Rock Band is the new game from Harmonix, the makers of Guitar Hero. I win! The press release yesterday mentioned all-new peripherals (bass, drums, mic, etc), and Kotaku has an in-depth feature on the background thinking behind Rock Band, from the guys who own the developer: MTV.
"In the past, people listened to music. Then, in 1981, the music industry and pop culture was changed forever with the birth of MTV: Music Television," said Jeff Yapp, EVP of MTV Program Enterprises. "People began watching music as well as listening to it as we introduced the concept of the "music video."
Fast forward to 2007 and MTV is set to revolutionize the music industry once again with Harmonix's Rock Band - an all-new platform for music fans and gamers alike to interact with the music and artists they love like never before."
They're doing some really good stuff here too: not just covers, but track pieces on top of which you can make your own music. Online band battles...
"In Guitar Hero it was all about the guitar. In the Rock Band game it's no longer about the guitarist, it's about getting everyone involved, it's about what music is going to be great, not just individuals but for everyone. It's about finding songs that have riffs the whole band can play."
GENIUS!
I'm not sure Rock Band tunes will be taken particularly seriously after the novelty's worn off, but then again they probably won't be worse than half the manufactured stuff the music industry churns out. As for the fun element ... better move the playstation into the garage, for that added authenticity.
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