Rock Band

[Nonentity]

I have never been so wet for a game with big plastic instruments.

Harmonix and MTV announced their magnum opus, with crateloads of original recordings for all the tracks.

But basically, Guitar Hero (guitar/bass) + drums + microphone.

Here's the pressy:

HARMONIX, MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION AND EA ANNOUNCE Rock Band - THE ULTIMATE INTERACTIVE MUSIC VIDEOGAME EXPERIENCE

Creators of Guitar Hero(tm) Franchise Partners with Major Record Labels and Music Publishers for Unprecedented Access to Artist Catalogs and Original Masters for New Game

CAMBRIDGE, MA - April 2, 2007 - Harmonix, developer of the blockbuster Guitar Hero(tm) franchise, MTV: Music Television, a division of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced Rock Band, an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before. Rock Band will allow gamers to perform music from the world's biggest rock artists with their friends as a virtual band using drum, bass/lead guitar and microphone peripherals, in addition to offering deep online* connectivity. Built on unprecedented deals with the world's biggest record labels and music publishers, the music featured in Rock Band will span all genres of rock and include many of the master recordings from the biggest songs and artists of all time. Rock Band is slated for release on PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360(tm) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft(R) in holiday 2007.

The leading music publishers - EMI Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music - are allowing unrivaled access to their catalogs of incredible songs for use in Rock Band. The record labels - EMI Music, Hollywood Records, Rhino Entertainment (Warner Music Group), Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Universal Music Enterprises - have agreed to supply master recordings by their artists for use in the game.

"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."

"Our vision for Rock Band is to completely change the way people interact with and enjoy the music they love," said Jeff Yapp, EVP, MTV Program Enterprises. "By joining forces with EA and the music industry's largest record labels and publishers, we are striving to create a groundbreaking new platform that allows people to connect with their favorite music and artists in ways they never have before."

"Rock Band is a revolutionary new way for gamers and music fans to experience music," said David DeMartini, said vice president and general manager of EA Partners. "The team at EA Partners is thrilled to help MTV and Harmonix launch this incredible game on the global stage and get it into the hands of gamers worldwide."

As previously announced, Electronic Arts will serve as the exclusive distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band, managing distribution for the game in US, Europe and Australia.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockbandgame.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

[schild]

Not gonna work.

They're sticking party game inside of my competitive high score game.

That angers schild.

Edit: By the way, it's not gonna work because most people sound like shit when they're singing. Oh, and they can't keep a beat, as Taiko Drum master showed us.

[murdoc]

Give me Drum Hero over this game. Nobody is going to want the singing parts.

[MrHat]

It's ok by me if you can shut off the vocals.  No one in my group out here wants to sing.  Dual guitar + drums? Yes please.

Better off adding 'random dancing chick' to it and popping in DDR.

[stray]

Ironically, even though I like playing guitars, I'd rather sing in this game. 

[Nonentity]

Guitar Hero introduced me to a love of guitars.

If I can sing, my already preferred musical instrument - well, then it's just that much more awesome.

I happen to hang out with a bunch of musicians who love games (esp. GH2), so I'm not horribly concerned.

[Samwise]

I like Karaoke Revolution, I like Guitar Hero, I like Donkey Konga.  This game can't miss.

[Nija]

I can't wait to see the first video of someone doing drums + guitar + singing and getting 5 stars on expert.

[Samwise]

I'm not keen on trying to drum with my foot, but I imagine doing guitar+vocals simultaneously will be fun.

[WayAbvPar]

I was planning to buy a 360 this week to play GHII. Unfortunately, they haven't dropped at all in price yet, so I may have to wait until holiday 2007 now. If not, at least I will know there is another game coming if I break down and buy one before then  :-D

[schild]

Another game? Another 30 games. 360 is HOT this year.

[WayAbvPar]

I am talking about justifying it to my wife. It might be more palatable if she knows there are more party-type music games (she loved Karaoke Revolution and liked GH when she tried it at Fur's place).

She is probably right though- I spend so much time playing PC games that a 360 just isn't worth the price atm.

[schild]

Playing PC Games.


RLY? Maybe that's because you don't have a 360.

[Nebu]

I find it easier to play real guitar than the guitar hero game.  I think I'm broken. 

Drum hero would be a cool idea.  I'd definately buy the Neal Peart limited edition.

[Big Gulp]

I'm waiting for Accordion Hero.  Lederhosen, beer and polka?  Shit yeah, now that's a party game.

[Azazel]

Plus you can get a really good Weird Al vibe going, too!

I am talking about justifying it to my wife. It might be more palatable if she knows there are more party-type music games (she loved Karaoke Revolution and liked GH when she tried it at Fur's place).

She is probably right though- I spend so much time playing PC games that a 360 just isn't worth the price atm.

I bought GH1/2 on an impulse, and thought my wife "might like it a bit". She plays the damn things for about 2 hours every night. She's become a GH catass. Buy it as something "for us". Maybe you'll be as lucky?


This upcoming game sounds potentially quite good, I'd hope it's compatable with the GH guitar though, and also hope that it works just fine with whichever Band members you don't have.

[bhodi]

I'm waiting for Accordion Hero.  Lederhosen, beer and polka?  Shit yeah, now that's a party game.

Your wish is my command

[MrHat]

I am talking about justifying it to my wife. It might be more palatable if she knows there are more party-type music games (she loved Karaoke Revolution and liked GH when she tried it at Fur's place).

She is probably right though- I spend so much time playing PC games that a 360 just isn't worth the price atm.

Heh.  That's what mine said, so I was able to justify a new 22" monitor over a 360.

[Sky]

I don't have to justify to my girlfriend, but she is correct in telling me not to get a 360. I have a pile of games for the pc I haven't finished. Hell, I didn't build my new pc until I went through a pile of games I had for my /old/ pc. Hell, I'll probably cancel my LotRO pre-order, not because I don't like the game (it's a fine diku), but because I don't have the time to play it.

You kids and your free time.

[MrHat]

So help me God if the controllers aren't wireless.


All of them.

[Riggswolfe]

Rock band sounds sort of cool. Do they have downloadable content in GH2? As in you can download new songs? If not, this band game better have it.

[Samwise]

The XBox 360 version of GH2 has downloadable content.  Including all the songs from GH1.

[schild]

Yep. They're releasing the GH1 songs in packs every week. No doubt, this is to get new songs ready for download immediately after republishing all the GH1 stuff.

[WayAbvPar]

The XBox 360 version of GH2 has downloadable content.  Including all the songs from GH1.

Holy fuck. Now I MUST have this. I was bitter that I wouldn't be able to play "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" until my fingers bled on GHII.

[Nonentity]

Bark at the Moon is slated to be in the first content pack.

Ho ho ho.

[HAMMER FRENZY]

Man i am so freaking excited about rockband. only because i have already decided that schild is on my band and that when he is drunk he will sing and we will jam so hard that jesus will cry. I am gonna be the most awesome lead guitarist eva. we need a drummer.

Schild: they can keep the score attack mode totally alive in this. have a mode for individual and team score attack. it will be hot. by the way you are in our band. 

[Signe]

I've already started a fan club for you so you'll have groupies!  These three have already signed on:

[HAMMER FRENZY]

ooooh...man fattys go to schild.

[schild]

The lead guitarist doesn't jump on grenades depth charges, sorries.

[Phildo]

Dibs on the one with the blue hair.  She looks like she digs drummers.

[schild]

Ookii can have the downy girl in the middle since he sings like a downy boy.

[Margalis]

Man, for the amount of effort it takes to get a bunch of people together and play fake instruments I'd rather just form a real band.

Maybe that's just me but these music games have never appealed to me at all. It seems silly to spend time practicing a fake guitar game when I could be practicing actual guitar.

[Triforcer]

Man, for the amount of effort it takes to get a bunch of people together and play fake instruments I'd rather just form a real band.

Maybe that's just me but these music games have never appealed to me at all. It seems silly to spend time practicing a fake guitar game when I could be practicing actual guitar.

I hope your FPS philosophy is different, given that I live in the same town as you 

[WayAbvPar]

Man, for the amount of effort it takes to get a bunch of people together and play fake instruments I'd rather just form a real band.

Maybe that's just me but these music games have never appealed to me at all. It seems silly to spend time practicing a fake guitar game when I could be practicing actual guitar.

I hope your FPS philosophy is different, given that I live in the same town as you 

 :-D :-D :-D :-D

[Furiously]

Man, for the amount of effort it takes to get a bunch of people together and play fake instruments I'd rather just form a real band.

Maybe that's just me but these music games have never appealed to me at all. It seems silly to spend time practicing a fake guitar game when I could be practicing actual guitar.

I hope your FPS philosophy is different, given that I live in the same town as you 

Or god forbid someone says GTA is a fun game.