P.O.D. Lead Singer Joins Gamecaster

LinkinJunior · Jul 30, 2004

P.O.D. Lead Singer Joins Gamecaster
Fri Jul 30, 2004 05:09 AM ET

By Chris Marlowe
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Lots of rock stars play video games. But Sonny Sandoval, lead singer of multi-platinum rock band P.O.D., has become an investor in Gamecaster Inc. He also has been named music director of the gaming events company, and will perform as on-camera talent.

The company has plans to turn video game competitions into a spectator sport franchise with a high profile on television, online and in the physical world. The first official event is scheduled for Aug. 24 in P.O.D.'s San Diego hometown.

David MacIntosh, president and CEO of Gamecaster, said Sandoval will be responsible for developing the company's music program, which includes the use of popular bands to perform at Gamecaster's upcoming televised video game competitions.

Without disclosing his financial arrangement with the self-funded company, Sandoval said he believes being part of Gamecaster is a good business move.

An avid gamer himself, he also has first-hand knowledge of competitive gaming's potential as a major sport. "Music and video games go hand in hand," Sandoval said. "We were just out on tour with Linkin Park, and they're big Halo fans -- they had two screens hooked up on their tour bus, so they can compete with each other, and they always had about 20 people watching."

P.O.D. always has video games in their dressing rooms as well, Sandoval said. In addition, when on tour the band members often take on their fans in bouts arranged by local radio stations as a competition prize.

The Gamecaster spectacle will center on a dramatic slowly rotating circular platform, upon which gamers will compete in a winner-takes-all tournament while giant screens beam the action to the venue audience. Live music, a product licensing program designed by Bill Attinger of Scribbles Properties, and other lifestyle-related activities will all be part of the mix. Television audiences and webcast audiences each will get an experience tailored to their medium.

"We're out to prove that people will tune in or come live to watch," MacIntosh said. "Television didn't think poker would work, either."

MacIntosh said the broadcasts will be "an exciting spectator experience, much more than just over-the-shoulder shots of somebody playing," with experienced sports cameramen and a proprietary technology that gives viewers the perspective of actually being inside the game.

Besides shaping the live music aspect of the traveling event, Sandoval has signed up as on-air talent in the role of Pit Reporter. He will provide color commentary and interviews with the competitors, helping to build the excitement and develop the human drama, MacIntosh said.

"Sonny is charismatic and recognized as a positive person, a clean and sober person with a family, so people like him and identify with him," he said. "People will tune in to watch Sonny in a new and interesting environment."

Sandoval said he will be getting his personal network of professional musicians to participate as well, starting with his cousin Noah "Wuv" Bernardo -- who happens to be P.O.D.'s drummer.

Click to expand...

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?t...storyID=5826666

Any thoughts about this?

Mark · Jul 30, 2004

That's pretty awesome. I can totally see Sonny putting LP in a game or two.

Will · Jul 30, 2004

I think it's hilarious how the guy's last name is "MacIntosh."

Anyway, I'm looking forward to whatever it is this article is about since I didn't read it all...

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