Chris Epting | Noisecreep
Shannon Tweed has jumped into the video game realm with Attack of the Groupies, a new mobile game which offers fans the opportunity to battle it out with hordes of groupies.
In the game, which is available for the iPad, iPhone and PC, Shannon enlists the help of a few trusty sidekicks, daughter Sophie Tweed-Simmons and her sister Tracy Tweed, who are in game as focal characters. Featuring stereotypical groupies inspired by Tweed’s stories of her years being with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons, the game allows players to unlock exclusive, rarely seen content of the life of the starlet.
As design of the game neared completion, Gogii CEO and founder George Donovan visited the family and made a surprise appearance on Gene Simmons Family Jewels, the popular A&E reality show that features the Simmons clan, to demo the game. The episode featuring the game will air early in the upcoming season.
Noisecreep had the extreme pleasure of talking with Shannon herself about the game, the show’s new season and more.
Shannon, what’s it like to finally get some revenge against the groupies?
Believe me, you can’t make this shit up. These girls are out of their minds. So this feels really good right now. The characters were my ideas, and Sophie’s, and they are true to form. As far as choice of weapons, we kept it PG this time so kids can play with it, but I’d like to do a more hardcore version of the whole thing down the line. Basically it’s a power game – these are bitches from hell we deal with, just like in real life.
What are the challenges like in real life?
The difference, for me, between a fan and a stalker, is that one of them buys your albums, and goes to the shows, and buys the merchandise. That’s the fan. The other one dresses up like a hooker and goes to the shows, doesn’t buy anything, tries to sneak backstage and steal your boyfriend. So we’ve got a problem. This is where we cross paths. In the game we try to keep them from getting anywhere near the stage and there are several ways and weapons for us to do that. They know who they are. And they’ve had this coming for a while [laughs].
Gogii Games
How does Gene like the game?
Gene has not tried it yet! He’s chicken! And he’s not that technologically savvy in terms of gaming and stuff. Then again, Gene Simmons may not want to actually kill the groupies
Shannon, kidding aside, is the game also a cautionary tale?
It is. I mean look, this stuff is true. But I never noticed it much before our TV show. You know, you’re living your life and you just don’t notice as much. But when the reality show kicked in, looking at so much of the footage, I started seeing things that were not so cool. I was raising my kids most of the time, you think most of what you hear is just bravado, but then you see it on tape and it is very real and something has to give. That’s where this game comes in – it’s my way of taking care of business that I know goes on.
Speaking of the show, anything you can tell us about the upcoming season?
Well, the new season focuses a little on the video game and also on Gene as he has promised to try to revamp his life as it were. And I am trying to encourage him that he can still take pictures with fans and even groupies without grabbing them or doing other things – there’s a happy medium between not taking any pictures at all and taking care of your fans and then being stupid! Depending on how he does will determine whether I decide to kill him in his sleep [laughs]. And Nick has got to move out of the house. He is 23 and I cannot get rid of him! Not that I really want to, but I know it’s the healthy thing to do.
Has the show had a big effect on your lives, away from the camera?
We had a solid family core going in, and part of the reason is because I stayed home to take care of the kids while Gene was touring and gallivanting around. The other side of the coin is that Gene is a very good role model for them in other ways – he has a strong work ethic, he doesn’t drink or do drugs – we keep the lines of communication open and it’s worked for us. The kids always did great in school, they have always have done what they are supposed to do – so while the show has brought some things to thing to light that might be challenging, the kids were old enough to handle things because the timing was right – they were already young adults when we went on the air.
Lastly, we saw you recently at a function with Gene for the troops- you seem as affected by it all as Gene is.
We never forget what the troops are doing. I’ve been at enough deployments to know there is nothing sadder than watching kids and spouses say their goodbyes to loved ones so yes, I’m very affected by it. I’m now trying to get Gene involved in helping Canadian soldiers, too.
Shannon Tweed’s Attack of the Groupies is available now in the iTunes App Store. The new season of Gene Simmons Family Jewels premieres on Monday, May 28 at 9/8c on A&E.