"PLAY GIG-IT" Game Launches On Facebook: Virtual Concert Experience With Lil' Wayne, Miguel, Rick Ross, Kendrick Lamar And More

NEW YORK, July 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 212 Decibels, the premier social platform game development company founded by industry veteran John Acunto, announces today the launch of PLAY GIG-IT, the 3D concert game created for Facebook bringing together social media, music, fashion and gaming. Changing the way music lovers interact with the social site, PLAY GIG-IT will give Facebook members a new way to purchase and download music while providing a new revenue stream for affiliated artists such as Lil' Wayne, Flo Rida, Ne-Yo, Nas, and more. "Numbers don't lie and there are over 500 Million active social gamers, so signing on to be a part of The PLAY GIG-IT platform was a no brainer for me," said Nas.

All Facebook members are able to access PLAY GIG-IT and channel their inner artist, bringing their desired show set list to life with a fully customizable 3D concert. Players select their music icon avatar of choice styled in a wardrobe from their virtual closet. Next to be decided is the stage chosen from the world's famous venues, back-up dancers, dance moves, and much more. Players will also be able to choose from a variety of brands as official sponsors to be featured throughout. Klipsch Speakers, a leading global speaker manufacturer, has signed on as the marquee sponsor and pioneer with PLAY GIG-IT, providing gamers the chance to win Live Nation Concert Cash by playing the game. In addition, fans will be competing for chances to win Klipsch headphones (retail value $79-$149) and new Bluetooth® KMC 3 portable speakers (retail value of $399). Once the concert is performance-ready, players can post, share and give friends and fans exclusive access to front row tickets to their personal concert, ultimately sharing their concert creation with the digital world. 

PLAY GIG-IT's leading-edge patented technology allows for hundreds of layers of content to interact live with the artist's 3D avatar and enables players to create billions of concert combinations. As the largest artist-supported music game on Facebook, PLAY GIG-IT allows players to interact with their favorite musicians with a full screen console-game feel, a rarity on Facebook.

"Today, a large chunk of the music business is about social interaction and connecting with our fan base in an unique way," 2 Chainz told Mashable. "PLAY GIG-IT's launch onto Facebook is the perfect blend of just that and gives our fans a new way of connecting beyond just listening to our music."

Some of music's top talents, including 2 Chainz, Miguel, Kendrick Lamar, Ray J, Brandy, and Soulja Boy are among the starting lineup of music icons that have lent their likeness and music to participate in PLAY GIG-IT. To create the most realistic scenario, each artist was heavily involved in the production of the game and their respective avatar, spending time with the PLAY GIG-IT team to perfect every detail.

Dedicated to the game's technology, CEO and Founder, John Acunto spent the past three years developing PLAY GIG-IT under parent company 212 Decibels along with an experienced team of entrepreneurs with a love for music, fashion and concerts. "It's an exciting moment to have the game go live to Facebook members all over the world," said Acunto. "We've put in a lot of effort and worked closely with each artist to make sure the game embraces everything about them and their brand." Singer Miguel added, "I'm excited to see how my fans customize their concert experience with me."

Leading Acunto's staff as president of 212 Decibels is Gabrielle Peluso. Gabrielle left her position as General Manager of Def Jam Recordings - where she spent her entire career, beginning in 1996 as assistant to the former president (Kevin Liles) - to Build PLAY GIG-IT alongside Acunto and John Romero, President of PLAY GIG-IT.

John Romero, brings a distinguished track record as a game designer, programmer and sequential artist to the company. Romero's work spans over 130 games, over 100 of which have been published commercially, including the iconic works Doom, Wolfenstein 3D and Quake. His contributions and philanthropy within the commercial gaming industry have led to a myriad of inspired games and the founding of 10 companies.

"Coming from game development, I am very impressed with the PLAY GIG-IT business model and excited to be a part of their team. I can tell you that nothing is more gratifying than sharing in the experience of launching a new product."

An impressive list of industry professionals have also been involved in the game as part of the company's Advisory Board, helping to shape PLAY GIG-IT into the best product possible.  These members include DJ Khaled; Chang Weisberg, Guerilla Union; Gee Roberson, Al Branch, Cortez Bryant and Bryan Calhoun of BluePrint Group; DJ Irie; Jeff Robinson, MBK Entertainment; talent manager Mike Blumstein; and Shawn Costner, EVP of Def Jam Recordings.

"Throughout my career I have watched social media grow to become a front runner in the promotion arena.  Artists now have the opportunity to keep their fans up to date on a daily basis," stated DJ Khaled.  "Facebook has been the one platform that reaches the entire world, yet the artists, have not been able to properly connect with that audience. I decided to partner with PLAY GIG-IT, because they have provided that missing link. We are now able to sell our music and merchandise through this innovative platform that the game provides."

"I'm very proud to be part of the PLAY GIG-IT artist relations team," adds Chang Weisberg.  "We were able to secure over 50 high profile artists to be a part of the largest music and social game in history."

"We believe in the advancement of the technology and have tremendous faith in the power this game will have as it relates perfectly to our brand and new line of speaker products" adds Paul Jacobs, President of Klipsch.  "We are all about pushing the envelope and have no fear in being the first in finding new and fun ways to connect with consumers."

For more information, https://apps.facebook.com/playgigit/

ABOUT PLAY GIG-IT
PLAY GIG-IT is a virtual 3D concert game for Facebook that brings together social media, music, fashion, and gaming. Under the parent company of 212 Decibels, PLAY GIG-IT's unique platform allows Facebook members to interact with their favorite musicians and brands in new ways. Players create a fully customizable concert with music either uploaded from a personal playlist or downloaded directly from Facebook, which they then post, share, and invite friends and fans to become spectators of. PLAY GIG-IT allows individuals to showcase their inner artist by sharing their concert creation with the world.

ABOUT 212 DECIBELS
212 Decibels is a premier social platform game development company, and home to the interactive social gaming experience, PLAY GIG-IT. CEO John Acunto founded 212 Decibels in 2008 as a way to incorporate his passion for gaming and music into a refined entertainment experience meant to connect people through a single platform. With wide-ranging experience in the marketing, branding, and technology environments, Acunto brings an enormous arsenal of knowledge to the gaming and social media industries.

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SOURCE PLAY GIG-IT