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 Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » Old News & Rumors
The Floating City
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xombiekitty
Veteran


Joined: 28 Feb 2010
Posts: 127
Location: Australia

 		The Floating City
Thomas Dolby project
I don't think I've started a topic here before, so please delete, move, edit or whatever needs to be done if I mucked something up Very Happy
I did a search but couldn't find a mention of this post from Thomas Dolby's blog: http://thomasdolby.fanbridge.com/campaigns/show.php?id=701441&sid=125206054

Quote:


Februrary 8, 2011

,

I'm writing with a couple of pieces of very interesting news.

Firstly, I've decided to release the 'Oceanea' EP commercially--i.e. to make it available for sale from March 28th to non-FES members as a CD and via iTunes. This is because the music from the EP has been getting some radio play in the US and UK. Despite only being available to a limited audience, there seems to be a growing interest in my new music in the media and the public at large. And your response to 'Oceanea' has been so overwhelmingly positive. I've rarely seen so many superlative fan reviews of a release. I evidently struck a nerve with this one! It's all good news and I'd be foolish not to take full advantage of it.

But now here's something truly exciting and extraordinary. There's been a change of strategy with regard to the proposed 3rd EP from the upcoming album. I have said from the beginning that I wanted to let fans hear my work-in-progress on the new album 'A Map Of The Floating City' by releasing three EPs prior to the album coming out. Well, for 'Urbanoia' I have decided to go one better....

For the last six months, I've been developing an online multiuser event entitled 'The Floating City.' Call it a game, if you will, but it's nothing like a typical computer game--it's more like a FES magical mystery tour. It will take place for twelve weeks leading up to the full release of the album this summer. A segment takes place in the continent of Urbanoia, and that's where the party will be at when I'm ready to debut the songs from that segment. So you won't need to buy a download of the 'Urbanoia' EP; but to hear it, you'll need to play the game and find your way to the party. And that will be an intriguing journey unlike anything you've experienced.

Imagine a curious, post-apocalyptic parallel world. In the wake of a terrible planetary catastrophe, a few stunned survivors cling to what's left of the Earth's major landmasses. Technology has imploded, and all that's left are strewn relics of a former age. Trying to escape the boiling temperatures, tribes of humans take to the oceans in the ghostly hulls of abandoned ships. With no fuel available to power them, the vessels are only able to move across the sea by 'rafting up'. Inevitably, gridlock forms, and the Floating City is born. A bizarre trading culture emerges. And the residents begin to piece together the dark history of what led up to the disaster that hit their civilization.

As a player in the game, you'll be using familiar media like web pages, social networks, linking up with your friends from Twitter and Facebook, to meet and collaborate with others to solve the enigma of The Floating City. This is not only for gamers--nor is it only for Dolby fans. It's an easy and fun way to explore and enjoy my music and lyrics from the early 1980s all the way up to the present day.

I'm extremely excited about this project, and it's very much an extension of the atmosphere and sentiments of the songs on the new album. There are excellent graphics, done by Paul Sizer who art directed the two EPs (that's his charred map fragment at the top of this message.) It also combines into a single framework the lyrics and music from my entire back catalog, going all the way back to 'The Golden Age Of Wireless.' It's a natural extension of the eccentricity of The Flat Earth Society, where over the years the frequent digression into Dolby-related fanfiction has been inspiring and bewildering!

There's been a lot of talk about the album's 'hidden theme', going back to the 'Amerikana' EP release last year. I can reveal that both EPs to date, along with the 'Toad Lickers' iPhone app, have contained embedded clues that relate to the whole Floating City enigma. Up to now, no-one seems to have been able to solve the riddles. (I wonder why?) This game will bring all those clues together in a fascinating way. And yes, you will still be able to hear the 'Urbanoia' songs...if you and your friends are able to discover them within the game. And if it's not to your taste, don't worry because all the music will appear on the album when it comes out later in the year.

It is not a competitive game, per se, because it's not about individual prowess or high scores. No single player can 'win' outright. However, nine tribes will collaborate and match their skills to try to solve the mystery of the Floating City, using their knowledge and understanding of the music and lyrics. There will be rewards for all participants, including free music, merch prizes, and a sneak peek at the songs you haven't heard yet. And for the most industrious tribe, there will be a fabulous top prize: an invitation to attend an exclusive private concert at which my band and I will perform the album in full.

There's a press release coming out shortly that announces the 'Oceanea' EP and mentions the game in passing. But I wanted to make sure FES members heard it from me first!

All the best,

Thomas

PS If you have any comments or feedback, I suggest you post them on my Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/officialthomasdolby


Just sounded like something folk here might enjoy Very Happy

PostPosted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:36 am
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cyng
Unfettered


Joined: 10 Nov 2007
Posts: 366

 		For those unfamiliar with Thomas Dolby:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V83JR2IoI8k

Be kind...it was the 80's after all.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 12:11 pm
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Greystone
Unfettered


Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 373

 		Youtube
Quote:
This video contains content from Vevo, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.


I guess those of us in the U.S. can't watch this.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 6:08 pm
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PeaceBWU
Guest


 		Try this then

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IlHgbOWj4o

PostPosted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:37 pm
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cyng
Unfettered


Joined: 10 Nov 2007
Posts: 366
Launch Today!


YouTube: Link

http://floatingcity.com/

PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:19 pm
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thebruce
Dances With Wikis


Joined: 16 Aug 2004
Posts: 6899
Location: Kitchener, Ontario

 		And the servers are getting hit, hard...
that's what she said

Patience! Smile
_________________
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ARGFest 2013 - Seattle! ARGFest.com

PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:43 pm
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Jung
Veteran

Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 96
Location: Barcelona
thebruce wrote:
And the servers are getting hit, hard...
that's what she said

Patience! Smile


@ThomasDolby tweet (50 minutes ago)
Quote:
With immense pride I can announce the start of The Floating City Game! Unheard music from my upcoming album.... http://t.co/NBf7CzU


..and 30 minutes ago
Quote:
The server is struggling with all your requests! Step back from the barricades people... give it a few minutes to let the crowds in Smile


EDIT: Conqueroo Press Release (today) NEWS: Thomas Dolby debuts 'Floating City' transmedia game http://bit.ly/kL4wI7

PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:50 pm
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CarnageBlack
Unfettered

Joined: 30 Nov 2008
Posts: 548
Location: Chicago

 		Man, who knew that there were still this many fans left of his. But hey,

"It's ARGs in motion,
She she turned that link upon me,
Chaotic as any ocean,
Sweet as any swag we get,
But she intro'd me ARGs,
She intro'd me to ARGs!
And failed me PMing"

Sorry very bored.

PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:59 pm
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punxtr
Die Hard Try Hard


Joined: 17 Jul 2010
Posts: 2994

 		It now wants us to enter a username and password... this isn't intentional, I think.
_________________
Info on an old avatar of mine: http://punxtr.tumblr.com/post/17467830903/xmandelbrot

PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:19 pm
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iRobotZombie
Decorated


Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Posts: 252
Location: UK

 		Almost too popular..
_________________
@Rob_Kian
Prometheus | Mark of the Spider-Man | The Secret World | Byologyc

PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:23 pm
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Lystella
Unfettered


Joined: 02 Feb 2010
Posts: 394

 		The link from the article Jung had linked seems to be working:
http://www.floatingcity.com/

PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:19 pm
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iRobotZombie
Decorated


Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Posts: 252
Location: UK

 		Signed up.

My Skipper name is Earc and i'm in Mulberry Smile
_________________
@Rob_Kian
Prometheus | Mark of the Spider-Man | The Secret World | Byologyc

PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:16 pm
Last edited by iRobotZombie on Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:39 pm; edited 1 time in total
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punxtr
Die Hard Try Hard


Joined: 17 Jul 2010
Posts: 2994

 		Uh, this didn't turn out the way I expected. Not interested.
_________________
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:44 pm
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catherwood
I Have 100 Cats and Smell of Wee

Joined: 25 Sep 2002
Posts: 4109
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
punxtr wrote:
Uh, this didn't turn out the way I expected. Not interested.

I'm not interested myself either, but perhaps for different reasons. I'm curious, however, what did you expect?
Thomas Dolby wrote:
I've been developing an online multiuser event... Call it a game, if you will...

As a player in the game, you'll be using familiar media..., linking up with your friends from Twitter and Facebook, to meet and collaborate with others to solve the enigma...

It is not a competitive game... No single player can 'win' outright. However, nine tribes will collaborate and match their skills to try to solve the mystery...

To me it sounded more challenging than what I can see so far (without signing up to access more of the site.)

PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:36 pm
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iRobotZombie
Decorated


Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Posts: 252
Location: UK

 		It's addictive.. won 2 MP3s

...SCIENCE!
_________________
@Rob_Kian
Prometheus | Mark of the Spider-Man | The Secret World | Byologyc

PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:18 pm
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