EA busting into rhythm games 'sooner than you think'

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Mar 2nd 2007 at 10:15PM }

Much like its title implies, Guitar Hero arrived as a sort of savior for a rhythm genre that had grown a little too obsessed with hypnotic arrows for its own good. The rocking success of Red Octane's franchise thrust the genre back into the console limelight, with its financial gyrations quickly drawing the fixation of several publishers. According to a recent interview conducted by Stephen Totilo of MTV News, EA is one such a publisher.

Upon being asked about EA's plans in response to the success enjoyed by titles such as Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution, EA's Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing indicates that the gigantic publisher is already positioning itself on the diving board. "I've been pushing for a long time to be honest with you," says Steve Schnur. "I think you'll see us breaking into the genre sooner than you think."

Of course, one could argue that EA is already doing so with the upcoming Boom Boom Rocket, an Xbox Live Arcade title which sees (and hears) players detonating fireworks in rhythm to music. Is the Bizarre-developed title merely the first step in an increasingly complex dance maneuver? And more importantly, will there be an insane peripheral? If anybody's going to exploit the untapped Glockenspiel-breakdancing market, it'll be EA.

See also: Electronic Arts mixes on iTunes

Tags: Activision, Boom Boom Rocket, BoomBoomRocket, Dance Dance Revolution, DanceDanceRevolution, DDR, EA, Guitar Hero, GuitarHero, Music and rhythm, MusicAndRhythm, Red Octane, RedOctane, XBLA

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kevin @ Mar 2nd 2007 10:32PM

How about "Back-Up Drummer" for the Wii?

The main idea is to use 2 Wiimotes as sticks.

You can get power ups and multipliers for doing twists and turns with the wiimote in the air!!!(just be prepared for the lawsuits.)

Killer @ Mar 2nd 2007 10:44PM

Good old EA, when they see a sign of to make money they are there like trial lawyers at an auto accident.

Question really is, Does EA have the Brain power to make something original? or is it going to be just like all the other EA titles? Still waiting for 60fps for Madden there EA. NEXT-GEN Means NEXT-GEN. Not old 30fps last-gen.

I miss the old EA, where they actually cared about some of the original ideas in their games. R.I.P. Old-School EA. You will be missed.

Frankie @ Mar 2nd 2007 11:03PM

They are already developing a rhythm game for the Wii. It is being developed by the Montreal Studios, the same guys who made SSX Blur.

Mr Khan @ Mar 2nd 2007 11:12PM

And here come the "me too" games, starting out of the gate

This should be quite a show, although EA has proven to be more dedicated than others cough*ubisoft*cough at making Wii games

70% chance of crap

DarthKoRn @ Mar 2nd 2007 11:21PM

It's true, I've seen it and it is beyond weird.

belcho @ Mar 3rd 2007 12:31AM

fuckin love that picture

therpham @ Mar 3rd 2007 12:49AM

Let's see if they can come up with something on their own that isn't something Konami's been doing for years already with a different interface and an extra button or gimmick or two.

Infil @ Mar 3rd 2007 1:03AM

Guitar Hero is a great game, but most definitely lags behind the Bemani games for fun factor, longevity, and difficulty. I wouldn't say it saved the music game genre. It was just another good addition TO that genre.

However, Harmonix makes good games. I'm not convinced EA has the know-how to make a great music game (a similar reason why I believe GH3, developed by non-music-game studio Neversoft, will be by far the weakest entry in the series). Music games need a good, ingenious (and well implemented) idea to be fun... seems the cards are against EA all over the place.

SYN @ Mar 3rd 2007 1:32AM

Its another game on the market with the potential to be good. why bitch?

if it sucks, don't buy it. a game being on the market doesn't hurt you in any way if you aren't interested in it. EA making rhythm games isn't going to suddenly kill the sales of every other rhythm games. its just one more option

Pal @ Mar 3rd 2007 2:41AM

"Sooner than you think"? I never thought for a second the idea of EA making a rhythm game.

ssuk @ Mar 3rd 2007 5:47AM

OH DEAR GOD NO! NONONONONONONONONO

John @ Mar 3rd 2007 9:49AM

What 6 said, that's a great pic. I always wonder, does someone around Joystiq do these or are they "found" photos?

Jay @ Mar 3rd 2007 12:29PM

Guitar Hero did not need to "save" the genre. It just made it more mainstream, which if I did nothing else, it actually pissed off some of the more elitist Bemani etc. players. Yes, DDR died for a couple years, but that's why ITG came along to pick up the pieces. I remember when rhythm games were a cool new thing, not just a cash cow (hence the reason Konami didn't bother sueing Roxor until ITG started making a hell of a lot of money)