Today's Rock Band for Wii announcement left us with some lingering questions. Here are Harmonix's answers [update: added answers to Mii support, 480p questions]:
Will the Wii version of Rock Band include the Rock Band Store, and downloadable tracks?
When developing Rock Band for the Wii platform, we focused on making the core gameplay experience as solid and enjoyable as possible while tailoring it specifically to the strengths of the platform. The Wii version still contains the robust four-player band experience and all the fun at the core of other versions of Rock Band. However, because the Wii's online capabilities and potential have yet to be fully realized, we wanted to wait before we explored online functionality for Rock Band to ensure that players get the high-quality of online performance they've come to expect.
Will the Wii "bonus songs" be Wii-exclusive, or five songs included on the disc from the Rock Band DLC store?
We'll announce the songs closer to launch. Stay tuned!
Will the Wii version have missing or crippled features similar to the PS2 experience?
Rock Band for the Wii will have functionality similar to the PS2 version.
If there is character creation, will there be Mii support when creating your Rock Band character?
No, there will be no character creator. When developing Rock Band for the Wii platform, the primary focus was to make the core band gameplay experience as fun and solid for everyone -- from the software to the Rock Band Wii drums, wireless Stratocaster guitar controllers and microphone peripheral. In tailoring Rock Band to the strengths of the Wii console, character creator unfortunately didn't make the cut.
Will Wii's Rock Band be compatible with Wii's Guitar Hero III guitar?
Harmonix and MTV Games believe in an open standard philosophy of hardware and game compatibility. We think that there should be interoperability between music instrument controllers across all music games. This is clearly in the best interest of consumers, game developers and console manufacturers and will only help to grow the music game genre as well as inspire innovation and creativity. Third-party developers and publishers are welcome to freely support the Rock Band peripherals in their games. Support for the GHIII guitar peripherals in Rock Band on the Wii was not possible without Activision's permission. Therefore, any questions regarding lack of compatibility with GHIII hardware should be directed to Activision. [In other words: No. Check out our updated 'Guitar Guide' for complete compatibility details.]
Will each instrument need to be connected to a Wii Remote?
The Harmonix development team considered a lot of options in creating the Rock Band for the Wii instruments. At this time, we felt that sticking with the current peripheral functionality was the best route. [Read: No Wiimotes necessary!]
Any changes to peripherals relative to the PS3/360 versions?
Check out photo for white drums!
Will the bundle include a powered USB hub, like the Xbox 360 release?
The bundle will ship with a USB hub.
Will Rock Band be widescreen, 480p compatible?
Rock Band for Wii audio will be in stereo with Dolby Pro Logic II support at launch. [The game] will also be 480p compatible.
Reader Comments (178)
Posted: Apr 3rd 2008 1:04PM (Unverified) said
LAME LAME LAME
Posted: Apr 6th 2008 12:58PM (Unverified) said
no one cares if you can't play with some random guy online. the reason i got a wii is because unlike all of you i actually have friends that can come over and play wii rock band (which i am going to get)and ill be just fine with it for some of u with no friends go get a 360 or ps3 and play the damn game with other nobodys online in your mothers basement!
Posted: Apr 14th 2008 2:02AM (Unverified) said
This blows. I've been absolutely dying for this game, but I'm not buying it. I really don't care about world tour or online play. It'd be nice to have, but I'm fine without them. The thing that really pisses me is that they're not utilizing the wiimotes like GH3 did. First off, I now own 2 completely incompatible guitars, so I'll have to have 4 guitars, drums and a mic sitting around in my living room if I want to be able to play both fully.
Furthermore, I went through the expense of buying 4 wiimotes and rechargable battery packs for the wiimotes. Now I not only have to go buy frikking batteries for their stupid instruments, but on top of it all, they're certainly charging me to buy all the electronics that I already paid for in the wiimotes!
F U Harmonix, you're not getting my money.
Furthermore, I went through the expense of buying 4 wiimotes and rechargable battery packs for the wiimotes. Now I not only have to go buy frikking batteries for their stupid instruments, but on top of it all, they're certainly charging me to buy all the electronics that I already paid for in the wiimotes!
F U Harmonix, you're not getting my money.
Posted: Apr 16th 2008 12:11AM (Unverified) said
I'm glad I updated to a 360 from a PS2 instead of going to the Wii. One of the main reasons I did upgrade is to avoid the neutered version of RB and the lack of DLC for GHIII. The Wii is fun to play and all, but honestly it's last gen. Imagine games like Brawl backed with the power of the 360 and Xbox Live. Can anyone deny that Brawl would be 10 times better on a true next gen console?
Posted: Apr 22nd 2008 2:18PM (Unverified) said
So eventually will there be online features to buy songs and such or are they gonna be gay and leave it alone?
Posted: Apr 25th 2008 10:37PM (Unverified) said
Why don't they let you use your Miis and have THEM shred on the guitar? That would be super easy to do.
Posted: Apr 27th 2008 9:00PM (Unverified) said
I just pre-ordered this from ebgames in london ontario and the store manager told me that the GHIII guitars for wii WILL WORK!!! I hope that he didn't just make that up to make me happy and that it is actually fact!
Posted: Apr 27th 2008 11:29PM (Unverified) said
has any 1 seen the trailer yet its better than you think and dlc will not be available at launch but later on
Posted: Apr 28th 2008 9:09AM (Unverified) said
I wish there was going to be charactor creater on the WII Rock Band.
Posted: Apr 28th 2008 11:44AM (Unverified) said
well if there's no character creation i'm pretty sure there's character selection
Posted: Apr 28th 2008 11:47AM (Unverified) said
Rockband Wii Trailer
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/32789.html
Rockband Wii Interview
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/32808.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/32789.html
Rockband Wii Interview
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/32808.html
Posted: Apr 29th 2008 9:45PM (Unverified) said
did you noticed that he said " we are focusing on the core gameplay to make sure its right " WTF we all know its fine but dont sell us short. im fine with no dlc but no online or band world tour ? those basically ARE the core gameplay !
Posted: May 1st 2008 4:05PM (Unverified) said
How do you change your picture, I'm wondering because I hate the stupid freakin mario picture!!!!!
Posted: May 1st 2008 4:10PM (Unverified) said
I agree with you Jeremy Haronix sucks!Oh and my friend wants to know if your hot.
Posted: May 1st 2008 4:07PM (Unverified) said
Stoogz PS2 and Xbox SUCK compared to Nintendo.
Posted: May 5th 2008 6:35PM (Unverified) said
Well ok here is my thought do you honestly think that hermonix is not trying to get permission for support on GH3 guitars of course and you think that there's not going to be dlc there has been speculation that a wii hdd will be released at July E3 convention June 22nd July those are pretty close in date coincidence? I think not plus GH3 dlc for wii was to be available somewhere around a quarter into 2008, also very close to July
Posted: May 8th 2008 11:37AM (Unverified) said
I'm soooo pissed! I'm canceling my PRE order for rockband! I wanted to see if the wii version was going to have the same songs and I found out a few things about the "WII" version.....
There will be NO online live....
There will be NO PURCHASE ability....
There will be NO tours.......
There will be NO tweaking out characters with tats ect....
and the guitar hero guitar is NOT compatible!
But it's the same price!!! WTF!!!!
There will be NO online live....
There will be NO PURCHASE ability....
There will be NO tours.......
There will be NO tweaking out characters with tats ect....
and the guitar hero guitar is NOT compatible!
But it's the same price!!! WTF!!!!
Posted: May 14th 2008 4:15PM (Unverified) said
I am SO MAD!! Why not let you make a character creator!??!? That's one of the most fun parts!! :( AND they're leaving out the online store! I had such high hopes for this game! Now they're all crushed...gone...why...why? I...I was hoping to have the same amount of fun on my Wii that I did on my friend's Xbox 360 the first time I played it, and a MAAAJOR part of that was creating my own character!!! Please at least include this feature before the release!! ...pleeeeeease...:(
Posted: May 18th 2008 1:46PM (Unverified) said
NO LIVE...> ir wi fi thats retatrted ... Nintendo are you listining???
Posted: May 20th 2008 7:05PM (Unverified) said
Ok guys heres how the Character creation crap works. Its a tradeoff. Either Wii gets shit graphics and character creation of XBox 360/PS3 graphics and no customization. Rock band wii uses FMV (Full-Motion Video) Backgrounds which means that they are videos and thus cannot be altered but have the same graphical quality (save for the HD resolutions) as the 360/PS3
Posted: Jun 4th 2008 2:12PM (Unverified) said
Thanks for the info, Appleman!
Darn...what is with the Wii? It has the worst graphics, but is the most fun! Anyway, I think I'd rather take er..."poor" graphics and being able to customize characters, than have beautiful graphics and not be able to...
But has someone explained why Rock Band isn't going to use Nintendo's coming-up in-game Wi-Fi online store feature where you can use Wii points to add on to your games? (for more Rock Band songs for Wii?) I heard about it somewhere...I wish I could remember where...try some googling. :P
Reply
Darn...what is with the Wii? It has the worst graphics, but is the most fun! Anyway, I think I'd rather take er..."poor" graphics and being able to customize characters, than have beautiful graphics and not be able to...
But has someone explained why Rock Band isn't going to use Nintendo's coming-up in-game Wi-Fi online store feature where you can use Wii points to add on to your games? (for more Rock Band songs for Wii?) I heard about it somewhere...I wish I could remember where...try some googling. :P
Posted: Jun 8th 2008 11:42AM (Unverified) said
well i think its stupid because theres no character creation. What will we use the money we earn for???
Posted: Jun 11th 2008 4:52PM (Unverified) said
I'm too lazy to keep up with "which one is best" I own all three consoles, but need to buy rockband. Which console do you guys think I should get it for ?
Thanks
Kudzu
Thanks
Kudzu
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 2:52AM (Unverified) said
Hey Kudzu, did you even read the comments before asking? It seems pretty unanimous that the 360 offers the best version.
Personally, I'm not a big gamer, but I bought the gamecube and now the wii for the kids (5 and 7). We've got the rock band kit on reserve and I'm sure it will be fine for us to play around with. I've also played it a few times on the 360 at a friend's house. The only thing I'm afraid of with getting it is that it will be addictive enough that I'll have to go out and buy a 360 just so I can get the full featured version.
We'll see what the Wii version comes out with after release. The thing that I'm surprised to read is that you can't even do world tour with wii, which I assume is sort of the 'career mode'?
Reply
Personally, I'm not a big gamer, but I bought the gamecube and now the wii for the kids (5 and 7). We've got the rock band kit on reserve and I'm sure it will be fine for us to play around with. I've also played it a few times on the 360 at a friend's house. The only thing I'm afraid of with getting it is that it will be addictive enough that I'll have to go out and buy a 360 just so I can get the full featured version.
We'll see what the Wii version comes out with after release. The thing that I'm surprised to read is that you can't even do world tour with wii, which I assume is sort of the 'career mode'?
Posted: Jun 15th 2008 10:21PM (Unverified) said
Damn... After all the bowling alley sticker vendors I raided to pimp out my guitars... I don't get to use them for rock band :(
Oh... and there is nothing wrong with a bunch of Mii's rocking their faces off. Just slap some tats on them... add a violent crowd... and Dethklok it up. Lazy devs should be skewered with Jack Bauer's fist of justice.
Oh... and there is nothing wrong with a bunch of Mii's rocking their faces off. Just slap some tats on them... add a violent crowd... and Dethklok it up. Lazy devs should be skewered with Jack Bauer's fist of justice.
Posted: Jun 19th 2008 8:51PM (Unverified) said
MTV Games, Harmonix and EA Announce “Rock Band™ Track Pack Volume 1” for Wii™ and PlayStation®2 System Will Be Available July 15, 2008
Cambridge, MA – May 5, 2008 -- Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a division of MTV Networks, which is a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced plans to release Rock Band™ Track Pack Volume 1 for the Wii™ home video game console from Nintendo and PlayStation®22 computer entertainment system. The 20-Track Pack features an electrifying mix of classic hits and current favorites, including songs by Boston, Nine Inch Nails, Stone Temple Pilots, and All American Rejects. The Rock Band™ Track Pack Volume 1 will be available on July 15th, 2008 for a MSRP of $29.99. Complete details are as follows:
Release date: Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Tracks:
30 Seconds to Mars - "The Kill"
All American Rejects - "Move Along"
Blink – 182 - "All the Small Things"
Boston - "More Than a Feeling"
David Bowie - "Moonage Daydream"
Faith No More - "We Care A Lot"
Grateful Dead - "Truckin’"
The Hives - "Die, All Right!"
KISS - "Calling Dr. Love"
Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Gimme’ Three Steps"
Nine Inch Nails - "March of the Pigs"
Oasis - "Live Forever"
Paramore - "Crushcrushcrush"
The Police - "Synchronicity II"
Queens of the Stone Age - "Little Sister"
Ramones - "Teenage Lobotomy"
Smashing Pumpkins - "Siva"
Stone Temple Pilots - "Interstate Love Song"
Weezer - "Buddy Holly"
Wolfmother - "Joker & the Thief"
**All 20 tracks utilize original master recordings**
** All tracks are available as DLC on competing platforms**
Price: $29.99 MSRP
Cambridge, MA – May 5, 2008 -- Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a division of MTV Networks, which is a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced plans to release Rock Band™ Track Pack Volume 1 for the Wii™ home video game console from Nintendo and PlayStation®22 computer entertainment system. The 20-Track Pack features an electrifying mix of classic hits and current favorites, including songs by Boston, Nine Inch Nails, Stone Temple Pilots, and All American Rejects. The Rock Band™ Track Pack Volume 1 will be available on July 15th, 2008 for a MSRP of $29.99. Complete details are as follows:
Release date: Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Tracks:
30 Seconds to Mars - "The Kill"
All American Rejects - "Move Along"
Blink – 182 - "All the Small Things"
Boston - "More Than a Feeling"
David Bowie - "Moonage Daydream"
Faith No More - "We Care A Lot"
Grateful Dead - "Truckin’"
The Hives - "Die, All Right!"
KISS - "Calling Dr. Love"
Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Gimme’ Three Steps"
Nine Inch Nails - "March of the Pigs"
Oasis - "Live Forever"
Paramore - "Crushcrushcrush"
The Police - "Synchronicity II"
Queens of the Stone Age - "Little Sister"
Ramones - "Teenage Lobotomy"
Smashing Pumpkins - "Siva"
Stone Temple Pilots - "Interstate Love Song"
Weezer - "Buddy Holly"
Wolfmother - "Joker & the Thief"
**All 20 tracks utilize original master recordings**
** All tracks are available as DLC on competing platforms**
Price: $29.99 MSRP
Posted: Jun 20th 2008 4:48PM (Unverified) said
No character creator? That's fucking stupid. They had plenty of time to give us more than a shitty PS2 port. I'm not buying this game now.
Posted: Jun 21st 2008 11:26PM (Unverified) said
i dont care if you shoot me i think it is going to be awsome and i hate the customizible avatar it sucks!!! I
like game play more than graphics. the 360 and ps3 version suck too!!!!
like game play more than graphics. the 360 and ps3 version suck too!!!!
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