ENJOY THE RIDE

In a deal with Audiosurf Aardvark Records made their catalogue of pop, rock and dance tracks available to racing game enthusiasts.

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.

Director of Aardvark Records, Alex di Savoia, said: "I didn’t hesitate when Audio Surf got in touch regarding the availability of our catalogue. It was a no-brainer. The appeal of the platform was that self-evident."

Di Savoia laughed when asked if he tried the game himself. "Audiosurf has to be one of the most addictive games I've come across in a long time. I keep telling myself it's all to better aid the research process; figuring out which tracks work and which don’t. I've played the game using everything I could throw at it: Bjork, Tiesto, Frank Sinatra, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Earth Wind and Fire and our own Zetan Spore and Yahel."

Audiosurf is the winner of the Independent Games Festival 2008 Audience Choice Award.