Legendary Nintendo composer Koji Kondo to perform at Video Games Live at GDC

SAN FRANCISCO – February 20, 2007 – The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is proud to present Video Games Live as its special closing night ceremony. After a sold out performance at GDC last year in San Jose, Video Games Live returns once again with a new show for 2007. Video Games Live is an immersive concert event featuring music from the biggest video games of all time accompanied by a full orchestra and choir along with completely synchronized state-of-the-art lighting and massive video screens. Exclusive video footage and music arrangements, solo performers, electronic percussion, live action and creative interactive segments combine to make Video Games Live the most successful video game concert in the world. The concert will take place at the Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium on Friday, March 9th at 8 p.m. Tickets are available online at: LiveNation.com.

Legendary Nintendo composer Koji Kondo will be making a special appearance at the event and is scheduled to perform one of his favorite melodies from his long and storied career. Joining Nintendo in 1984, he has worked on such beloved franchises as Mario™, Zelda®, Star Fox® and many more. “There is clearly no game music more recognizable around the world than the themes that Mr. Kondo has created over the years.” said Video Games Live executive producer and co-creator Tommy Tallarico. “What an incredible honor to have such a true legend in the gaming world join us on stage to celebrate video game music and the wonderful industry surrounding it.”

Other special San Francisco performances to include:

· Martin Leung the Video Game Pianist to debut a brand new classic video game arrangement

· A rare special acoustic performance by the original LucasArts composers performing a medley of classics including Monkey Island, Outlaws and Grim Fandango

· On stage performance by voice-over legend Dee Baker who appears as characters in SpongeBob SquarePants (TV), Teen Titans (TV), Viewtiful Joe, Halo 2, EverQuest II, Doom 3, Tales of Symphonia, Arc the Lad, Final Fantasy X-2, Metal Gear Solid 2, Kingdom Hearts & Spider-Man

· Incredible guitarist (and video game artist) Chris Kline aka “vertexguy” debuting his live synchronized Contra “Jungle Theme” rock-n-roll presentation.

Other events consist of the ever popular pre-show festival stating at 7:00pm which includes game competitions with Guitar Hero™ II and Space Invaders on a customized Dream Authentic arcade cabinet. Prize giveaways include a Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS Lite and Guitar Hero™ II sponsored by Advanced Media Network and over 250 classic arcade games donated by Dream Authentics. Other pre-show festivities include a costume contest where audience members will come dressed as their favorite video game characters. Finalists to be judged on stage by the audience. 1UP.com will have a special booth in which they will be supplying personalized ID’s and a chance to win a Nintendo Wii. Other show sponsors and prizes provided by Intel, Ex’pressions College, the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA), Music4Games.net, the Grammy/NARAS P&E Wing & ASCAP.

Prizes will be given away throughout the evening during several audience-interactive segments, starring one of the most beloved classic arcade games of all time, Frogger, as well as a live Space Invaders contest. This unique interaction with a live symphony has only ever been attempted and performed at Video Games Live. Grand prize includes a $2,500 Intel laptop.

The post-show Meet and Greet, where fans can interact with renowned game composers and designers will be one of the largest ever with more than 20 industry luminaries TBA.

“Video Games Live is a milestone in the evolution of games as an art form in world culture,” said GDC director Jamil Moledina. “Featuring VGL at GDC fits in perfectly with our goals of provoking innovation among game creators, and producing ideas that have dramatic reach into the greater entertainment audience.”

“Partnering with the GDC to present Video Games Live is an honor; not only will fans of video games be amazed at what we have in store for them, but presenting this performance in front of the entire industry will also prove to be very special,” Jack Wall, co-creator and conductor of Video Games Live said. “Video games have become one of the most thrilling and electrifying forms of entertainment in the 21st century. Video Games Live captures that same excitement level to help create the ultimate celebration of video games for everyone to enjoy.”

Tickets for the March 9th event are priced from $38.50 to $65, and are now available at LiveNation.com. You can also order tickets over the phone by calling any of the following numbers: (415) 421-TIXS, (510) 625-TIXS, (408) 998-TIXS, (925) 685-TIXS, (707) 528-TIXS, (916) 649-TIXS, (530) 528-TIXS, (209) 485-TIXS, (559) 485-TIXS, (775) 787-TIXS & TTD (415) 957-0105.

VGL press release email