Not so much a question...

[Rosdaddy]

...as it is a statement. I have to admit, I was completely stoked to see VGL for the first time on the Video Game Awards (Spike). So much so, that I wanted to look into them further...learn more about them.

And it was then that I hit the wall - I watched the trailer.

Co-Creator and Ex. Producer Tommy Tallarico goes on record, in the trailer, as saying that "...so it only made sense that all of this amazing, great music people have heard their entire life are now played for the first time ever in a live musical performance." Did everyone catch that?

"for the first time ever in a live musical performance"

Now, I won't state my age, but I've been around a bit...so much so I've seen every Nintendo system come and go (that ought to clear it up a bit). And I was and still am a child of video games (I have what constitutes a minor museum in my house). As such, I have been listening to orchestrations of video games for a LONG, LONG time. Go back to the original Actraiser, Final Fantasy VI (3 for the culturally inept) and so on...even Castlevania (several incarnations thereof).

If you were talking about the specific games from which you perform, that would be one thing. But I don't think that's it. I think it's another case of someone with a little press time trying to flaunt themselves as the innovators. If you just said "Hey, we wanted to play these songs live...", that would have worked..."We grew up with this stuff, so we wanted to pay homage..." - I'm right there with you. But you had to go and try to be the innovator. You're not.

So, no Tommy Tallarico, no Video Games Live...you're not the first...far from it, actually. If you're going to make a statement like the one you did in your trailer (and, admittedly, it could be misconstrued), you should make it so that your message is clear and, most of all, TRUE.

In doing so, you might keep the true fans coming in droves...and not commercialize something near and dear to a select few of us.

[Tommy Tallarico]

...as it is a statement. I have to admit, I was completely stoked to see VGL for the first time on the Video Game Awards (Spike). So much so, that I wanted to look into them further...learn more about them.

And it was then that I hit the wall - I watched the trailer.

Co-Creator and Ex. Producer Tommy Tallarico goes on record, in the trailer, as saying that "...so it only made sense that all of this amazing, great music people have heard their entire life are now played for the first time ever in a live musical performance." Did everyone catch that?

"for the first time ever in a live musical performance"

Now, I won't state my age, but I've been around a bit...so much so I've seen every Nintendo system come and go (that ought to clear it up a bit). And I was and still am a child of video games (I have what constitutes a minor museum in my house). As such, I have been listening to orchestrations of video games for a LONG, LONG time. Go back to the original Actraiser, Final Fantasy VI (3 for the culturally inept) and so on...even Castlevania (several incarnations thereof).

If you were talking about the specific games from which you perform, that would be one thing. But I don't think that's it. I think it's another case of someone with a little press time trying to flaunt themselves as the innovators. If you just said "Hey, we wanted to play these songs live...", that would have worked..."We grew up with this stuff, so we wanted to pay homage..." - I'm right there with you. But you had to go and try to be the innovator. You're not.

So, no Tommy Tallarico, no Video Games Live...you're not the first...far from it, actually. If you're going to make a statement like the one you did in your trailer (and, admittedly, it could be misconstrued), you should make it so that your message is clear and, most of all, TRUE.

In doing so, you might keep the true fans coming in droves...and not commercialize something near and dear to a select few of us.

Dear Rosdaddy,

You have mistakingly taken my quote out of context. I was referring to the fact that "most" of the game music we played (in reference to the Hollywood Bowl concert in 2005) was being performed for the very first time. This is a true fact.

Never in the history of live performances or the video game industry were the following games performed before that night...

Metal Gear Solid, Tron, Myst, God of War, Kingdom Hearts, Medal of Honor, EverQuest II, Sonic, Warcraft, Advent Rising, Tomb Raider, Headhunter and yes... even Halo. I would most certainly say that all of those segments are important and deserving of my very accurate and true statement.

We're VERY aware of all the concerts that have been happening over the years... since the 80's in fact.

It's unfortunate that you misinterpreted my statements and considered it uneducated marketing hype and commercialism or flaunting ourselves with our press time. Kinda hurtful actually. Especially after everything we've worked so hard for and have accomplished over the last 5 years with Video Games Live.

Thanks. Glad I could help to clear things up.


Tommy

[CH1CK3N CH4S3R]

AHHHHHHHHHAHHAHA. You sir, got owned.

[Rosdaddy]

AHHHHHHHHHAHHAHA. You sir, got owned.
First off, you should review the definition of owned...yeah...not so much.

That said, I'd actually like to thank Mr Tallarico for being forward enough to address my interpretation of what was out there. The genre of Video Game music, overall, is near and dear to me, so I'm sure anyone of a fan-type nature could understand.

And, on a final note, thanks for referencing the 80's...makes the age not hurt quite so much.

Thanks again for replying...

[Tommy Tallarico]

First off, you should review the definition of owned...yeah...not so much.

That said, I'd actually like to thank Mr Tallarico for being forward enough to address my interpretation of what was out there. The genre of Video Game music, overall, is near and dear to me, so I'm sure anyone of a fan-type nature could understand.

And, on a final note, thanks for referencing the 80's...makes the age not hurt quite so much.

Thanks again for replying...


No worries. Hopefully you'll be able to check out one of our shows. Seems like your a big fan of game music and very knowledgable on the subject.

I'm sure you would love the event.


Tommy

[Rosdaddy]

Tommy -

Without a doubt...you guys are doing great things and I can't wait to make it to a show. You've definitely got the fandom pinned down (while the knowledge level is relative)...nothing quite speaks to me the way that Video Game music does. Almost sort of like the soundtrack to our generation...

Anyway, all the best to you and the crew!

-shawn

(PS - Any chance of a VGL performance being aired on G4? Spike, for that matter? Would be great to see!!! I remember, not too long ago, a certain someone on TechTV (knew I recognized you from somewhere ;)...still have any "ins" there?)

[Brainiac]

Any chance of a VGL performance being aired on G4? Spike, for that matter?

VGL performed at Spike's VGAs. Jack conducted and Tommy rocked it out. You should have watched it. It was pretty much the only reason I decided to tune in.

[Rosdaddy]

Brain -

Check the original post...that's what spurred me to write this/come here!

Regardless, agreed - the rocking out happened with great fervor...

~-rosdaddy-~

[Brainiac]

So I see. Well, I presume you're asking for a full performance in that case. I don't know about that; all I know is that they're working on a DVD.