Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Cello Fortress is half video game, half live musical performance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/17/cello-fortress-is-half-video-game-half-live-musical-performance/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/17/cello-fortress-is-half-video-game-half-live-musical-performance/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/17/cello-fortress-is-half-video-game-half-live-musical-performance/#comments
On its surface, Cello Fortress looks like a fairly straight forward (if rudimentary) twin-stick shooter for up to five players. Dig just a tiny bit deeper, however, and you'll discover that this game has a somewhat unique set of rules. For starters, one of the players must always be a man named Joost van Dongen, and his controller absolutely has to be a cello. For realsies.

Basically, van Dongen controls the half of the game that would normally be the purview of the computer in a standard twin-stick shooter, spawning cannons and mines and such to thwart the other four players and their respective tanks. To do so, van Dongen must play his cello in varying ways, improvising melodies that will lead to both effective in-game strategies and a listenable performance.

Don't expect Cello Fortress to show up on Steam Greenlight anytime soon, though. The game is as much of a piece of performance art as it is a collection of code, and as such can only be experienced during live events scheduled by van Dongen. That schedule can be found on the game's official website, and here's hoping for some tour dates outside of The Netherlands.

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JoystiqCello Fortress is half video game, half live musical performance originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellocello-fortressJoost-van-Dongenlive-musicmusicmusic-gamesperformance-artThu, 17 Jan 2013 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Allotment bar in Glasgow pays homage to Pong]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/allotment-bar-in-glasgow-pays-homage-to-pong/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/allotment-bar-in-glasgow-pays-homage-to-pong/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/allotment-bar-in-glasgow-pays-homage-to-pong/#comments
You know, the United Kingdom isn't a great place to go if you enjoy drinking. The folks there, they just aren't big drinkers. It's difficult for them to find reasons to partake in the time-traveling powers of alcohol. Enter: Allotment, a new bar in the Glasgow area that offers thirsty patrons live performance art, music and a bit of the in-between.

Right about now, you're probably wondering what this has to do with games. Well, this Saturday, the bar will be transformed into a living dedication to retro gaming, with a central theme of "gaming and morality." There'll be roulette and karaoke, some arcade gaming. But, more importantly, coordinators will envision a real-life Pong tribute in the space, allowing attendees to participate at any time in the recreation by simply walking up and changing it.

If you're looking for more information on Allotment, or tickets to attend, then head on over to the National Theatre of Scotland. If after reading this, you're in the mood to watch that awesome video of Japanese Matrix ping-pong, well ... you aren't the only one.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqAllotment bar in Glasgow pays homage to Pong originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allotmentartataricultureglasgownational-theatre-of-scotlandperformance-artpongukunited-kingdomThu, 03 Dec 2009 04:00:00 EST