So, as I said in the Ghostbusters thread, I went to GameStop and was looking at the Rock Band 2 gear. I was curious as to if you have to buy the new equipment that they were coming out with. To tell you the truth, that’s what they did with the Guitar Hero gear. Just something that would earn the company more money. But then I thought, that wouldn’t be good business practice because you would have all these gamers with their original Rock Band set, and they wouldn’t buy the new one if you have to get the next set of hardware for it. I was relieved to hear that the original Rock Band setup will work with Rock Band 2. Thoughts anyone?

I think GH and Rock Band can actually use each other’s hardware this time around. I imagine that the publishers have essentially agreed that hardware compatibility is not a good place to battle, and will hurt them both in the long run if they try and make it an issue.

Dude as your friend, you need to search the forum a little bit more. There was alot of game discussion and info posted by Whaleman (Johan) around E3 along with a thread dedicated on Rock Band. Poor Johan has been deprived of Rock Band living in Sweden, so I have to pity him for at least not being able to try it out.

I just thought Rock Band was supposed to be a downloadable platform rather than EA pushing out a new disc already. It really does not look much different from the first, just includes new tracks, new band outfits I guess….

Personally, I’ve seen enough musical rhythm games to last me a lifetime. Sure they’re fun once in a while with a group of people, and I do love some of the songs. But I have to confess, when I want to listen to music I’ll take a drive or pop in my iPod earphones and go jogging. I guess I don’t get the appeal with the rhythm games, because to me they’re almost like new, trendy sports games, where new songs and artists equate to the latest team roster updates. The ultimate message they send is that it’s more fun to think of yourself as a rock star rather than a pro football player.

Just my opinion of course, but I’ll stick to my fantasy, sci-fi, strategy and shooters when I’m looking to play a video game.

Jim, King of Awesome - 07 September 2008 04:13 AM

Just my opinion of course, but I’ll stick to my fantasy, sci-fi, strategy and shooters when I’m looking to play a video game.

As will the stagnating audience of core gamers, while EA and Activision continue to legitimize gaming amongst a much wider audience by offering things that aren’t the basic nerd chow of sci-fi, fantasy, strategy, and shooters

I think these games will only continue to get bigger, and even if you aren’t into them, they do help legitimize gaming in the eyes of the public at large, as they seem like a fun positive activity as opposed to an anti-social and depraved one.

It is pretty funny when I think about it, that Rock & Roll is helping legitimize video games, when it was in need of legitimization just a few decades ago.

yellow#5 - 07 September 2008 05:34 PM

Jim, King of Awesome - 07 September 2008 04:13 AM

Just my opinion of course, but I’ll stick to my fantasy, sci-fi, strategy and shooters when I’m looking to play a video game.

As will the stagnating audience of core gamers, while EA and Activision continue to legitimize gaming amongst a much wider audience by offering things that aren’t the basic nerd chow of sci-fi, fantasy, strategy, and shooters

I think these games will only continue to get bigger, and even if you aren’t into them, they do help legitimize gaming in the eyes of the public at large, as they seem like a fun positive activity as opposed to an anti-social and depraved one.

It is pretty funny when I think about it, that Rock & Roll is helping legitimize video games, when it was in need of legitimization just a few decades ago.

I don’t doubt the fact these games may be saving the music industry. Nor the fact that games like it will grow in much the same manner the Wii has captured an untapped audience of potential gamers (who really don’t consider themselves as “gamers”). But is it really all a good thing? Nintendo, for example, pretty much told its core fanbase at E3 to shove it where the sun doesn’t shine. And how will the future growth of these games begin to effect the quality?

I guess begs the question if gaming is good to become more mainstream? I can’t honestly admit I like the idea totally and can imagine some possibilities I don’t like. However, Rock Band is a good example of a game which is better played with company rather than by one’s self, yes. Unfortunately, it also seems like a dying breed of game too, that being the 4-player split-screen style console games of years past. Hasn’t the rise of internet-enabled consoles actually had some negative effect as well? Many AAA titles do not support 4-player locally on the same console anymore, opting instead people stay at home, buy their own console, buy their copy of the game, and play online? Don’t mean to sound negative, but the anonymity of the internet and the power of these many social networking services is a little scary.

Call me anti-social, but sometimes at the end of the day, I just want to sit down and play a good game by myself. But on the other hand, I don’t mind talking to you people on the forums or in chat, and I rather enjoy the company of playing what 4-player games there are on the same console with friends. Who could forget the company of guildmates in MMOs like WoW too.

Just my thoughts, but you’re right, it’s generally accepted as progress I suppose. Have to wait and see where it goes in years to come.

I think the more people there are playing games, the bigger the potential audience, the less risky it will be to invest $20 million in something unproven. That’s small change in the movie business, and there’s a ton of unique niche products available for people there. While the core might lose Nintendo, they need to face the fact that the industry can barely afford to keep up with expectations already, and continued technical growth just isn’t going to be viable without first growing the audience dramatically.

Jim, King of Awesome - 07 September 2008 04:13 AM

I just thought Rock Band was supposed to be a downloadable platform rather than EA pushing out a new disc already. It really does not look much different from the first, just includes new tracks, new band outfits I guess….

Yeah, it would make more sense to download the new game rather than just kick it out onto the shelves. Downloadable content is a good idea due to the amount Xbox Live subscribers. They would certainly save a lot of money for the cases, the recording of the game onto disc, and the cover art, etc.