Rock Band Network: Don't wait for the third one

One of the major features people talk about when comparing the lasting value of Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2 is the music creator (GHTunes) of the former. While it makes for a little bit of amusement, the amusement doesn't really last long what with the decidedly un-user-friendly creation interface. Now, the arguments can be put to rest, because Harmonix has announced something even better: the new Rock Band Network.

Aimed as both a promotional tool for independent labels/artists and a DIY DLC creator for established labels, the Rock Band Network is the place where the artists themselves can create both the song and the Rock Band chart, then upload them to the community for evaluation. They can set their price (.50c-$2) and they'll get a share of that profit.

Nobody said creating the crap was easy though, and that's because one will need an account before they gain access to the same tools Harmonix uses. So no, it's not the same consumer-oriented composer tools Guitar Hero offers, but the real deal. Now it won't have to sound like a ringtone (unless your song sounded like a ringtone intentionally).

Perhaps one deal-breaker to this new tool comes with the current incompatibility with other consoles-- namely the PS3 and the Wii-- but Harmonix says that they're "working on those versions" as well.

I envision Rock Band Network as one of the biggest promotional tools the music industry can exploit. I mean, since a creator can simply release the song/s on a date he chooses, labels could say, simultaneously put out Rock Band DLC and a new album.

For the interested musicians out there, you better have a 360 if you want to participate in the beta. You'll also have to get your e-mail address and type it in the site though.

Spongebob + Rock Band = April Fool's?

OK, I know today is April 1, but it seems Harmonix isn't joking. A three-song Spongebob Squarepants pack is coming to the Music Store for the rhythm game Rock Band in the Xbox 360 and PS3.

-eye twitches-

I still am recovering from shock, I mean, what the hell was Harmonix in when they picked Spongebob songs? Perhaps, it was Viacom all along? You know, MTV is owned by Viacom and MTV Games is associated with the Rock Band name, etc. etc.. Must be a plot to get more kids playing because RB is "underperforming". What a load of crap. I can understand trying to expand their horizons by adding country, but rap and Spongebob? Perhaps it's a bit too much.

But there are also some great songs coming out outside of that:

Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" - Hell yeah, I've been waiting for this.

Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker" - It's already in Guitar Hero World Tour, but who freakin cares? Awesomeness.

Galsvegas' "Geraldine" - It's okay.

The Von Bondies' "C'mon C'mon" - Sounds pretty good.

Still, for those people who are diehard fans of Spongebob (in YouTube, there's lots apparently), here are the three songs:

"I Can't Keep My Eyes Off You" - To be honest, I can totally see this work in Rock Band, sorta. Spongebob's annoying though.

"The Best Day Ever" - Too... happy!

"Where's Gary?" - Meh.

I just don't know when this will all come to Wii, though. Gotta wait a bit longer, I guess.

Sources: Sarcastic Gamer, Rock Band Website

Guitar Hero World Tour vs. Rock Band 2

I'm a big fan of rhythm games- they help me discover some great music- but currently, when you say music game, either Guitar Hero or Rock Band comes to mind. OK, maybe Dance Dance Revolution or BeatMania or Guitar Freaks too, but that's another story.

Thus there will exist an internal argument (with yourself) when you consider choosing one of them. This post is here to help. Both of them have their pros and cons, but I personally decided to invest upon Rock Band 2 for the Wii. Find out after the jump.

Guitar Hero: World Tour

WHY BUY?

1) In all consoles, the features are pretty much similar across the board except for the Wii which has the useless, Wii Music-esque Freestyle mode. (Obviously though, the PS2 version is obviously not eligible for additional downloadable content.)

2) The addition of drums and microphone is a given. If you already have an existing guitar from past Guitar Hero games, it's compatible too. This way, you can have a complete band.

3) If you already have Rock Band 1 or 2, you can go ahead and splurge on just the disc. The PS3 version is an uncertainty though, and the Wii and PS2 iterations? Dream on. Still, you can get the best of both worlds because Rock Band 2 in all platforms support all Guitar Hero World Tour peripherals with PS3 once again, an uncertainty.

4) More songs than Rock Band 2- specifically 2 more, although some songs are the same with the ones on Rock Band 2. Still, they're all master recordings, meaning that the songs are the genuine article- the ones released originally. Popular songs are abound there ("Beat It" comes to mind). Not only that, you can compose your own (or download the compositions of others)!

5) Touch sensitive fret bars are available as a response to Rock Band's introduction of a second fret bar located at the bottom of the guitar for solos. These touch sensitive fret bars put some variation gameplay-wise in the form of a "purply-roped" fret.

6) More celebs in motion-capture glory! If Guitar Hero 3 delivered Slash (and a few other guests), this one delivers even more.

WHY NOT BUY?

1) This one compelling reason made me not want to buy Guitar Hero World Tour in the first place, and that is the technical issues that plague the hardware. GameSpot reports that fret buttons get sticky after a day, the touch-sensitive bar doesn't register hits accurately and the general public agree that the all-important strum button doesn't register only after a few hours of play. Additionally, the cymbals of the drums do not work very well, many people say.

2) The Music Studio may let you create your own music, but it's definitely not user-friendly- not at all. You'll have to have a never-ending patience just for the sake of ringtone-esque products.

3) Less artist variation is a bit of a minor problem. The setlist has some artists that have 2 or more songs! So the case may either be, you'll hate those set of songs, or you'll love them. The unprecedented succession of these songs may annoy those who hate the set.

4) Unstable downloadable content release dates have been plaguing the series since Guitar Hero 3. While the Rock Band series has a steady weekly stream of downloadable content available for craving fans, Guitar Hero owners will be left wanting.

5) Aren't motion-captured celebrities too uncanny and disturbing? It's like watching Polar Express -shudder-

6) All those instruments need their separate Wii remotes in the Wii version. What the hell?

Rock Band 2

WHY BUY?

1) While the release dates aren't simultaneous for all platforms, you can't really blame Harmonix since development duties weren't really delegated to several developers like in Guitar Hero. Now that all platforms finally have Rock Band 2, one could say that they also are pretty much feature-identical unlike its disappointing predecessor. Of course, PS2 owners don't have downloadble content.

2) Addictive Band Tour mode is extremely varied and non-linear, and progression is much more rewarding.

3) Rock Band 2 can transfer Rock Band songs for 5 dollars. This is because of song re-licensing. Unfortunately 3 songs aren't permitted for transfer, and this includes "Enter Sandman".

4) There is a lot more variety song-wise in Rock Band 2. One artist, one song ratio (unless you download from the Music Store). Notably, the inclusion of an exclusive Guns N' Roses track from Chinese Democracy (which at the time wasn't released), I guess, is a plus.

5) Online matches seem much more addictive than in Guitar Hero. Song scores are automatically uploaded online and there is also an option to access the Tour mode online.

6) The Downloadable Content available in the Rock Band Music Store is amazing. In total, counting the songs included in the Rock Band 1 and 2 discs, there are 572 songs in the Rock Band universe. Additionally, downloadable content downloaded in Rock Band 1 are compatible with Rock Band 2 so there is no re-purchasing. Wii owners finally get this as well.

7) Two words: No Fail. While the concept sounds oh-so lame, it's actually useful especially during parties- which is where this game usually shines. If you are having difficulty with the game and keep failing on one part (and get annoyed with that), or if you just want to ram on the buttons, you can use this mode. Moreover, bandmates won't have to worry about wasting valuable "Energy" just to save the failed fool.

8) Reliable instruments. The drum pedal is notably reinforced with metal. Plus, it doesn't need Wii remotes for operation, just AA batteries (included in the box!).

WHY NOT BUY?

1) For the Wii, Guitar Hero: World Tour instruments are compatible with Rock Band 2, but Rock Band 2 instruments aren't compatible with Guitar Hero: World Tour. But this is due more to the fact that Guitar Hero: World Tour was released significantly earlier.

2) Wii and PS2 owners don't get the song transfer feature. This is due more to the lack of a hard drive in both consoles.

3) Wii owners have to wait very long to get the back catalog of songs available for the PS3 and 360 for a long time. At least the schedule is weekly and not uncertain like in Guitar Hero.

4) In paper, Guitar Hero seems like the more sensible purchase.

5) I'm not sure if Guitar Hero's setup is the same, but unpacking Rock Band 2 is a big chore.

There, I've got my points numerically listed for your convenience. If you've been considering which to buy, here are the reasons why you should or should not buy either one of them. For me, Rock Band 2 is the winner, but not all share my opinion obviously.

New MS and Sony hardware; Mii's take over Guitar Hero IV

Sony and MS at Leipzig
So the German gaming event has come, and it has shed new light on some new Microsoft and Sony hardware.

On the Sony side, they're introducting yet another PSP model. It may have much of the same stuff as last year's update (PSP-2000 or the PSP Slim), but it promises something new in the form of a microphone. Sony states that it will let users get rid of the headset so they can now directly talk when using Skype or Go!Messenger.
Frankly, I'm not sure how I feel about it. On one hand, I think it's cool that they're giving future PSP owners the convenience and value for money, but on the other hand, I don't see how this won't make the person seem crazy to other people. Just imagine yourself in a Wi-Fi hotspot talking to your PSP... It's like shouting at your DS to say "Objection!".

And this makes me want to ask the question: What next, Sony? A touch screen?

Anyway, it comes in either the Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack and a new PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack. The Core Pack will follow eventually.

Moving on, the PS3's also getting a new pack- the 160GB pack to be precise. And it'll include the game Uncharted: Drake's Fortune as well as a download voucher for a game called PAIN in the free online service PlayStation Network. And frankly, I'm finding more and more reason to get a PS3 now, especially since this bundle costs 499 dollars- which is actually of much value than you think.

Plus, Sony also announced a Bluetooth-powered keypad that you can attach on your Dualshock 3. And judging from the size of those buttons, I don't think it looks comfortable. It will arrive this November.
Going to the Microsoft side, it's a bit less significant- especially for the 360 owners- and that's because the new hardware being announced are for the PC- and I mean it.

And why is that? Well, those accessories are just a keyboard and a mouse that are the newest addition to the SideWinder line-up.

The keyboard especially looks butt-ugly though but the numerical pad can be detached, and it has been reported that the LCD screen on the mouse has been removed- probably to cut costs.
Mii's take over Guitar Hero World Tour...
On freestyle mode, that is.

Vicarious Vicions, developer for the fourth installment, did not give Wii owners empty promises after all, especially since it utilizes the Mii's in the game's freestyle mode. What is it, you ask? Well, it's basically a mode where you can do anything you want with an instrument using the Wiimote. So even though the real drums come with the package, you can still use the Wiimote to make "air drums". Kinda like Wii Music- only less.

However, another reason for Wii owners to get excited about the Wii version of this new installment of the famous franchise is the fact that they finally, finally get some real DLC- that's downloadable content for the uninitiated.

What is it for? Well, it's for extending the replay value- basically adding more songs to master in the game. And that alone, finally gives me reason to actually care about the results of Vicarious Vision's attack to Rock Band 2.

E3: Final Fantasy shockers!

Day 1: The Microsoft Keynote
Before I go to the really, really, really big shocker/s, let me clear these out first:
>Gears of War 2 gets a new trailer.
>Rock Band 2 gets AC/DC, thus causing rhythm fans to go baloney.
>The casual audience gets more games on the 360 Live Arcade platform, one of the most prominent being "I'm In The Movies!" which looks more like an Eye-Toy game for the PS2 by Codebreakers.
> Microsoft rips of Sony's SingStar karaoke series with their own "Lips".
> There's a new Halo game coming out called Halo Wars- and it may not have Master Chief!
> Resident Evil 5 gets co-op on our asses (although IMO, co-op will feel like SSBB's Subspace Emissary: it doesn't look like it's given much thought because the camera only focuses on the first player).
> Fallout 3 goes to 360 and not only PC.
> Mirror's Edge looks really sweet!
> Take a look at Spore: Will Wright's new simulation thingy.

BIG NEWS:
When you see Final Fantasy, what comes in your mind?

Cloud Strife, Tidus, Yuna, Squall, and oh, the PlayStation.


Now, it's all gonna change because the newest installment of the Final Fantasy series goes to the XBox 360.

Oooh, that's gotta hurt, Sony!

And then, come more rip-offs, courtesy of MS.

OK, they've revamped their famous dashboard, and it looks pretty nice. But look more into the first picture and what do you see?
A F**KING MII.

Thinking about it just sickens me, especially since the 360 was built almost primarily for the hardcore. And now they're going the way of the Wii? This is of course gonna be inducing some competition, but personally, when I mix the two terms XBox and avatars together, I get lost.

I mean, yeah, there seems to be a lot more Home-like options than that of the Wii, but still, this is just too derivative.

Tomorrow: NINTENDO!!!!
(Picture credit goes to my friend Hallway_Giant from the GameSpot community.)