A video game, the first to be funded by NZ On Air, has been released by Auckland games developer InGame, to promote New Zealand music.
NZ On Air spent $287,000 on the game.
Players aim to turn New Zealand musicians into global superstars by completing a number of challenges, which require a knowledge of their music.
“Players manage Kiwi acts Tiki Taane, I Am Giant, Street Chant or Princess Chelsea, choosing where to tour, which producer to work with and how to best hype their artists,” InGame said in a statement. “Scandals must be managed and egos soothed, all the while listening to your artist’s streaming music.”
The game is available on Apple’s AppStore or online.
InGame spokesman Stephen Knightly said the game could be completed free-of-charge, but included the ability to purchase tracks on iTunes and some optional in-app purchases on the iPhone.
NZ On Air chief executive Jane Wrightson said the game was an innovative way to support New Zealand music, engage new audiences and promote music discovery, and it “broke new ground” for the taxpayer-funded organisation.
NZ On Air was established to fund television programmes for public broadcasting, but its remit was extended five years ago to allow it to fund the development of internet content.
NZ On Air digital strategist Brenda Leeuwenberg said no other games were being developed with funding from NZ On Air at the moment.
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