''Hype'' is a board game published by Virgin Games, Ltd. in 1985 that simulates the rise of unknown rock bands in the music industry.

Description

''Hype'' is a game in which each player begins a pop band and must take their band from performing local shows and recording demos to getting a record deal and flying to gigs on a jet-plane. The first player to get a Number 1 hit is the winner.

History

The game was conceived in 1980 by

Steve Fairnie Stephen Angus Fairnie (21 February 1951 – 22 February 1993) was a British musician, artist and actor, the frontman of the post-punk band Writz, and as one half, with his wife Bev Sage, of the 1980s pop outfit Techno Twins (later just The Tech ...

, lead singer for the British post-punk bands Writz and

The Technos The Techno Twins (later known simply as The Technos) were a British electronic music duo formed in London. Career The band, consisting of husband-wife duo Steve Fairnie and Bev Sage, formed in 1977. In the 1990s, '' Mixmag'' magazine credi ...

. Fairnie recruited Willie Williams, at the time the editor of ''Punty'' fanzine but soon to become the set designer and lighting director for U2. Together, Fairnie and Williams designed the game, and pitched the idea to new games publisher Virgin Games. The result was ''Hype'', a game featuring a circular board and high quality components that was released in 1984. In addition to the lavish game pieces, the game also included a 12" vinyl record by The Technos. However, the expensive components resulted in a hefty price tag of £20, and the game was not a commercial success.

Reception

In Issue 23 of '' Imagine'', Dave Perry questioned its replayability but ultimately liked the game as an occasional diversion, saying, "After numerous playings the joke might lose its sparkle, but for an alternative to your usual gaming, or as a jaunt for the whole family, ''Hype'' has a lot going for it. So if you want to get hip, get ''Hype''!"

References

{{reflist Board games introduced in 1985