During an interview with Gamasutra, The Beatles: Rock Band project lead Josh Randall revealed a great anecdote about a playtesting session. "I'm not that great, but the first time I sat in on a playtest session and saw three people singing in harmony together for "Here Comes the Sun," I swear I saw people tearing up at the end," he said. People crying while playing his game? What is this, Shadow of the Colossus?
He also points to another occasion where he saw people "hold hands -- total strangers holding hands, singing in harmony." Randall thinks the game has a lot of heart, and will evoke a lot of emotion from those who play. While we can't comment on that yet, we will say the game's opening cartoon did give us butterflies in our stomach!
Reader Comments (87)
Posted: Jun 18th 2009 7:00PM (Unverified) said
Once again Mr. Chad, all valid points. I suppose back in the 60's this wasn't at all common behavior for a band, and of course anything out of the ordinary will receive attention. It would make sense that they'd still be remembered for it to this day. I still think crying over the game though is a but much. Of course, that's just one mans opinion.
Also, any band composed of zombies will inevitably equal win.
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Also, any band composed of zombies will inevitably equal win.
Posted: Jun 18th 2009 9:10PM hey buddy said
"However, what is considered a "classic" artist or movie or anything that may receive the moniker is a simple matter of opinion." - Jack Hollow
"Simple matter" does not mean invalid, however. It's not a simple matter of one person blurting out "classic" and refuting it. When year after year, decade after decade, thousands opinions upon millions of opinions are formed that something is a "classic," justifiably based on enjoyment of the material, it's a deserved and valid moniker that overrides your simplified assertion. You' might be acting naive, stubborn, and a tad bit arrogant if you really think your own singular opinion should equate in measure to all of that, and negate the moniker 'classic.' When used correctly, the term "classic" by definition holds up against your argument of it being "simple opinion."
This is certainly not to say you should "change your opinion" about liking something because multitudes of others do - I certainly think you should maintain your own opinions. Rather, you should understand that although you may not like whatever it is, based on the numbers, you should respect the usage of the term "classic" for things that have stood the test.
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"Simple matter" does not mean invalid, however. It's not a simple matter of one person blurting out "classic" and refuting it. When year after year, decade after decade, thousands opinions upon millions of opinions are formed that something is a "classic," justifiably based on enjoyment of the material, it's a deserved and valid moniker that overrides your simplified assertion. You' might be acting naive, stubborn, and a tad bit arrogant if you really think your own singular opinion should equate in measure to all of that, and negate the moniker 'classic.' When used correctly, the term "classic" by definition holds up against your argument of it being "simple opinion."
This is certainly not to say you should "change your opinion" about liking something because multitudes of others do - I certainly think you should maintain your own opinions. Rather, you should understand that although you may not like whatever it is, based on the numbers, you should respect the usage of the term "classic" for things that have stood the test.
Posted: Jun 18th 2009 9:57PM (Unverified) said
@ill
I understand what you're saying. I did not mean to boil it down to such simplicity, I only meant to say that even if millions upon millions of people may all genuinely enjoy and come to the same opinion that X work is classic, there will always be some people who either don't agree with you (which is of course their own opinion and if presented in a civil manner should be respected) or not understand why you've come to said conclusion.
And by no means do I mean to convey that because I don't completely understand the fandom behind The Beatles that they don't deserve the classic moniker.
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I understand what you're saying. I did not mean to boil it down to such simplicity, I only meant to say that even if millions upon millions of people may all genuinely enjoy and come to the same opinion that X work is classic, there will always be some people who either don't agree with you (which is of course their own opinion and if presented in a civil manner should be respected) or not understand why you've come to said conclusion.
And by no means do I mean to convey that because I don't completely understand the fandom behind The Beatles that they don't deserve the classic moniker.
Posted: Jun 19th 2009 2:23AM hey buddy said
Hey Jack, I definitely understand, there are things that I don't really care for as much as others (Halo3 is not essential to me like it is to others, I'll leave it at that) and I winced a little when I saw that Josh Randall quote about people crying when they sang... I don't want this game to be taken as seriously as that, not by myself, not by others! It's a big set-up for silliness!
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Posted: Jun 18th 2009 2:53PM natureboy46 said
I don't know if I'll cry when i play it but I do know that this is probably my most anticipated game...ever.
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Posted: Jun 18th 2009 2:54PM Uncle Jesse said
I can easily see people singing along to it, these are some might fine, catchy tunes afterall. But really, tearing up? Why? I know they cover the history of The Beatle's but I didn't read anything about them going over John Lennon's.
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Posted: Jun 18th 2009 8:51PM (Unverified) said
Gamers should not be music critics. They fail utterly at it.
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Posted: Jun 18th 2009 3:19PM (Unverified) said
Just imagining me and my friends playing "Last Train to Clarksville" on the future Monkees Rock Band makes me cry, ejaculate, and bleed from my ears.
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Posted: Jun 18th 2009 3:42PM (Unverified) said
Knowing my friends' capacity for singing in harmony, I also anticipate crying.
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Posted: Jun 18th 2009 3:54PM Snake Robot Podium said
Why are people so quick to assume that the people cried just because they were singing a Beatles song? "Here comes the Sun" is a strange mix of melancholy and optimism. If this person was having a particularly rough time, or just seeing his/her hard work pay off in a beautiful finished product, it's not impossible to show some emotion.
Holding hands with strangers is just icky.
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Holding hands with strangers is just icky.
Posted: Jun 18th 2009 10:32PM MrSpaceCowboy said
I'd hold hands with a hot stranger. Stranger danger be damned!
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Posted: Jun 18th 2009 6:29PM (Unverified) said
fuck MGS 3, Sniper Wolf in the original MGS made me cry like a little bitch.
Oh, and the first 15 minutes of Up.
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Oh, and the first 15 minutes of Up.
Posted: Jun 18th 2009 6:24PM (Unverified) said
@JAck
2 new Beatles singles were released in 1995. They took unreleased John Lennon demo tapes and the living ones added their input. Both were great.
The thing about The Beatles is that their harmonies and melodies were ground-breakingly original at the time, and have stood the test of it. It's so obvious when someone rips off a Beatles melody or a Zeppelin riff now. I'm glad the Beatles who are no longer with us will be remembered in a game that promotes positivity and group harmony.
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2 new Beatles singles were released in 1995. They took unreleased John Lennon demo tapes and the living ones added their input. Both were great.
The thing about The Beatles is that their harmonies and melodies were ground-breakingly original at the time, and have stood the test of it. It's so obvious when someone rips off a Beatles melody or a Zeppelin riff now. I'm glad the Beatles who are no longer with us will be remembered in a game that promotes positivity and group harmony.
Posted: Jun 18th 2009 7:34PM (Unverified) said
holding strangers hands as well as crying are typical behaviors of the elderly...
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Posted: Jun 20th 2009 3:41AM (Unverified) said
Anyone else not really care for the Beatles much? I'd rather they make a RB or GH Led Zeppelin.. =\
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Posted: Jun 20th 2009 11:54PM CitizenErased115 said
Crying? This was only achieved after beating MGS 3: Snake Eater and MGS4:SoL. I also cried during the Halo cinematics because they were all so horrible. If anyone cried out of genuine emotion at Halo 3's ending cinematic that probably means time to look up at the stars and say **ck life.
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