Harmonix Releases Phase

Having just finished Rock Band, Harmonix today announced the release of a new interactive music title, Phase, on the iTunes store. It is now available to purchase and download for play exclusively on the new iPod Nano with video, iPod classic and the fifth generation iPod for $4.99. The game offers rhythm-action gameplay, allowing players to play with their existing music collections in a “fun, arcade-like way” utilizing the music player’s click wheel.

“Our goal with Phase was to create a fundamentally accessible, casual music experience for iPod users where we implemented our years of work with rhythmic gameplay elements and present them in ways that any music fan can easily understand and have fun with,” says Kasson Crooker, Lead Producer on Phase for Harmonix. “We wanted to create something that took users beyond the standard game format, tap into the unique design of the iPod, and give players a fresh, new way to deepen their relationship with their own music - the music they love.”

There are two game modes - Quickspin and Marathon. Quickspin consists of choosing a single song at a time and utilizing the iPod click wheel to tap and glide using their iPod click wheel for moment-to-moment fun. Marathon lets users choose and engage in mini 5 song marathons that challenge players to get through a set of increasingly difficult songs. The game features stylized backgrounds that features Neon Nights, Sonic City and Deep Sea, all created by artist Aaron Stewart.