Have we found the next Still Alive?

[Logan Westbrook]

Jonathan Coulton's Still Alive, is widely acclaimed by gamers as the perfect epilogue to the much-loved Portal, so much so that it is in danger of becoming a meme.

However, does it have a rival in the theme song for the the upcoming game Mercenaries 2?

Here's a little snippet:


The song is called "Oh no you didn't!" and was written especially for the game by Chris Tilton. Personally I love the juxtaposition of mean hip-hop lyrics with the upbeat piano melody, but there's a part of me that wonders if they are't trying to ride Portal's coat tails with this amusing little ditty.

So then, Escapist community, are we looking at a charming eccentricity, or a cynical marketing ploy?

EDT: Sorry for posting a video Virgil, but it seemed the most effective way of kicking the discussion off. That's right folks, I'm getting my apology in early.

 

[MK-Smash]

I love that song.

 

[Bulletinmybrain]

I like this song more then Still Alive, Still alive struck me as meh..

 

[Strafe Mcgee]

It's excellent, but I can't help but feel that they are cashing in on the popularity of Still Alive. Still, I'd far rather hear more quirky and funny songs like this than yet another bombastic score or metal accompaniment to a game. If Still Alive's started a trend, then let it continue for a wee while at least. I'm not prepared to condemn something like this, not at this stage anyway.

 

[shatnershaman]

I like this song more then Still Alive, Still alive struck me as meh..

Stole the words out of my keyboard.

 

[meatloaf231]

I don't know if it will reach the popularity of Still Alive, but it sure is catchy.

 

[Jak The Great]

I find that to truly enjoy Still Alive, you have to have played the other HL games. This one to me is amusing no matter if you played the game before or not

 

[Strafe Mcgee]

I find that to truly enjoy Still Alive, you have to have played the other HL games. This one to me is amusing no matter if you played the game before or not

Not really. The only reference to anything outside of Portal is the "Maybe Black Mesa..." and "When I look out there I'm glad I'm not you..." segments. Apart from that you need no prior knowledge to enjoy the song.

 

[42manZ]

I'm not sure about the next "Still Alive". When I played Portal I had no idea that it was going to be there, it was a surprise, yet from the second it started I was cracking up. That song is part of the trailer/commercial so it won't come as a nice surprise.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

It was a long time before I actually realised "Still Alive" was actually from a computer game...but this...it's almost Stock, Aiken and Waterman.

 

[Decroux]

I think this song comes under the same fitting as that Battlefield: Bad Company add when they're singing 'Mad World' then they argue and end up singing something about momma's cookies. That was pretty damned funny. I couldn't see this song relating to Still Alive really.

Still Alive is also still better.

 

[Theo Samaritan]

The song is on the M2 website btw, Here [http://www.pandemicstudios.com/mercenaries/audio/Oh_No_Full_Length.mp3]

 

[HomeAliveIn45]

I find that commercial to be a little too... I don't know how to describe it, pretentious?

 

[BattlePope]

I'm sure the potential for this to become a trend is there, but I find myself feeling torn between both songs since they are both pretty darn good.

I like the "In Cash We Trust" at 0:06

 

[Nilix]

lol awesome. They should've had the main character slap someone in the face on "Didn't". Would've made it twice as great.

 

[Fire Daemon]

That's sexcellent.

 

[blackadvent]

It's a very catchy tune, but I still prefer Still Alive. Comes close, though.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

I think the direction that video game marketing and especially the role of music in the marketing. Gears of War used Mad World, Assassin's Creed had Teardrop and now Mercenaries 2 gives us this.

I'm even entertaining the vague hope that this 'outside-the-box' thinking in advertising might spread back into game design itself. After all, if a strange advert can sell a game, maybe a strange game could sell too.

 

[shatnershaman]

I'm even entertaining the vague hope that this 'outside-the-box' thinking in advertising might spread back into game design itself.

Hasn't music and game ads usually been together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kle0vau26xQ

 

[qbert4ever]

Love it. I for one can't wait to be cruising down the road with my windows open blasting this song for all to hear and enjoy.