of cool little silhouettes - not unlike the one seen in the original logo all those years ago. It's the latest in a long line of presentation break-through's that have assured this is the smoothest looking game yet. Everything's refreshingly different and leaves no doubt that we're entering a new era of projects. You should find out for yourselves soon enough, because this is almost certainly the last preview before the big official one! All that remains is a lot of testing and polishing to make sure that the game hits you perfect...


Welcome To The Jungle

One of the biggest developments in recent weeks is that the world has been finalized. As ever, the selection is a little clichéd - but not bad for somebody who's got more important things to be worrying about. Introducing Epic Talent (the star-studded legends stable), Super Sounds (the stereotypical pop label), Rock-out Records (indy, rock, and metal), Urban Records (hip hop), The Underground (unemployed losers), and Legacy Records (rest in peace). Not only does each label have its own style of artist, but they also have other specialties - much like those from Wrestling MPire. Some give you generous pay-off's, whilst others are generous with each type of royalty - so you really feel the difference between deals. The rosters are the real deal-breaker though. It's ten times easier (and cheaper) to work with somebody if they're your label mate, so you'll often find yourself following your idols...


The Best Of The Best

Speaking of the rosters, they too are filling out nicely. The range of costumes is 90% complete, so I find myself able to make almost anybody that springs to mind. There are plenty of familiar faces, spanning many genres and eras, but also plenty of fictional characters for you to mould as you see fit. As ever, their stats fluctuate over time - so it's fun seeing people rise and fall! To help you keep track of it all, the "Database" screen has been implemented in this game too. Here you can browse the top 10 in any category, to discover who's the best in the world and at each label...


The Property Ladder

Everything seems to be coming together at this point in the game's development. The range of venues is yet another aspect to have been finalised. The addition of a "Hall" location finishes it off. This one falls nicely between the stadiums and the bars. It's not glamorous, but it is a welcome stepping stone for any growing act. The attendance system has also been implemented, and it's accurately linked to how popular you are. There are 4 levels of attendance for each location, which has a noticeable effect on the crowd volume and graphics. As you'd expect, each venue has a unique capacity. Some might be beneath you, whilst others are beyond your means. Treading that line is all part of paying your dues...


Desperate Measures

One other new venue is the office itself! As in real life, there are occasions when you can take matters into your own hands and barge into the offices of a label. The bewildered boss gives you one song to prove yourself - after which he'll either agree to talk about a deal, or send you home with a soul-destroying putdown! It's basically a glorified way of entering contract negotiations when you're on the underground circuit. Now that the range of venues is well and truly done, there's a "CD Player" option that allows you to select any artist, at any location - and then perform songs from a favourite CD with no strings attached. It's basically this game's version of an "exhibition", where you go to simply enjoy the animated performances...


Make Or Break

Another by-product of the venues being completed is that the booking system has materialized too. It's here that you talk to your label boss about filling up your schedule. Much like a contract negotiation, you suggest a location and a number of songs you'd be willing to perform - and he delivers the verdict. He might argue that you're not popular enough to sell out a stadium, or that your material is too weak to warrant a headline set. All the bickering to get your own way is a game in itself! Fortunately, it's not all down to you. Once you're signed to a label, you often get asked if you'd like to perform here and there - and your only concern is whether or not to accept. All in all, the feature has become an integral part of the game. It's yet another responsibility that keeps you interested in your progress...


Personal Organizer

With up to a dozen unique locations filling up your time, it's a good job that the Calendar screen now has icons for each one! You can clearly see where you're going to be performing and when. There are even additional icons - such as whether or not it's a tribute or charity event. Another fine detail in the booking system is that you can't swamp the schedules with one type of show. Even if you're a superstar, you've got to book a good variety of venues. Speaking of the calendar system, not only does it now detect the real-life month and year, but it also finds the exact week too! It feels like a spooky coincidence when you start the game in real time...


Boxing Clever

Not all venues are there for performing though. An amusing new feature, as promised, is that you can shoot your own album covers! It's basically a glorified screenshot system, where you start up a mock show (at a location configured by you) and then set up the shot with the camera controls. It's all very well done and easy to use - and the results aren't so bad either. It features the label's logo, your act's name, and the album's name. It even features a "Parental Advisory" sticker if you've got a bad reputation! The whole thing is then scaled down to the size shown above, which is convenient for use elsewhere in the game. You might think the effect leaves a lot to be desired, but that's just the last resort option. These images are saved to hard drive as JPG's, so you can then go in there and replace them with a more professional design! If you're recreating a real band or album, you could even scan in the real artwork...


Tabloid Junkie

One of the biggest developments has been the arrival of this game's news system. As promised, it's an extension of the magazine gimmick - where daily events are reported on an authentic front page! Thanks to the extra details that you get on a newspaper, it's much more effective than the magazine version. It's infinitely more effective than anything we saw in the wrestling games too - thanks to dedicated headlines as well as the usual text. Although it seems like a trivial feature, it's actually a very important part of the game. It's here that you learn where artists are working, who they're collaborating (or breaking up) with, how their skills are developing - and as ever, whether or not they're still breathing! You also get plenty of vital information about your own status - such as being notified that a new song has emerged. Going back to fatalities, the "Tribute" and "Charity" shows have also been implemented. It's pretty much a re-run of what we saw in the wrestling games, where your boss asks you whether or not you want to take part. If you do, you end up playing at a heart-warming show - where the deceased artist haunts you from the video screen. All, of course, for no reward except the respect of your peers...


The End Of An Era

The newspaper gimmick was so successful that I've even incorporated it into the retirement process too! When your career comes to an end, your achievements are nicely summarized by the journalist. He states how long you were in the business for, how many records you sold, and how much money you made. All the above will probably feature in a "Hall Of Fame" ranking - but, after the charts AND the database, I'm fairly sick of doing those things! We'll have to wait and see on that. In the meantime, your most important concern is how your retirement happens. As in the wrestling games, you can retire whenever you want - but it's also possible to have your career ended by the powers that be. I haven't implemented it yet, but the "mission" system is promised to return - where you have to jump through hoops to keep your job. Even underground artists won't be safe from them, as the weary boss might give you a limited time to land a deal before he gives up on you...


Slave To Fashion

I'll leave you with news of the latest fashions. The editor now has a couple of useful new hat options. You can have cool twists on the headwear, such as dipped and to the side - and they're available for both caps and hats. They suit guys like Jay-Z and Usher much better than the standard versions. Elsewhere, there are literally too many new outfits to mention. The women have plenty of skimpy costumes to enjoy - including a new crop top design, which is more feminine than a standard vest. There's also Michael Jackson's red "Beat It" jacket, which has actually come in handy for plenty of other artists (in fact, he doesn't even wear it himself!). Forget the costumes though, because these guys should be more worried about their faces. It's now possible to wrinkle over time. It starts to kick in by the age of 40, but by the time they're 60 they look like zombies! I had to implement the feature, because there were dozens of old-timers that were just as fresh-faced as their young counterparts. Speaking of losing your looks, there's talk of a plastic surgery feature soon! Once again, the Face texture is one of the few you can't change - but, with a little money, this feature will give you the opportunity. You'll even be able to use it to change body shapes (even extending to sex changes!)...


Work In Progress
The recent developments have involved a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff - which, although important, isn't particularly interesting. The product of that work is the new "Publishing" system. It allows you to choose which album to work on, configure it to your liking, and then release material from it. You can't release the album itself until you've laid down at least 8 tracks. However, you can release up to 4 singles along the way - which is a great way of funding the project (and promoting it)...


Top Of The Pops
Speaking of singles, the chart system has just been implemented too. It's very similar to the TV ratings from the wrestling games - except much more interesting. For a start, it extends to the Top 20 rather than the Top 10. You'll be glad of the extra slots, because the competition is fierce in the world of music! Instead of the same preset entries, the charts can be flooded by any of the hundreds of artists in the game. There's method to the madness though. Each entry has genuine sales figures that fluctuate as they would in real life, so it's easy to get a feel for what's happening out there. It pans out quite realistically too - with some singles lingering around for months, whilst others are lucky to spend a single week on the chart. Quite how well your singles do is down to the content. Entertaining records sell quickly, whereas artistic records are more of a slow burn. It's interesting to see which approach makes the most money...


Popscene Magascene
In addition to the charts, the game has another great touch: magazine reviews! Everything, from your albums and singles through to the performances, can now be scrutinized by the music press. It's all frighteningly authentic - featuring a whole page of information written onto a realistic magazine graphic. It all makes sense too - complete with comments that are based on what your qualities really are! Unfortunately, it can't go into too much detail. The reviews have to be brief and vague enough to remain appropriate. They're better than you'd expect though, and succeed in making the concept even more interesting. To top it all off, the reviews are accompanied by photos of the actual performance or album cover...


Tabloid Junkie
The whole process is actually a glorified version of the aftermath screen from the wrestling games. It's here that your statistics improve or deteriorate (based on the verdict). The only difference is that, instead of that awkward office graphic, you've got this magazine mock-up to look at. The system is so successful that I'm planning to incorporate it into the news section. Each event will be reported on a realistic looking front page - complete with relevant headlines, photos, and text...


The MDickie MPorium
The chart and review gimmicks worked out so well that I've taken things one final step further - with in-store promotions! As in real life, you can mark the release of a new CD with a live performance from the actual store. It's a fantastic little location - complete with racks full of boxes, posters all over the walls, a check-out nearby, and even a TV set hanging from the ceiling. To keep it in the family, it's actually a virtual recreation of my own online store: The MDickie MPorium! If you look closely, boxes of the games appear all over the place...


The Streets Are Watching
Speaking of "keeping it in the family", Big BumpZ is practically getting a second life in this game! Yet another stage from that game, the city location, has resurfaced in Popscene. As you'd expect, it's a re-mastered version that looks a notch better. Another noticeable difference is that this version has a crowd stretching out onto the field across the road. At the beginning of your career, these passers by are practically the only audience you can get - so you've got to suck it up. It's actually an important location in establishing the difference between success and failure. When you finally get indoors you feel like you're getting somewhere...


Hard Day's Night
The streets seem even tougher when you've got to face them at night! Atmosphere is more prominent in this game than any other, and features heavily in all of the outdoor locations. There are up to a dozen different ambiences, so it prevents even the same locations from feeling repetitive. Not that that should be a problem anyway. I've already got over 10 unique locations - which is twice as many as I had anticipated...


Stadium Rock
My work with locations is going so well that I've even returned to the older ones to recreate them! In light of the awesome festival location, the regular stadium wasn't cutting it - so I recreated it in the mould of its superior. The result is a more spectacular stage area and a more formidable crowd. All of these venues are about to culminate in a fantastic new feature where you have to book your own concerts! Much like a contract negotiation, you will regularly have to talk to your label boss about where you want to perform. You suggest the location and how many songs you'd be willing to perform, and the boss then delivers his verdict. He might argue that you're not popular enough to sell out a stadium, or that your material is too weak to warrant a headline set...


I Want You Back
In amongst all of these developments, I've even found time to add yet more costumes. A modified version of the Jackson Five costume is the latest addition - complete with an infinitely more realistic face for little Michael. It's much better than the rushed effort from Wrestling With The Truth. Other creations include a dubious Prince (sporting a vibrant purple suit), and plenty of re-mastered costumes - such as a skimpier bikini top for the women. The characters still aren't the game's strong point, but I'm feeling much better about them now. They should be fine by the time the game is done. Exactly when that will be remains to be seen. The July completion date that I quoted is looking extremely ambitious! I've still got a handful of massive jobs left to do. A mid-August finish is more likely; followed by an official release by the end of the month...  


The Show Must Go On

The MDickie Show set has followed in the footsteps of the wrestling arena as a novelty venue! Again, it's a surprisingly good location (after all, various TV appearances are a must for promoting a new album). Speaking of venues, chunky amplifiers have been added to them all to make things look a little more authentic. A nice touch on the chat show set is that the speakers are slumped over the armchairs in the background...


The Great Outdoors

TV appearances are insignificant compared to the latest venue though. Inspired by the recent Glastonbury festival, the game now has a breathtaking outdoor location! The stage is beautifully modelled, there's a convincing sky atmosphere, and there are fans as far as the eye can see. It can be enjoyed at various times of day too. The location is, without a shadow of a doubt, the greatest in the game so far - and should be the ultimate goal for any artist....


Bash At The Beach

The outdoor gimmick is so good that I milked it further with a seaside variation! It replaces the grass with sand - complete with water on the horizon. Unfortunately, it's not as effective as I had hoped because there's very little reason to zoom out and admire the sea (I couldn't even get a decent shot of it for this preview!). It's still a welcome addition to the game though, and should prove useful for video shoots...


All Eyes On You

Back indoors, the studio has been furnished even further - with humans this time! As promised, there's now a producer sitting at the desk. It's your label's boss by default, but for radio appearances you'll find the station's DJ keeping you company. As if that wasn't enough, your backstage characters can also be found looming behind the window! It's a nice touch that reminds you how much work is going into your act...


A Word In Your Ear

Elsewhere in the offices of your label, you can now be pulled aside to talk to your band members. Veterans of Booking MPire will know the deal. It's the same old "Yes" or "No" response to a suggestion of theirs. The selection of topics hasn't been finalized yet, but you'd be surprised how many possibilities there are. Not least because there are also "formal" meetings with people from outside of the band. These can range from suggestions by the label boss to endorsement offers from famous brands. It's even possible to be approached by an artist looking to collaborate! That's a great way of hooking up with people that you hadn't even considered. All in all, it means you face a mountain of possibilities with each passing week - so it should be an eventful life before you even go out on stage!


Breaking Bread

One of the biggest developments in recent days has been the financial breakdown. It's a screen that appears at the end of each week to help you make sense of the royalties being thrown at you. It was a programming nightmare for me, but as far as you're concerned everything will seem blissfully simple! The money you've brought in to the label is calculated first, and it then filters down to your character before being divided further to each of your band mates. By the end you're left in no doubt as to how much money you're earning - both as a band and an individual...


Facing The Public

In amongst all of these programming developments, the characters continue to be drawn up. Unlike wrestlers, these guys don't have particularly famous costumes - so it's quite a struggle to portray them! It has forced me to focus on the faces though, which means they're looking better than ever. The most recent additions have been for rappers like Tupac Shakur, but there's also the best range of black female faces yet - ranging from Lil Kim to Janet Jackson. I've started on the white females too, which range from the glamorous make-up of Christina Aguilera to the sombre looks of Avril Lavigne...


Bullet-proof Bling

Not having a distinctive costume is one thing that 50 Cent isn't guilty of! He's shown here with his trademark bullet-proof vest and gold chain. You can't tell from the shot, but he's also got a suitably menacing face to match. Hopefully, I'll stumble across similarly effective costumes for the many other characters that are in the pipeline...


Gift Of The Gab
As promised, the wrestling arena has joined the range of venues. Since it already exists from the previous games, there's no reason to leave it out. It's actually a great location, with the ring making a perfect stage. Speaking of wrestling, the promo system has been resurrected for this game too! Your songs are now interspersed by brief comments from the lead singer. At the moment it's all very pleasant, but that should change by the time the game's done. There's something not quite right about people like Eminem and Marilyn Manson saying, "You've been a wonderful audience"! I'm sure the comments will reflect their true demeanour soon enough. Speaking of characters, that part of the game is slowly beginning to take shape. Some great new costumes are being added every day - ranging from Gothic-looking chains and leathers to Hip Hop style basketball tops...


Weapon Of Choice
The costume editor is now accompanied by an option to select the guitar design. There are at least half a dozen variations - ranging from generic colours to fancy patterns. Either way, they make sure that each guitarist looks a little different - and they're good for keeping the style of your band consistent too. I should say that the option is strictly cosmetic, and doesn't extend to different guitar shapes. As realistic as that would be, it's a little impractical. The option is exclusive to the guitar instrument too. There's very little call for different drum kits and keyboards... 


Winning Formula
Whatever your band members look like, you can now develop your style further by selecting a formation. In fact, there's a whole screen dedicated to it! Here you can re-arrange your artists as you see fit - deciding not only who goes where, but also what overall shape they portray. In addition to the traditional band layout that we've seen in previous shots, there are now several alternatives such as a straight line-up. It's ideal for boy bands and rap groups that share equal billing. You may also notice that the number of possible members has risen to 5! I was going to leave it at 4, but it's handy to have an extra spot to work with. Even if you have got 5 members, you don't have to throw them all into the spotlight. It's possible to assign a "Backstage" role to any character, which means that they're strictly responsible for producing the songs. As in real life, this means a guy like Justin Timberlake can appear to be a "solo artist" when he's actually got a whole crew of people working behind the scenes...


Bust A Move
Speaking of roles, that of a "Dancer" is now available to round off the selection. It can either be used for an energetic solo artist like Usher, or simply for backing dancers like the one above. I was expecting it to be the easiest of all the animations, but it's actually by far the hardest! Unlike the taunts from Wrestling With The Truth, these guys have to keep on the move all the time - which is difficult to pull off without looking repetitive. There's a fairly decent basic animation though, so there is at least something to build on. It's definitely a worthy addition to the game anyway, because it brings some much needed life to the pop acts...


Lights, Camera, Action
Whatever your guys are up to, the camera now follows them with a whole new range of angles. It's a similar story to the wrestling games, where you have 10 preset cameras on the number keys. However, the game's default angle is a brand new one that flies around the stage at random! It can be a little disorientating, but it keeps the screen looking lively - much like a real music video. As ever, you can also change which band member the camera is focusing on. You can even seize control of the camera itself if you're feeling up to it! All in all, it helps to make sure you enjoy the performances as much as anyone else...


Meeting Of The Minds
The biggest development in recent days has been the contract negotiation system - and it's a significant improvement on what we saw in Booking MPire! For a start, the meetings take place around a large polished table in a beautifully furnished office. I've been able to put more effort into the scenery in this game, because I don't have to worry about making everything interactive. I can throw whatever I want onto the scene - including an unprecedented number of characters. Although you're the one that does all the talking, each of your band-mates are on hand to present a united front...


The Small Print
What you're discussing has changed as much as the location! Instead of negotiating salaries, you now negotiate "royalties". The proceeds from CD sales, ticket sales, and endorsements, are all up for grabs - but it's down to you to negotiate a good percentage in each category. It hasn't been finalized yet, but you should be able to make tactical requests - such as sacrificing all of your endorsements to get more of the CD sales, etc.. Being a shrewd businessman will be as important as talent in this game! You then have to switch roles when it comes to your band-mates, because they want a percentage of your percentage. It sounds more complicated than it is. The mathematically challenged needn't fear anyway, because the game will clearly calculate the finances in a special screen at the end of each week... 


Record Breaker
The DJ equipment that I've been promising has finally joined the range of instruments. It looks as good as any other instrument, and boasts some nice little animations for handling the decks. It's perfect for solo DJ performers - or better yet, as back-up for the hip hop artists...


Studio Time
A nice looking recording studio has been built and furnished with equipment - complete with a window that separates the producers and the band! There isn't actually a crew on the scene yet, but that'll come soon enough. The location has already been put to use though. It's here that you come to record new tracks or rehearse your existing ones. The set will probably be used for radio appearances as well, since the layout is practically the same...


Changing Tracks
The recording studio is accompanied by an interface to edit your playlist. You insert a CD (or specify a folder full of MP3's) to work from, and then spend the following weeks "unlocking" each available track - much like producing arena improvements in Booking MPire! Each track can then be given a name of your choice, a style in which it should be performed (I.e. rap, ballad, heavy, etc.), and a tone in which it should be delivered (angry, happy, etc.). Those are just cosmetic choices that ensure the song reflects its real-life counterpart though. The important values, which govern its potential, are beyond your control. Upon being discovered, each track is christened with an "entertainment" rating and an "artistic" rating. Entertaining songs are crowd-pleasers that are easier to sell, whereas artistic ones are more thoughtful tracks that warrant critical acclaim. Some excel in either area, some excel in both, and some are just plain useless! What you are blessed with is somewhat random, but it is largely influenced by how strong your production team is. You need a good producer in the team to ensure pop success, and you need a good writer for artistry...


Crowd Control
The latest development is that you can now take your records into the outside world. I've been busy re-designing the locations for this new game - which basically means piling in some customers! The bar from Big BumpZ is now packed to the rafters with onlookers that shuffle around to your tunes. Unfortunately, we're talking about the same cardboard cut-out crowd from previous games. Short of filling the arenas with thousands of actual people, there's very little you can do about these things! The professionals only achieve it by removing your ability to control the camera - and I'm not one for doing that. That said, the crowd does look effective from most angles. It's just the occasional stray angle that shows them up for the cardboard cut-outs that they are...


Bright Lights, Big City

In addition to the bar, I've also been working on brand new locations. Introducing the stadium; which should be the ultimate venue for any artist! It looks as good as I could have hoped - boasting a nice dome shape that feels very atmospheric. It bears more than a passing resemblance to the wrestling arena (thanks to the same background image). Speaking of which, the wrestling arena will actually be a venue in itself! You should be able to step into the ring and perform a couple of tracks to celebrate big events like Wrestlemania. In addition to gimmicky venues like that, there'll be plenty of other places to perform. Afterall, building up a fanbase is a slow process. You'll start on the streets and in bars, before progressing to concert halls and stadiums. Beyond that, there'll even be huge outdoor festivals too...


Is There Anybody Out There?
The attendances will vary as much as the actual venues. Much like in the wrestling games, your drawing power will affect how many people show up on the scene. The packed bar mentioned earlier could all too easily become an empty embarrassment! Even the halls and stadiums are designed to portray different levels of attendance...


Audience Participation
You'll feel the difference in the sound of the crowd as much as anything else. The crowd effects from the wrestling games have returned to voice their opinion on music too! It's actually a more sophisticated system this time though. The "entertainment" and "artistry" values of each song will directly affect what kind of reaction you hear. Entertaining songs are met with varying cheers (or jeers), whilst artistic songs are met with respectful applause (or laughter!). The system hasn't been fully implemented yet, but it already looks set to be an effective part of the game. If nothing else, it stops the game from feeling like a glorified CD player! The background noise of a crowd really makes the music feel like an integral part of the world...


Elvis Has Entered The Building!
While I've been concentrating on the arenas, I'm afraid the characters have had to take a backseat. One or two developments continue to be made though. I was struggling to make achieve the Elvis look with my existing models, so I made a whole new one dedicated to him! It features a longer jaw and a more elaborate version of the quiff. He's even got his own sparkling white suit and a dedicated face texture (although it's not too clear from the screenshot). Although he's dead, characters such as Presley will actually be alive for the sake of the game. By default, the "Deceased" pool will only be populated by artists that die in your world. As in reality, there is life after death though - as they'll release posthumous records! There'll even be memorial shows too, so expect this game to be just as sentimental as the wrestling series...


Instruments Of God
The most noticeable change since last time is that we've got a full set of instruments. A nice looking drum kit has been added to provide an anchor for the more traditional bands. As you can see below, a superbly detailed keyboard has also joined the ranks - which should be great for a little variety. It was integrated so successfully that I may do a similar setup for DJ's and their decks. That would make the game's range even wider, and could also bring some much-needed instrumentation to the hip hop artists...


Splitting Hairs
This shot demonstrates another interesting new feature too - the fantastic new hairstyles! The whole range is done now, and every single one of them looks a notch better than ever before. The "Fringe" now comes right down to the eyes, complete with a slight parting - and there's a particularly beautiful shoulder-length style, which is great for women. However, the most useful new style is the "Shaved" one - which, for the first time, is an actual hairstyle that can be applied to any face. It looks very convincing too, as it wraps around the head perfectly (unlike the dubious attempts in previous games)...


Cosmetic Surgery
Another key development is that the editor that offers all these hairstyles is done too! It's practically identical to the one from Wrestling MPire and co, but the new setting did demand some major re-arranging. Not least to the colour scheme, which now mirrors the blue and white of the logo! It comes as quite a shock after the repeatedly dark styles of my previous games, but it certainly is a welcome change of scenery. It confirms that a new era is upon us, and it's actually a lot easier on the eyes too. Equally refreshing is the fact that this new game requires far fewer details. Although it's every bit as sophisticated, things like move sets and alternative costumes no longer apply - which leaves us with just 2 pages instead of 5! As the guy that has to create hundreds of such characters, I can assure you that is fantastic news...


From Rags To Riches

Now that it's done, the editor is slowly beginning to churn out some creations. I've spent a lot of time giving it some new models to play with. The range is mostly similar to that from the wrestling games, but there are one or two new shapes - and even the familiar ones are tidier than ever. The most noticeable change is that a lot of the models now have baggy tops (as well as pants). The clothing in this game will be much more casual than the figure-hugging tights from the wrestling games, so I had to cater for things like t-shirts (as seen in the shot above). Even the faces vary in this game. I'm not sure how clear it is from the shot above, but Jay-Z actually has his own model that boasts a chubby face! It helps to make characters such as him much more recognizable...


Female Of The Species
The female bodies have also been added. Despite my best modelling yet, they're still not particularly "attractive" - which is a shame because this game is set to have more female characters than ever before! That said, they are significantly better that in previous games. Not least because they've been honoured with more variations. In addition to the default model and the skirt, there's now a version with baggy pants - which is ideal for more conservative females such as Avril Lavigne. Even plumper artists like Missy Elliott have been given consideration, thanks to the first ever "Chubby" female build...  


It's All In The Eyes
The appearances are just the tip of the iceberg though. We might have lost the wrestling content, but the notion of "Faces" and "Heels" remains intact! In fact, there's a third option (or a variation on the good guy, depending on how you look at it). Further to the relaxed eyebrows, you can now have a "Docile" demeanour - whereby the eyebrows are raised and affectionate. Such an option had no place in the wrestling games, but here it's perfect for do-gooders like Michael Jackson! It certainly helps to establish the difference between his style and that of bad boys like Eminem...


The Tale Of The Tape
As the game finally begins to take shape, so too have the all-important statistics. Due to being a recent addition, the lay-out is currently identical to what was used in the wrestling games - but it may change. It can certainly expect to be tidied up a little over the coming weeks. In any case, the statistics are all that matters at the moment. The ones on the left should be familiar and self-explanatory, but the ones on the right are new to this game. Each character has "Production" skills (their ability to produce popular music), "Writing" (their ability to produce artistic music), "Performance" (their ability to deliver popular music), and "Talent" (their ability to deliver artistic music). They might have you scratching your head now, but rest assured that all of those attributes will become clear as the game progresses...


Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
Students of the History section will know that this concept is nothing new. In fact, it was arguably the first decent game I ever made - way back in the Summer of 2000! It was too ambitious back then and, like many projects of that time, got left behind in a unfinished state (which is just as well because it was a staggering 20mb!). Now though, nothing is out of the question - so it's back for a second shot at the big-time! There couldn't be a more deserving case to be exhumed. Even in it's half-finished state, Popscene was a charming little game. You constructed a group of performers and then set off on the road to fame and fortune. In between concerts, you had to build up an arsenal of songs in the recording studio - which you would then unleash on your audience with varying success. In and around that, you also had to deal with the tantrums that have since found fame in games like Booking MPire and co! Rock stars are no stranger to controversy, so the possibilities were endless. Now those "possibilities" are about to be fulfilled in spectacular fashion, courtesy of this all-new 3D version...


The Face Of The Future
All of the stops have been pulled out to ensure Popscene hits the top spot! In preparation for the game, a whole new human model has been made. The square heads of previous games are history, as we now enjoy a more detailed face. That goes for pretty much everything else too, as the torso and feet have received similar enhancements. It's a good job, because characterization is set to be more important than ever in this game. All of the major names are expected to be represented - from the fashion-conscious rappers and divas, right down to the grimy rockers - and they all need to look the part. The facial features are expected to change as much as the whole body did in previous games! The gaunt features of Michael Jackson will stand in stark contrast to the chubby cheeks of Jay-Z. So too will the range of costumes - which will cater heavily towards the casual look, rather than the tight-fitting fashions of the wrestling games. I hope that allays any fears that this was going to be yet another homage to Michael Jackson! Every conceivable taste of music will be catered for - from hip hop to rock and pop. Trust me; I've been a fan of them all...


Master Of Ceremonies
It's difficult to know where to start with a game as large as this one, so I've settled for bringing the new models to life. Without a stadium to perform in, they're reduced to standing around in the offices of Wrestling MPire! But hey, you've got to start somewhere. The good news is that making them sing has been a breeze. It's basically a more energetic version of the promo system from Wrestling MPire, whereby a random barrage of facial expressions adorn the character's face. With microphone in hand, it's a promising effect and seems to work well with most songs... 


Skills To Pay The Bills
Unless you're a rapper, there's more to it than vocals though! A fantastic guitarist animation is also on hand to bring your recordings to life. You'll no doubt be able to assign such instruments to your band members at any time, much like a weapon in the wrestling games. At the moment there's only an electric guitar, but there should be a whole ranges of designs. A drum-kit is also expected to arrive soon, which should complete the set...


On The Road
Even at this early stage, I felt the musicians had to get out into the world - so I loaded up the bar from Big BumpZ for a test run! The old place will need tidying up a bit, but it looks as though it could play a major role in the finished game. Much like you progressed from the school gym to the arenas in Wrestling MPire, this game will require you to pay your dues at all kinds of undesirable locations. You'll experiment in your bedroom before busking on the streets, playing to rowdy bars, and then ultimately making it to stadiums and festivals! Along the way, you'll even have to perform in recording sessions and at radio shows. And then, of course, there's a music video to shoot...


Can't Knock The Hustle
So that's the story so far. There's a mountain of other developments on the horizon, but I can't speak about them with any authority until they emerge in the game. One thing that's guaranteed is the statistical gameplay, which will be somewhat reminiscent of Booking MPire. Each character will have the usual selection of personality stats, such as Popularity, Reputation, Attitude, and Happiness. However, on top of that, there should be several completely new ones to look out for - such as their production and performance skills. Putting together a band with a good mixture of talent is the only way to ensure recording success. You'll have to pay them too - and that feature will once again look back to the world of Wrestling MPire. The same contract negotiation system is expected to return, but this time it's a recording contract that's on the table! Even the concept of "federations" will seem familiar, as each artist belongs to one of 6 major labels. Signing with the right company could be just as important as it was in the wrestling games. The more things change, the more they stay the same...

Copyright © MDickie 2000 - 2004