You're in the Movies
| You're in the Movies | |
|---|---|
 European box art |
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| Developer(s) | Zoë Mode |
| Publisher(s) | Codemasters |
| Distributor(s) | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360 |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Party |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | |
| Media/distribution | CD-ROM |
You're in the Movies (あなたがビデオでね Anata ga bideode ne) is a party game for the Xbox 360 that is bundled with the Xbox Live Vision Camera, developed by Zoë Mode. It was released by Codemasters in the United States and the United Kingdom in 2008,[1][2] and in Australia and Japan in 2009.[3] The game is a process of filming a movie on one of the 30 scenarios that can involve up to four people. Actions include the application of make-up, jogging in place, driving a car and playing volleyball. Previous video can be stored on the console, as well as to send to friends via e-mail.[4] The game was first previewed at Microsoft's Press Conference at E3 2008 in July 2008.[5] It was later shown at the Games Convention one month later.[6] The game has met with mixed reviews, receiving criticism for the Xbox Live Vision Camera bundled with the game.
Contents |
[edit] Gameplay
You're in the Movies uses the bundled Xbox Live Vision Camera to take video of up to four players and then record it on short films, making it seem as though they are the stars of the picture. Each of the 30 movies in the game is preceded by a small selection of mini-games that has players pretending to toss logs or steer bikes—movements that approximate what the movie's characters do on screen.
Scores are awarded based on how closely each player manages to mimic the action required. Afterwards, players have to do a series of pick-up shots by assuming various facial expressions for the camera, such as an evil grin or a look of intense concentration. The movie is assembled once enough shots have been captured, at which point players watch their recorded antics placed within the context of various sci-fi, thriller, and adventure stories. Videos can be shared to people in different households via links sent by Xbox through email.[4]
[edit] Development
At Microsoft's Press Conference at E3 2008 in July 2008, Shane Kim announced the game, along with Scene it: Box Office Smash. The feature in the game that allows players to star in trailers for fake movies was shown in the conference. The movie shows was entitled "Cold Blooded" and was about a giant, radioactive salamander.[5] Other Gameplay Footage was also shown during the conference as well.[7] It was later shown at the Games Convention one month later.[6]
After its release in North America, Hollywood star Burt Reynolds fronted a series of TV and magazine advertising spots for the game in Europe. The commercials featured Reynolds using his long and illustrious career as a part of the tinsel town A-list, starring in more than 90 feature films to date, to show would be leading men and women how to become stars by transforming their living rooms into Hollywood studios, capturing the attention and participation of family and friends.
Reynolds said It was "great to be able to share some of my experience with everyone about what it takes to be a movie star. You're in the Movies on Xbox 360 allows everyone to have a piece of the action and have a fun time with their friends and family, starring in their own features, from the comfort of their own homes." The TV campaign aired in major European markets in November 2008.[8]
As mentioned in an interview on Gamespot, Andy Trowers, the lead designer of the game, first had to prove that the game all worked. They made what's called a "vertical slide" of the game, where they made one movie and they thought about all the games that would make the actions. The whole of the first part of the development was about getting the vertical slide that worked and showed that the game was fun, showed that the technology works, and that was it. He also said that they "wanted people to be able to share movies" and "give people the freedom to do what they wanted."[9]
[edit] Reception
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 55.92%[10] |
| Metacritic | 55%[11] |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| 1UP.com | C+ [12] |
| Edge | 6 of 10[13] |
| Eurogamer | 2 of 10[14] |
| GameSpot | 4.5 of 10[15] |
| IGN | 4.2 of 10[16] |
You're in the Movies received generally mixed to negative reviews from critics. It currently holds a score of 55.92% on the aggregate gaming review site Gamerankings.[10] It also received out of 100 at 55% from Metacritic based on 19 reviews.[11] Video game reviewers from gaming websites and magazines gave criticism for the Xbox Live Vision Camera bundled with the game.
Nate Ahearn on IGN gave the game a 4.2/10, referring to the Vision Camera as "an annoyance" that "handcuffs the entire experience." Nate also criticized the pacing and the activities, which he called them "boring", stating "You’re in the Movies is bad, no matter how many beers you’ve consumed throughout the night."[16] Don Francis on Gamespot gave the game a 4.5/10, and called it "a box-office bust, despite featuring your own recognizable stars." Francis shared the same criticism with the mini-games as Nate Ahearn did on IGN, and also criticized the voice acting which he called "annoying", stating "Despite the pack-in camera, the problems of You're in the Movies drag this would-be game down, making the $60 price tag much too high to justify. There are better party games on the Xbox 360, and less expensive ways to get a Vision Camera."[15] 1UP.com's Tyler Barber gave it a C+, stating it was more of "a video game, not an acting studio."[12]
Eurogamer's Dan Whitehead was the harshest on the game, which he gave the game 2/10, stating "People don't live in movie studios. They live in houses and flats that are lit for comfort, not to fulfil the technical requirements of an ageing webcam. If you really want to put yourself and your friends on the TV, leave this failed experiment on the shelf, and put the money towards a digital camcorder instead."[14]
[edit] References
- ^ a b You're in the Movies - Xbox 360 - IGN
- ^ a b You're in the Movies - Xbox 360 - IGN UK
- ^ a b You're in the Movies - Xbox 360 - IGN AU
- ^ a b Codemasters (2008) You're in the Movies Manual
- ^ a b "Games that test your knowledge and acting ability heading for the 360.". IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/888/888946p1.html. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
- ^ a b "Xbox 360 takes center stage with Lips, Rock Band, Guitar Hero World Tour, Scene It? Box Office Smash and You're in the Movies.". IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/901/901611p1.html. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
- ^ "Microsoft showcases groundbreaking approach to game shows; Final Fantasy XIII will be available on Xbox 360 at launch.". IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/889/889035p1.html. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
- ^ "Live Your Very Own Movie Premiere Every Night. Plus, coming soon to a screen near you, Hollywood star Burt Reynolds advises players on the latest Xbox 360 blockbuster You're in the Movies.". IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/922/922711p1.html. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
- ^ "You're in the Movies lead designer, Andy Trowers, tells us about how it all began.". Gamespot. http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sim/youreinthemovies/preview_6201186.html?page=1. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ^ a b You're in the Movies for Xbox 360 - Gamerankings
- ^ a b You're in the Movies for Xbox 360 Reviews, Ratings, Credits and More at Metacritic
- ^ a b Barber, Tyler. "Lights! Camera! Embarrass yourself!". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/reviews/youe-movies. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ^ Edge Magazine. (Jan 2009, p.90])
- ^ a b "You're In The Movies - Review". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/youre-in-the-movies-review?page=2. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
- ^ a b "You're in the Movies is a box-office bust, despite featuring your own recognizable stars.". Gamespot. http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sim/youreinthemovies/review.html. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
- ^ a b Ahearn, Nate. "Six beers and three tequila shots later and this game still isn't fun.". IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/930/930443p1.html. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
