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Blog: Software Harmonix's Next Game: Rock Band
Marcus Yam (Blog) - April 2, 2007 11:40 PM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 8 comment(s) - last by noirsoft.. on Apr 3 at 5:27 PM
Harmonix to introduce drummer and vocalist to Guitar Hero

For the most part, I’m musically and rhythmically challenged. (I’ve scared more than my fair share of women and small children with my stints on local DDR machines.) There’s only a couple rhythm-based games that really strike of chord with me… yes, that would be Guitar Hero.

On the eve of Guitar Hero II’s release on Xbox 360, Harmonix and its new publisher EA announced the next new music game currently in the works: Rock Band. The title is set to appear at the end of this year on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and is boasting “deep online connectivity.”

Rock Band looks not only to make gamers into guitar heroes but also drum masters and sing stars, if you catch my drift. Perhaps due to EA’s enormous pull, Rock Band will feature “master recordings” of many of its songs, something Guitar Hero never had. Record labels EMI Music, Hollywood Records, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Enterprises and Group’s Rhino Entertainment have agreed to supply master recordings by their artists for use in the game.

Up until this point, all successful rhythm games have taken one sole aspect of music as its primary game mechanic, be it dancing, strumming, singing or tapping. Adding drums and vocals on top of Guitar Hero is like combining three games into one. I’m a little skeptical of a game that mixes all musical roles of a band into one play cohesive mechanic, but if any developer could pull it off, it’d be Harmonix.

“Harmonix was founded to create new ways for everyone to experience the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from playing music.  Our work on Guitar Hero was an instrumental step toward that goal,” stated Alex Rigopulos, co-founder and CEO of Harmonix. “But Rock Band is Harmonix’s most ambitious project to date, and it will take music gameplay to an entirely new level. MTV has given us the freedom and the resources to really swing for the fences and make the game we’ve always wanted to make.”

I’m very excited about Rock Band and can’t wait to see the set list. The only thing that worries me now is EA’s habit of taking a successful game concept and turning it into an endless string of sequels and spinoffs (The Sims, anyone?).

Let’s just hope that we’ll never see Boy Band.

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awesome
By Moishe on 4/3/2007 8:11:03 AM , Rating: 2
This kind of game really is cool and lends itself well to groups. I wish they would sell it for the PC and the Wii. I think the Wiimote would lend itself well to this.




RE: awesome
By Spivonious on 4/3/2007 10:03:12 AM , Rating: 2
I could see the Wii remote being used for the drumming, but singing and guitar playing?


RE: awesome
By kristof007 on 4/3/2007 11:52:57 AM , Rating: 2
Actually it is getting made for the Wii:

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3157049

Now as for PC gamers (myself included) we get the short end of the stick. I bought an Xbox 360 for that reason. GH II comes out today for the 360. Personally I am picking it up over the weekend.


RE: awesome
By Marcus Yam on 4/3/2007 2:06:43 PM , Rating: 2
That's an Activision CEO saying that the company will be bringing Guitar Hero to Wii.

Activision holds the rights to Guitar Hero, but Rock Band is an EA/Harmonix/MTV thing. Activision comments likely would not apply. :)


By Ytsejamer1 on 4/3/2007 2:38:00 PM , Rating: 2
I haven't played Guitar Hero (i've seen it played though) or other stuff from that, but I'm hoping Harmonix can do some good with the concept. So many people love music, but aren't quite adept enough to play the instrument. I hope this works out.

Just thinking out loud here...the thing that comes to mind with label support when it comes to "rock" is TV's Rockstar. It was such a terrible experience when it came to the music pushed or allowed to be reproduced on tv. For example, you mean to tell me that Tommy Lee, Jason Newsted, and Gilby Clark care if you can sing some crappy Nirvana or REM song...or perhaps another REM song?!?!?

The point being before I get way off topic is that I truly hope that they're able to get some really kick a** music included in the game. Who wouldn't love to try and reproduce Metallica's 'One' or Dream Theater's 'Mirror'?!?! :) Don't forget about a Van Halen tune or two....




By Marcus Yam on 4/3/2007 4:07:18 PM , Rating: 2
Personally, I'd be in heaven if they'd simply fill the soundtrack with Liquid Tension Experiment.

Judging from your handle, I'm guessing that you'd agree. :)


By noirsoft on 4/3/2007 5:27:02 PM , Rating: 2
They'd have to add support for usb music keyboards (or MIDI interfaces) to do LTE, as Jordan's keys are an integral part of the sound.

At least it wouldn't require any custom hardware.


By spwrozek on 4/3/2007 5:04:11 PM , Rating: 2
What I like about both GH I&II is that they have a very diverse music selection. They realize you cannot make the game with only one genre of music. They have oldies, 80's, new rock. So you may not like REM but just beat the song once and never play it again. Some people may not want to play Metallica. Sure if the game had all the 'kick a**' music that you like on it you would enjoy the game but what about me? I may hate the game. It has to be a diverse amount of rock from the 60's to today or the game will not be for everyone.


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