Gorillaz star in interactive TV game

LONDON, UK (Radio 1) - Pop band Gorillaz, the cartoon group created by Damon Albarn, are to become stars of a new video game. Music fans will be able to take control of one of the characters through digital TV sets and guide them in an arcade-style game called Zombie Kong.

The group is fronted by four animated characters created by cartoonist Jamie Hewlett, with music made by Blur star Albarn and a range of collaborators.
They had hits with songs including Clint Eastwood last year and are set to perform at the Brit Awards on Wednesday, where they are nominated in six categories.

Gamers will control one of the virtual band members, Noodle, through 12 levels in which they must guide him through obstacles with their TV remote controls. The game, set to launch on Friday, will be similar to classic arcade game Donkey Kong and available on interactive TV station PlayJam.

'First band'

"Interactive TV is an area which completely appeals to Gorillaz, as they are the world's first truly interactive multi-media rock band," according to Gareth Currie, a spokesman for the band's record company.
"Now Gorillaz fans without Internet connections at home won't just be able to listen to Gorillaz, they'll also be able to be Gorillaz whenever they feel like it. It is great to be the first band ever to have our own TV game."
The band had tried to "push the boundaries" with their marketing techniques, he said.

Awards

PlayJam director Jeff Zie said: "We are delighted to be working with Gorillaz - the first band in the world to recognise how popular interactive TV has become."

At the end of last year, a survey revealed that 23% of British households used interactive TV services, a little less than the 32% that owned digital TVs. The band have the most nominations for this year's Brits, including best British group, best British album and best British album.
But press reports have suggested that they will not win any awards.