Harmonix CEO wants an Amplitude sequel for PS3

by Griffin McElroy on Jan 17th 2009 12:15PM

Before they were cranking out unwavering weekly DLC and allowing single-minded fathers to finally form that family band they've always dreamed of (despite having thoroughly untalented children), Harmonix produced a little-known gem titled Frequency, and shortly thereafter, a sequel named Amplitude. While attention on these titles was washed away by the rising of the Guitar Hero and Rock Band tides, we might be seeing more of them yet.

In a recent interview with Ars Technica, Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos declared his love for Amplitude, and mentioned his wishes to eventually revive the series. Considering that Sony owns that particular property, it would likely come in the form of a PSN download -- however, given their tireless Rock Band DLC schedule and their rapid, company-wide expansion, it might be a while before they can divert the necessary amount of focus to put Amplitude back on the multi-colored, instrument-specific tracks.

Source

Tags: amplitude, frequency, harmonix, PS3, psn, rock-band

Reader Comments (73)

Never played it. What's the general premise?

Why does this have to come out for PlayStation 3, the one console that I really, really have no intention of buying? This sucks. :(

The game consists of songs broken down into their component musical tracks, which you then "play" in order to have the song play (the same concept as GH/RB). Each musical track corresponds to a lane of notes, similar to the guitar, drums, bass tracks in GH/RB, but other tracks such as vocals, SFX, etc are also present, up to eight tracks total. You are a space ship with 3 blasters, and can jump between the tracks. Each track has 3 possible note locations (left, middle, right) that you shoot with the corresponding blaster (similar to hitting the corresponding fret in GH/RB). Once you play 2 consecutive measures without missing a note, that track is cleared, and you hop over to the next one to clear it too. After a while, each track comes back, and you basically have just enough time to clear every track before they start coming back, allowing you hit massive combo points if you are good. The blasters correspond to individual buttons, such as L1 for left, R1 for middle, and R2 for right.

Hmm, sound like someone wants to play Audiosurf to me.

i love Frequency and Amplitude. they were the two games that got me into music games. the only thing that held them back was a semi-weak song line up. it was really fun to me though, especially the track creator. i'll definitely buy it if they make another one.

As The 30th greatest online Amplitude player of all time I welcome the return of this wonderful series. Now tell me the console so I can secure it.

Great just what the world needs another rhythm game :(

no, its more of one of the best.

i love the freestyle remix mode because i make some really cool beats

Joystiq need to stop churning out the constant dirge about Guitar Band Revolution Music. Should I remind you of your mission statement: 'Joystiq was launched in June 2004 as an alternative to the junket-ridden, glorified press release fodder that passed for video game journalism at large mainstream media gaming news outlets.' Seriously, are you maintaining those lofty goals?

Regarding the music genre, if it ain't DDR then don't post about. At least DDR aims to be game, unlike the aforementioned. Glorified screensavers are what they are.

Shows how much you know bowser, as Rock band is far more of a "game" than DDR will ever be.

Seems like you haven't a clue what you're on about. Then again, is that a Snake avatar I see. Nonsensical statements?

So explain how Rock Band is more of a game than DDR? Bonus points for successful justification of Harmonix's Fisher Price accessories.

Because the definition of a video game is anything that uses electronic signals to transfer a players interaction into a virtual world, which Rock Band clearly does.

Now Bowser, how about justifying DDRs glorified Power Pad?

In don't think you answered my question, but as to yours: it glows in the dark.

So

a game where you hit giant buttons to no particular pattern is more of a game then

a game where you hit little buttons to a pattern of music which plays notes based on which ones you hit?

Really bowser?

The same can be said about any game genre, oh great another fps, oh great another JRPG, whoopdeedoo another open world rpg, woohoo a 3rd person action game, yay just another fighter game, wow another racing game, just what the world needs another sports game

Amplitude is far more of a "game" than Rock Band will ever be.

Amplitude requires more "thinking" and "skill" than the guitar games.

Amplitude has a variety of power-ups. And they are more important, because Amplitude is much less forgiving of errors. One missed note kills the entire bar.

In Amplitude, completing a number of bars will cause the instrument to auto-play for a short while, but there's no time to breath because you have to immediately cycle to another instrument. The order that you jump between instruments is important, and can make a song easy or nearly impossible to complete.

Sounds like you've never played Amplitude, Bows. Not that that surprises me. You don't play half the shit you bash.Don't compare Amplitude to RB or GH because you'll be laughed at by those of us who actually know what it is. Hell, Amplitude is more of a game than DDR (the only series with MORE cashins and installments than GH) could hope to be.

Why can't everyone just not reply to posts made by Bowser? He's just a huge troll. He's worse than Fernando was when he first started posting.

I'm far more of a game than you'll ever be.

Yes! OMFreakingG Yes! I would kill for this game. One of my all time favorites back in the PS2 days and the reason why I love rhythm games in the first place. I would seriously buy a new PS3 for this game, if I didn't already for Rock Band :P

Amplitude is easily the best rhythm based game ever created. I still own the original, and play it on my PS2, I played it online like crazy. Fuck I loved that game.

I agree with this love of amplitude. And PSN and PS3 exclusive is a great bonus. I love amplitude, but never got into GH or RB because it didn't have amplitude's DIVERSITY! :)

agreed! loved frequency and amplitude they were far superior to the current games we have now imo.

can you imagine playing a new amplitude on the PS3! (btw this was the best game to play while on shrooms... well this and Rez.)

If they did, it might finally convince me to buy a PS3 (unless they somehow made a 360 version but that's unlikely due to being Sony's IP)

guitar hero used to be only on the PS2, now its even on phones

Guitar Hero was Activision's IP.. That didn't stop them from making Rock Band. I would say if they do make a "sequel" to Amplitude it would be as a new series, one which could be multi-platform. That's what I'm hoping, anyway. As much as I love Guitar Hero and Rock Band, I like Frequency/Amplitude more, but I don't have the money or desire for a PS3.

sigh, why is it that you guys don't read the article?...

"Considering that Sony owns that particular property"

I think I would kill for a PSP version with WiFi PSN music store...Make it happen Harmonix!!!!

seconded.

Man, that idea made me sob with longing.

I'm gonna go punch a brick wall into dust to feel manly again. Then maybe play some Catz.

It's called DJ Max Fever, out in a couple weeks in NA (Japan has had it for years now). No DLC but it's more or less everything else. You can thank me later.

Except DJ Max Fever is a Beatmania clone and the music consists of that annoying hyperactive Japanese crap no one likes.

That would be incredible. I practically cried the day they took down the Amplitude servers. Frequency was cool and all, but Amplitude was definitely the one that made the impression on me. Such a great soundtrack, and they had so many special remixes just for the game.

Make it happen, I'll buy it!

or they could make a sequel to Phase....just throwin that out there

Phase wasn't very good... It got boring fast.

For portable music rhythm gaming Beats for the PSP is much better. Too bad I don't take my PSP around tho.

OMG YES PLZ! Amplitude/Frequency were amazing games. Still loving supersprøde after all these years.

Through your panties on the stage.
No, wait, you're underage.

Wow, you know its early in the afternoon when I can't type right. =/

Sigh. I always wanted to see a version of this released for the PSP.

I never really go to play Amplitude, but man oh man I spent countless hours of my life playing Frequency. Now That is a true music game:'(

Amplitude was much better, at least to me.

More diverse music, and certain instrument tracks played even when the available tracks wasn't there to complete, making the song not feel so lifeless when all the tracks reset and quit playing like in Frequency.

All in all, they're both very good, but Amplitude was the well refined successor.

Yeah, I played Amplitude first, then tried to go to Frequency and I just couldn't get into it. Amplitude was a true improving-upon-the-original-in-almost-every-way sequel.

I thought FreQuency was the better of the two... I found that the 360 degree interface was more fun to play, and in general the music was better because if put more emphasis on good techno/electronic music and less emphasis on big name artists.

Anyway I played the HELL out of both titles, and would love to see a DLC (or boxed) sequel on any system.

If you've never played FreQuency... for the love of God, please pick it up!

Also AudioSurf is okay... but to me it is no where near the same.

i liked amplitude, the guitar games not so much

Never played it, but it sure does look colorful!

HMX do it, I loved this game.

Bring it to XBLA too! Although, if it was a PSN exclusive, it would give me a reason to play my PS3!

"Considering that Sony owns that particular property"

Yes please!

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Harmonix CEO wants an Amplitude sequel for PS3

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