See Rock Band in action
by Ross Miller 
{ Jul 3rd 2007 at 8:25PM }
Care to see how four players jam together in the upcoming Rock Band? Gamespot has had footage of a quartet taking on Welcome to the Jungle by Guns n' Roses. The two guitarists here aren't using the new Fender strat replicas and a microphone is nothing new, but seeing the drums in action and how they'd be implemented on screen (check out the
Update: The video has been taken down from Gamespot, but quazi has found a copy on YouTube. Footage embedded after the break.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ZenGaijin @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:29PM
This game looks like a blast to play.
GuitarHero3wha?
nawtyeravgjoe @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:30PM
awesome. can't wait to form a band with my friends =)
Triforceowner @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:38PM
I think I'll take on the drums and the mic... That's as long as I can get my friends to go along with it, LOL.
kingofwale @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:40PM
too expensive for a game. no thanks.
PsPEE @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:47PM
gamer faces are funny...So itense ooo yeah.
DustBoogie @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:48PM
I want this game. Right now. No matter the cost.
I like how they still have the original track singing along with you - I'll be much more comfortable singing along than by myself :-P
TheGuy @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:49PM
@kingofwhale
No offense, but coming from you I find that comment really ironic *cough* PS3 *cough*.
Jake11 @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:51PM
so you can use the guitar hero controller for rock band? that would be a money saver
Imadogg99 @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:51PM
Holy shit. Looks badass. The presentation is looking great too. I'll use my guitar, hope a friend picks up the drums
enzo @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:56PM
You really should spend the $300 you would spend on this game and all the instruments and buy a REAL instrument. So that when you learn to play that song instead of bragging about a high score YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING.
Alex Tyler @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:58PM
@enzo
http://www.cad-comic.com/comic.php?d=20070509
David Barry @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:59PM
Don't you mean "Check you the middle column"? The right column is the bass track.
Jamie @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:01PM
I'm fairly sure the drums aren't in the right hand column, looks more like the middle.
Chiablo @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:04PM
Hey Enzo... read this:
http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20070509
Now you can go away like a good little troll.
kingofwale @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:09PM
>No offense, but coming from you I find that comment really ironic
ironic? when you spend 600 dollars on a console, you want to save every penny you can. Spending a Wii price for a game is definitely not doing that. :P
Terence @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:11PM
Let me finish geeking out for a second...
OK I'm better.
I like how the drums work (I'm a drummer). The bar for the bass pedal is a good idea. I wish the hi-hat was more like a real hi-hat (above and to the left for righties) but this is more like you're playing the second hi-hat on a large set. I'm in the middle about the fills - it looks like you can make up your own fills and don't have to stick to the notes. It almost looks too easy this way, since just keeping the beat looks simple (unless he was playing on hard). The jam session at the end looks good too.
I really hope they allow MIDI support, for the 1% of us that have electronic drumsets laying around collecting dust!
Michael K. @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:15PM
holy crap, that looks like the dumbest game ever made
Max @ Jul 4th 2007 5:17AM
Looks like they took it down.
ZenGaijin @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:17PM
You know Enzo that argument never made any sense to me.
Imagine if Military people did nothing but constantly post "If you like shooting guns in games why don't you join the army and do it for real you pussies."
I play games because they allow me to do things I normally couldn't or don't have any interest in doing. I play GuitarHero because the game is fun and its gives you a fast way to experience a song you love.
Stop being a dick and let people enjoy playing a game and go back to forming that band of your own or whatever it is you're so bitter about.
quazi @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:17PM
Hey all
This video was taken from a conference where attendees are generally encouraged to be casual and show off the new stuff they are working on privately. Unfortunately, an attendee broke the conference rules and videotaped the talk. The footage was made from an old build of the game quite some time ago for internal purposes- basically to get people working on the game excited. The song was one we have considered for the game but haven’t locked down, and you may have noticed that the footage was made so long ago that the people in the video are playing old instruments and prototypes. I guess what I am saying is- this isn’t official and doesn’t really reflect the final game at all. We’ll be releasing a lot of info next week from much newer builds of the game with finalized songs.
Rock,
Sean
thats from harmonix
quazi @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:23PM
@enzo
so if i play paper boy i should go out and become a paperboy?
what if i play mario should i become a plumber?
what if im playing Trauma Center: Under the Knife should i go out and just become a doctor instead?
what if im playing Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney do i have the credit to become a lawyer?
if played sim city am i able to become a mayor for your town now?
i can go on but i gotta go play my plastic guitar!
quazi @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:25PM
oh and heres a youtube link of same vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9b-8LYLGq8&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edestructoid%2Ecom%2Ffirst%2Drock%2Dband%2Dfootage%2Dis%2Domggodtehroxorz%2D%2D34274%2Ephtml
quazi @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:27PM
sorry heres shorter link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9b-8LYLGq8
Imadogg99 @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:33PM
Damn, if this is all old stuff and Harmonix improved upon it, wow. Must get this game.
Rakar @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:49PM
Looks pretty good... The drum controller looks a lot better than the prototype from that magazine. The only thing I don't like is the bass pedal on drums being a bar instead of a note. It looks like it will be really hard to read, especially on higher difficulties.
enzo @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:58PM
You can go out and buy a real guitar for $150-200. There are biiiilllions of lesson sites online. It just seems like such a huge waste of time when I see people who are REALLY good at guitar hero and they could have spent that time learning to play a real instrument, guitar or otherwise.
quazi, the argument doesn't really work reversed with other games, because those things either aren't as fun in real life, or entirely less accessible. The cost of entry to playing a real instrument is not prohibitive, and it's an actual skill.
ZenGaijin @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:59PM
You know something I noticed watching the video again? There is a meter in the top right that displays what star rating you're going to get. There is even a bar under it that tells you how far you have to go to reach the next star level.
Nice touch Harmonix
kingofwale @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:03PM
the video just lost all the game's 'cool' factor. maybe next time they should tape someone cooler, like grandmas playing. ;)
Kevout @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:37PM
Does this video say that it's for the XBox 306 or am I just seeing things
kmo @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:07PM
That is just the most pwnage video ive ever seen in my life, i cant wait for this game, i wanna play the drums so bad.
Pag @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:15PM
The cost of entry of playing real football isn't prohibitive, yet people still play Madden. Why? Because Madden gives you a fast and easy way to get the feeling of playing a game of football in the major leagues. Same with Guitar Hero and similar games: they give you the feeling of being part of a kick-ass band in a big concert with little effort.
The cost of really playing music is quite high, in time rather than in money. With the time I spent on Guitar Hero 2 to get half-way through hard, I could have -- what -- learned to play some really easy tune relatively decently on a real guitar? I certainly wouldn't be part of a band, or at least not a good one, and I wouldn't have a crowd cheering me on and asking for an encore.
Certainly being good at a real instrument and being part of a real band is better than playing a videogame, just like being a really good football player is better than playing one on console. But for those who don't have the time to invest to get those skills, videogames are a good way to get halfway there.
Gabriel @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:17PM
@enzo
I'm a guitarrist, and I'm learning to play the drums...
And I play a hell of a lot of guitar hero.
I never understood all this angst guitar players have towards the game...
It's like it's a favorite hobby, about a favorite hobby. So I can play guitar and video game at the same time...
I really don't see why I should get pissed off
austin @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:36PM
Ok, Rock Band looks cool in all, but its never going to sell. You guys remember Steel Batallion? It was that Mech game on Xbox 1 with a joypad with about 1000 buttons, knobs, switches, levers, dials, and hell, it probably had a friggin Bop-It on there too. Well any way, this game was great, but it cost $200 because of this monstrosity of a controller. Picture the cost of Guitar Hero 2 on Xbox 360, $90, plus the bass which will be about $30, plus the drum set which will probably be in the $50-60 range, and the Mic, which will probably be $10-20. That runs to around $200, and it will probably cost even more. Then, you need to get 3 other people over your place every time you want to play it, and Im not saying getting 3 buddies over is a hassle, but are you all going to be totally motivated to playing this Rock Band game enough to justify spending $200+ on it? And besides, whos just going to have enough space to accomodate an entire band with a guitar, bass, drum set and mic? Id need to move my Box from my room to my family room just to have enough space, and Im for sure not doing that. They should make this one an arcade game, get 3 friends, and each song costs a dollar to play. That way you can enjoy it all you want and it wouldnt cost you so much, and you save a ton of space in your house.
And in a little note to Harmonix, if they want to advertise this game thats going to cost an arm and a leg and persuade cynics like me, dont have 4 complete tools showing it off.
Capt. Castellanos @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:39PM
enzos probably just mad.
he spent all his money on a realy guitar
and hasn't learned anything.
and now has no money to buy guitar hero.
hahaha.
i kid, i kid.
to each his own, enzo
i myself can't wait for this game.
miguelon918 @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:39PM
Guitar hero who? this game looks awesome i totally want the drums.
@ ZenGaijin: i totally agree with you
@enzo: nobody cares! =D
Capt. Castellanos @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:41PM
whoops!
i meant to spell real*
hahahaha
(feeling like an idiot.)
longhairbilly @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:45PM
Yup.. This game is soooo mine..
Lucky @ Jul 3rd 2007 11:00PM
enzo, I learned to play the guitar but it bored me and I couldn't keep with it. I think this game is a very fun casual game to play by your self and friends. Playing guitar hero is nothing like playing a guitar. To say being good at guitar hero, means you'll be a good guitarest is like saying being good at it is like saying being good at light gun games mean you'll be good at shooting. The two are nothing alike, and not every one like the idea of shooting real guns.
It's just a funny shapped controler were you are hitting the buttens in time with the music, like all the beat games befor it. Live with it.
binford04 @ Jul 4th 2007 11:35AM
One please.
jharr @ Jul 3rd 2007 11:15PM
@Austin
This game will sell for sure. It is made to work with the Guitar Hero 2 controllers(at least for the 360). I already have 2 guitars from GH2 so all I need to do is buy the game, drums and mic. I am sure that there are a lot of people out there in my situation.
sqwarlock @ Jul 3rd 2007 11:22PM
I'm curious about the vocals. My big concern with the game was that you may get someone that wants to sing, but can't and it sucks listening to them for the whole song. The video made it seem like it was using pre-recorded vocals for the song that your voice just triggered samples of. I hope that's not always the way, just in case you grab a good singer, but it's a nice fall back so anyone can attempt it.
Naota @ Jul 3rd 2007 11:40PM
@ Enzo
I own a Fender Jazz Bass, a Dean Flying V, and used to have some drums, but I still want this game due to the fact that it allows my friends to jam with me reguardless of their musical talents. It also allows me to play stuff that's out of my level and sometimes I find new stuff to play through games like Guitar Hero.
If I want to really play I'll use my real equipment, but I play games like Guitar Hero to have FUN. I don't expect to win any dancing competitions with DDR, nor do I expect to become a DJ just because I play Beatmania, I just do it for fun. Really, shouldn't that be the reason why you do anything?
Iron Shiek @ Jul 3rd 2007 11:46PM
Does anyone know if the microphone vibrates?
Icarus @ Jul 3rd 2007 11:46PM
I can't play real guitar at all. I have fat finger and hands so it's really hard for me to learn or I have to spend lotsa time on it. Guitar Hero on the other hand, gave me that feeling. This is why I love this game. You're not playing the song, but least you're acomplishing something. This gives you a total satisfaction.
I can't wait for this game. The drums look awesome.
copa @ Jul 3rd 2007 11:47PM
Game.
Of.
The.
Year.
Charron @ Jul 3rd 2007 11:54PM
The big flaw in austin's comment is, to the best of my knowledge, the game can be played with 1-4 players. You don't need all the controllers, you don't need 4 people. You can play it exactly like Guitar Hero if you want. Or like SingStar. Or like DrumMania (sorta). Or, if you've got three friends and all the controllers, you can play it like Rock Band.
NeverSage @ Jul 4th 2007 12:01AM
@enzo
I've been playing guitar for 7 years and I'm still getting this game for sure. Rhythm games are fun and this one is actually in a style of something I love, playing guitar.
Also, I know guitarists way better than me that suck at guitar hero. It's nothing like playing a real guitar, except for the shape of the controller.
But what really pisses me off is why do people play flight sims when they could be flying for real?? Oh wait... that was sarcasm.
Krosskull @ Jul 4th 2007 12:05AM
1.) No one ever said that in order to play the game you need all four peripherals and three other players. You could, in all actuality (unless stated otherwise somewhere else), just buy a guitar/bass/mic/drum set and play it like Guitar Hero/Karaoke Revolution/DrumMania. And if you plan to play with your friends, then have them buy their own controller. When I get the game, I'll be getting it with the drum set, and my friend is going to get a guitar.
2.) The nice thing about games like this is that they're quicker than real life: I shudder to think that people who can play on expert in Guitar Hero actually think they can play a real guitar. Mastering a guitar takes years of practice, and it's something no game can teach you. However, Guitar Hero provides a fun, quick alternative, for those who don't have the devotion/desire to learn to play real guitar, and for those who just want to have fun and rock out in front of an imaginary audience. It's not much different than jumping around and playing Air Guitar, and I've never heard of people getting bitched at for air guitaring.
s256 @ Jul 4th 2007 12:07AM
Looks easy.
Car2oon @ Jul 4th 2007 12:27AM
That looked awesome as hell, but I have neither the space in my room or the money for a single game like that.
What happens in 3-4 months when I'm sick of playing and have a fraction of my room consumed by these plastic instruments? Looks fun, but not very practical. An arcade port however...