Thursday, July 30, 2009

T.I. to appear on Platinum Life video game

Heatwave Interactive, game studio and online publisher, announced today that Grammy Award-winning artist, T.I and his company, Grand Hustle Records have signed on to appear in Platinum Life. A new online game set in the world of music and hip-hop, Platinum Life will provide the ultimate interactive entertainment platform for artists to connect with their fans.

Platinum Life allows players to enter the music world where they start as an unsigned musician and ultimately reach superstar celebrity status. Users start with little more than talent and a dream. But the dream is enough – players work their way up, perform tasks for iconic hip-hop stars, do shows at local dive bars and clubs, clawing their way up in the music industry by being around the best and the brightest artists, allowing them to upgrade every aspect of their life. In Platinum Life, T.I. will guide players in their adventure from struggling musician to successful artist.

Platinum Life represents a new business model for artists that empowers them to truly engage their fans that is equally beneficial as an entertainment experience and sustainable revenue generator.

"Our online game experience allows top-level artists to share their music, video and lifestyle with their huge fan bases in a personal and innovative way,” said Anthony Castoro, co-founder and chief creative officer, Heatwave Interactive. “We feel that T.I.’s music, message and deeply engaged fan base make him ideal as an icon within the game.”

“Heatwave Interactive understood the love T.I. has for his millions of fans and his need to establish a stronger connection with them in a way that is interactive and real,” said Jason Geter, CEO of Grand Hustle, LLC.

T.I., co-CEO and founder of Grand Hustle Records, is a successful recording artist, producer and actor. Once called “the Jay Z of the South,” T.I. has gained notoriety for his #1 albums, T.I. vs. T.I.P. and Paper Trail and chart-topping singles, “Live Your Life” featuring Rihanna, “My Love” with Justin Timberlake and “Whatever You Like.” In 2006, T.I. broke into the acting world with his debut in ATL, later staring in blockbuster film, American Gangster. He will also be featured in the upcoming movie, Takers, alongside Zoe Saldana and Matt Dillion.

The game is currently in the early stages of development with Heatwave Interactive exploring relationships with some of today’s iconic artists in hip-hop, R&B and pop music to be part of the Platinum Life experience. The company has designed a business model that provides a revenue stream for artists while also creating a new way for gamers who love music to express themselves, develop and deepen their relationship with their favorite artists.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The most disturbing thing about this game are the onslaught of race and economics based, derrogatory comments that people are comfortable with leaving regarding this game and its target market. That's right, I'm saying people are actually leaving comments that suggest that urban youths(black and latin kids) are too stupid and too poor to get it an MMO, so what's the point. WTF??? Not only that, its completely bizzare to me that these asshats haven't bothered to gather any facts. Secondlife, however hated by the veteran gaming community, boasts hundreds of thousands of players who make up the Urban/Hip Hop RPG base in that game. And you call yourselves gamers! Get informed, and leave the hate at home you sweaty nerds. Gah!