Joystiq interviews Rock Band 2's Dan Teasdale
To reiterate, these are not quotes, they are merely the basic information we received while jotting down info really, really fast:
Joystiq: What songs from RB1 are not going to be transferable to RB2?
Teasdale's general response: We're still working out the details -- licensing. We're going to be updating Rock Band 1 with the release of Rock Band 2.
Why aren't all the songs going to be transferable?
Licensing issues.
The Ion Premium Set also doubles as an electronic drum set. Will there be a way to use the electronic drum set with Rock Band?
Pretty much the same thing. That's like our drum trainer. You can shut that off.
Update: We should clarify this a bit more. The Ion drums are a special set for Rock Band 2, which can also be used as a real drum kit. There is an option inside the game to learn and play the drums called "Drum Trainer." The Ion drums can be used to freestyle inside the game there.
Will Rock Band 2 drums be compatible with Guitar Hero IV?
We don't have access -- We're keeping our open standard, we want people to have a choice.
How do velocity-sensitive pads fit in with the game? Will it affect score? Is it optional (e.g. can we turn off the volume differences)? Will RB1 songs be compatible with velocity sensitive system?
It's a total style thing -- doesn't affect gameplay. No answer on the RB1.
Will people who are unable to use their legs be able to shut off the foot pedal?
They can shut off failing a song in the menu. There is no way to shut off just the foot pedal.
Do you perceive Guitar Hero now as more of a threat with its full band set up? Care to give your opinion?
It's not really our focus. We have to make good musical experiences. Perfecting on what we're working out.
How long can you keep up Rock Band weekly? Is it difficult securing weekly content?
We're going to ramp up more songs. By holiday we'll have 500 songs. "We'll have some legendary milestone albums."
Will full-album downloads continue to be on a consistent, once-a-month schedule?
We don't have a set schedule.
Can we count on Rock Band 2 as an annual franchise now, a la Madden? What is Harmonix going to do improve the game fundamentally with each iteration?
I don't think you can. We innovate and then perfect. Then in our next game we'll go and innovate again.
With other "full band" franchises hitting the market -- one in particular with dominating mainstream music game mind share -- what are you doing to grow the Rock Band brand?
We're the only place you can go through and grow a library of game.
Does the company foresee a point when DLC will be made exclusive to the latest version?
Not for Rock Band 2. We made it very clear that we want this to be a platform.
RB 2's main strength seems to be a new set list; any worry that World Tour's song creation feature could make that obsolete?
Not really. We've had experience with music generated content. We want people to make sure they can sing our songs.
Rock Band 1's profile management was a mess, what's different now?
Rock Band 2, we don't have band leaders, characters can play any instrument. Greatly simplified.
While the ability to use existing instruments on RB2 is great, was effort put towards making new peripherals more durable, or have a lower failure rate this time out?
We've definitely learned a lot. Sturdier guitar strums. Solid metal plate on kick pedal, softer drum pads. Ability to customize drums. The calibration lens built into the guitar.
After missing the Wii window of opportunity with Rock Band 1 and focusing on the PS3 and Xbox 360, Harmonix released a Wii version last month that is essentially a port of the PS2 Rock Band. Why isn't the hugely popular Wii being prioritized this time? Will any eventual Wii release be closer to the Xbox 360 and PS3 version in terms of features?
We'd like to get Rock Band 2 on all relevant platforms by the end of the year.
What bands do you want songs from that won't let you have 'em? Why?
For a long time it was AC/DC. I'm running out of bands I want songs from.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
waynski1457 @ Jul 16th 2008 8:19AM
RAPID FIRE COMMENT!
ZING! POW! ZOOM!
SHAZAM! @ Jul 16th 2008 8:30AM
Desperately hoping that the transfer list is only missing, say, Aerosmith and C&C...
Mimglow @ Jul 16th 2008 8:32AM
Ah, the art of saying nothing. :)
Demaar @ Jul 16th 2008 8:32AM
A lot of "half" answers there. He gets the point across, but doesn't really explain things much if at all...
Flash @ Jul 16th 2008 8:32AM
"The Ion Premium Set also doubles as a electronic drum set. Will there be a way to use an electronic drum set with Rock Band?
Pretty much the same thing. That's like our drum trainer. You can shut that off."
This answer doesn't make any sense. Is he saying yes, there will be a peripheral that allows one to play the game with a MIDI/Electronic drum kit?
Flash @ Jul 16th 2008 8:35AM
Just to clarify--I do not mean the Ion/RB kit. I mean--can we play the game with a REAL electronic kit by connecting it via MIDI to some new peripheral.
shoeshine @ Jul 17th 2008 2:47AM
You can already do that. Ask around on the official forums.
Flash @ Jul 17th 2008 4:34AM
Thanks, actually I already have my Yamaha DTXplorer set up to play RB1. The reason I asked is because it required a very complicated mod where I hacked up and soldered my RB kit to a MIDI-controller. Thus, I am still essentially stuck with both the RB kit and my real e-kit. I am just curious to know whether there will be a simple "in-line" adaptor hitting the market.
Ben Forbes @ Jul 16th 2008 8:33AM
'We're going to ramp up more songs. By holiday we'll have 500 songs.'
Yes.
Just, yes.
NathanRandom @ Jul 16th 2008 8:53AM
No way of just recording the interview? I can't makes heads nor tails of a few questions there.
Will any eventual Wii release be closer to the Xbox 360 and PS3 version in terms of features?
"We'd like to get Rock Band 2 on all relevant platforms by the end of the year."
Bah.
Kizzle @ Jul 16th 2008 8:54AM
"Will people who are unable to use their legs be able to shut off the foot pedal?"
I know it's mean, but that made me laugh.
It would be awesome if we can pick and choose which songs we want to transfer from RB1...no more Maps!
But if it's forced that you have to do everything...well, hopefully it's just Aerosmith. I couldn't care less if I don't get to play Train Kept Rolling anymore.
Cian @ Jul 16th 2008 9:56PM
Aerosmith is the LEAST likely to be transferable now that they've gone GH exclusive.
Matt B @ Jul 16th 2008 9:03AM
"We're keeping our open standard, we want people to have a choice. "
Notice that is THEIR open standard, not an open standard.
An of course he completely glosses over the gimped Wii. It sounds like they will continue to offer a gimped Wii port. Unlike Activision- who actually cares about Wii owners- Harmonix continues to spit in our faces.
bounchfx @ Jul 16th 2008 9:13AM
why would anyone care about wii owners? They've made it obvious that they don't like real games, and so has nintendo.
Zeromaru @ Jul 16th 2008 9:16AM
But you have to remember that Rock Band is much BETTER than Guitar Hero, and each iteration doesn't just take the old version's source code and add new art and songs. Harmonix started from scratch and made Rock Band in... 6 months? Neversoft started with Guitar Hero 2 (courtesy of Harmonix no less) and made GH3 in roughly the same window. Since they had far less work to do, they were able to keep all ports the same. Also not being musicians, they most certainly spent far less time polishing the songs than Harmonix did for Rock Band.
Xenikos @ Jul 16th 2008 9:39AM
"Notice that is THEIR open standard, not an open standard."
I...what? How the hell is that a slander? Harmonix went out of their way to allow other companies instruments to work with their games. Activision went out of their way to prohibit this in the past.
But I suspect that this nonsensical comment only exists because you're a Wii owner and are bitter. To which I say: stop being surprised your cheap console gets you cheap gameplay, and grow a pair. Harmonix and Valve are unparalleled in awesomeness.
igetgames @ Jul 16th 2008 10:31AM
Zeromaru, Neversoft never had any access to GH2 code, Harmonix owns it. Harmonix therefore started from GH2 to create RB (logic would dictate). Also, Neversoft did the Xbox 360 (lead SKU) and PS3 versions of GH3, Budcat handled PS2, Vicarious Visions the Wii, and someone else the PC version. The ports were in sync in terms of taking code and assets from the 360 and scaling it down to fit.
The RB PS2 and Wii ports on the other hand, use prerendered video for all venues which is why there's no create-a-rocker, selectable venues, etc. These ports were done *after* development of RB 360 and PS3 were completed.
Eric @ Jul 16th 2008 11:12AM
dude Nintendo is the one that makes it hard for you guys. No storage space for DLC. That screws with developers plans. I understand Nintendo wants everyone to be a gamer and that is great. But you do have inferior product compared to the other consoles. I own a Wii and i love it too. But Nintendo made some silly design mistakes with the thing. Yopu can not blame Harmonix.
packerquai @ Jul 16th 2008 9:05AM
Calibration lens? Wha?
mkrajew @ Jul 16th 2008 12:34PM
The guitar has a lens/camera that can be used to auto-calibrate the game to your TV/Receiver. No more needing to go into the menu and try to figure out what your audio and video lag times are since the game can auto-calibrate, and probably more accurately than a human could.
packerquai @ Jul 16th 2008 1:42PM
Ah, thanks. That does sound pretty useful.
Charlie @ Jul 16th 2008 9:08AM
Apart from the answer to the Ion kit question, which didn't make any sense at all, I really like the quick fire answers. Better for scanning through quickly.
Anyone know how to get the Ion kit in Europe?
dark_inchworm @ Jul 16th 2008 9:25AM
Thanks for flat-out ignoring some questions, asshole.
Boffo the Sock @ Jul 16th 2008 12:43PM
He's probably unable to answer those questions asshole.
dark_inchworm @ Jul 16th 2008 2:38PM
He could at least take a page from the Microsoft book of PR. Oh, MS... every time you refuse to comment on rumors and speculation, my penis gets a little harder.
...wait, what?
Ghoti @ Jul 16th 2008 9:31AM
If by the awkwardly answered question about electronic drum kits, they mean that they will be supporting them, that's awesome, because I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that GH4 will support them as well.
Flash @ Jul 16th 2008 9:39AM
Absolutely agree, but the important unanswered question is if e-kits are supported, HOW will they interface with the console? i.e. Is Harmonix or Activision planning on releasing a MIDI interface?
I have hacked up and soldered my original RB kit to a MIDI-controller board and I've been playing RB with my Yamaha DTXplorer for a few months. I am just hoping both companies support e-kits so I can toss the plastic drum kit in favor of a simple adaptor.
zeldazeppelin @ Jul 16th 2008 4:42PM
ok the RB drums and guitar will work on GH:WT from what was said at the activsion press confrence so calm down
zeldazeppelin @ Jul 16th 2008 4:43PM
dang comment system
thenino85 @ Jul 16th 2008 5:00PM
I'm a huge Rock Band fanboy. As far as I'm concerned, Harmonix is the only real music game publisher. Yes, I know Konami did it first, but Harmonix did it better. First means relatively little in the electronics world. Just ask Apple, Microsoft, and IBM.
Still, even I want to flame this guy. Granted, there were a lot of questions that he probably couldn't answer, but still, why even bother having this interview if you can't answer any question? I feel like I wasted 30 seconds of my life reading this.
Cian @ Jul 16th 2008 9:59PM
I have faith that Rock Band 2 will be better than GH:WT (I feel some of my comments may be misleading in that I will still get GHWT but I only expect it to be decent) but that was a terrible interview. As has been pointed out the electronic drum kit question doesn't even make sense.
Jason @ Jul 17th 2008 12:50AM
Yeah, thanks but no thanks. i can understand 'no fail' mode for parties etc., but don't deal me that crap about that option being okay for people w/o use of their legs. I'm a quadriplegic, but I used to be a drummer too; I'm supposed to be okay not failing a song, but just being in the red w/ a crap score? Eff that noise.