Video Games Live, the videogame concert series that tours around the world, has launched a Kickstarter to fund the production of a new album.
Video Games Live recently celebrated ten years of sharing great game music with the world, and now it’s time for a new album: Level 3, the third VGL album, will be a studio recording rather than a live album, with a full orchestra, 60+ person choir and rock band featuring some of the most famous game music composers in the business. The plan is to include 15 to 18 tracks of unreleased music from a pile of potential game franchises, as well as a remix by “DJ superstar” BT.
And why, given the success of the concert series, is VGL going to Kickstarter? “Although VGL has obtained a lot of accolades and success, the music industry and record companies are VERY different and no music or record company is willing to invest the budget needed to accomplish our goals and put out a top quality product that we and the entire game industry can be proud of,” the Kickstarter says. “They don’t believe in the culturally artistic significance of video game music and they don’t believe that people are interested in listening after the game is turned off.”
The goal is $250,000, and the Kickstarter claims that Video Games Live won’t be making any money from it: All funds raised will go toward covering the costs of the production, which range from $130,000 to $160,000 for musicians to $5000 each for CD manufacturing, domestic shipping costs, location rental and celebration events. The total cost is actually expected to exceed the Kickstarter goal, with the balance covered by VGL and Tommy Tallarico.
And yes, there will be a physical CD available to backers at the $40 level or higher, although those who don’t care for such things can get in on the action digitally for as low as $10. (A $5 tier is available as well which offers a Kickstarter-exclusive “Bonus Round” album, but doesn’t include Level 3.)
The Kickstarter is on now and runs until September 13, and it seems to be doing pretty well for itself: Just a few hours after going live, it’s already raised over $18,000.
Source: Kickstarter
