Microsoft Xbox-Div, MTV & GAME paint Sydney Green . . Pink . . Blue and every hue in between.

by XboxOZ360

© 2008 Grant Smythe:

One thing you have to give both MS Xbox-Div and Game^TM, the new-ish game retail chain in Australia, is their enthusiasm and determination to make an impression.

I had the pleasure of attending a media evening held at the MTV Network Studio in East Sydney last night where members of the different music styles were invited and simply gathered for a great night out.

Of course there were the usual celebrities on hand by the bucket load, anywhere to get their pics snapped by the media, all of whom took what seemed like thousands of photos. Now I understand why many “Stars” get annoyed with the paparazzi, they make a shit load of noise trying to get each celbs attention so they look in their direction to get “that shot” which will pay them well when the Editor sees it.

Click any image for full view:

I was there for another reason, the Microsoft and Game^TM Xbox 360 Harley 900 Sportstar Custom Chopper. It also proved an excellent opportunity to get a feel for the evening and report back to the Xbox Community and was able to have a lot more freedom than the normal photo-hog due to our relationship with MS over the last few months. So thanks heaps guys (the MS Xbox-Div team), it was really appreciated.

As you can see, the excellent MTV’s headquarters had been transformed into a sensory overload venue for the evening and decked out in Xbox green , Game™ Red’s and MTV blues, along with the Australian who’s who in attendance including Jonathan Pease, the host of Australia’s Top Models, who dropped in with many of the breath-taking superstars of the show.

Many more celebrities turned up for the evening some of which included Alana Brennan (the face of Billabong), Anthony Mundine, (calm down Julia – she had her pic snapped with the Boxer), Shannon Noll, Ada Nicodemou, Sophie Faulkner and MTV’s Maz Compton hosting the party.

“`I must say though, Game^TM certainly are not holding back when it comes to making a huge impression with gamers. By targeting the Y generation, lovers of all things gadgetary, musical and gaming to finally approach gaming on a more ‘mature’ level, than the ‘kiddy’ perception the majority of the media has of gaming.

“`It was an ideal venue to appeal to both musicians and fans, all of whom enjoy films, music, gaming and gadgets a plenty. Not to mention have a very high disposable income I might add. It’s obvious Game^TM see a more lucrative and viable market in their ‘adult’ audience as this was a strictly 18 yrs and over event. Little wonder really, with recent studies by Bond University in Qld, showing the average age of gamers in Australia is now around 28 yrs of age. So events like these are perfect targets to appeal to such an demographic and an opportunity to take the “Game^TM” to the people. Which is what they certainly did last night.

More on the nights activities after the jump, plus many more pics:-

Judging by those playing the various 32″ Plasma screens around the place, amid the media hype and buzz of the evening, you could see there were quite a few “big kids” amongst the crowd. Ninja Gaiden 2, Rock Band 111 and Fightnight 3 were some of the games available to play during the night. But the focus was definitely on Kelly Rowland and the Xbox 360 Chopper.

The main aim of the evening was to showcase the absolutely brilliant Xbox360 Custom Chopper that Game^TM have up as a major prize throughout their stores nationally. The chopper is valued at $AU80k, and you can see why when you are up-close-and-personal with it. Every little detail on the bike has been taken into consideration, right down to the various tones of green pin striping, and the slightly pearl green paint job that simply soaks the bike in brilliant greens.

Luckily we were able to be inside where the bike was on display and nab shots of the various celebs as they came in and were ushered for a MS photo shoot with the bike. Some really hammed it up when they plonked their backsides on the Harley. It seemed that the big kid in them showed its head and they lapped it up. So you’ll see plenty of snaps of various bods atop the Green 360 Beastie, including some well known ones. I’ll leave it up to you to work out who they are.

I’m more a fan of the games and the bike than the stars of musical fame, so you’ll have to forgive my ignorance in that area. As mentioned, the highlight of the evening though was the arrival of Kelly Rowland when the paparazzi went wild and the security boys had their rather large hands very full holding them back. Kelly Rowland then went off again and was whisked away by her entourage, only to reappear a little later on stage inside the venue to run off a few songs for the masses that were in attendance.

The sound of heavy bass and subs shaking the floor walls and counter tops, while the hues of green, pinks, amber and pale blue streaked across the haze filled room. It was certainly a palpable atmosphere, that’s for certain. Discussion with anyone was very difficult indeed, making having any form of meaningful conversation useless, so I opted out of even trying once bods started to fill the venue. Beer, wine, Red Bull and boutique beers were all on tap free for those in attendance consume a-plenty, and consume they did.

I pity the poor bar stewards, not a job I’d want in a hurry. You might get to see a few celebs, but you wouldn’t be paying much attention with several people all screaming at you for one type of drink or the other while the music rumbled off the ceiling. Thanks god for big fans as well. . the place certainly needed them.

As you’ll see from the Media Blowout below, it seemed like a fun night was had by all, and judging by the responses everyone had with both the Chopper and the evening, I can say without a doubt it has proved to be a huge success. I must say though, you certainly do NOT see a certain other gaming chain, or even platform for that matter, both of whom shall remain nameless, throwing the amount of money and effort that both Game^TM and MS Xbox-Div are doing here in Australia.

The feeling was tangable from the buzz on the floor, and those playing the games and mingling with the guests certainly we having a great time. It was obvious that Game and MS had struck a perfect chord with everyone there.

We will be covering the actual presentation of the Chopper on June 12th when the $AU80k beast is handed over to some lucky sod who just ‘happened’ to purchase an Xbox 360 during the months of April – May. I certainly hope said winner is of driving age, and use his/her prize well. If one had half a brain, you could turn it into a very high money making venture through endorsements and promotional use, not to mention getting the ladies when crusin’ around town.

I’ll let the rest of the pics speak for them selves, and trust you’ll drop back when we have the winner of the Chopper on the site and cover that event. It will be a ‘very’ busy day for us, as not only will we be covering this during the day, but also the IGN BlackBeta in the evening at the Verona Cinema in Paddington Sydney. Where they will be giving a first hand on evening with MGS4. . yes, we’ll even cover that, as it is about one of gaming’s biggest titles, and deserves the coverage even by the opposition platform.

We certainly do not hold any ill feelings towards Sony’s platform, or the games, unlike some narrow-minded individuals (sic fanboies) out there in gaming land.

Drop back later one today, and we’ll have several more pics to peruse and drool over.

© 2008 Grant Smythe:

Filed under: Events, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 News Tagged: | custom chopper, Game, Game the next level, Kelly Rowland, MTV, mtv australia, mtv Kelly Rowland, Xbox 360 custom chopper, xbox chopper