IGN has scored the first screenshots of the Electronic Arts/Hamonix musical monster, Rock Band, all of which reveal absolutely nothing about game play mechanics. In fact, in the accompanying interview, Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos is closely guarded when it comes to just how Rock Band will play out. He says thing like "I can't comment yet on gameplay details," and my favorite, "That's something I can't talk about."
Still, he's confident in his product, and he certainly has every right to be. These are the guys that (after years of work) seem to have single-handedly legitimized music-based games in North America. There's no doubt Rock Band is going to be gigantic, and Rigopulos isn't too shy to admit as much:
"I can't speak to what Activision has planned for future versions of Guitar Hero, but what I can say is that Rock Band's guitar game alone will be more substantial than any of the prior Guitar Hero releases. PLUS, there's the complete drum game that's just as large. PLUS, there's the complete singing game. PLUS, there's the co-operative band game that ties them all together. Basically, it's four complete games on one disc. The thing is really huge!"
Those are some fighting words, but he's also quick to point out that he feels there's more than enough room on the market for Guitar Hero and Rock Band to co-exist, helping to push and drive the evolution of the category. You know, like Electronic Arts has been doing with the Madden NFL series.
Other topics touched upon include downloadable content (there's going to be a ton), user created content (definitely a possibility), and the pricing of the peripherals (stop whining).
Contest:
12:50 PM on 06.09.2007
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$300+ really IS alot of money to play a game. (with your friends)
but then again I have no interest in this game whatsoever. Just gimme GHIII already
You can play Rock Band using a traditional GH controller. I find it hard to believe you're not interested in the game at all ... that's a bit harsh. Why exactly, would you like Guitar Hero but not want to play Rock Band, a music game that will essentially be an evolution of that series?
I'm going to withhold judgment until I play both games, but if I'm going to lean towards one over the other, Rock Band definitely has the edge in terms of "something new." As far as the money is concerned, let your buddies decide to play drums/sing ... no need to spend the dough on all of the peripherals.
I will pay whatever they want.
And yeah, just what I want. One of my friends with their pre-pubescent vocals trying to sing fucking Van Halen or something. While another one flings drum sticks at my $3000 tv.
But I heard it might come with a wireless, crab shaped guitar controller.
Here's a pic I found on the intranets.
If that were true, I'd buy it, just to appease fans of my rap-metal band "The Crab Fuckers".
I'm just teasing. Also, I have a terrible sense of humor.