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UK studio is preparing for its first iPhone music game release, armed with a major label tracks

UK startup 8linQ is hoping to spearhead a new wave of music games for smartphones and tablets, with its first game Say What?! due to be released on 20 July for iPhone armed with a licensing deal with major label Sony Music Entertainment.

The company is a joint venture between three partners: In Color Music, and Reactify Metropolis Group. The first is a music production company headed by former employees of freestyle games, which formed the Guitar Hero console game development, while the latter is one of the most renowned recording studios in the world.

Based at the studio complex in London, 8linQ has been working on Say What?! for several months, culminating in its launch next week with playable tracks from artists including Calvin Harris, Scouting for Girls, the Zutons and The Nolans.

"The music business needs to capture a new audience," says co-CEO Chris Lee. "Instead of making a game, then license the music, which is much more of a partnership. We think it is a great opportunity to leverage the mobile platform, something that reaches a wider audience to build, and monetize music. "