CES 2009: Harmonix interested in music and RB track combo sales

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jan 9th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos mentioned at CES that he thinks it makes sense to offer up digital versions of songs with Rock Band tracks in a single offering. Ars Technica was there when Rigopulos expressed that it's something the company is interested in, but the CEO didn't expound exactly how it might happen.

Considering Harmonix is owned by MTV, it's not really a stretch to see how partnerships could be made for such a combo deal to happen, but Rigopulos does believe it would "change the tenor" of the developer's relationship with record labels. As long as Rock Band tracks continue being about $2 and the digital songs cost an extra buck (if you want to purchase it), the whole thing sounds like a reasonable deal.

Tags: alex-rigopulos, harmonix, mtv, rigopulos, rock-band, rock-band-2, rock-band-dlc

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

(The Award-Winning) dark_inchworm @ Jan 9th 2009 12:39PM

It's interesting, but not something I care deeply about. I'll buy the hell outta some Rock Band tracks, but if I want the music alone, I'll buy physical media. Or acquire it illegitimately... *cough*

MarkHawk @ Jan 9th 2009 12:41PM

Personally I like the idea but I won't be using it. Zune subscription offers me 97% of the songs from Rock Band 1,2, and DLC. That is how I have been listening to Rock Band game music when Im on the road.

I do wish a patch could be issued that added the jukebox mode that was cut. From my understanding the Jukebox mood allowed users to let the game play the music you had (DLC included) as a sort of Rock Band music video. I liked the idea for when I just needed some background noise while working and another way to get use of my 300+ collection of songs.

emirabal @ Jan 9th 2009 12:43PM

Word, what happened to that, when did that get cut.

copa @ Jan 9th 2009 12:48PM

It is very safe to assume that Jukebox mode was cut under pressure from record labels who felt it would cannibalize track sales.

Scooter @ Jan 9th 2009 12:53PM

You can still rock the ghetto blaster though.
Vox + no crowd noise + no fail + performance mode = music videos of all but two songs. (YYZ and Caprici Di Diablo)

MarkHawk @ Jan 9th 2009 1:05PM

@Scooter

haha I do that ;D

baby sea tuna @ Jan 9th 2009 1:40PM

Yeah, me too.

emirabal @ Jan 9th 2009 12:41PM

Sounds reasonable, i think it should be less than a buck being that im paying 2-3 bucks a song anyway. Good deal, but would i be able to take the songs with me like on my zune (yeah right) or my ipod.

SirFishouse @ Jan 9th 2009 12:44PM

I was pissed when I bought songs on Rock Band 1 and wasn't able to listen to them on my PS3. This is a no brainer

J.Goodwin @ Jan 9th 2009 12:51PM

MTV is partnered with Microsoft in one of their online stores (the one that isn't Zune, I think).

Scooter @ Jan 9th 2009 12:51PM

They should hook up with that Zune-Xbox idea and get in with MS's plan to have music for sale on the Xbox.

I know nothing has been announced by MS but really it makes sense for them to do that.

Edog Lost @ Jan 9th 2009 12:58PM

Although I have always wanted this type of thing to happen. I'm not sure if it would be successful.

I am already able to purchase these songs digitally through iTunes for a buck. If I buy a song on Rock Band for $2 I can just turn around and buy the same track on iTunes for $1 more. (Soon to be DRM free)
They would have to be competitive with their price structure. Otherwise I don't see them competing with iTunes in this market.

I do admit that I have bought a good deal of music because of Rock Band.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jan 9th 2009 2:25PM

Why would you (should you) have to buy the same music twice? You already own the RB track, which last I checked, has music. How is acquiring what you already own in a form you can listen to separate from the game any different than acquiring digital mp3 of the CDs you've already bought? You already own the tracks. Why pay more to use fairly what you already own?

J.Goodwin @ Jan 9th 2009 2:30PM

The license for RB tracks is to play them in a specific game, or for the DLC, a series of games. That's why you had to pay an additional five dollar license fee to transfer the RB1 tracks to RB2, because the license for that game's tracks had been more restrictive than for the DLC.

Use licenses are, IMHO, bullshit, but apparently the courts don't think so. I'm with you on "I have music, and I can do what I want with it" on the same basis as "I have a steak knife, and I'll damn well open letters with it if I want to."

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jan 9th 2009 4:09PM

Thing is, the courts have also sided on the fair use side when it comes to CDs and MP3s. I think there is a legitimate legal argument on ripping or aquiring RB tracks you've purchased as fair use. Which would make this whole point moot anyway. I download mp3 versions of every RB song I own (to learn them: another point for fair use) because its assinine that I should have to pay AGAIN to use my music in the device of my choice.

Blazur @ Jan 9th 2009 1:14PM

I'm interested in Harmonix taking interest in a sequel to Amplitude.

Deck @ Jan 9th 2009 1:14PM

This is intriguing. And seem that it might be able to go a few ways.

What I worry about though is if they were to release rock band music at times that ONLY could be downloaded with the MP3 as well. Thus bumping the overall cost up. As long as they don't do that, and make it an opt-in option, this would probably work.

Mike @ Jan 9th 2009 1:16PM

no.... that doesn't sound like a good deal at all. The reason the tracks cost $2 a piece inside of RB right now is the licensing for the music. My ability to listen to any given song inside the game already dictates pricing - the digital download should be included free of charge as a value add for the consumer. I have a strong understanding of how licensing works from time spent in the music industry - believe me, $2 / track sees a lot of profits for the publisher of the game, and the record company the track is licensed from. The actual song should most definitely be thrown in for free - this just sounds like a money grab.