In the latest issue of Edge Magazine, Harmonix head Alex Rigopulos and Neversoft project director Brian Bright both speak out regarding the current state of rhythm-music gaming. As you might imagine, neither developer thinks that the genre is flatlining. In fact, Rigopulos even believes that "future music games will exceed the sales success of the last generation."
Surprisingly, though, while each heads up their own approach to the genre, the two seem to be in near-direct agreement on the next step for their franchises. "User-generated content will be absolutely critical to the ongoing success of the genre, I think," Rigopulos says. Bright echoes his statement, saying, "I think user-created content is key to the evolution ... if you can't create or edit licensed music due to copyright laws, then you're limited to pretending to play someone else's music."
That said, each developer differs in their definition of exactly what that "user-created content" will be. In the case of Rigopulos, he believes the Rock Band Network and its potentially "huge community of power-users -- skilled music creators" will be his company's next "defining moment." Bright is less sure of a plan, simply stating, "I think the key is to create music, but make it compelling to create, so the game is in the creation."
Reader Comments (53)
Posted: Jan 25th 2010 5:12PM LettucePrey said
I don't feel the need to play it. I too play real guitar, and too have a great love for music. But I prefer making my OWN music rather than pushing buttons in sync with someone else's.
Oh well, on the plus side, at least they'll be a whole generation of teenagers who will never pick up actual instruments and inflict their self-involved guitar-heavy angst on the world. =)
Oh well, on the plus side, at least they'll be a whole generation of teenagers who will never pick up actual instruments and inflict their self-involved guitar-heavy angst on the world. =)
Posted: Jan 26th 2010 2:17AM sigma8 said
No, I'm not saying it's easy now.. But when industry guys say user-created content is the next big thing, I'm assuming they're referring to the future, not the present. That's usually what is meant when the word "next" is used like that. Ergo: user-creation tools haven't hit their stride, and they will become more accessible in future iterations of the genre.
I think these tools will improve the genre, but I don't think it'll radically redefine where the "peak" is. Take a look at other popular game mods, how many of those consisted solely of things done with easy-to-use in-game tools? Many popular mods of other game genres are total-conversions or involve hacks and UI changes. I'm happy to see easy-to-use tools happen; I was happy to see them in LittleBigPlanet... They did make the game more appealing, but I don't think it established a new peak for the platforming genre.. And I don't think user-creation tools are going to breath a massive dose of life into the rhythm genre.
I mean, one of the joys of Rock Band is booting up a favorite song you have listened to hundreds of times, and you want to "perform" it.. Like with Beatles Rock Band. How fun is it going to be when you're stumbling through completely alien indie music? I think people are going to prefer to actually listen to that. OTOH, it's true that Rock Band/Guitar Hero has warmed me up to songs I wasn't really familiar with, but without a) being forced to play them to get to stuff I wanted to play b) the cohesive experience... I may not have put up with it. I'm just a bit pessimistic on this being a huge game changer or revitalizing the genre. I loved playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band.. I loved skipping back a few decades for the Beatles. And now I'd rather see them make Chamber Music Hero, and get to fiddle around with a fake violin (kinda like the Within You Without You track on Beatles--that was fun).
And yes, I realize that user-created tools could theoretically do that, but I want well-known pieces. And that's going to be the biggest road block here.. The constant FOXing.
I think these tools will improve the genre, but I don't think it'll radically redefine where the "peak" is. Take a look at other popular game mods, how many of those consisted solely of things done with easy-to-use in-game tools? Many popular mods of other game genres are total-conversions or involve hacks and UI changes. I'm happy to see easy-to-use tools happen; I was happy to see them in LittleBigPlanet... They did make the game more appealing, but I don't think it established a new peak for the platforming genre.. And I don't think user-creation tools are going to breath a massive dose of life into the rhythm genre.
I mean, one of the joys of Rock Band is booting up a favorite song you have listened to hundreds of times, and you want to "perform" it.. Like with Beatles Rock Band. How fun is it going to be when you're stumbling through completely alien indie music? I think people are going to prefer to actually listen to that. OTOH, it's true that Rock Band/Guitar Hero has warmed me up to songs I wasn't really familiar with, but without a) being forced to play them to get to stuff I wanted to play b) the cohesive experience... I may not have put up with it. I'm just a bit pessimistic on this being a huge game changer or revitalizing the genre. I loved playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band.. I loved skipping back a few decades for the Beatles. And now I'd rather see them make Chamber Music Hero, and get to fiddle around with a fake violin (kinda like the Within You Without You track on Beatles--that was fun).
And yes, I realize that user-created tools could theoretically do that, but I want well-known pieces. And that's going to be the biggest road block here.. The constant FOXing.
Posted: Jan 26th 2010 2:20AM sigma8 said
Ahh, krikes.. God forbid you get an email that someone replies to your post, and you click the link and start replying.. And expect it to actually reply instead of creating a new post...
Sorry Rodrigo! I don't think this post gets a repost in the right spot. Too long.
Reply
Sorry Rodrigo! I don't think this post gets a repost in the right spot. Too long.
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