Rock Band posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Hacker makes mini-sized Rock Band drums

by Kyle Orland { Mar 4th 2008 at 3:55PM }

Want to quiet down the extremely loud clackety-clack of the Rock Band drum kit? You could simply use a few circles of foam rubber, or, if you're like hacker David Yoon, you can create your own extremely cute miniaturized drum kit for quiet, pencil-stick, desktop drumming.

The hack, which includes a foot pedal made from two sandwiched CDs, has the added bonus of being playable in an extremely enclosed space and/or by an extremely agile mouse. So if you have either of those things (and a bit of technical know-how), give it a go. If you have neither, well ... just enjoy the picture.

[Via Engadget]

Rock Band guitar gets real string mod

by Kyle Orland { Feb 5th 2008 at 2:00AM }

Practically anyone who's played Guitar Hero and/or Rock Band has probably come across that one jerk who just can't help denigrating the simple fun of the rhythm game experience. "That's not even close to playing a real guitar," he'll say in a snide, nasally voice. "The guitar doesn't even have strings!" Well, if you want to show up that pompous prick, may we suggest you queue up the below video of a modded, stringed Rock Band guitar on a laptop and then RUB IT IN HIS FACE AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Ahem. Anyway, while this single-stringed beast still has a ways to go to match a real six-string guitar, it looks like it captures the axe-grinding experience a little more authentically. Here's hoping that some sort of officially licensed, purchasable version of this type of guitar will be available soon.

[Via Engadget]

Continued →

Cheaper indie Rock Band DLC raised to standard price

by Kyle Orland { Feb 1st 2008 at 4:30PM }

Update: It's been brought to our attention that Harmonix originally announced that these songs would be available "for a limited time ... at a special holiday price of $0.99." Joystiq regrets the implication that the price increase was unannounced.

Price-conscious and/or pretentious Rock Band fans were understandably giddy when Harmonix decided to release five downloadable indie tracks for the bargain price of 99 cents (or the equivalent number of Microsoft points) in late December. We hope those fans didn't procrastinate, though, because the price for all five tracks has been raised to the more conventional $1.99 as of yesterday.

~~While there was no indication at the outset that the lower price would be in any way temporary~~, (see above update) The increase has been rumored for a couple of weeks now. When Harmonix announced the Rock Band DLC program they said individual track prices would range anywhere from $0.99 to $2.99, but they also stressed that the "vast majority" of tracks would hit the $1.99 sweet spot.

Does this increase mean that future songs are less likely to be released at 99 cents? "I don't think that's necessarily what it means," said a spokesperson for MTV/Harmonix, though he added that future 99 cent releases would probably "be the same situation, with the discounted price for a limited time." We've asked for confirmation of the official policy on this score and will let you know if and when we hear back about it.

[Thanks, Keith]

Rock Band Stage Kit coming to GameStop in June

by Griffin McElroy { Jan 13th 2008 at 9:00PM }

We're not exactly sure how to react to the recent announcement of the Rock Band Stage Kit, a peripheral for the already peripheral-heavy rhythm game. It's meant to enhance your experience with a (supposedly) fully synchronized light and smoke stage show -- we imagine the only thing it will truly enhance is your sense of regret, which will sink in when you realize that you'll never see that $99.99 ever again.

At the same time, the idea of complete immersion into one of our favorite games of last year excites us to no end -- we only hope they release themed stage kits shortly after the first kit tanks. Perhaps a Flaming Lips kit, complete with costumed fly dancers and two-hundred pounds of confetti? Or, better yet, a GWAR kit, stuffed full of giant rubber wangs and Hitler masks. Can peripherals get an AO rating?

Conan eases writers strike boredom with Rock Band

by Griffin McElroy { Jan 5th 2008 at 11:30AM }

It would seem that Conan (the Late Night talk show host, not the barbarian) had a lot of time on his hands since the Writers Guild of America put down their pencils, pens and iBooks in order to get their fair share of the royalties pie, and, as a result, put his show on hiatus for nearly two months. When he wasn't frittering time away planning his grand return to Late Night or growing an unsettling beard, the Cone Zone killed time with a game that many of us cuddled up to during the rerun-filled winter months -- Rock Band.

As seen about a minute into the video (which, funnily enough, probably isn't netting any royalties for any writers), Conan chooses to sing the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" in the style of Edith Bunker. It's great, but we prefer our version of Faith no More's "Epic", where we do an alarmingly accurate impression of Lamar from Revenge of the Nerds. What flourishes you add to your Rock Band vocal performances to coax precious lulz from your bandmates?

Also, we missed you, Conan. Please don't do that to us again.

(Thanks to everyone who sent this in!)

Stop flubbing lines, learn Rock Band's lyrics

by Dan Dormer { Nov 20th 2007 at 3:00PM }

Look, forgetting the lines of a song mid-show is only allowed in one of two instances. One: You, and the boys (or girls) drank Patron pre-show thinking just because the stuff was clear it was as non-alcoholic as water. Two: There is no other excuse. It's a lack of professionalism, an adherence to the creed and code of rock and roll that'll separate you from the other local dive bar bands on your way to gold plated records, "phat" cribs, and a VH1 "Behind the Music" special.

Because you might not be familiar with all the songs in Harmonix's Rock Band, we decided to take care of you, loyal readers. Beneath the break, we've linked the lyrics for the vast majority of the game's set list, minus some of the bonus songs. Well, what are you waiting for? Start learning those lyrics and paving your pathway to success.

Continued →

Metareview: Rock Band (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

by Dan Dormer { Nov 19th 2007 at 5:00PM }

Okay, ladies, time to get the spandex, tune those guitars, and get ready to melt faces -- it's Rock Band Eve, which is Christmas Eve with more metal and glitter. Tomorrow we celebrate the day when, unto us, a game will be delivered, and with it the promise of salvation from being forced to play Guitar Hero III by ourselves ... late at night ... in our boxers.

There's been plenty hullabaloo surrounding the launch of Harmonix's Rock Band, and be certain to check back tonight (11/19/2007) for our liveblogging of the launch. But what about the actual game? Is it the death nail in Guitar Hero's coffin, or does the overly ambitious Rock Band need to take some things to heart for their inevitable sophomore effort? The Metareview, as always, contains the answers you seek, dudes and dudettes.

OXM (95/100): "Rock Band is the ultimate role-playing game - the only way to win is to completely commit as a guitarist, bassist, drummer, or singer and do your part for the fellowship of meta-musicians sharing the virtual stage. And if you can lower your shield of shyness to let the game in, you're richly rewarded as the collective joy of making music pours back out. Unlike other games, the Rock Band payoff isn't visceral or technical; it's emotional."
IGN (94/100): "Metallica, The Ramones, The Rolling Stones -- these are some of the legendary bands in rock. And now, thanks to Harmonix's Rock Band, you and your friends can join the legendary pantheon of rock gods. The latest game from Harmonix ups the ante on other music titles by combining guitars, drums, and singing into one awesome package. You and your friends will rock out with some of the greatest bands in history. And Fall Out Boy. While Rock Band doesn't offer the insanely intense (and perhaps impossible) challenge of Guitar Hero III, it's a game that everyone will have fun playing. This may just be among the best party games ever released."
1UP (90/100): "Its critical appraisal isn't easy; music is culturally ingrained in us, and as a tool, a relatively inexpensive gateway for people to come together and experience it together, Rock Band easily delivers on what it promises. Actually feeling like a rock star -- for most people under 40, the next best thing to a superhero or a T-Rex -- is transcendently entertaining. Guitar Hero is still the way to go for lone wolves, but if you have the space, the manpower, and the means, Rock Band unquestionably, unequivocally rocks."

Rock Band impressions ... from a Best Buy kiosk

by Dan Dormer { Nov 5th 2007 at 1:55PM }

When we heard of the existence of a Rock Band demo station at Best Buy locations throughout the country, we knew what had to be done: find the station, rock out in torn Posion tees and acid wash jeans while refusing to give toddlers a turn, have management escort us off the premises, and report back.

We've taken care of the previous steps (who knew 50-year-old Gladys would have a gorilla grip), and now it's time for us to drop a knowledge bomb on all y'all. Here it is: Rock Band rocks.

Continued →

EA: Rock Band may face shortages through year's end

by Kyle Orland { Nov 2nd 2007 at 10:59AM }

Continuing their tradition of sitting in on droning investor earnings report calls (so you don't have to!) Gamasutra noticed EA president John Riccitiello predicting that Rock Band bundles may be tough to come by for a while. "We won't be able to put up enough inventory to meet the demand of this fiscal or calendar year," Riccitiello told the investors, adding that those who don't buy at launch "won't be getting one for Christmas, unless you know someone at one of our retailers."

While Riccitiello could be plausibly accused of simply trying to talk up demand in advance of the Nov. 20 launch -- he did encourage listeners to "get in line outside your favorite retailer, because we've got one hot product" -- we find the idea of shortages very easy to believe given the game's strong pre-order sales. With Guitar Hero III already selling out at retailers nationwide, it looks like the market for rhythm games might just be big enough for two expensive, hard-to-come-by products.

Sexy shots of Xbox 360 Rock Band USB hub

by Kyle Orland { Oct 30th 2007 at 11:40AM }

Some may think Rock Band's Fender Stratocaster-inspired guitar is the sexiest thing in that ~~$200 box~~ [correction: $170 box!], but they're forgetting about the USB hub that Xbox 360 players will be using to plug in all those wired instruments. We have to admit, we got a little hot and bothered when we first spied the above picture of the sleek, stylishly-designed four-port hub.

1UP has even more naughty, gratuitous shots of this bad boy, and baby oh baby, they are smoking. We just can't wait until we get to fondle that hot piece of tech for ourselves come Nov. 20. *Drool*

Update: We just noticed that this hub seems to require external power from an A/C adapter wall unit. Significantly less sexy ...

Impromptu E3 gathering wants Rock Band, dead or alive

by Kyle Orland { Jul 13th 2007 at 7:42AM }

To anyone who might still doubt that Rock Band can instantly create a party, any time, anywhere, check out the above video of an impromptu gathering at the E3 2007's Fairmont hotel. Remember, these are highly jaded journalists and developers, coming to hang out and play a game after the formal show has ended for the day. If they're singing along, just imagine how much your friends will get into it.

Overheard@E3: Analysts like Rock Band

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 12th 2007 at 1:00PM }

The Rock Band and Bethesda parties were crazy last night -- and everyone is ready to go back to work this morning. The analysts who look into their crystal ball and tell us the future seem to be liking Rock Band, the next game from Harmonix. This morning, outside the EA room at LeMerigot, a cluster of analysts were talking and one mentioned the game, "Rock Band, I was watching them play. This guy, on the drums, I mean, you have to be good."

Attend the Rock Band party vicariously through the magic of video

by Kyle Orland { Jul 12th 2007 at 5:55AM }

You've seen the pictures. You've read the psuedo sort-of liveblog. Now, check out Joystiq's exclusive video of EA/MTV/Harmonix's Rock Band Party at LA's historic Troubadour bar. Apologies for the sound and picture quality at parts -- the lighting and speakers weren't exactly specifically tuned for our pocket shaky-cam. Be prepared to turn the volume down ... to 11!

Rock Band party: Pseudo-anti live blog

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 12th 2007 at 2:00AM }

This is rock n' roll! Connection is awful and we're probably going to finish this off later, but Harmonix's Rock Band party is the place to be! Energy is high, music rocks, Gamecock brings their hardcore style and it's just everything that can be rock and roll in here. Oh, and Peter Moore can RAWK! Not one pause, more on that in video form later!

Helen from Harmonix (pictured above) brought down the house with Peter, far better than what we saw in the Microsoft press conference. Jay from Gamecock says he's pro Eagles of Death Metal who are playing. We also got Andy McNamara from Game Informer who says, "Queens of Stone Age (who are also playing) are riff masters." More on all of this later.

Gallery: Rock Band Party

Rock Band to have weekly DLC, Full Album downloads, and Metallica

by David Dreger { Jul 11th 2007 at 7:25PM }

Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos announced that Rock Band has some serious plans for delivering content to players. First off, Harmonix plans to release new music tracks every week. They can be released in singles, multi track bundles, or more deliciously, full albums. As an example Alex announced that The Who's Who's Next would be available for download following the game's release.

As icing on the proverbial cake, selections spanning Metallica's musical career will be made available, with "Enter Sandman" playable on the retail disc. All in all, Harmonix is pushing Rock Band more as a platform than just a game, and we couldn't agree with the prospect more. We'll be back with hands on impressions and a proper tribute to Weezer as soon as we can.