Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rock Band World social app coming to Rock Band 3, Rock Band Blitz this month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/rock-band-world-social-app-coming-to-rock-band-3-rock-band-blit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/rock-band-world-social-app-coming-to-rock-band-3-rock-band-blit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/rock-band-world-social-app-coming-to-rock-band-3-rock-band-blit/#comments
Just in case there weren't enough ways to bug your friends online, Harmonix revealed "Rock Band World" this morning, a new social app for Facebook. The app integrates with both Rock Band 3 and Rock Band Blitz, allowing players to challenge their friends, compare scores, shop for music, and accomplish social goals. Accomplishing said goals can earn players in-game coins for Rock Band Blitz, which can then be used to purchase power-ups.

The app is now available on Facebook. Rock Band Blitz arrives on PSN August 28 and on XBLA August 29.

Continue reading Rock Band World social app coming to Rock Band 3, Rock Band Blitz this month

JoystiqRock Band World social app coming to Rock Band 3, Rock Band Blitz this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookharmonixharmonix-music-systemsmicrosoftplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnrock-band-blitzrock-band-worldxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeFri, 24 Aug 2012 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[More Dance Central 3 tracks than you can shake a leg at]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/more-dance-central-3-tracks-than-you-can-shake-a-leg-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/more-dance-central-3-tracks-than-you-can-shake-a-leg-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/more-dance-central-3-tracks-than-you-can-shake-a-leg-at/#comments
Ready to stomp out rhythmic crimes across several decades with some stylish dance police? Yes, Dance Central 3's bizarro storyline is ... well, bizarro, but that just makes us all the more interested in it. Several Harmonix devs are happy to explain the game's kooky story in the latest trailer, revealed alongside several tracks for this fall's DC entry (listed after the break).

In total, there are nine new songs revealed, but let's not kid ourselves - the one we're concerned with is Daft Punk's "Around the World." The fact that we've had two Dance Central games without it is the real dance crime.

Continue reading More Dance Central 3 tracks than you can shake a leg at

JoystiqMore Dance Central 3 tracks than you can shake a leg at originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daft-punkdance-central-3gameplayharmonixharmonix-music-systemskinectmicrosofttracksxboxTue, 21 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dance Central 2's August tracks are down with O.P.P.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/dance-central-2s-august-tracks-are-down-with-o-p-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/dance-central-2s-august-tracks-are-down-with-o-p-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/dance-central-2s-august-tracks-are-down-with-o-p-p/#comments Dance Central 2's August tracks are down with OPPYes, you know them - Jeremih, Kevin Rudolf, and hip-hop greats Naughty By Nature are all headlining this month's Dance Central 2 club bangers. Each artist is bringing a single track for each week of the month, with Jeremih featuring 50 Cent's "Down On Me" getting things started tomorrow. As per usual, each track costs 240 MS Points ($3).

JoystiqDance Central 2's August tracks are down with O.P.P. originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50-centdance-central-2dlcdownloadable-contentharmonixharmonix-music-systemsjeremihkevin-rudolfkinectmicrosoftnaughty-by-naturenelly-furtadoxboxxbox-livexbox-live-marketplaceMon, 06 Aug 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix has 'three and/or more' new games in the works, and none are Rock Band or Dance Central]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/harmonix-has-three-and-or-more-new-games-in-the-works-and-non/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/harmonix-has-three-and-or-more-new-games-in-the-works-and-non/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/harmonix-has-three-and-or-more-new-games-in-the-works-and-non/#comments Harmonix has 'three andor more' new games in the works, and none are Rock Band or Dance CentralThere's kind of a lot of stuff going on at Harmonix Music Systems. At least according to Harmonix director of communications and brand management John Drake, who teased a variety of new "Triple A IPs" that the studio has in the works - beyond Dance Central 3 and Rock Band Blitz. "Dance Central and Rock Band are kind of our big established IPs. And man oh man are we working on multiple - like, more than two - new triple A IPs, right now that we can't talk about at all," Drake said on the latest Harmonix podcast.

He got even more specific, pointing out that "none of them are Rock Band or Dance Central titles," nor are they re-releases/new versions of Frequency or Amplitude. "It's not a previous game. It's not Led Zeppelin Rock Band. This isn't - I'm not talking about Rock Band 4. I'm not talking about the next Dance Central game. I'm talking about new, crazy stuff."

And not necessarily music stuff, either, at least not in the strictest sense. "Some of them are music games, some of them are not full-on rhythm action games. Some of them are brand new things that we created from our gut and brains here at Harmonix. Some are things that we're expanding the universe of," Drake detailed.

Though not much concrete information was doled out, Drake was a bit more clear about when we'll hear more. "Crazy stuff to talk about hopefully next year," he said. He worries that one of those projects is more prone to leaking than others, as "There's a lot of people working on one of them." Harmonix? Leak? Never. And it's always possible we'll hear more about those next Dance Central and Rock Band games sooner than the mystery stuff. "There may be some more Rock Band or Dance Central stuff in the works too," he said. The future is unknown.

JoystiqHarmonix has 'three and/or more' new games in the works, and none are Rock Band or Dance Central originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-centralharmonixharmonix-music-systemsharmonix-podcastjohn-drakepodcastrock-bandFri, 15 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Weekly: Paramore]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/rock-band-weekly-paramore/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/rock-band-weekly-paramore/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/rock-band-weekly-paramore/#comments ImageParamore's "Brand New Eyes" album may not be so brand new anymore, but Rock Band Weekly is tapping it this week for a three-pack from the operatic rock band.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Paramore

JoystiqRock Band Weekly: Paramore originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harmonixharmonix-music-systemsmicrosoftnintendoparamoreplaystationps3rbwRock-Band-3rock-band-weeklywiixboxFri, 11 May 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Pre-Blitz: Harmonix on building a new Rock Band from scratch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pre-blitz-harmonix-on-building-a-new-rock-band-from-scratch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pre-blitz-harmonix-on-building-a-new-rock-band-from-scratch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pre-blitz-harmonix-on-building-a-new-rock-band-from-scratch/#comments ImageHarmonix team members Matthew Nordhaus, Chris Foster, Brian Chan, and Jyllian Thibodeau explained the development process that led to Rock Band Blitz, by way of showing us previous versions and iterations of the game. Collectively, these prototypes were referred to as "Pre-Blitz," and epitomized by a brief video of a version that keeps the social basis of Blitz, but with a very different aesthetic.

While the final game ended up featuring a sort of rainbow note highway in a musically reactive city, this version is a much sunnier, somewhat more literal "highway" style environment. Somewhere between these two, the team thought of having the music make the city spring up building by building, but that didn't make it.

At one point it wasn't even decided where the music would come from. A DLC strategy was important to the team, but it wasn't certain that the game would be a Rock Band game. When it was decided that it would be, the source of music became obvious. And then the team had to convert all the songs from five lanes per instrument to two -- which, Nordhaus explained, made the game way too easy in lower difficulties. Finally, against his better judgment, the team playtested a game with only one difficulty, and it worked.

Senior designer Brian Chan explained that the game lost the "track-locking" mechanic from Amplitude and other handheld Rock Bands, in favor of a system that allows players to build "levels" in individual tracks. This allowed people to play in a much more freeform manner instead of following a prescribed, single best scoring pattern.

Even the specifics of the controls were in question, with considerations like gestural controls for each instrument. Above is an idea for keyboard controls that used left, right, and a button press to simulate keys.

JoystiqPre-Blitz: Harmonix on building a new Rock Band from scratch originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harmonixharmonix-music-systemsmicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2012playstationprototypeps3rock-band-blitzxboxSat, 07 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Which game development studio head was the top Colbert Super PAC supporter?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/which-game-development-studio-head-was-the-top-colbert-super-pac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/which-game-development-studio-head-was-the-top-colbert-super-pac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/which-game-development-studio-head-was-the-top-colbert-super-pac/#comments There's one man in the northeastern United States who is way, way into making America a better tomorrow, tomorrow, and that man is Harmonix Music Systems co-founder and CEO Alex Rigopulos. He's so into it, in fact, that he donated just shy of $10,000 ($9,600) to Colbert Report host Stephen Colbert's Super PAC in 2011, making his the largest financial contribution that the political action committee has received.

Colbert's camp disclosed Rigopulos' name and info along with many others to the FCC this week in a required move for Super PACs with contributors who donate more than $200. Of the $1,023,121 raised since Colbert launched his Super PAC, Rigopulos' donation makes up just under 1 percentage point -- not much in the context of the larger sum, but far larger than the average contributor (under $200).

Harmonix confirmed the Rigopulos news with Joystiq, but declined to offer comment, presumably choosing to wait for that better tomorrow (which we're told may arrive tomorrow-ish).

JoystiqWhich game development studio head was the top Colbert Super PAC supporter? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-rigopulosamericans-for-a-better-tomorrow-tomorrowcolbert-super-paccomedy-centralharmonixharmonix-music-systemspolitical-action-committeestephen-colbertsuper-pacsuper-political-action-committeeWed, 01 Feb 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Viacom ordered to pay Harmonix several trucks full of money]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/viacom-ordered-to-pay-harmonix-several-trucks-full-of-money/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/viacom-ordered-to-pay-harmonix-several-trucks-full-of-money/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/viacom-ordered-to-pay-harmonix-several-trucks-full-of-money/#comments When Viacom sold developer Harmonix in November of 2010 for $50, it was really only the beginning of the drama to come. Almost exactly a year ago, ex-shareholders in Harmonix prior to Viacom's buyout of the music game developer sued the conglomerate for failing to pay performance based bonuses, which were agreed upon when Viacom bought the company back in 2006. Then, earlier this year, Viacom sued those same stockholders for $131 million for "contractual overpayment." With us so far? Well, take a deep breath. It gets better.

That lawsuit triggered a mandatory arbitration clause in the original contract, and now Viacom has revealed to the LA Times that the private arbitrator in question has ordered the company to pay the former Harmonix shareholders $383 million.

The story is still developing, and this isn't the last you'll hear of it: Viacom has filed in a Delaware Court to have the judgment overturned, because of "improperly excluded" evidence and testimony.

JoystiqViacom ordered to pay Harmonix several trucks full of money originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harmonixharmonix-music-systemslawsuitlegalRock-BandviacomTue, 27 Dec 2011 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band celebrates Facebook milestone with Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, Breaking Benjamin, and Dream Theater]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/rock-band-celebrates-facebook-milestone-with-stevie-wonder-cold/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/rock-band-celebrates-facebook-milestone-with-stevie-wonder-cold/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/rock-band-celebrates-facebook-milestone-with-stevie-wonder-cold/#comments In honor of the Rock Band Facebook page topping 2 million "Likes," Harmonix decided to let news loose a bit early about some varied, excellent artists arriving on Rock Band 3's DLC service in the "coming weeks and months." We're actually inclined to skip right over two of the groups -- Breaking Benjamin and Dream Theater -- as they've both already had DLC tracks added to RB3 in the past. Here are the two brand new biggies: Stevie Wonder and Coldplay. We simply cannot say "Hooray!" loudly enough.

No mention is made of which songs specifically will be launched, but Coldplay, Breaking Benjamin, and Stevie Wonder all have full track packs on the way, while Dream Theater's keeping it more low key with a single. Perhaps if you go "like" the Facebook page we can get Stevie Wonder right now? Maybe just one track, even?

[Thanks, libregkd]

JoystiqRock Band celebrates Facebook milestone with Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, Breaking Benjamin, and Dream Theater originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking-benjamincoldplaydlcdownloadable-contentdreamtheaterharmonixharmonix-music-systemsmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3Rock-Band-3stevie-wonderwiixboxThu, 06 Oct 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[VidRhythm adds user-uploaded tracks, has Harmonix eyeing iOS for the future]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/vidrhythm-adds-user-uploaded-tracks-has-harmonix-eyeing-ios-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/vidrhythm-adds-user-uploaded-tracks-has-harmonix-eyeing-ios-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/vidrhythm-adds-user-uploaded-tracks-has-harmonix-eyeing-ios-for/#comments "Initial reception has been great," Harmonix creative director Josh Randall told me in an email exchange earlier today. He was speaking to Harmonix' latest music creation, VidRhythm, and the success it's seen both critically and commercially on the iOS App Store. "We're at 5-out-of-5 stars on the App store ... in just a few weeks we've seen over 1,000 videos uploaded to YouTube, and we presume over that number to Facebook."

And today, Harmonix launched its first major update to the bizarrely delightful application, albeit not one you'll find waiting in your phone as an update. The VidRhythm user-generated content creator is available now from the official site, allowing folks with the technical chops to cut apart their favorite tracks and add them to VidRhythm. "We can't wait to see what people do with it," Randall added.

But Harmonix isn't done with the application, nor is it done with the iOS platform. While declining my request for specific sales numbers, Randall said, "Suffice it to say it's doing well enough to keep supporting VidRhythm, and to think about what other experiences we can bring to iOS next." More specifically, he told me the VR team is working on adding "even more songs and video styles to play with" in the "next few months." Get your pets at the ready!

JoystiqVidRhythm adds user-uploaded tracks, has Harmonix eyeing iOS for the future originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeharmonixharmonix-music-systemsiosipadiphonejosh-randallmobilesalesuser-generated-contentvidrhythmFri, 23 Sep 2011 16:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Mad Catz fully responsible for relaunch of Rock Band 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/mad-catz-fully-responsible-for-relaunch-of-rock-band-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/mad-catz-fully-responsible-for-relaunch-of-rock-band-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/mad-catz-fully-responsible-for-relaunch-of-rock-band-3/#comments When Mad Catz re-releases Rock Band 3 this holiday, it'll be acting as sole financier on the Xbox 360-only publishing deal. "They're actually doing the retail distribution as well as marketing support, etc. They're acting as de facto publisher for the title," Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos explained to me in an interview session late last week at the Tokyo Game Show.

That makes Rock Band 3 one of the first retail Xbox 360 game to be published by Mad Catz, a long-time peripheral manufacturer who is now getting into publishing on Microsoft's console. The company's second title, appropriately named War Wings: Hell Catz, is due to arrive on PCs some time in 2012. It has yet to be announced for the Xbox 360. Additionally, Mad Catz has a rugby title due out later this year.

Rigopulos also noted that the relaunch is aimed at a variety of people, from new audiences who haven't ever played a Rock Band title, to "people who are still playing Rock Band 2 or Guitar Hero players who haven't even entered the genre yet." Rock Band 3 will relaunch with Mad Catz branding and peripherals for the Xbox 360 some time this holiday season.

JoystiqMad Catz fully responsible for relaunch of Rock Band 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-rigopulosharmonixharmonix-music-systemsmad-catzmicrosoftRock-Band-3tgs-2011tokyo-game-showtokyo-game-show-2011xboxTue, 20 Sep 2011 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos explains what happened to Rock Band Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/harmonix-ceo-alex-rigopulos-explains-what-happened-to-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/harmonix-ceo-alex-rigopulos-explains-what-happened-to-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/harmonix-ceo-alex-rigopulos-explains-what-happened-to-rock-band/#comments After announcing intentions to bring its Rock Band franchise to the Japanese market way back in the summer of 2008, Harmonix and co-developer Q Entertainment quietly walked away from the project. "Never say never," Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos said of the project in a group interview session this week at Tokyo Game Show, answering a question asked by Kotaku's Brian Ashcraft. "We were very much interested in bringing that experience in some form to the Japanese market," he explained. "There were a couple of significant challenges."

Beyond the whole "manufacturing and shipping hundreds of thousands more plastic peripherals to an island country" ... thing, Rigopulos lamented issues with licensing Japanese music for the game, which he characterized as "very difficult in Japan, relative to other countries." He also pointed to a rather obvious concern: space limitations in Japanese households. "Even for people who have the space, Japanese families tend to not make a lot of noise in their homes. They generally have a quieter lifestyle at home 'cause they're living in closer quarters, and also Japanese families don't entertain in their homes as much."

Given the original inspiration for Harmonix' franchises Guitar Hero and Rock Band was the arcade-born Guitar/Drum Freaks franchise, I wondered if Harmonix had looked at Japanese arcades as an option instead of a home console release. "That's something we considered," he admitted. "One of the challenges is that arcades are very, very noisy, and so if you're trying to make something that's really a musical experience and you've got 37 other arcade machines all turned up to full volume, it kind of impairs the musicality of the experience."

Again, Rigopulos said Harmonix has yet to give up on the concept of Rock Band in Japan, but from the sound of things, it's not exactly at the top of his priority list.

[Image credit: ShonenKnife.com]

JoystiqHarmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos explains what happened to Rock Band Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-rigopulosarcadesharmonixharmonix-music-systemsjapanmicrosoftplaystationps3q-entertainmentRock-Bandrock-band-japantgstgs-2011tokyo-game-showtokyo-game-show-2011xboxSun, 18 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix interested in branching out beyond music with Kinect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/harmonix-interested-in-branching-out-beyond-music-with-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/harmonix-interested-in-branching-out-beyond-music-with-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/harmonix-interested-in-branching-out-beyond-music-with-kinect/#comments Many years ago, before Harmonix was the dev house that birthed Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and Dance Central, the company created EyeToy: AntiGrav -- a motion-controlled game for Sony's PlayStation 2 "EyeToy" camera peripheral. Despite strong sales, that was the last time that the Massachusetts-based developer created a project not steeped in music. But it seems that the studio may not have abandoned its one-time interest in non-music motion-based games.

"I think we're always open-minded about new opportunities," Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos told me in an interview this week at the Tokyo Game Show. "Certainly our focus always has been and probably always will be on music-themed games," he added, but his company's involvement with Dance Central has rekindled the studio's interest in other types of motion-based gaming. "A perfect example is the Kinect, which I think that through our work on Dance Central we've developed an affinity for -- towards motion gaming."

Though Rigopulos wouldn't speak to specifics, he would say that, "It wouldn't be surprising if in the future we took some steps outside of our wheelhouse in music to try some new things in non-music focused motion gaming."

Harmonix' latest release, VidRhythm for iOS devices, may also be on the cards for some type of Kinect-based adaptation. "Of course our hope is to keep improving it and expanding it, including bringing it to other platforms, such as possibly Kinect," Rigopulos explained. That said, with VidRhythm having just launched in the past few weeks, he's not even sure of initial sales reports just yet, so it may be a few before we hear more about the application headed to other devices.

JoystiqHarmonix interested in branching out beyond music with Kinect originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-rigopulosdance-central-2eyetoyeyetoy-antigravharmonixharmonix-music-systemsmicrosoftmobiletgstgs-2011tokyo-game-showtokyo-game-show-2011vidrhythmxboxSun, 18 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Pxl Pushr' blends Kinect and iPad play to impressive, multicolor results]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/pxl-pushr-blends-kinect-and-ipad-play-to-impressive-multicolo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/pxl-pushr-blends-kinect-and-ipad-play-to-impressive-multicolo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/pxl-pushr-blends-kinect-and-ipad-play-to-impressive-multicolo/#comments Among the dozen or so games strewn about New York City's Museum of Modern Art (during last week's Kill Screen-curated "Arcade" event) two titles had their playable debuts: Eric Zimmerman and Nathalie Pozzi's "Starry Heavens" ("a physical game of power and betrayal"), as well as Matt Boch and Ryan Challinor's "Pxl Pushr" ("something akin to a full-bodied theremin blended with a puzzle game"). Considering what the two freshman entries were up against -- critically acclaimed games like Limbo, Canabalt, and Echochrome -- it was impressive that both games had lengthy lines throughout the evening.

I mean no offense when I say this, but Pxl Pusher looks like what would've happened if Kinect technology had existed in the Coleco Vision days. In the same way that your Dad's sweet 1973 Lacoste track jacket still looks totally rad, so does Pxl Pushr. The bizarre look is both a measure of the dev duo's style -- their day jobs are as designers at Harmonix -- and of the short-term development cycle. "Over the past four weeks-ish we've been messing around building this game," Boch explained.

In Pxl Pushr, one player places dots on an iPad, while another player attempts to catch as many dots as possible by using the contortions of their body (via Kinect). The player contorting their body is scored on how many pixels he/she is able to "push" versus the ones they miss. It's a simple concept for sure, but one that had many attendees smiling while making very silly poses. Not that the crowd's reaction was foreign to Boch and Challinor, two gentlemen who spend their working hours with Dance Central 2.

Gallery: 'Talk to Me' art exhibit, NYC MoMA

Continue reading 'Pxl Pushr' blends Kinect and iPad play to impressive, multicolor results

Joystiq'Pxl Pushr' blends Kinect and iPad play to impressive, multicolor results originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-central-2eric-zimmermanharmonixharmonix-music-systemsipadkinectmatt-bochmicrosoftmobilemomamuseum-of-modern-artmuseum-of-modern-art-nycnathalie-pozzinew-york-citynycpxl-pushrryan-challinorsynapsexboxMon, 01 Aug 2011 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Stellar: Incubus track pack heading to Rock Band in August]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/stellar-incubus-track-pack-heading-to-rock-band-on-aug-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/stellar-incubus-track-pack-heading-to-rock-band-on-aug-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/stellar-incubus-track-pack-heading-to-rock-band-on-aug-5/#comments Please, pardon us while we potentially spoil some of the Rock Band DLC offerings for August, but Incubus manager Steve Rennie already went ahead and did that on his Twitter feed. Responding to a fan request for info on Incubus tracks coming to Rock Band 3, Rennie replied, "August. 5 tracks 'Megalomaniac,' 'Pardon Me,' 'Stellar,' 'WYWH,' 'Adolescents.'"

Harmonix weighed in on its own forums, which pegged the DLC as a three track pack instead, including "Adolescents," "Pardon Me," and "Wish You Were Here." The post added, "Not sure where those other two tracks came from (we may be talking with them about licensing them) but they're not part of the pack in August and they're not on the DLC spreadsheet in the near future."

Fans will no doubt be happy to hear the news, as this will (bizarrely) be the first Incubus track pack for a Rock Band title. Previously, only "Drive" was available through Guitar Hero: World Tour., and "Dig" is in Lego Rock Band (exportable). We've reached out to Harmonix for pricing info and release date, but expect it to be around $5.50, given past pricing for three-song track packs.

[Thanks Lewis and Sean!]

JoystiqStellar: Incubus track pack heading to Rock Band in August originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcdownloadable-contentharmonixharmonix-music-systemsincubusmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3Rock-Band-3track-packwiixboxMon, 18 Jul 2011 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Weekly: Poison, 3 Doors Down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/rock-band-weekly-poison-3-doors-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/rock-band-weekly-poison-3-doors-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/rock-band-weekly-poison-3-doors-down/#comments Separated by a generation, this week's two Rock Band 3 DLC music groups couldn't be more different -- except for when it comes to drunken sing-along-ability, that is. Both Poison and Three Doors Down have that going for them in spades, making each a perfect fit for the world of Rock Band.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Poison, 3 Doors Down

JoystiqRock Band Weekly: Poison, 3 Doors Down originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-doors-downdlcdownloadable-contentharmonixharmonix-music-systemsmicrosoftnintendoplaystationpoisonps3Rock-Band-3rock-band-weeklythree-doors-downwiixboxFri, 24 Jun 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Several Dance Central 2 tracks boogie loose, assets shake out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/several-dance-central-2-tracks-boogie-loose-assets-shake-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/several-dance-central-2-tracks-boogie-loose-assets-shake-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/several-dance-central-2-tracks-boogie-loose-assets-shake-out/#comments After officially revealing the multiplayer follow-up to Dance Central this morning in -- surprise, surprise -- Dance Central 2, Harmonix today released a developer interview detailing the game's new features. Beyond news of multiplayer functionality, a handful of tracks from the game were unveiled, ranging from Rhianna's "Rude Boy" to Bananarama's "Venus" (full list after the break).

If that weren't enough, Harmonix also dropped a mess of new assets from the forthcoming sequel, which we've dropped into a gallery below and a video after the break. And hey, maybe you'd like to play the game before it even has a release date? Come by our E3 reader meetup this Friday and have a go!

Gallery: Dance Central 2 (E3 2011)

Gallery: Dance Central 2 (Characters)

Continue reading Several Dance Central 2 tracks boogie loose, assets shake out

JoystiqSeveral Dance Central 2 tracks boogie loose, assets shake out originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bananaramadance-central-2harmonixharmonix-music-systemsmicrosoftrhiannaxboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Come hang out with Joystiq (and play a bunch of great games!) at our E3 2011 reader meetup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/come-hang-out-with-joystiq-and-play-a-bunch-of-great-games-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/come-hang-out-with-joystiq-and-play-a-bunch-of-great-games-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/come-hang-out-with-joystiq-and-play-a-bunch-of-great-games-at/#comments We love you, Los Angeles, you know that. Sure, it's been awhile since we last hung out, but we wanna make that up to you. And not just any boring old dinner-and-a-movie kinda thing either, a full blown party! Next Friday, June 10, Joystiq will take over the La Cita bar in downtown LA between 5:30 and 9:00PM PST for a game-filled, giveaway-packed reader meetup.

As our staff will be all up in your city for the duration of next week, we took the liberty of renting out a bar for a few hours so you -- our best friends -- could hang out, talk about the week's big news, play a bunch of great games, and take all the game swag that's been piling up in our domiciles. Chris Hecker will be swinging through with SpyParty, as will Andy Schatz with Monaco, to name just a few of the games/game devs at the event. And how about a chance to play Harmonix' next project before anyone else? 'Cause that'll totally be there too.

Unfortunately, for our friends under 21, the event space is restricted to those of us with legal access to alcohol. We're really sorry and we still love you! It was, as they say, out of our hands. An extra big thank you to all of our participants!

SpyParty, Chris Hecker (@SpyParty)
Nidhogg, Mark Essen (@Messhof)
Unannounced Project, Ska Studios (@SkaStudios)
Monaco, Pocketwatch Games (@MonacoIsMine)
Retro City Rampage, Brian Provinciano (@RetroCR)
Q.U.B.E., Toxic Games (@qubegame)
Unannounced Project, Harmonix (@Harmonix)

Still with us? Head past the break for details, and make sure to RSVP on our Facebook event page so we know how many of you to expect!

Continue reading Come hang out with Joystiq (and play a bunch of great games!) at our E3 2011 reader meetup

JoystiqCome hang out with Joystiq (and play a bunch of great games!) at our E3 2011 reader meetup originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzbrian-provincianoe3-2011harmonixharmonix-music-systemsmacmark-essenmicrosoftmobilemonaconidhoggpcplaystationpocketwatch-gamesps3q.u.b.e.reader-meetupretro-city-rampageska-studiosspypartytoxic-gamesxboxThu, 02 Jun 2011 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dance Central DLC hollas back tomorrow with Gwen Stefani, Fatboy Slim tracks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/dance-central-dlc-hollas-back-tomorrow-with-gwen-stefani-fatboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/dance-central-dlc-hollas-back-tomorrow-with-gwen-stefani-fatboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/dance-central-dlc-hollas-back-tomorrow-with-gwen-stefani-fatboy/#comments With L.A.M.B. bags in tow, Gwen Stefani will be making moves to the Dance Central DLC store tomorrow alongside Fatboy Slim, Keri Hilson and Paula Abdul. Tracks run $3 apiece and will be available via the "all new in-game store."

As you likely inferred from the headline, Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" is being given the dance treatment, while Paula Abdul will be whoa-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh-ing into our hearts once more with "Straight Up." Head past the break for full details of the four-track offering.

Continue reading Dance Central DLC hollas back tomorrow with Gwen Stefani, Fatboy Slim tracks

JoystiqDance Central DLC hollas back tomorrow with Gwen Stefani, Fatboy Slim tracks originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-centraldlcgwen-stefaniharmonixharmonix-music-systemshollaback-girlmicrosoftpaula-abdulstraight-upxblmxboxMon, 14 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix hit with layoffs, intended to align with 'current product development plans']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/harmonix-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/harmonix-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/harmonix-layoffs/#comments A Harmonix spokesperson confirmed this afternoon to Joystiq that the company has laid off an undisclosed number of full-time employees, in an effort to bring the studio "into alignment with our current product development plans." Outside of an unnamed 3DS music title currently in development, it's unknown what Harmonix is currently working on. Sources close to the situation noted that future projects and downloadable content for both Rock Band 3 and Dance Central are unaffected by the cuts.

The official statement specifically notes that the restructuring affects the studio's full-time employees, adding "we sincerely appreciate the work of each and every of one of these employees." We understand that approximately 12 - 15 percent of the studio's approximately 240-person staff have been affected by the restructuring. The full statement from Harmonix can be found after the break.

Continue reading Harmonix hit with layoffs, intended to align with 'current product development plans'

JoystiqHarmonix hit with layoffs, intended to align with 'current product development plans' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-centraldsharmonixharmonix-music-systemslayoffsmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3wiixboxMon, 07 Feb 2011 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Weekly: Linkin Park six track pack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/rock-band-weekly-linkin-park-six-track-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/rock-band-weekly-linkin-park-six-track-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/rock-band-weekly-linkin-park-six-track-pack/#comments The first track pack from nu-metal group Linkin Park, featuring six songs from across the band's discography, will come to Rock Band 3 on January 11 for $10. All the pertinent details for next week's DLC release can be found just below the break. You'll note the selections differ from the newer ones available in Guitar Hero, so if you want to play as many Linkin Park songs as possible, you'll need to indulge both video game rhythm rivals.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Linkin Park six track pack

JoystiqRock Band Weekly: Linkin Park six track pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcdownloadable-contentharmonixharmonix-music-systemslinkin-parkmicrosoftmusicnintendoplaystationps3rhythmRock-Band-3rock-band-weeklywiixboxFri, 07 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mad Catz reveals Rock Band peripheral pricing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/mad-catz-reveals-rock-band-peripheral-pricing/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/mad-catz-reveals-rock-band-peripheral-pricing/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/mad-catz-reveals-rock-band-peripheral-pricing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A press release from Mad Catz has revealed pricing on several of the new Rock Band 3 peripherals -- and also revealed an interesting gameplay quirk about the highest-profile new instrument, the keyboard. The keyboard ($79.99 by itself, $129.99 with a copy of the game) can be used not just to play piano or keyboard tracks, but can also be used to play lead guitar or bass. That adds even more variation to Rock Band 3!

The Fender Mustang Pro-Guitar Controller (the one with all the buttons, not the real electric guitar) will retail for $149.99, which means that the Squier Stratocaster is likely to be ... pretty expensive. The Pro Cymbals Expansion Kit, which adds three newly-designed cymbals to the existing drum kit, will be $39.99, as will the MIDI Pro-Adapter for connecting any MIDI keyboard or drum set to your game console. In addition, Mad Catz will announce revised versions of the existing Rock Band instruments soon. Essentially, not only will Rock Band 3 have more options than ever, it'll also have more ways for you to spend a lot of money.

Gallery: Rock Band 3 (hardware)

JoystiqMad Catz reveals Rock Band peripheral pricing originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HarmonixHarmonix-Music-SystemsMad-CatzMadCatzmicrosoftMusicnintendoplaystationps3Rock-BandRock-Band-3wiixboxFri, 11 Jun 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on: Rock Band 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/rock-band-3-hands-on-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/rock-band-3-hands-on-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/rock-band-3-hands-on-preview/#comments Yes, there is a keytar peripheral (though in the game, it's just called "keys"). Yes, there is a Rock Band Pro mode, complete with its own 102-button guitar, that's more complicated than anything you've ever seen a plastic instrument do. Yes, a full band now consists of seven different instruments: two guitars, three vocalists (harmonies included, thanks to The Beatles), drums and a keyboard. But all of that stuff already reported by USA Today isn't what makes Rock Band 3 worthy of a plus one to the version number.

It's everything else. Harmonix has reimagined their premiere title. They've fixed problems with the game (including the most common problem players have faced), smoothed out the rough edges, and added a ton of little extra features and fun. From the menu screen on, Rock Band 3 is very clearly, as the developers said during a pre-E3 event a few weeks ago, "a clean slate design of Rock Band. Nothing was sacred," they told us. "We decided to build the ultimate music game."

Gallery: Rock Band 3 (first screens)

Continue reading Hands-on: Rock Band 3

JoystiqHands-on: Rock Band 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>band-world-tourharmonixharmonix-music-systemskeyboardkeyboard-peripheralmad-catzmicrosoftmtv-gamesnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandrock-band-3wiixboxFri, 11 Jun 2010 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix employees harmonize during a cappella Paramore song performance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/harmonix-employees-harmonize-during-a-capella-paramore-song-perf/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/harmonix-employees-harmonize-during-a-capella-paramore-song-perf/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/harmonix-employees-harmonize-during-a-capella-paramore-song-perf/#comments Since only a fraction of Joystiq is headquartered out of Boston, MA we unfortunately aren't eligible to be honored with "Top Places to Work" awards like Beatles: Rock Band developers Harmonix, nonetheless host a company-wide singing contest. If we could though, we'd like to think our singing chops would at least match the five gentlemen (four from audio and one engineer) found singing Paramore's "That's What You Get" after the break.

Winning first "among mid-size companies" and third overall in The Boston Globe's "Top Places to Work" survey, the 320 employee-strong music/rhythm-game studio was praised for its studio-wide a cappella singing competition. "I would do a lot to stay here," says senior writer Helen McWilliams. "It's really hard to imagine going from this company to any other company." That whole "making successful games" thing probably doesn't hurt either.

(Thanks, DarkArchon)

Continue reading Harmonix employees harmonize during a cappella Paramore song performance

JoystiqHarmonix employees harmonize during a cappella Paramore song performance originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-capellaacapellaboston-globeharmonixharmonix-music-systemshelen-mcwilliamsmtv-gamesparamorerock-bandthe-beatlesthe-beatles-rock-bandtop-places-to-workMon, 09 Nov 2009 19:02:00 EST