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: Mar 24th 2008 5:49PM (Unverified) said
No the devs are what is gimping it. The Wii has potential but the developers would rather shell out ports and other stupid ass games. i love my Wii, I just wish the devs weren't lazy.
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Posted: Mar 24th 2008 7:23PM (Unverified) said
The wii is what's gimped.. Why do you think they always have gimped versions, less than stellar visuals and the shit end of the online stick.... The Wii is good for games with Mario on the cover or in the title and capcom ports. Other than that its simply Game Cube version 1.5 + Waggle and Mii's... Then again how could anyone expect the DEVs to have inline play or DLC for this game... Hell you would fill up the pitiful excuse for memory after a few days of downloading...I guess you could swap out SD cards and do some heavy duty file management... Thats pretty immersive isn't it?
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Posted: Mar 24th 2008 9:09PM (Unverified) said
Oh the PS3 SO does not own the "I am a great console, I just have crappy developers" statement. Look at games like Drakes Fortune, Resistance, UTIII, Ratchet and Clank, Burnout Paradise, hell, the only BAD ports to the PS3 are F.E.A.R. and POSSIBLY Orange Box and DMC4 but those are LOADING PROBLEMS. THAT'S NOT GIMPING.
The Wii IS getting shafted. It's COMPLETELY unfair and the game was announced LONG after WiFi had taken effect. Why they couldn't set it up so there's at LEAST a freaking online co-op (career) mode is BEYOND me. Have four friends swap friend codes with pre-assigned parts to the band and play! I know there's a bunch of coding to it but COME ON. This seems like Harmonix is phoning it in and saying "Hey, Rock Band on the Wii! ...Yes, we know the Wii has online but everyone hates friend codes anyways so who cares?!"
Screw you Harmonix, you had PLENTY of time to work out an online mode for the Wii version, you're just too damn LAZY!
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The Wii IS getting shafted. It's COMPLETELY unfair and the game was announced LONG after WiFi had taken effect. Why they couldn't set it up so there's at LEAST a freaking online co-op (career) mode is BEYOND me. Have four friends swap friend codes with pre-assigned parts to the band and play! I know there's a bunch of coding to it but COME ON. This seems like Harmonix is phoning it in and saying "Hey, Rock Band on the Wii! ...Yes, we know the Wii has online but everyone hates friend codes anyways so who cares?!"
Screw you Harmonix, you had PLENTY of time to work out an online mode for the Wii version, you're just too damn LAZY!
Posted: Mar 24th 2008 10:40PM brokenmonkey said
The point of playing Rock Band online is to jam with other people and if you're the only one who owns Rock Band (as is the case in many circles of friends) then you're going to be playing online with strangers. Without a way to match up with strangers it's a pointless addition to the game that obviously wasn't made for the Wii in the first place. If they had to cut out other things like character creation why would they include online play that nobody would use anyway?
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Posted: Mar 24th 2008 11:14PM Monkey Fighting Snake said
I wouldn't really know if the memory on the Wii is insufficient to store stuff on because no games offer anything to freaking store on it.
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Posted: Mar 25th 2008 1:34AM (Unverified) said
I have owned a wii since launch and have been playing Nintendo games since 1986 and I love Nintendo to death but the wii is gimped just look at Smash Bros Brawl the game seems like it is going to break the system when you play just listen to the disc read it is horible. Maybe thats what we get when Nintendo forces people to make games for them (ie. announcing the game before you even ask a retired game maker to make the game for you) I own 30+ wii games and play less and less daily all I know is that Nintendo better not do this next generation. its been down hill since gamecube minus the DS but that is getting outdated very quickly as well.
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Posted: Mar 24th 2008 5:43PM (Unverified) said
Rock Band without DLC is like Gears of War without bullets.
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Posted: Mar 24th 2008 5:44PM (Unverified) said
So basically its what we all knew, its the same crippled ps2 version.
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Posted: May 10th 2008 12:12PM (Unverified) said
That's what it fricken looks like to me...
The new Wii has to partake with the old arse PS2...
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The new Wii has to partake with the old arse PS2...
Posted: Mar 24th 2008 6:09PM ncxcstud said
So, another game that doesn't use the revolutionary wiimote? I wonder if I'll be able to even read this comment when I get back from class later tonight, lol...
Of course, Rock Band gave a big middle finger to 'wireless' gameplay anyways on the 360 and PS3, so it's not too different anyways...
It does stink that because of the Wii's relatively undefined online capabilities that all the Wii owners will miss out on playing online with each other.
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Of course, Rock Band gave a big middle finger to 'wireless' gameplay anyways on the 360 and PS3, so it's not too different anyways...
It does stink that because of the Wii's relatively undefined online capabilities that all the Wii owners will miss out on playing online with each other.
Posted: Mar 24th 2008 11:16PM (Unverified) said
Actually, Guitars on the PS3 version of rock Band are wireless.
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Posted: Mar 24th 2008 5:48PM NO DOUBT GET LOUD said
"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."
Just became a non-buy for me.
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Rock Band for the Wii will have functionality similar to the PS2 version."
Just became a non-buy for me.
Posted: Mar 24th 2008 5:50PM Lone Starr said
"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."
Diplomacy FTW.
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Diplomacy FTW.
Posted: Mar 25th 2008 9:05AM ProfKOS said
I like that devs would wait for someone else to do it. Press the issue for DLC and Nintendo have no recourse but to work with you on it.
Oops space will be an issue? I guess we will have to release that USB hard drive peripheral and make millions on it.
If any dev has the ability to press Nintendo for upgrades and features it's the guys flying high.
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Oops space will be an issue? I guess we will have to release that USB hard drive peripheral and make millions on it.
If any dev has the ability to press Nintendo for upgrades and features it's the guys flying high.
Posted: Mar 24th 2008 6:47PM (Unverified) said
"You must not have played God of War: Chains of Olympus yet..."
Um....what does that have to do with WiiS2 and WiiSP games? To qualify as either of the above it has to be on a Wii and either a PS2 or a PSP.
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Um....what does that have to do with WiiS2 and WiiSP games? To qualify as either of the above it has to be on a Wii and either a PS2 or a PSP.
Posted: Mar 24th 2008 6:15PM (Unverified) said
No customizable avatar
No DLC
No leaderboards
No online play
No band world tour
Quickplay only
Final Destination
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No DLC
No leaderboards
No online play
No band world tour
Quickplay only
Final Destination
Posted: Mar 24th 2008 5:56PM (Unverified) said
Proper title for this article:
"Rock Band Wii drum kit pictured, nagging questions answered closer to launch, stay tuned!"
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"Rock Band Wii drum kit pictured, nagging questions answered closer to launch, stay tuned!"
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