Turn New Zealand Musicians into Super Stars

MEDIA RELEASE
10 May 2013
Turn New Zealand Musicians into Super Stars
Celebrate NZ Music Month with ‘Indie Music Manager’ the video game

An innovative new digital tool is being used to promote Kiwi music during New Zealand Music Month this year. Indie Music Manager is an online and iPhone game which puts the fate of real Kiwi musicians in your hands.  In a first for New Zealand music, players can experience the highs and lows of the music industry in a video game while promoting local music.

Players manage Kiwi acts Tiki Taane, I Am Giant, Street Chant or Princess Chelsea, choosing where to tour, which producer to work with and how to best hype their artists. Scandals must be managed and egos soothed, all the while listening to your artist’s streaming music.

The game is available on the Apple AppStore or online at www.indiemusicmanager.com.

"I never thought I'd become a character in a video game so for me it’s a real buzz,” says Tiki Taane.  “It’s a new way to explore homegrown music and try your hand at managing an artist through all the challenges that the rock’n’roll scene presents. It was really cool to see the game progress and have an input to some of the game’s creative.”

Ben Howe, Chairman of Independent Music NZ and a NZ Music Commission Board Member, was part of the design team.  "It is great to see the gaming industry and the music industry collaborating on this project. With the music industry changing so quickly and grappling with digital sales, this is a very forward thinking project," he says.

The game was funded through NZ On Air's digital funding.   “Indie Music Manager breaks new ground for us,” says NZ On Air Chief Executive, Jane Wrightson.  “A game is an innovative way to support New Zealand music, engage new audiences and promote music discovery.”

Stephen Knightly from InGame says anyone can play the game - as long as they're a fan of Kiwi music. "To succeed in the game you have to know your musicians inside out and make the right choices for them.  The best producer, crew or venue for Tiki Taane might not suit a hardcore act like Street Chant.

“If people like what they hear, they can download the tracks from iTunes.  We hope players will discover new acts to follow and help New Zealand music reach new audiences."

The game features 28 music tracks and 10 unique recording studios, venues, producers and roadies, all with their own strengths and weaknesses. Managers can hype their acts with publicity and PR, make cash from merchandising and licensing, and book support acts. Additional acts will be added to the game later in the year. 

The game was developed by InGame and Tim Thorpe Consulting with art by Images & Sound.

Play Indie Music Manager at www.indiemusicmanager.com 

Download from the AppStore at https://itunes.apple.com/app/indie-music-manager/id561529935

Watch the trailer at www.indiemusicmanager.com/about/

Download screenshots from www.indiemusicmanager.com/gallery/

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