SingStar series sells 12 million units in PAL territories

by Jason Dobson { Apr 26th 2008 at 4:30PM }

European gamers that feel naked without a mic in their hand can use the other to pat themselves on the back, as Sony just dropped word that its SingStar franchise has sold through 12 million copies in the PAL region, with some 5 million of these going out the door between last April and March 2008.

In addition, with the SingStore finally gaining traction, Sony also announced that PAL gamers have downloaded a million tracks in the four months since the store opened. Also impressive is that the store's 140,000 registered users, together with members of the game's official website, have recorded and shared 20,000 videos of players belting out tunes from the comfort of their living rooms -- public embarrassment that has been watched some 2.5 million times.

The SingStar series first got players in Europe singing off-tune renditions of "Careless Whisper" and "Like a Virgin" in 2004, and has since spawned numerous sequels, including last December's SingStar for the PlayStation 3 and the soon-to-be released Volume 2. Now, with SingStar for the PS3 finally getting a release in North America on May 20, it will be interesting to see how enthusiasm on this side of the Atlantic for the game measures up.

Tags: europe, milestone, scee, singstar, sony

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

deddyluger @ Apr 26th 2008 4:48PM

This game looks lame as hell. No wonder those froggy bastards like it.

star @ Apr 26th 2008 6:01PM

chixdiggit

Jay @ Apr 26th 2008 5:00PM

Why? Its just repackaged Karaoke Revolution (which itself is a pile of crap)

John @ Apr 26th 2008 5:21PM

This game isn't as fun as karaoke revolution, but it has its moments.

I was wondering if anyone knows whether the PS3 camera can be used by multiple people for the microphone?

And does it have any more interesting game modes?

KR is a lot more fun to play, but Singstar has better songs and they are the orignial artists.

velocitystrike @ Apr 26th 2008 5:28PM

Pah, good for them (the devs)

I have a bucketload of friends who aren't interested in games but'll happily play SingStar or Wii Sports, and I guess it's kudos to the people who came up with the idea in the first place. I admit, it does seem a very European game...not seen much positivity from mah NTSC homedogs (that's what you people are called, right?)

I know I've got at least two SS games somewhere in my loft.

tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 26th 2008 5:54PM

This picture is admittedly better than the one with that douchy emo wannabe guy on the cover.

Purple Haze @ Apr 26th 2008 6:09PM

They've released about 12 different versions of the game in PAL territories so I'm surprised they haven't sold more.

Kspraydad @ Apr 26th 2008 6:15PM

Wow....what a bunch of negative comments....Mommy didn't give you money for COD Map Packs so you come here and whine?

The premise...before you diss the game is whether you like Karaoke or not. If you don't then you won't like the game...that doesn't mean the game is 'lame' or sucks.

This is the best console Karaoke experience out there and its a good thing for PS3 to broaden its appeal.

BTW..the 'douche' WILL be on the cover of the SINGSTAR launched here as the woman is from the 2nd disc getting released soon in PAL territories.

/rant

AK @ Apr 26th 2008 6:32PM

Shut up and buy Rock Band.

/rant

HighFiveJesus @ Apr 26th 2008 6:34PM

there's more to singing than rock. this caters to those millions.

AK @ Apr 26th 2008 6:51PM

Then go to a bar on Saturday night...

Jon @ Apr 26th 2008 7:03PM

@AK, don't be an idiot. People can say the same about Rock Band, you know go and play real instruments.

Joeshie @ Apr 26th 2008 7:58PM

@Jon

Jon, there is a huge difference between learning to play a guitar and going out to karaoke.

Perhaps you should choose your comments more carefully next time.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 26th 2008 8:44PM

Not really Joeshie. Because to be a real singer takes just as much dedication and practice. Not to mention learning the proper breathing techniques AND how to control the inflection of your voice at any given moment without pulling a Meatloaf and completely killing your throat.

To be a really good singer takes a large amount of dedication. So yes, the burn against Rock band and real instruments applies because being a real singer in a band does take hard work.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 26th 2008 8:47PM

However, if we were just talking about Karaoke, let's put it this way. Do you know how many times I've gone with a group to Karaoke only to watch people pass up their turn, somehow fearful they'll made a bigger ass of themselves than the 400lb cowboy singing Thunder Road 10 minutes prior?

Singstar is Karaoke with the trusted group of friends you'd go out and Karaoke with anyway.

Jon @ Apr 26th 2008 9:31PM

@Joshei, you must suck to think it's too difficult to learn to play guitar.

Cutty @ Apr 26th 2008 7:00PM

Where does the negativity surrounding this series come from? It sells well in Europe because it's a very good casual title with a broad appeal. What's so bad about that?

Jon @ Apr 26th 2008 7:04PM

Insecure whiny male gamers who probably never even touched the game...

HighFiveJesus @ Apr 26th 2008 8:25PM

those whiney male gamers also think a party has a sweet lan connection. and would try to get involved with the girls there by trying to show them their gamerscore.

Matt B @ Apr 26th 2008 8:25PM

It's on the PS3.

HighFiveJesus @ Apr 27th 2008 7:42AM

ooh that was kind of a diss to 360 owners (in which that level of dork could only happen on the xbox generation) or yeah thats what i meant, its on ps3 (and ps2 for the most part) so they wouldn't have ever sullied their precious hands in the first place playing such a bad brand.

Maverick Saturn @ Apr 26th 2008 7:09PM

I'd rather sing then play Halo, at least it would keep me awake ¬_¬

Saying that, I haven't got this game, nor do I intend to buy, but good for the devs I guess.

pavs @ Apr 26th 2008 9:19PM

Everyone who hates games which they never played should go have a cockmeat sandwich.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 26th 2008 8:49PM

Well, my interest in the series has been piqued for quite a while but I was going to wait for the PS3 version. That way I can buy the songs ala carte, getting what I want instead of buying a mix where I only like, at most, half the songs.

ComradeTrotskii @ Apr 26th 2008 10:51PM

12 million copies of a franchise for a series with approximately 6 million different versions? That's like 5 different copies per version or some other maths thing.

Seriously though, Singstar is fucking brilliant. The very mention of me threatening to buy it on the PS3 had legions of females at my feet, no small feat (LOL U C WuT 1 Did Th4r1!!!) considering I can best be described as an "ugly bastard" (1).

Really 4 Realz and all serious dough, Nintendo gets a hell of a lot of credit for 'appealing to he masses' and 'broadening the market' via its 'casual' friendly titles. In reality Sony was doing this for a long time via not only Singstar but also its 'Buzz' titles in Europe (I believe our good friends in the US of A didn't receive these titles at the same time) and as far as I'm concerned more power to Sony and these 'casual' players. The more non gamers that have some fun with a console while playing Singstar the more of those are likely to at some point appreciate Shadow of the Colossus.

But for Super Cerealz, a great performance in Singstar is a good way to get a blowjob

(1) My ma