Peak Products Unleashes the Starpex Guitar Controller
Circa 2008
Peak Products Unleashes Starpex™, the First-Ever Full-Size, Wood, Playstation®2 and Playstation 3 Guitar Controller with the Authentic Look and Feel of a Real Guitar
For those about to rock…Peak salutes you!
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Starpex Obsidian | Starpex Dead Rose | Starpex Black Sunburst
Full Size Wood Guitar Controller for PS2® / PS3®
Compatible with Guitar Hero™ and Rock Band™!
- High quality 10 - button design for enhanced responsiveness
- Instrument quality wood body, neck and headstock
- High speed 2.4 ghz wireless technology
- Optional cable for wired connectivity (included)
- Easy access starpower / overdrive button
- Improved whammy bar for easier access and durability
- Modular design allows for alternate body styles
- Guitar strap and 3 premium AA batteries Included
Cost: $179.99
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Press Release
Boston, MA– July 16th, 2008 - Peak Products, a gaming peripheral company dedicated to providing the best in instrument quality gaming controllers, announces Starpex, the first-ever full-size, wood, PS2™ / PS3™ Guitar controller with the look and feel of an actual guitar. Starpex boasts an instrument-quality, high-gloss lacquered finish with a hardwood body, neck, and headstock handcrafted by a leading guitar manufacturer giving the authentic guitar experience that Guitar Hero™ and Rock Band™ enthusiasts crave.
This is such a cool guitar, it's enough to pull me away from my favorite US online casino site and go buy a Starpex. And that's saying a lot. According to my girlfriend I spend more time every evening checking out online poker tournaments and playing Caribbean Hold'Em Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, or Caribbean Draw Poker than I spend watching a Netflix movie with her. Now my strategy is to get her enthusiastic about playing online poker as well. There are enough free play games, so she doesn't have to worry about losing any money. I think she enjoys free online slot games, but would rather watch a flic than play. Perhaps, I can get her involved with Guitar Hero and we could then have some fun duals. Who am I kidding! Well, a fellow can dream.
One thing the two of do enjoy doing together is skiing. This past Christmas my girlfriend gave me a terrific North Face Thermoball jacket. According to the packaging this is the ultimate all-weather, do-it-all mid weight jacket. The ThermoBall insulation, which is just as compressible as down and insulates even when wet is perfect for skiing as well as for shoveling snow out of the drive and taking out the garbage in the middle of winter. Because it is not one of those fat, puffy winter jackets, it's also easy to sling my guitar carrying case over my shoulder when I go over to a friends to play Guitar Hero. Love the jacket. Thanks, Gilly.
Other unique features include…
- Full Guitar Hero and Rockband Functionality for PS2 and PS3
Starpex is compatible with both PS2 and PS3, and allows users to experience the full list of game play features in both Guitar Hero and Rockband, including toggle effects switch and solo button functionality. - Unique Speed Star Power / Overdrive Button provides the fastest and most accurate access to Star Power and Overdrive. Additionally, built in tilt sensor technology allows users to access Star Power and Overdrive in a more traditional way.
- Optimized Whammy Bar maximizes comfort, provides better feel, reduces fatigue and provides a higher level of durability.
- High Quality Ten Fret Button Design features optimal button travel for enhanced feel, reduced fatigue, and higher score potential. Ten fret buttons means that players have the option of using traditionally positioned fret buttons, or rock out with solo buttons high up on the neck which also provide critical soloing capabilities in Rockband.
- Enhanced Strum Bar gives the perfect balance of tactile and audible feedback to maximize enjoyment and scoring.
- Connectivity Options – Dual wired / wireless capabilities allow players to use a 15’ wired cable or a 2.4 Ghz wireless connection (both included).
- Forward - Thinking Compatibility
- Starpex’s modular design allows users to easily separate the electronic components from the body of the guitar which will allow for further customization including new guitar bodies, pick guards, and more.
“With well over 11 million copies of Guitar Hero/Rock Band sold on the PlayStation consoles, we see a tremendous opportunity in bringing Starpex to market” says Jamie Leece, Vice President for Peak Products. “Never before have Guitar Hero/Rock Band enthusiasts been able to shred with a hardwood, handcrafted authentic guitar controller that’s built with the look and feel of a real guitar. This will change the way the games are played.”
Peak Products released their Starpex Guitar Hero and Rock Band controller, made from high-gloss lacquered wood including both wired and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity.
All three models of the Starpex Guitar Hero and Rock Band controller are compatible with both the PS2 and PS3. All Starpex controllers have a Speed Starpower/Overdrive button together with a tilt-sensor that will automatically trigger the mode. Solos in Rock Band are supported with buttons high on the guitar’s neck. All models are designed to be modular so new features, whether electronic or guitar body, can easily be added and / or swapped.
Circuit City and various retailers introduced the Starpex guitar controllers with an MSRP of $179.95 in late August, 2008.
About Peak Products
Peak Products is a gaming peripheral company dedicated to providing gamers of the music genre with the very best in instrument quality gaming controllers. Evolving out of a passion for both music and gaming, Peak Products understands the level of precision and quality that both musicians and gamers demand from their equipment. By fusing together the style and craftsmanship of professional grade musical instruments with the comfort and performance of gaming controllers, Peak Products is able to provide the user with an enhanced musical gaming experience. Designed by leading engineers and tested by gamers, Peak Products delivers the look of authentic musical equipment, the feel expected out of any precision instrument, and the score demanded by any serious gamer. Peak Products: Look. Feel. Score.™
Media Contact:
Matt Shumate
Account Supervisor
Max Borges Agency
(305) 576-1171 x15
mattshumate(at)maxborgesagency.com
Peak Products are Exclusively and Proudly Distributed by EBC Marketing Inc.
Copyright 2008 Peak Products. All Rights Reserved
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Comments
"Unlike other Guitar Hero™ and Rock Band™ controllers on the market, this is meant to emulate the experience of playing on a real guitar. The construction of the guitar is a testament to that...The solid wood finish looks fantastic, and feels absolutely great to the touch." - PS3fanboy.com 8/08
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"Cheap plastic ain't exactly rock'n'roll -- which is why this new StarPex PS2 / PS3 guitar controller looks pretty sweet." - Engadget.com 7/15/08
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...No longer will GH / Rockband™ enthusiasts have to settle for a plastic, toy-like guitar controller. They can now step up to the stage with Starpex, making them feel that much more like a true rock star." - GameZone.com 7/08
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© 2008 PEAK PRODUCTS, INC. STARPEX, LOOK. FEEL. SCORE. AND THE FLAMING HAND LOGO ARE ALL TRADEMARKS OF PEAK PRODUCTS, INC. ALL RIGHT RESERVED. PLAYSTATION, PS3 AND PS2 ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT, INC. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED OR APROVED BY SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT, INC. GUITAR HERO IS A TRADEMARK ACTIVISION, INC. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT SPONSORED ENDORSED OR APPROVED BY ACTIVISION, INC. ROCK BAND IS A TRADEMARK OF HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS INC., AN MTV COMPANY. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED OR APPROVED BY HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS INC. OR MTV. ALL CITED TRADEMARKS AND LOGOS THAT ARE NOT OWNED BY PEAK PRODUCTS ARE PROPERTIES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE HOLDERS, AND THESE RESPECTIVE HOLDERS HAVE NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED OR APPROVED THIS PRODUCT
More Background on Go-Peak.com
Go-Peak.com has become an intriguing presence in the niche market of gaming peripherals, particularly for its focus on high-quality, instrument-grade gaming controllers. The website and its associated products, particularly the Starpex guitar controller, have garnered attention for blending the worlds of gaming and music with an emphasis on authenticity and craftsmanship.
History and Origins
The concept behind Go-Peak.com was born out of a desire to create more immersive and realistic experiences for gamers who are also music enthusiasts. The site primarily showcases products from Peak Products, a company dedicated to providing premium-quality gaming peripherals, with a particular emphasis on musical gaming controllers. This commitment to quality is evident in their flagship product, the Starpex guitar controller, which was designed to offer a more authentic experience for fans of games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band.
Launched in the late 2000s, Go-Peak.com became known for introducing the Starpex, a full-size wood guitar controller that replicated the look and feel of a real guitar. This product was targeted at gamers who desired a more realistic and durable alternative to the plastic controllers commonly available at the time. The Starpex stood out for its use of hardwood, a high-gloss lacquered finish, and compatibility with both the PS2 and PS3 gaming consoles. Its launch was met with enthusiasm, particularly among hardcore gaming communities who appreciated the controller's enhanced features and modular design, which allowed for customization and upgrades.
Product Reviews and Reception
The Starpex guitar controller was well-received by both consumers and critics, who praised its build quality and the authenticity it brought to the gaming experience. Reviews from gaming-focused platforms like IGN and GameZone highlighted the controller’s solid wood construction and the tactile feedback it provided, which many found superior to the standard plastic controllers available at the time. IGN, for instance, described the Starpex as a significant upgrade for those seeking a more genuine playing experience, noting that its construction was "a testament to its commitment to quality."
Furthermore, the controller's ability to support both wired and wireless connections, along with its compatibility with major music games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, made it a versatile choice for gamers. This versatility was further enhanced by its modular design, allowing users to change out parts and upgrade their controllers as needed, a feature that was relatively novel at the time.
Press and Media Coverage
Go-Peak.com and Peak Products gained significant media attention around the time of the Starpex’s release. This attention was not just confined to gaming websites but also included mentions in broader tech media outlets. The press coverage often highlighted the Starpex's unique position in the market as a product that bridged the gap between gaming and real musical instrument craftsmanship.
One of the key selling points frequently mentioned in the media was the controller’s use of traditional guitar-making techniques, which set it apart from other gaming peripherals that were often criticized for their lack of durability and cheap feel. This positioning helped Go-Peak.com establish a reputation for quality, and the brand became associated with the idea of bringing professional-grade musical experience into the gaming world.
Audience and Cultural Impact
Go-Peak.com’s products appealed to a niche but dedicated audience. The primary consumers were not just gamers but also individuals who had a background or interest in music. The Starpex controller, in particular, became a symbol of this crossover appeal, attracting those who were serious about both gaming and music. This dual appeal helped Go-Peak.com carve out a unique place in the market, catering to a community that valued authenticity and quality in their gaming accessories.
The cultural significance of Go-Peak.com lies in its contribution to the evolution of music gaming peripherals. By offering a product that could double as both a gaming controller and a real instrument in terms of look and feel, Go-Peak.com pushed the boundaries of what gaming accessories could be. This approach not only enhanced the gaming experience for users but also helped to elevate the status of gaming peripherals, showing that they could be designed with the same attention to detail and quality as traditional musical instruments.
Cultural and Social Significance
The impact of Go-Peak.com and its products extends beyond just the gaming community. The Starpex guitar controller, for example, became a part of the broader conversation about the intersection of gaming and real-world skills. In a time when the gaming industry was often criticized for encouraging sedentary lifestyles, products like the Starpex demonstrated that gaming could be both an enjoyable and enriching experience, promoting dexterity, rhythm, and even an interest in learning to play real instruments.
Moreover, the emergence of such high-quality gaming peripherals reflected broader trends in the gaming industry, where there was a growing demand for more immersive and realistic experiences. This trend can be seen as part of the cultural shift that recognized gaming as not just a form of entertainment but as a legitimate form of art and expression, capable of engaging players on multiple levels, including musically and creatively.
Insights and Future Directions
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the legacy of Go-Peak.com and its products remains relevant. The website and its products highlighted the potential for gaming peripherals to serve as more than just tools for interaction with virtual worlds; they could also enhance the authenticity and enjoyment of these interactions.
Going forward, the lessons learned from Go-Peak.com’s approach to product design and marketing could inform the development of future gaming peripherals. As virtual and augmented reality technologies continue to develop, the demand for high-quality, immersive gaming experiences is likely to grow. Companies that can merge the physical and virtual worlds as effectively as Go-Peak.com did with the Starpex guitar controller will likely find success in this evolving market.
Go-Peak.com represents an important chapter in the history of gaming peripherals, demonstrating the value of combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge gaming technology. Its influence is felt not only in the gaming community but also in the broader cultural context, where it contributed to the ongoing dialogue about the role of gaming in our lives.