GDC08: Imported Rock Band music possible in sequels

by JC Fletcher { Feb 23rd 2008 at 12:30PM }

I was totally there and listening to the talk, but somehow I missed this: Harmonix's Chris Foster mentioned that while the technology used in Phase to generate gameplay from the music on the player's iPod currently won't work for Rock Band (because the Phase tech can only generate a single gameplay track for the song, and not one per instrument), Harmonix is looking into the possibility of procedural generation in the game.

There was no information on when, and no details (probably because the details don't exist) but Foster said that feature would be implemented in a Rock Band sequel if they can get it to work. So, uh, Rock Band sequel confirmed?

Tags: gdc08, harmonix, music, rhythm, rock-band

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

a ham sandwich @ Feb 23rd 2008 12:43PM

u needed confirmation?

what i think they should do is open up some form of an api to let the community create tracks for the game that are downloadable. that way they'd be free, and more accurate than anything a generator could produce.

NukeAssault @ Feb 23rd 2008 12:44PM

That would be so kick ass.

Huey2k2 @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:01PM

Wow... That would be really really badass. Who needs DLC when you can just make your own tracks?

Ghen @ Feb 23rd 2008 9:22PM

Because most people really SUCK at fretting songs. Try playing some random tunes in the PC game Frets on Fire.

Heck, even the one song I made was timed wrong =) I could go back and fix it, but noone is paying me.

Dracard @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:14PM

Hm...

See, the thing is... I dunno, why would they [EA and/or MTV] go from making money off of DLC songs to no more pennies by implementing something like this? I mean, if they do it, hell yes, but they are businesses. Why make less when you could make more?...

...Unless it's released an addon that costs like $30. Then I can kind of see it.

Me @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:50PM

Well, I would still buy DLC if the generated tracks end up being inferior to the DLC itself. I've never played Phase, but I doubt that the notes it generates are accurate enough to rival pre-made note charts.

This would still be an incredibly cool bonus though, and I would finally get to play some Pillows on Rock Band!

supakoopa @ Feb 23rd 2008 3:50PM

No, it would be a wise move in my opinion, people will think, "Why buy Guitar Hero when I can play whatever I want in Rock Band."

Dracard @ Feb 23rd 2008 4:55PM

Another thing I thought about is that the companies wouldn't have to pay royalties for the music. Pretty sweet to think about, which makes it possible for them to do this. I'm sure they could find a sweet price range that should be on par with the amount they profit from currently on downloadable songs.

CVD @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:28PM

The original would be a nice start for us outside North America...

modified @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:33PM

Does anyone really believe this will happen with the money they make off DLC?

Gavin @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:38PM

Yeah, cause we all know that they've run out of music and there's absolutely no more songs that can be released through DLC. Don't be so stupid. They realize in advance that if they try and sell us the same songs we've already bought there would be a huge outcry amongst the fanbase. There is talk going around that the next Guitar Hero will add drums and a mic, so Rock Band has to be proactively planning for the future and more competition in the genre. They don't want to piss us off in advance, and good for them.

Mike Jenkins @ Feb 23rd 2008 6:28PM

I think it will happen but I don't know how they will make it profitable. The only way that it seems to make sense is to charge people per song to create note patterns, since it's essentially the same as downloading a song and using it in game, but you can pick the music. The trickiest part will be separating the vocals from the guitar, bass, and drums without having each track available separately.

Zaius @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:59PM

no way are they going to give up that revenue stream.

I do not see this happening.

Anni @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:13PM

I can't even wrap my brain around how this technology would even work. Moreover, if I plugged in a song that had nothing to do with guitars, bass, or drums, would my disc just melt?

sicsided @ Feb 23rd 2008 3:24PM

all music is essentially numbers, so its basically having a system that can read those numbers and spit out notes and play tracks for it. Audio-Surf.com is a game that does this, but with the combination of all the song and not just separate tracks. Why joystiq isn't given them props is strange to me...

Gehodra @ Feb 23rd 2008 6:38PM

"its basically having a system that can read those numbers and spit out notes and play tracks for it"

You make it sound easy. I don't have audio surf but I watched a couple videos, and as it turns out, it just gets general ideas of notes. Becuase it doesnt try to emulate playing the song, it gets away with it. It doesnt differ between instruments either. It looks like pitch might have a role in color or something though. To get accurate generated charts for rock band is pretty much impossible at this point. It they do put it in future releases, it will probably suck in comparison to those made by hand.

Atomic bombs. Its basically having something that makes a big explosion.

ApolloIV @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:41PM

Heres a way it could work. Charge you 1.00 or whatever for every time you use it. I imagine it could work out pretty well that way.

Raikage (Ludwig Defense Force) @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:56PM

That makes a lot of sense, just not sure how the Pr0(3dur3|y 63n3r473d would work...

Munky @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:59PM

I think they will do this. I feel that Harmonix is a little more in tune with the gamers than Activision. What I think will happen is that in the sequel, if they add features to the game, the old content won't work with new features, but still usable on the same level as it is now. New DLC will support whatever new features and if you want to use those features, you'll have the option to pay for them. Just what I think, though.

Dauragon88 @ Feb 23rd 2008 3:20PM

KEYTAR CONTROLLERS CONFIRMED FOR ROCK BAND 2!

Mike Jenkins @ Feb 23rd 2008 6:29PM

Cowbell accessory included!

GoldenS1104 @ Feb 23rd 2008 3:33PM

Finally I'll be able to play Hannah Montana songs in Rock Band.

Autopsy15 @ Feb 23rd 2008 3:40PM

I don't see this happening. DLC generates to much money for EA to just give it up. Would be pretty sweet though.

supakoopa @ Feb 23rd 2008 3:46PM

If they actually actually allow you to put your own songs in, I would rather create my own note charts than use a computer generated one, it would give me a sense of accomplishment. Also, how cool would it be if you could send your note tracks through Wi Fi/ XBL/ PSN?

And, my first custom track would be Wonderboy by Tenacious D.

Mike Jenkins @ Feb 23rd 2008 6:30PM

That would be awesome but the majority of players would either not have the time, energy, patience, or creativity to create good note patterns, especially if they want to do it for a lot of songs. Offering that option would be awesome though.

Chase @ Feb 23rd 2008 4:05PM

Whoa... That would be incredible. I'd use Pearl Jam's discography in a heartbeat. Possibly toss in some Carrie Underwood and Thelonious Monk for the novelty. Do it, Harmonix, and we will love you long time.

MarMar @ Feb 23rd 2008 4:24PM

Robin Hood and little John walkin' through the forest, laughin' back and forth at what the other has to say... Reminisicin' this 'n that and havin' such a good time, oo da laly oo da laly golly what a dayyyyy....

I could play that on rock bad alllllll day!

but can't you guys just use your PCs to make your own guitar zero tracks? there's a pc version of GH and you can use your wii controller with a bluetooth adaptor i think.

Chase @ Feb 23rd 2008 4:59PM

Bahaha... nicely done, sir.

And there is probably a way to do these things on the PC, but I don't like PC gaming. Nice suggestion, though.

NeverSage @ Feb 23rd 2008 4:28PM

That would definitely be awesome. But I'm more excited that it seems they're really trying to come up with something new for the sequel. I was worried they would just tack on some other play mode that no one would use, release the game with new tracks, and not release those tracks as DLC for people who only own RB1.

Mark @ Feb 24th 2008 3:54AM

Now I can fret my Nickelback songs sans shame. Finally.

Fernog @ Feb 24th 2008 12:46PM

It seems to me that this would be less videogame, and more of a software application. It make you wonder how they would implement it on the XBOX or PS3

Bobbo the Clown @ Apr 7th 2008 8:49PM

I have Phase... It's relatively accurate on things with a simple beat. (If you have it, try Nottingham Lace by Buckethead.) Of course, getting complex with something with off-beat stuff like Master of Puppets (going from 4/4 to 3/4 or 7/4 every other bar might throw it off a bit... I'll have to try it) but I'm sure it's completely possible.