Sound Shapes

Sound Shapes
Developer(s)	Queasy Games SCE Santa Monica Studio
Publisher(s)	Sony Computer Entertainment
Designer(s)	Jessica Mak Shaw-Han Liem
Composer(s)	Shaw-Han Liem Jessica Mak Jim Guthrie Deadmau5 Beck
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3 PlayStation 4 PlayStation Vita
Release date(s)	PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita JP: 27 September 2012 NA: 7 August 2012[1] EU: 15 August 2012[2] PlayStation 4 NA: 15 November 2013 EU: 29 November 2013
Genre(s)	Music, platformer
Mode(s)	Single-player

Sound Shapes is a game for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita designed by Jessica Mak and Shaw-Han Liem, and developed by Queasy Games in Toronto, Canada. The game is a side-scrolling platformer with a musical focus.^[3] The game also features the ability to create levels and share levels with other users. The Vita version of the game features use of the touch screen and back touch pad to place sounds of different musical instruments during creation of levels.^[4] Sound Shapes was shown at industry conference E3 in 2011 and picked up nominations for best of show award from media sites including IGN, 1UP, and Electric Playground.^[5] It also received 2 Game Critics Awards (Best Mobile and Best Casual).

At the Spike Video Game Awards 2011, it was announced that Deadmau5 would be contributing songs and sound material to the project.

Beck has contributed 3 new songs to the game: "Cities", "Touch the People", and "Spiral Staircase".

It was included on the "Best of PlayStation Network Vol. 1" compilation disc, released 18 June 2013.^[6]

Downloadable content

At launch Sound Shapes had various downloadable content (DLC) available.

The first round of DLC was released on 4 December 2012, having three sound packs and a curved terrain pack. It introduces five; new instruments and Beat School levels.^[7]

The second round of DLC was released on 12 March 2013, having more milkcrate free updates and a Car Mini-Album Creator pack. It also introduced a much requested feature of offline play.^[8]

On 14 May 2013, two new sound packs were released. One being an 80s sound pack, adding synth features, and the other DLC being a dubstep sound pack featuring new Beat School features. ^[9]

On 28 May 2013, five new Milkcrate albums were released as a free update.^[10]

Reception

Sound Shapes was selected for Best Handheld Game in the 2012 Spike Video Game Awards.^[13] Sound Shapes also won for Best Song in a Game for "Cities" by Beck.^[14]

The game has also proven popular among gamers due to its relatively simple and enjoyable Platinum Trophy. This is an award for attaining 100% of the trophies in a video game. The platinum is perceived as attainable and short, and has been featured on multiple websites because of this.^[15]

References

1. ↑ http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/04/sound-shapes-coming-to-ps3-both-versions-out-august-7/
2. ↑ http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2012/08/01/sound-shapes-level-editor-and-trophies-take-centre-stage/
3. ↑ http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/06/post-10.ars
4. ↑ http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/06/02/ngp-introducing-sound-shapes/
5. ↑ http://torontoist.com/2011/06/sound_shapes_scores_at_e3/
6. ↑ "Best of PlayStation Vol. 1". 
7. ↑ http://www.soundshapesgame.com/en_GB/news/First-DLC-Launched-Today
8. ↑ http://www.soundshapesgame.com/en_GB/news/New-Milkcrate-and-Car-Pack-DLC
9. ↑ http://blog.us.playstation.com/2013/05/14/sound-shapes-spring-has-sprung-new-dlc
10. ↑ http://www.soundshapesgame.com/news/Special-Guests-in-New-Sound-Shapes-Milkcrate.html
11. ↑ "Sound Shapes". GameRankings. Retrieved 2013-02-02. 
12. ↑ "Sound Shapes". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-02-02. 
13. ↑ http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2012-nominees/voting/best-handheld-mobile-game
14. ↑ http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2012-nominees/voting/best-song-in-a-game
15. ↑ "List: Top 5 easiest Platinum Trophies for Vita - PlayStation Nation - GameSpot". GameSpot. Retrieved 2016-11-23.