Audiosurf is Very Awesome

TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">It Has Taken Over My Life</div><a href="http://www.audio-surf.com/" target="_blank"><!--sizeo:7--><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->AUDIOSURF<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></a>

<img src="http://www.adrianwerner.x.pl/2008/audiosurf.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<!--sizeo:7--><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->SURF YOUR AUDIO<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->

Audiosurf is many things. It is the first game to take advantage of Valve's new <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=103724" target="_blank">Steamworks</a> system. It is one of the things that [WHO]Them gets for free, which is perhaps one reason why he keeps having <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101318" target="_blank">good days</a>. It is an independent game. Woo.

Mostly, though, it is awesome. Audiosurf takes your music and creates a sort of trippy puzzle racetrack out of it. You then drive through this track in one of Audiosurf's various modes, trying to score points by collecting certain colored blocks and avoiding others. The whole thing is synced up with the music and depending on what mode you're playing on it's either a neat ride or a frantic color matching puzzle. It has high score lists for attention [RHYMES WITH SNORES AND STARTS WITH "WHOR"] and it has pretty colors and flashy lights for 99% of the people who read the NS OT forums.

<img src="http://www.maxkiesler.com/images/uploads/audiosurf.png" border="0" class="linked-image" />

I guess it's Tetris plus Wipeout plus some sort of program that changes based on what music you feed it. You kind of have to try it to understand how awesome it is. Luckily there's a demo up on Steam which took me approximately 2 minutes to install. It lets you play 5 songs (any 5 you choose!) in a few of the modes available in the full version. This is the demo that, alone, caused me and 3 friends to go and buy the thing basically right as we used up our 5 songs.

So go! It's only 10 bucks. It comes with the entire Orange Box soundtrack, plus the soundtrack to Half-Life 1. That's some goooood music.

Post your favorite songs! I like the soundtrack to <i>The Third Man</i>, music from The Beatles, Hunting for Witches by Block Party, the Katamari Damacy theme song, and Macchu Picchu from the Tropico soundtrack, but I've only played about 5% of my music collection so far. I can't listen to songs anymore without imagining them in racetrack form. I also enjoy racing through podcasts since I could never find anything to do while I'm listening to them. Until now, of course.

Post your Audiosurf account! Mine is TychoCelchuuu.

BUY OR* DIE EVENTUALLY.

<!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->*and<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
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Comments

  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
    The demo needed to show that you had X number of songs remaining from the beginning. I didn't notice it until it had run out. Interesting game though I don't think I'll be picking it up for now.
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  • locallyunscenelocallyunscene Feeder of Trolls Join Date: 2002-12-25 Member: 11528Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1670822:date=Feb 18 2008, 12:53 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Feb 18 2008, 12:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1670822"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->it has pretty colors and flashy lights for 99% of the people who read the NS OT forums.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Sold.


    <!--quoteo(post=1670822:date=Feb 18 2008, 12:53 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Feb 18 2008, 12:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1670822"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It's Tetris plus Wipeout plus some sort of program that changes based on what music you feed it.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yeah, this sounds awesome. I will check it out when I get home.
    <!--quoteo(post=1670822:date=Feb 18 2008, 12:53 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Feb 18 2008, 12:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1670822"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It comes with the entire Orange Box soundtrack, plus the soundtrack to Half-Life 1. That's some goooood music.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    This sounds double awesome.
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  • Zor2Zor2 Join Date: 2005-01-13 Member: 35341Members, Constellation
    edited February 2008
    The best part about the game is the £5 price tag.

    What modes do you guys play on? I mostly go on Ninja Mono Ironmode as the colour ones are too annoying! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
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  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    edited February 2008
    I did the demo, and while it's a cool concept, I suck at it and therefore it sucks =p but seriously, I like the idea of playing a game to my music, but it's kind of a one trick pony, and the music/game link is somewhat tenuous. some parts of songs seem to match with the game, and others don't. also, there's not much depth to the game, and you can't lose, only get crappy scores. I would say it's an ideal game for the 'casual' crowd, but if you don't want to play the same song over and over ad nauseum to try to get a really high score, there's not much point to it. you might as well play another game while you listen to your mp3s in the background. On the other hand, with the $10 price point and the included Orange Box soundtrack, it's hard to go wrong =p
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  • locallyunscenelocallyunscene Feeder of Trolls Join Date: 2002-12-25 Member: 11528Members, Constellation
    Does the "course" change each time you play a track or does a song always have the same course?
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  • A_Boojum_SnarkA_Boojum_Snark Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1670830:date=Feb 18 2008, 12:46 PM:name=locallyunscene)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(locallyunscene @ Feb 18 2008, 12:46 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1670830"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Does the "course" change each time you play a track or does a song always have the same course?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    That's the entire point of the game. The game reads the audio and generates a track (and pickup blocks(notes)) accordingly.

    I played this in it's beta and was totally won over. Pre-ordered it the minute I saw it was going to be sold via steam.

    For what I usually play: Ninja Mono and Pusher Elite (pro on the more insane songs), and Double Vision Pro with my younger sister (two player is extremely amusing).
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  • IsamilIsamil Join Date: 2003-11-25 Member: 23552Members, Constellation
    The demo was fun, but I can't see myself spending much time with the game. I don't think the game did a very good job making a track to Cliffs of Dover, it seemed to be giving too much importance to the volume(mainly, a few drum parts), and not enough to the pace of the guitar. I wish the tracks were more varied, helixs, loops(I saw a few of these), and such would be cool.
    I would buy it if I didn't have better games to play/stuff to do, which I do.
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  • Zor2Zor2 Join Date: 2005-01-13 Member: 35341Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1670844:date=Feb 18 2008, 02:48 PM:name=Isamil)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Isamil @ Feb 18 2008, 02:48 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1670844"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The demo was fun, but I can't see myself spending much time with the game. I don't think the game did a very good job making a track to Cliffs of Dover, it seemed to be giving too much importance to the volume(mainly, a few drum parts), and not enough to the pace of the guitar. I wish the tracks were more varied, helixs, loops(I saw a few of these), and such would be cool.
    I would buy it if I didn't have better games to play/stuff to do, which I do.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Agreed about making the tracks more exciting. They should steal a few ideas off Trackmania Nations...
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  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1670829:date=Feb 18 2008, 12:38 PM:name=DiscoZombie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DiscoZombie @ Feb 18 2008, 12:38 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1670829"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I did the demo, and while it's a cool concept, I suck at it and therefore it sucks =p but seriously, I like the idea of playing a game to my music, but it's kind of a one trick pony, and the music/game link is somewhat tenuous. some parts of songs seem to match with the game, and others don't. also, there's not much depth to the game, and you can't lose, only get crappy scores. I would say it's an ideal game for the 'casual' crowd, but if you don't want to play the same song over and over ad nauseum to try to get a really high score, there's not much point to it. you might as well play another game while you listen to your mp3s in the background. On the other hand, with the $10 price point and the included Orange Box soundtrack, it's hard to go wrong =p<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I like the whole "you can't lose, you can only suck" thing. That's why I like Frets on Fire more than Guitar Hero; if I suck at the game, give me a crappy score, don't drop me out of the song during the most awesome part (where it's also the hardest). Most songs match up pretty well, but some stuff doesn't work so great. So far, 80% of my songs match up perfectly or really well, and the other 20% is just sorta similar. There's plenty of depth though, since there are so many gameplay modes and obviously infinite songs to choose from. It's a great casual game but it's also great for hardcore players who want to do that one color matching mode with Pusher Elite or whatever.
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  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    Why is this 375 megabytes big? Because of the included soundtracks? Because the screenshots I'm seeing don't justify that amount of space.
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  • TestamentTestament Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 4037Members
    I tried this sober and I tried it baked, and it didn't impress me either way.
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  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    edited February 2008
    <!--quoteo(post=1670850:date=Feb 18 2008, 02:38 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Feb 18 2008, 02:38 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1670850"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Why is this 375 megabytes big? Because of the included soundtracks? Because the screenshots I'm seeing don't justify that amount of space.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Whine whine whine whine whine. The game is pretty, which if you played it you'd know. Screenshots and videos don't do it justice. 375 megabytes is practically tiny for a full game these days.
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  • A_Boojum_SnarkA_Boojum_Snark Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
    Yes, it's the soundtrack for a majority of it. The beta version was 100 MB installed... so ~275 worth of soundtrack I guess.
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  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1670853:date=Feb 18 2008, 09:53 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Feb 18 2008, 09:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1670853"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Whine whine whine whine whine. The game is pretty, which if you played it you'd know. Screenshots and videos don't do it justice. 375 megabytes is practically tiny for a full game these days.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Feeling awfully antagonistic, aren't we? It's like a car designer asking why a car weighs two tons if it only needs to weigh one.

    Having tried it, the graphics ARE pretty, but simplistic. They're not what takes up the space. The included music is. If it weren't for the music, this game would be much smaller in size.

    I think I finally grasped how the scoring system works.
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  • Awesome_LocksAwesome_Locks Join Date: 2007-10-22 Member: 62705Members
    edited February 2008
    I played the demo a few days ago, and I fell in love with it. I'll be buying it tomorrow, probably, as the bank hasn't been open for me to move money around in my accounts to the one with my debit card =\

    Edit: Name in Audiosurf is Wexx
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  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    This game is very nice, so nice I actually used the best racing music on the world (which is either Lotus or F-Zero SNES) to race on the generated track. See the disastrous result of me totally sucking at this game! But hey it's the music that counts SNES OST FTW <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    <center><object width="450" height="356"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gijgjr9Hgx8"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gijgjr9Hgx8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="356"></embed></object></center>

    I'm probably going to try some more of the other F-zero songs from the SNES. This song, as the youtube+description says, is Big Blue for those who didn't know <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/asrifle.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::asrifle::" border="0" alt="asrifle.gif" />
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  • Nil_IQNil_IQ Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15520Members
    edited February 2008
    Well ride of the valkyries sucked, and was pretty much just a gentle curve upwards all the way. Then I tried Feur Frei <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    Going to have to dig out some really <i>fast</i> music for this.

    *edit* Five other people used the theme from Sonic Adventure 2 according to the high score board. I take solace in the fact that while I have no life, I am not entirely alone. Now lets see how many people played the Metal Gear Solid 2 theme...
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  • IsamilIsamil Join Date: 2003-11-25 Member: 23552Members, Constellation
    edited February 2008
    <center><object width="450" height="356"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1-z6YK92otg"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1-z6YK92otg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="356"></embed></object></center>
    found the fast music
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  • ThaldarinThaldarin Alonzi&#33; Join Date: 2003-07-15 Member: 18173Members, Constellation
    When I get paid Friday I am so buying this... I hope I have the new PC to play it on too.
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  • Nil_IQNil_IQ Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15520Members
    Anyone figured out what causes the loops yet then? "Still Alive" has one in the middle somewhere, but that's the only loop i've found so far. Needs more loopage.
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  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    Weapons of Mass Distortion by Crystal Method is pretty awesome, the changes in pace of the song play out pretty well in the game. Gets pretty difficult as well.
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  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    oh god, I NEED to get an MP3 of Through the fire and the flames just for this!


    I played the demo and I love it. I haven't bought it yet simply b/c I haven't been around much, so I haven't felt like downloading it.


    I had a LOT of fun playing on some Flogging Molly tunes.

    That and some good old Prodigy.
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  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    Tribute to NS. It's not that fast or difficult, but they do create a nice bouncy track

    ns/music/ns_titlescreen.mp3:
    <center><object width="450" height="356"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BauTDx7BokM"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BauTDx7BokM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="356"></embed></object></center>

    ns/music/ns_ambient1.mp3
    <center><object width="450" height="356"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/N-to-tfmWqw"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/N-to-tfmWqw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="356"></embed></object></center>
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  • AlcapwnAlcapwn &quot;War is the science of destruction&quot; - John Abbot Join Date: 2003-06-21 Member: 17590Members
    Desperate mans plea: I cant imagine anyone on this forum not having HL2 or EP1, but if you dont, i got a deal for you.

    I really want audiosurf bad; but dont have any way of buying it. I wont be getting a debit card till next week. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/nerd-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::nerdy::" border="0" alt="nerd-fix.gif" />



    Gift me audiosurf, and i will gift you HL2 and EP1.


    Eh? Eh?
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  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    By the way, Alphazone's "Flashback" is great for this. Almost pure downhill.
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  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    edited February 2008
    Bhaa, great game <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    Music you NEED to try:

    Tchaikovsky 1812
    Iron Butterfly In da gadda da vida

    Any themetune of your favourite 80s cartoons show!

    (Saber Rider and Silverhawks intro are great. Visionaries intro is kinds strange)

    Edit: Jefferson airplane - white rabbit PLAY IT NOW!
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  • AbraAbra Would you kindly Join Date: 2003-08-17 Member: 19870Members
    tried 'Echoz - assault' at a friends'
    That is weird.
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  • CrispyCrispy Jaded GD Join Date: 2004-08-22 Member: 30793Members, Constellation
    Hmm, seeing videos of this it looks a lot more fun that I previously envisaged, and is probably the sort of softcore game that I could get away with playing with my 'non-geek' friends as well as my geek friends.

    The fact it has the potential to run well on ANY mp3 you own adds MASSIVE replay value and a huge element of personalisation.
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  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    edited February 2008
    It takes OGG Vorbis too. I'd buy it if I had the means.
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  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    downloaded it over night. Still just as good as I remembered.

    Thansal is my nick for it.
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