djpretzel: I haven't actively tried to hype OCR too much myself - that's not my thing - but through word of mouth and the nature of the net it's gotten some pretty favorable and well-appreciated press. While I'd still be just as dedicated to the site and I think it would mean just as much if it was more obscure, with less visitors and attention, it's nevertheless been rewarding to see more mainstream acceptance - or at least acknowledgement. The additional fans as well as ReMixers this exposure has brought along have also become valued members of the community. Here's a quick overview of some (not all) of the places OCR has popped up, in rough chronological order:
2000
Slashdot
"Arcade Remixes And The Six Million Dollar Cabinet", July 14, 2000
A casual mention on Slashdot brought in a flood of visits and many new eyes and ears seeing OCR for the first time. Amazingly, the site survives and doesn't suffer the dreaded "/. effect". Comments range from very positive to somewhat dismissive, and of course OCR is more than just arcade ReMixes as the topic title suggests, but still pretty cool.
2001
Fark.com
"Video Game music remixes", March 17, 2001
"If it was a videogame tune in the 1980s or 1990s, there is likely an awesome, professional remix of it here. Keeping your childhood alive, one game at a time", December 18, 2004
EDGE Magazine (Canada)
date unknown
First known mention of OCR in print. Some amusing typos ("DR Pretzel") notwithstanding, a nice + favorable write-up as site of the month in this Canadian periodical. However, they certainly didn't dig my Super Mario Jazz Plumber ReMix, and specifically cited it as essentially sucking. Oh well.
TechTV (The Screen Savers)
date unknown
First known mention of OCR on television. VERY cool spot where they actually played two SMB ReMixes (Jazz Plumber - which they seemed to like, I might add and Italian Plumber) side by side and also the original, to illustrate the concept. The online mention is of course shorter and disses the popup ads, but the TV spot was really pretty cool.
2002
Salon
"Hot salsa Tetris", Katharine Mieszkowski, March 18, 2002
The first in-depth article specifically on game ReMixes, which covered OCR as well as other game remix and arrangement sites, and did an excellent & eloquent job of summing up what it's all about. There's some minor issues, but overall this is equitable & solid journalism, and is probably the first to acknowledge what has essentially become a musical subculture on the net. And I'm not just saying that because they gave me the closing quote.
Planet //Rome.ro
"Overclocked Remixes", John Romero, March 23, 2002
Love him or hate him, prominent game industry figure John Romero gives us a nice mention, and you gotta give him some respect no matter who you are for singling out 'Team Gato' in his post.
Penny Arcade
"Choose Your Own Adventure", Jerry "Tycho Brahe" Holkins, April 12, 2002
Tycho and Gabe rule. 'Nuff said.
TechTV
"Site of the Night: Overclocked Remix", Martin Sargent, April 30, 2002
"Saturday, February 28: Site of the Night: Overclocked Remix", Leo Laporte's 2004 Technology Almanac, Martin Sargent, September 8, 2003, ISBN: 0735713693
Electronic Gaming Monthly
"Caught in the Net: Freshly Remixed", #169, page 30, June 2002
EGM magazine! I remember buying the very first issues of this, the largest video game mag in the US, a VERY long time ago - back when it was 'Sega Genesis vs. NEC Turbografx-16 - who will win?'. Quite cool to have one of their editors mail me about being included in an upcoming issue, and even cooler to see it happen. This was directly responsible for many new faces showing up in our forums, and also for getting sgtRama, whose Kirby mix was mentioned, completely stoked. It should be noted that both now and at time of press not all mixes are "handpicked" by me - many go through our judges panel - but the screenshot came out pretty well and is our current, permanent logo as well.
2003
Gamers with Jobs
"(Re)Arranged: An OC ReMix Q&A", Julian Dasgupta, December 21, 2003
2004
G4techTV (Electric Playground)
Tommy Tallarico
SPIN Magazine
September 2004
Slashdot
"Kong in Concert - Donkey Kong Country Arrangements", Binnie Katti, September 13, 2004
Kong in Concert: Press release.
2005
MP3.com
"Video Game Remixes: How, Where, and Why?", Eliot Van Buskirk, February 9, 2005
Slashdot
"DooM Remix Project - The Dark Side of Phobos", David "djpretzel" Lloyd, August 9, 2005
The Dark Side of Phobos: Press release.
SOUNDTRACK.notes
"Doom: The Dark Side of Phobos", Jouni H. Lahtinen, August 9, 2005
The Dark Side of Phobos:
1UP.com
"Gaming's Rhapsody: Third Movement", Nich Maragos, August 18, 2005
PC Gamer (UK)
"Muzak: Doomed Headphones", #154, page 140, November 2005
The Dark Side of Phobos:
SHEI Magazine (University of Michigan)
#12 ("Journey to the West"), December 12, 2005
2006
N-Philes
"Interview with OCRemix's djpretzel", John Ondrey, February 17, 2006
Game.EXE (Russia)
#3, DVD insert, March 2006
Chrono Symphonic:
Game Informer
"Listen Up!", #157, page 119, May 2006
Music4Games
"OverClocked ReMix releases Street Fighter II Turbo remix project", June 7, 2006
Blood on the Asphalt: Press release.
