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1 vs 100 To Change Videogame Game Shows

Yesterday Microsoft Canada held a special event to showcase its upcoming interactive game show for the Xbox 360, 1 vs 100, which is based on the popular NBC television game show of the same name. We’ve seen videogame representations of game shows for years, many of which being somewhat underwhelming. However, 1 vs 100 is much different from anything we could have come to expect from a videogame game show. And yet at the same time and like most great ideas, it’s based on a concept that is so simple and obvious that one wonders why we haven’t seen it until now.

Simply put, 1 vs 100 will pit thousands of players against each other as they try to win real prizes in a real-time quiz show broadcast and played over Xbox LIVE. The show times are preset (similar to real television scheduling) and on Friday and Saturday evenings, players wishing to take part simply need to start up their games in time to tune in for the action. Forgetful types can opt to set reminders so they’re prompted to jump into the game minutes before the start time.

Once the show begins, one player is chosen as “the One,” 100 players become “the Mob” and the rest play along in “the Crowd.” In the game, players are represented by their Xbox avatars, meaning everyone who’s playing will get to see your avatar if you’re a contestant. The 1 vs 100 Live games are hosted live by Chris Cashman, who also provides colour commentary throughout the show from a studio soundbooth (but in the game, we see his avatar’s lips moving in a disjointed manner to his dialogue). I guess Bob Saget was not available? No matter, in the demonstration, Cashman gave shout outs to some of the media in attendance and also commented on the attire of the players chosen as the One throughout the game (as a sidenote, I’d like to give my own shout outs to Raj, Justin, Ryan, and myself, as we were overlooked by Cashman).

The game-play in 1 vs 100 is as simple as its concept. Although I was initially confused about what was going on, everything made sense soon enough. Essentially the player who is the One is in direct competition with the 100 members of the Mob. The One’s objective is to correctly answer as many questions as possible without being eliminated.

Multiple-choice questions are asked and players have very little time to buzz in one of three possible answers that correspond to the X, A, and B buttons on the controller. Contestants who get the question right move onto the next one. Players who get the question wrong, however, are eliminated. If the One gets a question wrong, he/she is removed from that position and the game begins again with another player chosen as the One. If someone in the Mob gets a question wrong, however, they are eliminated from being eligible for a prize but can still play along and answer questions and earn points. During certain moments, the One has the option of either cashing out with his/her current earnings, or proceeding on to tougher questions in an attempt to boost the pot. The questions are specific to a particular regioun, and during the demo included some choice Canadian content with topics such as curling and the Queen. At any time, players can mash on the Y button to get their avatar hyped or to intimidate the One, though for some reason mine only seemed to want to slap at imaginary fools he pitied.

As with all trivia shows, at times a question is asked that the main contestant cannot answer. In such situations in this game, the One can seek assistance from the Mob or the Crowd, opting to go with whatever the consensus of either group is or to formulate an answer based on that data. If the question is successfully answered, the game continues. The stakes and potential winnings are raised with every 10 Mob members to be eliminated, and players who can stick it out as part of the mob eventually earn prizes as well. In the demonstration, these prizes were displayed as Microsoft Points and LIVE Arcade games, which is pretty cool especially when you consider the fact that 1 vs 100 is free for all Microsoft LIVE Gold members.

During the demonstration, Jo Clowes, Director of 1 vs 100 Development, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft made multiple mentions of how the game can be experienced with friends through Xbox LIVE Parties and via same-room play, and this presents an additional social aspect to the game. The idea that friends can play together and against each other from one location is particularly appealing to me, as it opens up the possibility of having real-life parties to play the game. With the exception of the host and co-host, the only other people you’ll hear through the game are those you are chatting with via the Xbox LIVE Party, meaning you won’t be hearing other contestants playing the game, trying to figure out answers, or talking trash. When you think about the logistics of having thousands of people talking at the same time over LIVE, this makes perfect sense and is preferable to what would otherwise be a constant deafening whoosh!

In terms of production quality, the game already shows a high amount of polish considering the fact that it’s in a beta stage of development. We were told that there may be a few glitches in it, but I didn’t see anything that detracted from the quality of game-play. Instead, the experience was as close to being on an actual game show as it gets without the hot lights and flashing APPLAUSE signs. But the most important aspect has been recreated: the tension. If you’ve ever watched a game show and thought you could do better, 1 vs 100 challenges you to put up or shut up. And in the heat of the excitement, in a room full of other people playing against each other and online against thousands, it will get very intense.

Thankfully, Cashman does a great job of keeping the crowd pumped up while setting the pace of the game. Additionally, there are scheduled breaks in game-play which allow players to both relax a little and to check their stats. During these intermissions, sponsorship billboards and streaming video were shown, which not only provides a revenue opportunity to keep the show going but also helps complete the experience of watching a game show on television. But let’s not forget – 1 vs 100 Live is not about watching – it’s about playing!

Of course, not everyone is going to be able to join in on Friday and Saturday nights. For those people, there’s a non-hosted portion of the game called 1 vs 100 Extended Play. Apart from allowing players to test their chops in a less stressfully competitive environment, it also serves as a good training ground. Questions are tailored by region and will include topics such as Battle of the Sexes, Player-Written Questions, and questions of increased difficulty (for Quizboys, perhaps?). Players participating in the Extended Play games are also eligible for prizes by earning entries into a sweepstakes where prizes include Zune digital media players and home theatre set-ups.

It may be too early to tell, but I have a strong feeling we’ll be seeing copycats and me-too developers adding their entries into this new arena of interactive game shows via gaming consoles soon. But much before that, the Canadian Beta for 1 vs 100 begins Friday, May 8. Be sure to tune in for the first of what I’m certain will be the next big thing in videogames.

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Check out the 1 vs 100 trailer »

Posted in Features, LIVE, Previews, Xbox 360 |