Dhani Harrison: Rock Band 3 will make you better at actual rocking
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Nov 7th 2009 at 1:00PM }
We wish Harrison and the entire Harmonix crew the best of luck in this endeavor, if only so they can finally stymie the infinitely deplorable "why don't you learn how to play a real instrument" contingency. Man, we hate those guys.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
StLouisRibs7734 @ Nov 7th 2009 1:05PM
This will be either epic win or epic fail.
Either way, count me in.
PN04 @ Nov 7th 2009 2:10PM
I dont like the sound of it. These games were always for people who COULDN'T play an instrument. I mean it's one string and 5 frets how is that going to teach people to really play without ruining the fun factor that made these games enjoyable to begin with?
tyetheczar @ Nov 7th 2009 2:22PM
http://www.jimhightower.com/node/6955
WiredKnight: Keeper of Threads @ Nov 7th 2009 3:11PM
PN04 you're missing the point. You make it sound like the developers are a bunch of rock stars who have some reason to feel sorry for all the pitiful people who don't play instruments, pandering to their handicap. Get a grip, music games are for everyone, regardless of actual musical talent.
Martin @ Nov 7th 2009 4:14PM
I went from not being able to hit 80% of notes on easy to being able to gold star expert songs on the drums (arguably the most like it's real life counterpart) in about six weeks. I'm not saying I drum in a band or anything, but I've been able to do a couple of songs on the real things after a bit of practice.
If they can do that on guitar, more power to them. And count me in as well.
obo @ Nov 7th 2009 4:48PM
@PN04: Rock Band/Rock Band 2 aren't going anywhere, they'll still let you play them once RB3 comes out, and still crank out RB/RB2 DLC. What's the problem?
Special Agent Steve @ Nov 7th 2009 1:05PM
I have no idea how they are going to pull this off. Good thing I'm unimaginative.
PN04 @ Nov 7th 2009 2:12PM
One thing I wouldnt mind is maybe making the buttons touch pads, and making the strum bar more string-like, rather than an actual bar.
Monica Dickey @ Nov 7th 2009 5:37PM
Yeah me too. If they make the game any harder to learn, why not just learn a real intstrument?
Meh @ Nov 8th 2009 5:52AM
Probably like this: http://cdn-www.cracked.com/phpimages/photoshop/1/8/8/3188.jpg?v=1
WiiFTW @ Nov 7th 2009 1:06PM
I find it quite hard to believe it could work (mainly for guitar/bass), but kudos if they can pull it off.
/don't hate on me, I play violin
whylekat @ Nov 7th 2009 1:36PM
+1 for classical music powers
brian @ Nov 7th 2009 3:32PM
Seriously?
i play the violin as well.
+1 to your awesomeness
B3astofthe3ast @ Nov 7th 2009 1:08PM
Just put metallica in the setlist and I'll buy it regardless.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 7th 2009 1:23PM
It's your lucky day! They have a game for you!
Guitar Hero: Metallica! In stores now!
B3astofthe3ast @ Nov 7th 2009 1:26PM
I already own GH: M, but I much prefer harmonix's games over neversofts.
Jinsenken @ Nov 7th 2009 6:09PM
I've always found it amusing to see a completely downvoted comment, and then a completely upvoted comment by the same person, right next to eachother.
Kinsey @ Nov 7th 2009 1:09PM
The only thing I care that Rock Band 3 has is compatibility of all past DLC
choffy21 @ Nov 7th 2009 1:10PM
And song importing. That made Rock Band 2 so much better to play, at least in the early part of the career.
WiredKnight: Keeper of Threads @ Nov 7th 2009 1:22PM
Yea. I gladly paid the $5 import fee while borrowing RB1 from a friend. I'm pretty sure they know that not being able to import everything from RB2 to RB3 would be a huge dealbreaker.
Peter Moore @ Nov 7th 2009 6:35PM
I think that code they put in for the 20 free songs is going to also end up becoming an import code.
SuiXide @ Nov 9th 2009 7:50AM
Considering the 500 some-odd songs I have purchased in one way or another (RB1 imports, Lego RB imports, DLC) there had better be some way that I can still use these songs in one way or another in the next game.
Scy @ Nov 7th 2009 1:09PM
It'll probably be the same 5 vertically placed buttons just multiplied (x4 seems reasonable) horizontally to mimic moving across strings.
And no, we'll still say "why don't you learn how to play a real instrument" regardless of how 'realistic' it gets.
NeoK-182 @ Nov 7th 2009 1:11PM
this is what i'm thinking. only real way to make it more realistic that i can think off
As long as it supports all RB1/2/LEGO/DLC and all previous instruments i'm good.
WiredKnight: Keeper of Threads @ Nov 7th 2009 1:25PM
Even if it has 126 buttons and 6 strum bars (6 strings, 21 frets)?
Scy @ Nov 7th 2009 1:29PM
Yes, still, buttons = no feel.
Can't vibrato or bend buttons - unless you're an Eigenharp:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcVqJh0qEMc
note to self: sell kidney to buy eigenharp.
KombatWombat @ Nov 7th 2009 1:31PM
I was thinking that they'd include some sort of vertical scrolling thing that simulated sheet music, a bit like what they do with vocals but a bit clearer. That and an improved instrument could really encourage you to actually learn songs.
Drumming is already very close to being a very good replica. As a drummer, I can say that the rockband pads are awful, but because I'm British and don't have £200, I can't get RB2 drums (with cymbal add ons) nor can I get the drum rocker, but I'd imagine it could be quite hard to differentiate between cymbal lines and tom tom lines, so they could do with improving that. Sheet music and plugging in own MIDI instruments would be a huge step forward.
freaparn @ Nov 7th 2009 2:02PM
Eigenharp Hero confirmed for 2012 release.
PN04 @ Nov 7th 2009 2:08PM
You continue you say it because you're a moron. The whole point of these games if for people with NO musical talent to play a game that allows them to get the same feeling. In the time that it would take to learn to play ONE of the songs in these games I can learn to play every single song in the game. Elitist dicks like you dont understand the whole point of gaming is to have fun, not work. Hey you know what next time you pick up a controller to go play a war game how about you put it back down and actually join the army so you actually shoot REAL guns.
Hopefully you'll REALLY die in a REAL war.
Mazrael @ Nov 7th 2009 2:29PM
126?? but notes are repeated.. 4 octaves would be 48, but still too many..
maybe being able to play open notes (strum but no button) could open the game a bit
Naota @ Nov 7th 2009 2:43PM
@Mazrael
you forget the flats and sharp, that adds a few extra buttons
WiredKnight: Keeper of Threads @ Nov 7th 2009 2:50PM
@Scy
While it wouldn't feel the same as a real guitar, and you wouldn't build up the necessary callouses, you'd still be learning the real fingerings and it could be more easily translated onto a real instrument.
@PN04
That's not what rhythm games are for either. I know plenty of people who can actually play guitar and still enjoy playing Rock Band. And the comment about the war? Fucked up and unnecessary.
@Mazrael
True that the notes are repeated, but they're in different places allowing for different chords. And GH5 allows for open notes.
Kevin949 @ Nov 7th 2009 3:04PM
If I, or anyone, had wanted to actually play a guitar for real I'm sure we would have done so. But this is a game. It's an entirely different skill set, though some similarities remain. What makes these much different from playing a real guitar is that practically anyone can pick up RB/GH and start to play or learn to play much easier than a real guitar. Plus the fact you get to enjoy the game AND music that you (the player) enjoy already listening to, now you get to feel like you're part of it AND make a fool of yourself in front of friends while playing drunk rock band. Though the drums on either game more closely resemble "the real thing" than the guitar (and you can't really fake sing, so I guess that's as real as it gets other than just humming the tune in the right pitch to win). Regardless, it's an entirely different feeling and not everyone wants to learn guitar but they do want to enjoy playing games and listening to music. Or being a small part of it. Why don't people get this?
oolz @ Nov 7th 2009 3:15PM
Kevin: Most people would love to learn an instrument but don't because they lack the patience to do it. Most can't handle the learning curve and won't put in enough time to get over it before giving up. If you make the learning process fun, ie, a game, lots of people would be interested.
Scy @ Nov 7th 2009 3:18PM
@Wired knight:
I think seeing that many buttons will drive away much of the game's target audience. Production costs, and consequently end-user prices, would probably be pretty high as a result I imagine. I think a balance b/w accessability and realism has to be struck to appeal to the casual consumer base.
@PN04:
I'm not going to get sucked into a flame war, though I certainly dont enjoy having death wished upon me. A few things though; I, and I'm sure I speak for many 'elitists', have fun while playing guitar - I do it when I'm not working and do not consider it 'work.' Your analogy is akin to saying that reading the book of a book-turned-film would be 'work.'
Scroll down a few comments to see my thoughts on the 'learn a real instrument' subject - I forgot to hit reply.
WiredKnight: Keeper of Threads @ Nov 7th 2009 6:07PM
@Scy
Oh I completely agree, it would be ridiculous to try to market something like that. I was joking in my original reply. It would be far easier to make a game that simply listens to you play a real guitar, and gives you points if you're playing the right notes in time.
I don't think it would really fit in with the RB demographic (though I am sure there is plenty of overlap), but I think it would be popular among people trying to learn. As you said, people like learning when they can make a game out of it.
WiredKnight: Keeper of Threads @ Nov 7th 2009 6:08PM
*as oolz said.
FAnchax @ Nov 7th 2009 1:11PM
Comparing GH and rock band to playing actual instruments is like comparing apples to oranges. it doesnt make sense. instrument snobs need to calm the fuck down. not everyone is a musician.
whymog @ Nov 7th 2009 10:19PM
And not every musician is against getting their peanut butter in Harmonix's chocolate.
Wait...let me rephrase that...
Hydrophobicfish (PSN: HydrophobicFish) @ Nov 7th 2009 1:17PM
God you guys who play Rock Band/Guitar Hero make me so angry!
Learn how to play a real instrument!
You people playing Dance Dance Revolution, learn how to dance!
You people playing GTA4, learn how to steal real cars!
You people playing Call of Duty, learn how to shoot a real gun!
You people playing Manhunt learn how to really brutally maim people!
Special Agent Steve @ Nov 7th 2009 1:22PM
What about Leisure Suit Larry?
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 7th 2009 1:22PM
You people playing as Jedi or Sith-learn how to use the Force!
Sora @ Nov 7th 2009 1:25PM
But you have to admit, "You people playing Wii Fit, learn how to really exercise!" is a valid argument.
WiredKnight: Keeper of Threads @ Nov 7th 2009 1:26PM
WHAT DO YOU MEAN "YOU PEOPLE"!?
dark_inchworm (stronger than never, ever before) @ Nov 7th 2009 1:36PM
You people playing Japanese rape simulators, learn how to really...
...
...
...
... no, I can't do it.
KombatWombat @ Nov 7th 2009 1:36PM
Sadly, I have to say that I got into drumming because of Rock Band.
But it also gave me a huge head start. Of course my technique, my holding of the sticks and my knowledge of the sounds that a drum kit were awful, but it gave me a huge head start. I could play a basic 4/4 beat from the start.
In guitar and bass it is quite obvious that you cannot learn anything from Rock Band, but with drumming it really did help. I am also a pianist, so I guess that may have helped in terms of rhythmic skill, but even so Rock Band helped a lot.
Wiseman_2 @ Nov 7th 2009 1:57PM
You forgot to add "You people playing FIFA 10, go outside and kick a real football!"
It always gets on my nerves when people forget that it costs a lot of money to learn to play a real instrument, whereas it will set you back next to nothing to go outside and kick a ball around.
JeezWhiz87 @ Nov 7th 2009 2:24PM
@darkinchworm:
Too bad, you're going to, and you're gonna like it.
WiredKnight: Keeper of Threads @ Nov 7th 2009 2:53PM
@wiseman
I like to bring up the same argument, but it stands that it's more fun when you can play with a team, rather than going outside and kicking a ball to nobody. Oh you people who play Madden, go outside and play real football! It's hard to do with only one person...
Filthy Assistant @ Nov 8th 2009 2:01AM
The funny thing is, this argument is completely valid on that new Tony Hawk game coming out. Not only does it make you do the exact motions you would on a real skateboard, but the fuckin game costs as much as a good skateboard does.
I miss the days of THPS2 when it was all about flying 100 feet into the air and mashing as many fliptricks as you could and getting multi-million point combos.