Interestingly, while the E3 tech demo was based solely around the concept of conducting the orchestra using the Wii remote as a baton, this improved take on the concept will allow players to directly control of up to six band members using both motions and button presses, with Wii Music offing an impressive selection of 40 different types of instruments with which to outfit your band, leading us to believe that the game will support a wide array of music styles, though no details along this line have been announced. Wii Music is expected to ship in Japan sometime next year, however it's anyone's guess when the game will make the rounds to either North America or Europe.
Nintendo details Wii Music
Interestingly, while the E3 tech demo was based solely around the concept of conducting the orchestra using the Wii remote as a baton, this improved take on the concept will allow players to directly control of up to six band members using both motions and button presses, with Wii Music offing an impressive selection of 40 different types of instruments with which to outfit your band, leading us to believe that the game will support a wide array of music styles, though no details along this line have been announced. Wii Music is expected to ship in Japan sometime next year, however it's anyone's guess when the game will make the rounds to either North America or Europe.
Today's more-than-tech-demo-video: Wii Music
See the clip after the break.
Continue reading Today's more-than-tech-demo-video: Wii Music
Rock Band's virtual venues unveiled
In an accompanying interview, Rock Band's senior artist Peter McDonald explains that the fancy venues provide not only bigger crowds, but also more spectacular stage effects and sophisticated camera work (read: "crazy crane shots"). Have a look for yourself at places like "Heebie Jeebie's," "Empire Square Garden" and "The Snake Pit" by clicking that Read link.
[Thanks, Whymog]
Seven first-party downloadable PSP titles coming 2008
According to sources speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, the first-party septet encompass three action games, two music-based games, one shooter and one racer (where does Calling All Cars fit into that list?). They will be approximately one-half to one-third the size of current UMD disks and are intended to provide two to ten hours of gameplay.
Sony is also reportedly courting developers to provide more original titles to the network. No other details are currently available. The PlayStation Store, currently only accessible via the PS3, will be available through the PC and PSP next year.
Rock Band FAQ: Part 1
- No other hardware combinations have been announced yet beyond the standard (guitar, drum, mic) bundle. And yes, the bass guitar is just a second guitar controller which you probably have lying around ...
- ... because Harmonix will keep an "open platform philosophy" and games will be compatible with third-party controllers "that conform to the various platform controller standards."
- If you're short on guitars but want to play head to head, the online play will be both cooperative and competitive.
- The Xbox 360 gee-tar will come with a USB hub (remember the guitar in the bundle is wired).
- A Wii version has not been announced ... yet.
SingStar PS3 can't find the stage, release delayed
Reasons for the delay are not given, but the prominent theories are licensing issues and PSN problems. Sony says this delay will give them more time to test the SingStar PSN content "to ensure that it is as rich, simple and accessible a SingStar experience as possible." Don't fret Euro SingStar faithful, by the time the PS3 version comes out you'll be able to purchase a cheaper PS3 model and play all your PS2 SingStars on it too ... oh wait, no you won't. Oh well, there's always the SingStar PS2 bundle.
Quick Amazon lesson on GH III supply and customer service
A representative for Amazon tells Joystiq, "Our third party vendors control their own list prices, which can factor in shipping and sales tax costs. Ultimately, the choice lies with the customer to decide who they want to purchase from so that they get the best shopping experience on Amazon.com." For the best example of how things can go when Amazon isn't the direct seller, a "new" Wii is currently on Amazon for $370. That is currently the cheapest you can get it from an authorized third-party retailer. When it becomes "in stock" again for "Amazon actual" it'll be the normal $250. Just a little something to be aware of when shopping from one of the top retailers on these intertubes.
Ubisoft looking for Jam Sessions musicians
Between now and October 23, touch screen virtuosos can upload their Jam Sessions videos, which must include both lyrics and vocals, to Ubisoft's special Jam Sessions contest page on YouTube where they will be judged by the internet masses. Winners will be announced on November 6, with two people representing the winning entry making the trip to New York City to perform live on MTV lookalike, Fuse TV. Ubisoft urges musicians to keep this last bit in mind, as they "don't want to be responsible for your band breaking up," though imagining a musical act throwing down over an argument over who gets to go on national television to play Jam Sessions live on camera is hilarious and certainly something we'd pay to see.
[Via press release]
Today's shredingest video: Guitar Hero III victor
Yes, weeks before you adoring, fake guitar fans get a chance to play, the hardest song has been bested by a player on his fourth attempt. The video of the event is mediocre, and the moment of triumph is anticlimactic. ("Go balloons, go balloons, we need more balloons. ...") But we were still floored watching this face-melting song --and player -- in action.
Be amazed by the clip after the break.
Continue reading Today's shredingest video: Guitar Hero III victor
Guitar Hero III's wireless PS3 guitar rocking a dongle
Rock Band's wireless PS3 guitar also showed up recently in an FCC filing with a mysterious (albeit less attractive) dongle solution, which presumably will ship with the final product. Maybe by then, however, the
Aerosmith, Cream, Disturbed, many others added to Guitar Hero III
- Same Old Song and Dance (by Aerosmith)
- Helicopter (by Bloc Party)
- Stricken (by Disturbed)
- Monsters (by Matchbook Romance)
- Before I Forget (by Slipknot)
- Kool Thing (by Sonic Youth)
- When You Were Young (by The Killers)
- Devil Went Down to Georgia (as made famous by Charlie Daniels Band)
- Sunshine of Your Love (as made famous by Cream)
- Holiday in Cambodia (as made famous by Dead Kennedys)
- Cliffs of Dover (as made famous by Eric Johnson)
- Hit Me with Your Best Shot (as made famous by Pat Benetar)
- Black Magic Woman (as made famous by Santana)
- Story of My Life (as made famous by Social Distortion)
- Pride and Joy (as made famous by Stevie Ray Vaughn)
- The Seeker (as made famous by The Who)
- Black Sunshine (as made famous by White Zombie)
Continue reading Aerosmith, Cream, Disturbed, many others added to Guitar Hero III
Confirmed: Rock Band $170 on Nov. 23 for Xbox and PS3; PS2 version coming Dec. 10 at $160
Now the big question: What were the powers that be thinking with November 23rd? Nov. 23rd is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, the high holy "oh my gawd we're going to get trampled when the stores open" day of the year. Can you imagine what it's going to be like trying to pick up your game at retail on that day? Don't know about the rest of you, but if there were ever a time to get your game by mail -- this would be that time!
[Thanks to all those that sent info in]
Rock Band release end of November says Amazon 'oops' email [update]
Earlier this week Amazon.com dropped the ball and freaked a lot of pre-order customers out by sending emails saying Rock Band was delayed until 2008 -- it wasn't true. Interestingly, in their "oops" letter today to those same pre-order customers Amazon says: "'Rock Band Special Edition' [Video Game], Estimated arrival date: 11/27/2007 - 11/29/2007."
The person we received this info from uses Amazon Prime, which gives faster shipping on items, so those dates should be the week of release. Of course, Amazon already screwed up the year this week, so what's another week? Most guesstimates have had the release the week of Nov. 20. The official Rock Band release announcement is expected next week. Still no word yet on official peripheral pricing though.
Update: After receiving more of these letters, it turns out there are apparently two versions. One with an 11/23 date and another with 11/27 date. We spoke with Amazon.com and they say that there is an algorithm in the system that decides these dates based on location, but because there's no official date yet, these delivery estimates are still subject to change. The difference in date are not related to console platform. Boy it'd be nice to finally get a solid release date.
[Thanks Tim]
Joystiq impressions: Boogie (DS)
Boogie (DS) copies rhythm game techniques, but it comes off as a casual, unfocused Elite Beat Agents. Maybe after hours of playing -- or a better fit with a gamer who's never tried a rhythm title -- it would feel more unique.
R.E.M. (orange) crushes in new Rock Band video
IGN also previews the game, noting that we shouldn't expect as many solo-centric songs as one would find in Guitar Hero, since the game's focus is on enjoyment for an entire band. That said, IGN assures there will be tracks to appeal the budding (virtual) shredder. We tend to think there are more than enough bands out there -- Mastodon, Minus the Bear, Tool, Neil Diamond, etc. -- where every instrument part is an enjoyable challenge. The article also discusses the Fender Stratocaster-inspired guitar controller and its special effects switch.
Rock Band is (still) due out sometime in November.
[Via X3F]