Konami announces revolutionary Rock Band competitor, Rock Revolution

by Dustin Burg { May 16th 2008 at 10:30AM }

As if the Rock Band copy-catting market wasn't getting saturated enough with Activision's Guitar Hero IV and it's peripheral additions, Konami thought it to be a good idea to get in on the musical fun by announcing their own clone of sorts called Rock Revolution. How revolutionary.

As far as specifics go, we know that Rock Revolution is being developed by SingStar creators Zoe Mode and is planned for a Fall release on all major platforms. Details are light though, but we we can confirm the game will feature at least 40 tracks, the ability to record your own songs, online co-op, online versus, some money making DLC is planned and a behemoth of a drum set (which we're calling "the beast") will be included. Really, this drum peripheral has six pads, a pedal and looks like ... well, we aren't sure what it looks like but it looks daunting. Go ahead, check it out for yourself. Revolutionary, no?

[Thanks, Matt H]

Tags: konami, rock-revolution, zoe-mode

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Yar TTomlliw @ May 16th 2008 10:46AM

Basically, it's gonna need something special to detract from the fanbase of both Rock Band and Guitar Hero, which is established.

I think the Guitar Hero IV drumkit looks interesting and will play differently to Rock Band (with the symbols) but man ... let's face it ... who wants 3 sets of drum kits (each retailing at near enough 60 pounds each) lying about their house?

Either this remains compatible with both sets or Konami are already fighting a losing battle before the game is even released.

HazyCloud @ May 16th 2008 10:41AM

Some of those snippets were the drum parts. Epic fail, Konami. Those notes barely even went along with the song. Hell, the bass pedal could clearly be heard, but no note to hit for it!?!?!

Gosh, it really shows that Harmonix employees are actually musicans. Glad I hopped on the Rock Bandwagon. Now if only I could see the drum parts for GH IV.

chubytuby @ May 16th 2008 4:10PM

most likely, the were playing easy mode or something.

Cameron Adams @ May 16th 2008 10:47AM

Opinion? Cheap ripoff and dull.

The main focus, was pushed to the side. Notes didn't really go and it just didn't look any fun.

I think Konami just want to jump into this new market of music interaction in video games.

Really, I don't think it's a Yes unless it undergoes some drastic changes.

Then again, it could all be too early to tell for sure and it's just a trailer after all.

Ray @ May 16th 2008 10:48AM

Wow that interface hurts my eyes. I am jealous that the game has Skid Row and Mötley Crüe though.

Ray @ May 16th 2008 7:41PM

the character animations seem so boring too!!

Stephen @ May 16th 2008 10:52AM

The market is going to be over saturated with Rock Band copy cats. I was just thinking its about time for me to get Rock Band but then I hear about GH4 having added other instruments so I don't know what to get, definitely not this game though. They need to rename Guitar Hero to Band Hero, although something tells me most of the songs will still be guitar centered.

Ian Murray @ May 16th 2008 10:57AM

UI: A horrendous eyesore and not even close to being on-time.

Changing up the color setup of the already-established "playing-an-instrument" genre: TERRIBLE IDEA.

Drum set layout: Epic Fail. It doesn't even RESEMBLE a real drum set. at least RB got it right. Also, no pedal? What are you THINKING?

Ian Murray @ May 16th 2008 11:09AM

After closer inspection it would appear there is indeed a pedal.

I rescind the statement regarding no pedal, but that doesn't make this whole thing any less of a failure.

elmersglue @ May 16th 2008 11:11AM

RB got it right? 4 circles on a single flat plane got it right?? Please explain to me how the flying fuck the RB drums resembles a real drumset? As if you didn't already sound like a complete idiot, you added the part about "no pedal"...can you not read? there IS a pedal...

If the triangular pads are supposed to be cymbals, then the konami layout isn't half bad, but im still convinced none of them (GH4, RB, or this) have gotten it right.

notpokey @ May 16th 2008 10:59AM

Pretty amusing turn of events, from the company responsible for this:

http://www.beatmaniaiidx.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/gfdmv4.jpg

So I guess now we've come full-circle.

Jolard @ May 16th 2008 11:06AM

As someone who owns both Rock Band and GH 2 and 3, I love my rhythm games. But I have to say this one looks kind of cheep. It is early, but the backgrounds are uninspired (especially after Rock Band's) and the note charts look boring, and not based in the reality of the song. The drum parts especially. Anyone who has played drums in Rock Band (or listened to music) knows that drum parts are generally a string of notes in quick succession with a regular pattern, and then every now and then that pattern changes, or fills are included. The drums tracks on this looked more like easy bass tracks.

The drum kit looks nice though, although there is only room for one drum kit in my home at a time, and so if it isn't compatible with Rock Band, it won't be there. Harmonix has won me over with their passion and non-stop DLC! :)

HazyCloud @ May 16th 2008 11:11AM

QFT, my friend. HMX had me at "weekly DLC."

Boff @ May 16th 2008 12:02PM

Sadly they never had me due to their pricing.

tan @ May 16th 2008 11:14AM

stop hateing on guitar hero!
and even if i do love music rhythm games and own guitar hero 3 twice over=S this game looks like rubbish tbh with you=/ cheap and just boring.
gh and rb both do much better and i think the songs in this game won't be that good...
also i don't really like the look of the drumkit.
i'll be sticking with the two plastic drumkits:)
and about 6 guitars..

Shadowman @ May 16th 2008 11:14AM

Konami started this whole "Guitar Game" Shindig in the Playstation days, they just didn't bring it over here, they also had Drum Mania, before combining them in the PS2 days into Guitar Freaks & Drum Mania V.
Then Guitar Hero came out and showed that they could be in the US and EU territories, whoops looks like Konami did done mess up!
(Also wee! First submitted news posted.)

Tony @ May 16th 2008 11:13AM

Bemani fans will be quick to tell you that Konami invented this concept, but unfortunately this IS a cash i on the success in the US of Rock Band and it seems to be a poor one at that. I can't even get over some of the track selection.

Some of the additions to the gameplay sound interesting if you bother to read the previews (such as Destructoid's), but I don't know if it'll be enough to matter.

Somehow this concept has gone from interesting to oversaturated in a matter of days. The GHIV drum kit was just shown, what, this week? And now here we are with a third design with *another* additional pad? At least GHIV's design makes sense, this one just looks ridiculous.