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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Music game sales continue plunge down the charts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/music-game-sales-continue-plunge-down-the-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/music-game-sales-continue-plunge-down-the-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/music-game-sales-continue-plunge-down-the-charts/#comments If this sounds like a familiar tune, it is: Music game sales have plummeted for a second-straight year. But this year, the tune is way more off key.

According to analysis by Gamasutra, which looked at the period from January through October in each of the past three years, music game revenues in the U.S. have taken a phenomenal nose dive from an epic height of $1.6 billion in 2008 to where they've landed today: under $250 million for the year. "Short of a Christmas miracle," concludes analyst Matt Matthews, "music games won't break $400 million for all of 2010."

Ohhh ... so that's why Viacom's hawking Harmonix.

JoystiqMusic game sales continue plunge down the charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisiondj-hero-2eagreen-day-rock-bandguitar-heroguitar-hero-warriors-of-rockharmonixmicrosoftmtv-gamesmusicmusic-gamesnintendoplaystationpower-gig-rise-of-the-sixstringps3rhythmrock-bandrock-band-3salesseven45softwareviacomwiixboxFri, 19 Nov 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Power Gig dev Seven45 confirms layoffs, part of 'natural cycle']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/power-gig-dev-seven45-confirms-layoffs-part-of-natural-cycle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/power-gig-dev-seven45-confirms-layoffs-part-of-natural-cycle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/power-gig-dev-seven45-confirms-layoffs-part-of-natural-cycle/#comments Power Gig: Rise of the SixString developer Seven45 confirmed to Joystiq that it had recently incurred staff layoffs. "With Power Gig already on store shelves, last week Seven45 Studios restructured the company both as a part of the natural cycle of game development and to focus on the development needs of its upcoming games projects," the company said in a statement.

One unidentified Twitter account reporting on the so-called "major" layoffs, claimed Seven45 had been "decimated." A source informs us that approximately 20 to 30 people were let go, which included most of the QA team and a bunch of full-time staff.

Power Gig didn't strike a chord with us or critics at large, averaging a Metacritic score in the mid-30s. Seven45 has yet to reveal specific details about its future projects.

If you were affected by the layoffs or have more information to share on the matter, please feel free to contact us. Seven45's full statement can be found after the break.

Continue reading Power Gig dev Seven45 confirms layoffs, part of 'natural cycle'

JoystiqPower Gig dev Seven45 confirms layoffs, part of 'natural cycle' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>layoffsmicrosoftplaystationpower-gigpower-gig-rise-of-the-sixstringps3seven45seven45-studiosxboxFri, 19 Nov 2010 09:24:00 EST<![CDATA[80 percent of Power Gig setlist is new to music games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/04/80-percent-of-power-gig-setlist-is-new-to-music-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/04/80-percent-of-power-gig-setlist-is-new-to-music-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/04/80-percent-of-power-gig-setlist-is-new-to-music-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Here she is: the full Power Gig: Rise of the Six String setlist -- all 70 tracks of it. As promised, Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews Band and Kid Rock are all on board (for the first time ever in a music game, no less), along with John Mayer, Paramore and harder rocking from the likes of Mastodon and Incubus. 80 percent of the tracks have never appeared in a music game before at all -- pretty impressive for an original IP. Power Gig will have plenty of competition this fall, but it looks like the setlist won't be a weak spot.

Take a look at the tunes after the break, then scroll back up and answer this question: What's the absolute best song on the list? If you said Bad Religion's "I Want to Conquer the World," you're exactly right.

Continue reading 80 percent of Power Gig setlist is new to music games

Joystiq80 percent of Power Gig setlist is new to music games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftplaystationpower-gig-rise-of-the-sixstringps3seven45xboxSat, 04 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet the members of Clan Rise in new Power Gig trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/meet-the-members-of-clan-rise-in-new-power-gig-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/meet-the-members-of-clan-rise-in-new-power-gig-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/meet-the-members-of-clan-rise-in-new-power-gig-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Power Gig: Rise of the Six String director Jack Davis is back to tell us more about the story of the real-life guitar driven music game. It's still not the most original thing we've ever seen -- building a revolution against an oppressive regime isn't new ground for video games by any means.

But the new trailer tells us a bit more about the player characters in the game, two members of "Clan Rise" that each have their own personal reasons for strumming and fretting away on the guitar. Learning that C chord is great and all, but avenging your parents in the process is a nice bonus.

Continue reading Meet the members of Clan Rise in new Power Gig trailer

JoystiqMeet the members of Clan Rise in new Power Gig trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftplaystationpower-gig-rise-of-the-six-stringpower-gig-rise-of-the-sixstringps3seven-45seven45xboxThu, 05 Aug 2010 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Power Gig: the story behind the music]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/power-gig-the-story-behind-the-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/power-gig-the-story-behind-the-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/power-gig-the-story-behind-the-music/#commentsThis fall's two big music-performance games each offer an experience new to the genre. Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock adds a more involved storyline, while Rock Band 3 offers real instruments. Power Gig: Rise of the SixString actually combines these two aspects. We've seen its (real, functional) guitar and (less realistic) drum controllers, and now we can learn about that story.

In the video after the break, design director Jack Davis introduces the world of Ohm, where music has a "real physical power" to affect the world and its people. The player must unite clans of "rockers" to defeat the oppressive "headliner" who has silenced them. And, of course, that is accomplished through the performance of licensed music. It's reminiscent of Brutal Legend, as is the in-game footage shown in the video.

Continue reading Power Gig: the story behind the music

JoystiqPower Gig: the story behind the music originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftMusicplaystationPower-Gigpower-gig-rise-of-the-sixstringps3seven45seven45-studiosxboxTue, 20 Jul 2010 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on: Power Gig's AirStrike Drum]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/hands-on-power-gigs-airstrike-drum/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/hands-on-power-gigs-airstrike-drum/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/hands-on-power-gigs-airstrike-drum/#comments Power Gig's AirStrike Drum is either a terrific idea with terrible execution ... or just a bad idea. Seven45's drum kit takes a very different approach from the game's defining pas-faux guitar. In fact, the team has done a complete 180, going as far away from a "realistic" approach as possible.

The name does a good job of explaining how this peripheral works. Instead of hitting a toy-like facsimile of a drum, you are "hitting" air. The Simon-esque drum pad is equipped with sensors that detect when the specially-designed drum sticks are swung above. It's certainly a novel idea, one that has some immediate benefits: without the need for replica cymbals, this device is incredibly small. For those struggling with plastic instrument clutter, this is a rather clever solution. (Bonus: The AirStrike is also compatible with current Rock Band and Guitar Hero games.) Another perk of the device: it's quiet. Your roommates won't be bothered by the loud sounds of plastic tapping.

While the AirStrike offers some improvements over previous drum peripherals, it's significantly more difficult to use. With a physical object to hit, it's easy to determine what's wrong. Here, as I kept on missing a string of notes, I couldn't help but wonder what was at fault: the game, the drums or me.

Gallery: Power Gig: Rise of the SixString

Continue reading Hands-on: Power Gig's AirStrike Drum

JoystiqHands-on: Power Gig's AirStrike Drum originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airstrike-drumdrumsmicrosoftplaystationpower-gigpower-gig-rise-of-the-sixstringps3seven45xboxXbox-360Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Power Gig out this fall with music from Clapton, Dave Matthews Band, and Kid Rock]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/power-gig-out-this-fall-with-music-from-clapton-dave-matthews-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/power-gig-out-this-fall-with-music-from-clapton-dave-matthews-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/power-gig-out-this-fall-with-music-from-clapton-dave-matthews-b/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Seven45's Power Gig: Rise of the Sixstring, the guitar game controlled by an actual electric guitar, has been slated for an October launch, where it will compete against other fall 2010 music games like Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock and DJ Hero 2 (so far).

The novelty of the guitar controller -- which has, like, real strings and everything -- is definitely one advantage Power Gig has over its peers. Seven45 revealed another today: agreements with Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews Band, and ... Kid Rock to provide songs for the game.

"We think Power Gig is a much needed and much welcomed game because, unlike any others before it, it puts a real guitar into the hands of aspiring musicians, and we hope it inspires our fans and others to start playing even when they're not playing the game," the Dave Matthews Band is quoted as saying. The whole band? In unison?

Gallery: Power Gig: Rise of the SixString

JoystiqPower Gig out this fall with music from Clapton, Dave Matthews Band, and Kid Rock originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dave-Matthews-BandEric-ClaptonGuitarKid-RockmicrosoftMusicplaystationpower-gigpower-gig-rise-of-the-sixstringps3Release-DateSeven45xboxXbox-360Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Get into a silly pose for this Power Gig: Rise of the Sixstring trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/get-into-a-silly-pose-for-this-power-gig-rise-of-the-sixstring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/get-into-a-silly-pose-for-this-power-gig-rise-of-the-sixstring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/get-into-a-silly-pose-for-this-power-gig-rise-of-the-sixstring/#commentsSure, you saw our impressions from GDC of Power Gig: Rise of the Sixstring -- the first music/rhythm game to feature an actual, working electric guitar -- but have you seen the unbelievably silly first trailer for the game, apparently filmed during last week's developer convention? Now you can, as we've dropped it just a few inches up for your enjoyment.

If you were hoping for a better look at the game itself, you're just gonna have to wait for the next trailer, because this one exclusively features people playing the game's peripheral while either jumping or rocking or ... well, you get the idea -- no gameplay. That said, the guitar solo that takes place about halfway through reminds us that this is absolutely a real guitar, so that's something, right? Right? Where are you going?! We brought punch!

JoystiqGet into a silly pose for this Power Gig: Rise of the Sixstring trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Microsoftpower-gigpower-gig-rise-of-the-sixstringseven45seven45-studiostrailerXbox-360Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Impressions: Power Gig: Rise of the Sixstring]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/impressions-power-gig-rise-of-the-sixstring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/impressions-power-gig-rise-of-the-sixstring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/impressions-power-gig-rise-of-the-sixstring/#comments Can the music genre be revitalized? Can gaming newcomer Seven45 Studios -- a combined publisher, developer and hardware manufacturer -- sway current fans of Guitar Hero and Rock Band to try yet another music game, and one that focuses only on guitar? The odds are undoubtedly against them.

At the very least, Seven45's Power Gig: Rise of the Sixstring isn't destined to become another Rock Revolution. It's true that Power Gig isn't fundamentally different from the other band games out there, offering four-player support with guitars, drum and vocals; however, Seven45's twist is the guitar: a fully-functioning electric guitar with real strings and the ability to create real music.

At first glance, Seven45's peripheral won't look very different from a standard guitar. In fact, were it not for the colored labels that run along the side of the instrument, and the Xbox jewel embedded on the face of the guitar, it'd be hard to tell it apart from a proper instrument. When not connected to a game console, it can be strummed with a standard pick (or your hand), and it will even connect to standard guitar amps.

Gallery: Power Gig: Rise of the SixString

Continue reading Impressions: Power Gig: Rise of the Sixstring

JoystiqImpressions: Power Gig: Rise of the Sixstring originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guitarMicrosoftpower-gigseven45Xbox-360Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST