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PC gamer, WorthPlaying EIC, globe-trotting couch potato, patriot, '80s headbanger, movie watcher, music lover, foodie and man in black -- squirrel!

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Ascaron Brings 'Audiosurf' to Retail - Screens

by Rainier on Sept. 23, 2008 @ 10:08 a.m. PDT

Audiosurf is a music-adapting puzzle racer where the shape, the speed, and the mood of each ride is determined by the song you choose.

Audiosurf is a music-adapting puzzle racer where you use your own music to create your own experience. The shape, the speed, and the mood of each ride is determined by the song selected.
Points are earned for clustering together blocks of the same color on the highway. The game also allows gamers to compete with others on the Internet for the highest score on any song they own.

The title was created by solo developer Dylan Fitterer, who came up with the design for Audiosurf after six months of running BestGameEver.com, where Fitterer released a new game every Friday. Fitterer's favorite design produced during this period was Tune Racer, which was iterated and evolved into Audiosurf.

Like many other racing games, Audiosurf can import music from a player’s collection - including CD audio, MP3s, M4As, WMAs and OGGs. Unlike those other games, Audiosurf actually analyzes each track a player uploads and generates a course specific to that song, using the primary instruments to place coloured blocks and tempo to alter the elevation of the highway. The result is a compelling and intuitive experience. As a song slows, players find themselves slowing, moving uphill, weaving between lanes and casually scooping up the blocks. As the tempo increases, players start heading downhill and pick up speed until the blocks are flashing past so quickly it's practically dizzying. Music can be shared amongst players, however, not in the peer-to-peer or download sense of sharing music. Songs sit on the game’s central server and can be accessed directly, through recommendations made by Audiosurf itself or through Audiosurf’s virtual radio station.

Audiosurf will be released by Ascaron in Oct. 2008 for £9.99.

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