[RootyTootoot]

I have had another wonderful idea. It is a computer game called "Sax Colossus". Based on the interactive technolgies that now allow us to play tennis and box in the comfort of our own living rooms, the game features a cardboard saxophone and a patented plastic "blowing bag" which will convey your "playing" to screen and speakers. You can change mouthpiece at the flick of a switch and blowing harder or softer allows you to imitate Sonny Rollins or Paul Desmond. I would appreciate some feedback on my idea from the saxophone community.

 

[hakukani]

Less ideas, more detail:twisted:

 

[RootyTootoot]

:twisted:

Less ideas, more detail:twisted:

Ok. Some more detail. But remember I'm trusting you not to steal my ideas. The game comes with various (patented) add ons such as a line of costumes to ensure that you feel "right at home" with whatever style or level you choose to play at. Taking the "Rollins" range, for example, there will be a series of hats which can indicate anything from "young bebop lion" (beret) to mid 70s rhapsodist and funkmeister (floppy sun hat) to present day all-round giant (a very sharp goatee). Since I am by no means a computer whizz myself it's the interface between player and machine I'm struggling with most. Perhaps someone could help me out with some insights from the world of "hi-tech"? How practical is my idea, please?:twisted:

 

[Saxplayer67]

Would it be possible to use a wind controller instead?

 

[ChuBerry47]

How much will it cost? The japanese have probably invented your idea too, like I found out they did with my idea and the quiet controller.

 

[RootyTootoot]

On this one i've had some very helpful discussions with the "Sony expert" at my local Dixons. He seems unwilling to commit himself. Nevertheless, I am going ahead with a "full-blown" test of my prototype design at 10am (UK time) tomorrow. I bought the necessary cables the afternoon and I have devised an "ingenious device" to plug myself into the mains supply. Wish me luck, sax-lovers!

 

[milandro]

Are you having a long boring holiday?

make sure to have an ambulance at hand :twisted: ( you never know the saints who protect the people like you might be busy saving someone else's life at the time ) and that someone is going to video the whole thing, perhaps your are going to be famous and if you are still alive after plugging " yourself" in the mains, the world will know of another famous saxophonist or another infamous fool :shock: :!:

 

[Face Ache Mike]

I shall be looking northwards at 10am tomorrow and if the Golden Mile goes dim I`ll know it was a success :twisted: :lol:

 

[Simon Weiner]

You think some kid that has no idea who Sonny is, is going to be excited at the thought of dressing like him? I'm not sure thats a winner. Plus Will a game like that be wanted by the general gaming public?? Not sure about that either. So millions to develop the game and equipment and maybe a very small market. UMMMM have you got any other LARGER ideas?? Always looking for a new investment

 

[vermontsax]

This sounds like a saxophone version of "Guitar Hero" - a game made for the Sony Playstation line. I'm not sure that it's available in the U.K. so I'll explain (as it's gained popularity here in the States since Guitar Hero II came out). You play the guitarist in a band and have a plastic controller molded to look like an electric guitar. It has four or five buttons on the neck, a lever near the belly where one would normally strum strings, and a whammy bar. You attempt to "play" songs that become progressively more challenging as you build up to the "big gig". The music (at least in Guitar Hero I) is mostly Classic Rock.

The action is similar to one of those dance video games where the different colored symbols scroll up and the player is supposed to step on the color or shape corresponding to the one on the screen and in-sync with the music.

In this case, the screen looks like a guitar fretboard and different colored circles make their way up the fretboard. The player then presses the colored button corresponding to the colored circle on the screen and presses the lever to simulate a strum of that string.

Rumor has it that the company that created "Guitar Hero" also created the dance video games and owns a patent on this format. Be aware of that as you move forward with your idea.

My advice is to make the sax out of plastic. Cardboard is flimsy. "Dumb it down" to four or five buttons that can be pressed independently (not sequentially like a real sax). If you want to get fancy, add a rudimentary breath switch to sense when the player is blowing into the mouthpiece. Use "recognizable" songs/tunes instead of tunes by the classic sax players. Think pop and rock.

My reasoning is this: you want the game to be challenging yet easy enough for anyone to pick up and play. "Guitar Hero"'s guitar plays nothing like a real guitar but is easy enough for anyone to pick up and play out of the box. They use popular songs that most teens and adults have heard or know by heart whether they're musicians or not. Think in these terms: how many "gamers" would love to play a game that portrays them as a saxophone star? Probably quite a few with the right marketing techniques. Now how many sax players play video games? Probably quite a few but not nearly as many as the previous group. Cater to the masses - not to the minorities.

- Mike

 

[playitfunky]

not enough people are into the saxophone for a game just for it.

 

[RootyTootoot]

Full steam ahead. Prototype test 10am tomorrow GMT

make sure to have an ambulance at hand :twisted: ( you never know the saints who protect the people like you might be busy saving someone else's life at the time ) and that someone is going to video the whole thing, perhaps your are going to be famous and if you are still alive after plugging " yourself" in the mains, the world will know of another famous saxophonist or another infamous fool :shock: :!:

Thanks for your kind thoughts, milandro. And really - DON'T WORRY!! I've done this kind of thing before. Many times. And this stuff about "Guitar Hero" and "kids" not knowing who Sonny is.... Ha! I'm an inventor, boys, not a "marketing strategist". My product is not aimed at "kids". It is aimed at middle-aged men with too much time on their hands. I'm afraid my budget doesn't run to video technology either. But I may manage a couple of sketches in biro.

 

[RootyTootoot]

I shall be looking northwards at 10am tomorrow and if the Golden Mile goes dim I`ll know it was a success :twisted: :lol:

It will be, Mike, it will be. Thnks for your support.

 

[gelliot2]

Toot,

While you're about it, don't forget the software interface (SaxGAS version 1.0 for Windows) to include interactive player options for:

* User definable saxophone brand and model options (vintage and modern)
* Drop-down menu with comprehensive sax finish options
* "Plug & Play" mouthpiece modules (by manufacturer) with complete range of tip openings
* Ditto ligatures, reeds, resonators...

Then if you want to see if a particular finish really makes a difference to your tone or you want to try the exact set-up of John Coltrane, etc, you only have to dial it all in and blow into the bag

 

[hakukani]

On this one i've had some very helpful discussions with the "Sony expert" at my local Dixons. He seems unwilling to commit himself. Nevertheless, I am going ahead with a "full-blown" test of my prototype design at 10am (UK time) tomorrow. I bought the necessary cables the afternoon and I have devised an "ingenious device" to plug myself into the mains supply. Wish me luck, sax-lovers!

Is this what your using to plug yourself into the mains?

View attachment 1655

 

[RootyTootoot]

Is this what your using to plug yourself into the mains?

I can't see the image but i've seen a desciption. No that's not quite it. And stop trying to get me to reveal my trade secrets, hakukani - it's completely unethical of you and probably AGAINST FORUM RULES. I'm off now to work on some other inventions. Another poster seems to be promising capital investment and by the look of his avatar he may be loaded. The dog alone must be worth 20 quid.

 

[fballatore]

I would appreciate some feedback on my idea from the saxophone community.

I have the same look on my face as the guy in your avatar.

 

[RootyTootoot]

not enough people are into the saxophone for a game just for it.

Rubbish. 150 people have viewed this thread and i reckon they're probably all fairly solvent - they own computers don't they? Don't be such a pessimist, Funky. Some of the Selmer Mark VI society must have a bob or two? You don't even know the price of the units. I was thinking somewhere in the region of £2000 a pop. All I need to do is brush up on my sales patter a little. And remember all the opportunities for additional merchandise: musical cds, leg warmers, hats.. I could go on. Just as long as tomorrow's test is ok. Fingers crossed!

 

[RootyTootoot]

An Electrical Crisis. Test will be Delayed. 0715 GMT

My fridge has broken down (no really, it has). i'm going to have to fix it or get it fixed. I reckon Mrs Toot had too much Tequilla stashed in the freezer compartment. The poor little bugger just couldn't take it any more. Test will be delayed until this afternoon. Later.

 

[milandro]

ù

only two hours to this shocking event :twisted: