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"GIG-IT, a new social game coming to Facebook in May, will let players create 3D concerts featuring virtual versions of famous musicians along with music from the game's library or music available to purchase within the experience. \nPlayers will be able to customize every aspect of the concert such as the music, backup dancers, speakers, opening act, headline performers, wardrobes, sponsors and venue. They will then have the option to share their creations with their friends and followers on Facebook, turning the game into a music-discovery experience.\n\"This ain't no farm.\"\nThat's the motto GIG-IT CEO John Acunto and his team have given the game, taking a jab at and differentiating itself from popular Facebook game FarmVille, FarmVille 2 and similar games. \nGIG-IT launches Tuesday night at a New York City event, where artists who have signed on to be part of the game will attend, including Ne-Yo, Nas, 2 Chainz and Brandy. They're helping promote the game before it becomes available to play in May.\n\"Today, a large chunk of the music business is about social interaction and connecting with our fan base in an unique way,\" 2 Chainz told Mashable. \"GIG-IT's launch onto Facebook is the perfect blend of just that and gives our fans a new way of connecting beyond just listening to our music.\"\nR&amp;B singer Ne-Yo was among the people demonstrating the game on Tuesday. \n\nMore than 50 artists have partnered with GIG-IT to become selectable players in the game. Other than the musicians mentioned above, GIG-IT told Mashable the roster includes Flo Rida, Miguel, Rick Ross, Talib Kweli, Sean Kingston, MGK, Tyga, Slaughter House, Joe Budden and more. \n\"As someone who appreciates social media and technology, I think GIG-IT is a great platform that allows us as artists to engage with our fans in a whole new way,\" Joe Budden said. \"It not only allows us to interact but also encourages artists to become entrepreneurs at the same time by engaging in a new revenue stream for music.\"\n\nThe artists benefit from being part of the game because the game allows them to sell concert tickets or merchandise (i.e. virtual shirts that will be sent to players in the real world) and reach some of Facebook's 1 active billion users to attract new fans while entertaining existing ones. \n\"We're the first artist-supported music game, but It's more than a game,\" Acunto said. \"Everything that an artist is is represented in this game. We worked hard to create a product that artists could get behind.\" \nBONUS: Facebook Home Phone Pulls You Back Into Facebook\n\n\n\nFacebook Home and HTC First Review\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHTC First with Facebook Home's Cover Feed\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHTC First Starts with Google Account Sign In\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook-Home-Setup: The Login\nAs soon as your Google Account is in place, the phone ushers you into Facebook Home.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook-Home-Setup-: Logging In\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook Home with the Clock\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSwipe Left or Right to Scroll Through Updates\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook Home: Cover Feed\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDrag Your Avatar to Access Tasks\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLikes and Engagement Accessible Directly Through Cover Feed\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is How You Make Someone a Chat Head\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChat Head with a Message Alert\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChat Heads Can Appear On Top of Any App\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChat Head Conversations Happen in This Tabbed Interface\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is the Facebook Home App Launcher\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook Home Settings Menu\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook Home's Setup Screen Shows You How to Use It\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTap the HTC First's Menu Button to Access This Screen\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShared Actions\nDon't want to use Facebook Home to launch certain actions? Choose the Android Launcher instead.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook Phone Dial Pad\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegular Facebook Mobile\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGoogle Play Is in There, Too\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTurn Off Facebook Home\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImages courtesy of GIG-IT"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/04/30/facebook-social-music-game-gig-it-concerts/>