Harmonix leaves guitar out of its next title
by Justin McElroy 
{ Oct 31st 2007 at 9:25AM }
In that new game, which they'll be discussing at GDC, "beats would not be authored by tech-savvy musicians, but would instead be algorithmically generated." Also, there won't be a dedicated peripheral for the game, a relief to neat freak spouses of gamers throughout the globe.
Whatever they're working on, Harmonix hasn't let us down yet, and we can't wait to see where they're going next.
[Via GSW]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JodyAnthony @ Oct 31st 2007 9:29AM
man, I freaking LOVE the Polyphonic Spree
Bender @ Oct 31st 2007 10:03AM
Yeah, me too! They're one of the best bands that perk me up after just a single song!
Jon @ Oct 31st 2007 11:24AM
Whats not to love?
1) Polyphonic Spree is awesome and always a great show. First time I've seen them mentioned here.
2) "Aphex Twin Hero" - Betcha' can't beat this one on Expert your first time 'round.
Thank you Joystiq for making my day.
nealpro @ Oct 31st 2007 12:37PM
I saw them open for Brian Wilson's SMiLE tour and really wasn't impressed. The whole act just felt phony to me. All the jumping around, "rocking out", etc... it was like they were only doing it because the "song" called for it, and weren't putting any emotion into it. *shrug*. Probably a product of playing the same set every night for weeks.
GRANTED @ Oct 31st 2007 9:32AM
how do we know harmonix aren't just using all-white guitars?
Blanko4 @ Oct 31st 2007 9:57AM
So is Symphony Orchestra to be the next big hit?
mor911 @ Oct 31st 2007 10:05AM
I don't see what the facination is with the Guitar Hero franchise. Don't get me wrong, I have GH2 and just got GH3. And play them... But people go balistic over this stuff.
Give me a Mass Effect or Twilight Princess any day. I guess I'm trying to see what makes the repetative nature of GH games so appealing. Is it because the controller is a guitar?
zero @ Oct 31st 2007 10:12AM
That's easy. It gives you like 80% of the excitement of actually playing with about 10% of work required to actually play the songs. Think about it; how many months did it take you to get good enough to play Hanger 18 on expert? Now multiply that number by like 20 to do it on a real guitar.
SnapperDragon @ Oct 31st 2007 10:41AM
I don't know what the fuss is over all this GH stuff. Give me a real guitar and amp any day.
CaptNink @ Oct 31st 2007 10:54AM
I don't know what the fuss is over all this "playing a real guitar" stuff. Give me a wired Explorer and a copy of GH2 any day
Vince @ Oct 31st 2007 11:08AM
i dont know, zero. It only took me a few attempts to beat hangar 18 on expert (i've never even played a difficulty under expert on any guitar hero game).
FidliousWong @ Oct 31st 2007 10:06AM
Joystiq also forgot to mention Karaoke Revolution was Harmonix too.
FidliousWong @ Oct 31st 2007 10:09AM
Allow me to explain. This morning, before work, I had about 15 minutes of freetime. It was either play a game or watch Sister Sister... guess which I chose?
GH and Rhythm games in general can be picked up and played for a few minutes. To accomplish ANYTHING in Zelda, you need at least an hour.
SoulBlade @ Oct 31st 2007 10:11AM
ur bad at Zelda.
Sean @ Oct 31st 2007 11:53AM
But...Tia and Tamara Mowry!
tiremfej @ Oct 31st 2007 10:15AM
Polyphonic Spree, hmmm I haven't listend to them in a while, you'd have to have a USB Kazoo in the game then.
mor911 @ Oct 31st 2007 10:27AM
Zero,
That's probably the best explanation I've ever recieved on why people love GH. And I guess thinking about it, that's kinda why I dig it too. It's THE only game my girlfriend can/will play.
You rock. Plus for you
zero @ Oct 31st 2007 11:09AM
Why thank you, you're pretty metal yourself. I'm right there with you with the girlfriend thing. We play together quite often.
Shagittarius @ Oct 31st 2007 11:06AM
And with that announcement Harmonix falls back into obscurity.
Rhythm games are stupid, but without the peripherals its not even fun.
Seroth @ Oct 31st 2007 11:11AM
Says you. I say I enjoy playing DDR with a normal controller. :P
Also, there's Ouendan/Elite Beat Agents and Gitaroo Man and Boom Boom Rocket and blah blah blah.
Blazur @ Oct 31st 2007 11:20AM
I'd LOVE to see a new amplitude! That game rocks so much...
SJ @ Oct 31st 2007 12:09PM
Amplitude did have some great songs. That was how I discovered BT.
Sean @ Oct 31st 2007 12:26PM
Hero Hero - coming 2009!
griffinmcelroy @ Oct 31st 2007 3:02PM
How big would the USB Dongle have to be for a Polyphonic Spree game? 28 ports long?
32_Footsteps @ Oct 31st 2007 4:39PM
Actually, Harmonix has come out with the ultimate metagaming experience - Video Game Hero. In it, you control a video gamer as he tries to get much better at games. You don't actually play the genres in question, but a simplified facsimilie of them to show your skills. Unlocks include new controllers, new game genres to really show your skills on, and even different characters (Miyamoto is an unlockable on the Wii version, while the 360 gets Bill Gates and the PS3 will get a Giant Enemy Crab).
Kid van Pervert @ Nov 1st 2007 2:21AM
Algorithm'd beats? What is it going to be, an Autechre game? A Menomena sim? Blah.
/ musicnerd
Deep.Grave @ Nov 2nd 2007 2:04AM
Hey, so since the keynote title is "Your music is the game," I suppose the algorithm'd beats will be Harmonix' shot at creating the holy grail of rhythm games, that through sheer programming awesomeness will never need DLC or a sequel, just a library of music (anyone still listen to that?).
Personally, that sounds really f'ing amazing.