Unsigned (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Unsigned


caption = Unsigned Logo
developer = [http://www.fvproductions.org FortisVenaliter Productions]
designer = Louis Ingenthron
license = GNU GPL cite web | url = http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html | title = GNU GPL License | accessdate = 2008-05-06 | work = Unsigned Subversion repository | publisher = SourceForge.net ]
music, sound = Louis Ingenthron, various
graphics = Louis Ingenthron, various
engine = Microsoft XNA
version = 1.2.1.93
released = February 2008 (debut release), 15 April 2008 (latest version)
genre = Music video game
modes = Single player, Multiplayer
platforms = Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360
requirements = 1GB RAM (1.5GB on Vista), DirectX9 graphics card supporting Shader Model 2.0 or higher, 1.3 GHz Processor
input = Keyboard, joystick/guitar controller/drumset controller/USB microphone
media = Download
website = http://www.unsigned-game.com

"Unsigned" is a music video game created by [http://www.fvproductions.org FortisVenaliter Productions] in which players use the keyboard or the "Guitar Hero"/"Rock Band" controllers to play along with scrolling on-screen musical notes to simulate playing a song, and is a clone of the "Rock Band" video game. "Unsigned" was presented at Maker Faire 2008 in the Microsoft booth.

Unsigned is free and open-source software. The game is written in Microsoft's C# programming language. It uses Microsoft's Cross Platform XNA Framework. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License, though the game incorporates other free and open-source code under other licenses. The game's included song files are proprietary, and their redistribution is not permitted.

Gameplay

The gameplay of "Unsigned" is similar to "Rock Band" - the player emulates playing a guitar, or drums; or they can be judged on their singing talent. "Unsigned" is meant to be played by picking up the keyboard like a guitar, with one hand pressing the fret buttons and another pressing the pick button. It can also be used by playing the keyboard using drum buttons and the space key as a bass pedal. There is support for joysticks however, meaning that the "Guitar Hero"/"Rock Band" controllers (with the appropriate adapter and/or software) can be used as well.

Colored markers appear on the screen, synchronized with the song, and are played by holding the fret buttons of the correct color (A-G) and pressing one of the pick buttons (Up or Down) at the correct moment. For drums, the correct button must be pressed at the correct moment, with no strumming required. Every ten correct hits increase the score multiplier, which multiplies the points for every hit by up to four times. The multiplier is reset in case of a miss. Currently, it displays vocal notes and words, but unlike Rock Band, it acts as if the singer is perfect and has no microphone input. [cite web|url=http://www.unsigned-game.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1120#p8946|title=Unsigned Forum] However, full vocal support has been announced for the next release slated for December 2008.

The game also features "hammer-on and pull-off" (commonly abbreviated to "HOPO") notes for the guitar and bass gametypes. A HOPO note allows the player to press only its fret button to play if the previous note was played correctly. The game engine was recently rewritten to make HOPOs easier to hit and change the feel of the game to move closer to the source material (Rock Band).

When a player hits a series of notes indicated as Rock Power notes, their Rock Power bar fills. The player can activate the rock power by tipping their guitar, completing a drum fill, or freestyle vocal soloing. When activated, the rock meter depletes, the band's multiplier doubles, and the crowd will be easier to please.

A song is passed by keeping the crowd pleased through to the end of the song. A song can be failed multiple ways. If a player overstrums or misses too many notes the crowd will start to react negatively (notated by the rock meter on the left of the screen decreasing). If the meter hits the bottom, the song ends in failure. Alternatively, if one player in band multiplayer hits the bottom of their personal meter, they will 'fail out' and need to be saved by another player. A player can save a failed out bandmate by activating their rock power (and thus spending a half-meter's worth).

Publicity / External Attention

Unsigned has been recognized and welcomed by the "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" modding/customs communitycite web|url=http://rockband.scorehero.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5103&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0|title=Unsigned Scorehero topic]

It was also presented at Maker Faire 2008 in San Mateo, CA. Unsigned was invited by, and was hosted in the booth of Microsoft. The response from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive, and the booth had a solid crowd nearly every minute it was open. [cite web|url=http://www.poormojo.org/pmjadaily/archives/021355.php|title=Poor Mojo Newswire] [cite web|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/home_journal_news/4262397.html|title=Popular Mechanics Article]

Features

*No songs are included with the downloadable release, but players can download song data for songs they own from the Unsigned web site and forums.
*Song customization using the [http://www.dotblip.com/feedback/index.php Feedback] charting program and the [http://unsigned-game.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=29 chart2unsigned] converter.
*Dynamic lighting that is programmable by song charters
*3d backgrounds (Venues) that can be made using Valve's Hammer Editor and a conversion utility
*Compatibility with joysticks and Guitar Hero/Rock Band peripherals.

Announced Features

Features that have been announced for the next version (Dec 08):
* Full vocal support
* Solo sections
* Various cooperative bonuses
* Instrument Plugins
* Peripheral Plugins
* Freestyle play (Drums)

Features that have been announced for a future version are:
* Freestyle play (Other instruments)
* Online play
* Online leaderboards

See also

* Frets on Fire
* StepMania
* Free software games
* Open source games
* Microsoft XNA

References

External links

* [http://www.unsigned-game.com/ Official website]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/unsigned/ SourceForge project page]
* [http://www.unsigned-game.com/forums/index.php/ Offical forum page]