SingStar [With Microphone] [PS3]

As Sony continues to upgrade and push its online functionality for the PlayStation 3, one of its favorite titles to use for demoing purposes is SingStar. This makes perfect sense as the game simply begs for tons of downloadable content and the fact that the franchise has sold over seven million copies world-wide means that there's plenty of interest in the next-gen take on the game.

At a press event during GDC 2007, Sony gave us a quick, updated look at the features that it aims to implement in the PlayStation 3 version of the game. There's going to be a big reliance on not only downloading but uploading content as well. You'll be able to upload video and audio of your performances for others to see and judge, allowing you to take part in impromptu contests if you wish.

SingStore will allow you to download additional songs for the game. The current display shows a grid of album covers, so scrolling through and finding a song you like is easy. Before you actually purchase anything, you're able to stream a video feed of what you'll see in the game. If you decide that you want to buy something, you can add it to your cart. Once you begin downloading your purchased items, the game doesn't force you to wait - you can continue shopping as your items download in the background. We don't know if you actually be able to play the performance part of the game, but you will be able to continue browsing for more tracks while some are on their way to you.

Aside from songs, you'll also be able to download some customization options. This will certainly include new wallpapers, generic as well as band-oriented, but beyond this we're not sure where it'll go.

It's Sony's goal to have a plethora of content available for its release on Day 1, allowing fans to expand their SingStar library immediately. It seems that Sony is going to stick to the current trend of including roughly 30 tracks on the disc, though the online options should allow for exponentially more content.

SingStar is slated for a June release in Europe and its worldwide tour will bring it to US shores sometime this Fall.

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