X3F Defense Force needs your questions for Harmonix
by Xav de Matos 
{ Sep 27th 2008 at 5:30PM }
The X3FFDF (wow) team has a big interview with Sean Baptiste, manager of community development at Harmonix and need your questions for the momentous occasion. Have a question for the team behind Rock Band 2? Add your inquires to the comments of this post and the X3FFDF team will credit you during the episode. So, what do you want to ask Harmonix?!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
GazzaScotland @ Sep 27th 2008 5:41PM
Are we to post the questions here then I take it?
Why the lack of information or willingness to answer questions about release dates in Europe?
Sidd @ Sep 28th 2008 1:17AM
Since we got Shackler's Revenge from Chinese Democracy, but what about the Guns N' Roses fans who don't consider it to be the "real" Guns N' Roses. Any chance we can expect classic Guns songs from Appetite for Destruction or Use Your Illusion?
DanteSparda504 @ Sep 27th 2008 5:54PM
This is something I have always wanted to ask Harmonix.
"When you pick bands for the game or for DLC do you guys always pick the songs or do the bands sometimes pick the songs out for you guys?"
I hope that comes out right :\
Dark Caboose @ Sep 27th 2008 5:57PM
Yeah your question is comprehendable
bigmac375 @ Sep 28th 2008 12:07AM
Harmonix: Yes we do.
Ahmed Zainal @ Sep 27th 2008 6:05PM
I would love to know when the 20 free DLC songs are gonna be released and what are they? :)
Ken @ Sep 27th 2008 6:10PM
Due to Rock Band 2's lack of a linear single player mode, it's extremely difficult to keep track of your individual score and stars.
Solo tour worked perfectly in Rock Band 1 and could have easily coexisted with Solo World Tour in Rock Band 2. Will there be a patch that creates a single player mode? If not will there at least be patch that will allow the display of stars in the quickplay list?
B @ Sep 27th 2008 6:18PM
Why does the game suck so damn much?
Alex @ Sep 28th 2008 3:27PM
You suck!
PaulStanley the3 @ Sep 27th 2008 7:03PM
lol, you look like dark helmet. my schwartz is bigger than yours.
Aegis @ Sep 27th 2008 7:04PM
When will we see some Pink Floyd in Rock Band 2?
Penguin Warlord @ Sep 27th 2008 7:13PM
About how long on average does it take to create a rock band track? And are you planning on making a rock band 3 or moving in a different direction?
Parsnipzilla @ Sep 27th 2008 7:23PM
Why is Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) recieving the original Rock Band a year after it's release in the US, along with 2 months after the release of the sequel in the US
KoofNoof @ Sep 27th 2008 7:26PM
1) Why was JukeBox mode cancelled?
2) What is the extra port on the back of the new drumset for?
3) What do they think of Activision snagging exclusive rights to Artists?
4) Theres a rumor about Harmonix making a separate game for creating your own music. Any confirmation on this?
Ryan @ Sep 27th 2008 7:56PM
How fast could you knock Brian Bright unconscious?
The Phazer @ Sep 27th 2008 8:08PM
I second asking them about the rediculous state of the European release. Try -
Rock Band 1 has failed in the UK - badly. Is it now time to accept that your attempted profiteering on the instruments was really counterproductive and radically alter the pricing model outside the US, as well as releasing proper information?
Asher @ Sep 27th 2008 8:20PM
-Is there any truth to that awesome AC/DC rumor?
-Why Peace Sells instead of Rust In Peace? Seriously, why?
-Nevermind? Please?
-What's the release date for the 20 free songs?
-What ARE the 20 free songs?
Matt @ Sep 27th 2008 8:21PM
Hey guys,
Matt Jo here from the X3FFDF podcast, good questions so far, keep em coming. Don't forget to check out our earlier episodes on our site and on iTunes.
www.x3ffdf.wordpress.com
El-Connro @ Sep 27th 2008 8:44PM
WHERE IS NEVERMIND?!
Scott @ Sep 27th 2008 9:34PM
Are you somewhat dissapointed in EA's handling of shipping the game worldwide when Activision manages to do so with its Guitar Hero franchise upon release?
Jason @ Sep 27th 2008 10:11PM
WHEN IS THE SKANKTASTICICULARITY THAT IT SKA COMING IN DLC FORM?!
Also, is there a possibility for DLC clothing and the like.
ice~ @ Sep 27th 2008 10:48PM
Yea i got a question:
Can we get the entire staff of Harmonix to smack Robert Plant in the head with plastic guitars over and over until he lets you guys make some Zeppelin DLC??????? I MEAN C'MON FREAKING ZEPPELIN!!!!!!!
philmcphail (Free Mr.ESC!) @ Sep 27th 2008 11:05PM
Why hasn't that Large Hadron Collider killed us yet?
ice~ @ Sep 27th 2008 11:25PM
Because the particles haven't collided yet, and god loves you! But when the particles do collide be prepared to get your @sshole torn into 3 extra-dimensions while dark matter viciously tears through your body :D, but until then, god loves you!
Ninegauger @ Sep 27th 2008 11:11PM
Is there a reason that vox practice is useless? I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm legitimately curious.
Sabbath @ Sep 28th 2008 7:09PM
do you guys have any plans to release a patch for the game. i know alot of people would really like to be able to see the stars next to the scores in the Quickplay menu.
vanrulzz @ Sep 28th 2008 5:01PM
what do you think about the instrumentals? are we going to have some more soon or is YYZ just it for right now?
also as a side note to Sean, ask Heather how things are going with the Apple War. She will know what im talking about (hopefully)
Thanks!
VAN
Asher @ Sep 28th 2008 12:46AM
Not a question but...
I DEMAND that you release an update that makes Visions one HUGE Hammer-on/Pull-off.
Visions=Hard. Really really hard.
ice~ @ Sep 28th 2008 12:26PM
yea lmfao i get all the way to the end of the 7 hour endless setlist only to find Visions...i cried, and bled, but somehow i passed it...you just have to pray my friend...you just have to pray.
GP3632 @ Sep 28th 2008 12:56AM
First of all, awesome game. With that said, here's one of the few things that I REALLY don't like.
Why is the score-tracking system in the game so utterly useless? All it does is show your single highest score next to the song, regardless of the combination of instruments being used? If I'm going to quickplay on guitar, I shouldn't be seeing my drum score displayed next to the song title. I realize you're trying to make the game less about score, but shouldn't the option be there for those who at least want to be able to properly view their scores?
Thanks.
nathan @ Sep 28th 2008 1:08AM
my question is something I've seen discussed over and over on forums, but I've never seen a clear answer to.
In any HMX "rock" games (GH1, GH2, RB1, RB2), are the individual songs listed in order of difficulty within any given tier (IE: Won't Get Fooled Again expert drums tiered as "harder" than run to the hills?), or are we to assume that difficulty is simply tier-based, and that the songs within a tier are in no particular order?
Bill DiMarco @ Sep 28th 2008 2:56AM
RockBand.com Forums have a HUGE thread called Rock Band 2: Request A Feature, Suggestion, or Bug Fix. All us loyal fans have found many problems small and large and we want to know that HMX is watching/listening and if there will be a patch coming?
Murfinator @ Sep 28th 2008 2:42AM
Why haven't HMX improved vocal practice mode?
a21schizoidman @ Sep 28th 2008 2:34AM
Sean, is there a possibility to use the DLC to promote local bands from not around Boston or bands that the players are in, with some sort of a Battle of Forum Bands, I have details here:
http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php? t=70307&highlight=your+band+DLC
mrpoopsy @ Sep 28th 2008 2:40AM
Whats going on with Metallica? Are they still working with you guys or have they decided to go to the dark side ( IE That other game)
Ben @ Sep 28th 2008 2:44AM
Do you ever plan to release more Bang Camaro? I'd buy their whole first album if it was released. ITS SOOOO GOOOOD!
Ash @ Sep 30th 2008 1:45AM
I'm very pleased about all the different genres of music you're including in the Rock Band series. Since we now have our first instrumental song on Rock Band (YYZ by Rush):
Is there any chance of seeing music produced by Virtuoso Guitarists (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Buckethead, Michael Angelo Batio [he's got vocals too!], Yngwie Malmsteen etc) being put up for DLC?
Also, any chance of seeing some guitar-based music featured in other games (such as Final Fantasy, Sonic etc), like the OverClockedRemix fan-created songs/instrumentals/remixes being added?
Thanks.
Rhandos @ Sep 28th 2008 3:17AM
First off, great work on Rock Band! The game hasn't left my disc drive since May.
1) Europe never recieved the instrument symbol gamerpics and themes. Can they be released over here, too?
2) With the recent "drop one instrument out" patch, will something like Ben Folds Five with drums, bass and vocals be possible? One Angry Dwarf would be great to play.
3) Isn't it time for some more EU packs? Ärzte, anyone? ;)
4) Also, thirding more precise EU release date or confirmation of November, even if it's just for the game disc.
etchasketchist @ Sep 28th 2008 5:49AM
Ooooh, ooooh! Please ask him why there's no funk/blues/soul or otherwise African American music in Rock Band.
shadebug @ Sep 28th 2008 5:54AM
As community development manager, do you have any plans to placate the international music gaming community and promote the game to them?
You've missed out on an extremely active festival season which contained many bands featured in RB and your game is, as a rule, not promoted in any stores and certainly not with a demo.
Hungry Samurai @ Sep 28th 2008 8:05AM
What the hell does Awesomeness Detection do?
No really what does it do?
I mean it. What does it ACTUALLY do?
In the event they don't give a straight answer tell them I hate em but they're still awesome.
Willie @ Sep 30th 2008 6:33AM
What is with the lack of certain genres like doom metal, hair metal, hardcore punk, etc.?
FrostyB @ Sep 28th 2008 9:39AM
What happened to the stars being displayed next to the songs for your records? Having just the scores by themselves doesn't mean anything to my friends and I. Could you maybe clarify the reasoning behind this omission?
magilla @ Sep 28th 2008 9:40AM
Why did you (HMX) tell us there was a bass career but the only way to see your scores is to search the leaderboards (a ridiciulous way if you have 300 or more songs)
bdawg95 @ Sep 28th 2008 9:49AM
I want Harmonix to tell us more about the 20 free DLC. More exact release dates like a month or the exact release date, tell us what songs are gonna be in it, or at least tease us with some songs and announce like 5 songs. I dunno, I just want more info on the 20 free DLC.
Skode @ Sep 28th 2008 5:16PM
Youve been sticking with your promise of 500 songs for the end of the year - what can we expect is the target planned for next year?
Macaron @ Sep 28th 2008 12:36PM
How do you guys manage to pick DLC, chart it for 4 instruments, 2 more game types, individual section for each song, each instrument, every single week, and manage being so damn awesome?
cdoe001 @ Sep 29th 2008 5:54AM
Why is the dead the only jam band and not listed as a jam band?
Can we look forward to maybe some live recordings from some jam bands.
WHERE IS PHISH AND STRING CHEESE INCIDENT?
Dan @ Sep 28th 2008 11:38AM
My question is: "Are you guys running out of ideas for songs?" There are thousands of songs that should have been in Rock Band 2, but instead they were replaced by crap."
ExileLord @ Sep 28th 2008 12:28PM
How do overcharted messes like Blackened Solo A and Constant Motion Solo D manage to slip by? It's not as if they are only overcharted slightly. If you slow it down you can hear they're not even close to their real guitar counterpart. There's almost double the amount of notes charted.