RB was a good idea...

[Trentesis12a]

Alright, I know the same things have been said before, but I want to vent as well.


Rock Band was amazing the first day I played it, but as the days went on I simply wish I did not own it. It is causing me nothing but frustration. I just want to list a couple of my problems.

The Strat, as everyone knows by now, is a piece of ****. The strumming cut out on me in one night. There also seems to be a problem when chording, but that may be related to the strumming issue. Activating Star Power by tilting the controller does not work. Also, the headset port does not work at all.

Drums. These have caused the least problems, but problems still exist. The yellow pad is not very responsive and like the Strat, the headset port does not work at all. I have tried both adapters that came with the game, but neither work.


I really wanted to like this game, but when none of the peripherals work, it's a little pointless to own it. I ask though, did any of this even go through testing?

[AdamBomb629]

Yup. It sucks... back to playing!

[Kylekillgannon]

Yup. It sucks... back to playing!

The way of the world XD

[tombrady]

Everyone always assumes it's lack of testing or lazyness on the part of HMX...but no one ever considers perhaps there was a problem at a factory making the equipment.

Maybe the flaw is with the production and assembly of the equipment and not with the design itself. How can you explain the people who haven't had major problems with their instruments (like myself and 2 friends of mine who have purchased the game) if it's a lack of testing etc?

Sorry, I'm not hopping on the bash HMX bandwagon. This game in 3 days has brought me and my friends more fun than any game in the last several years. It's unfortunate that people are turning their backs on HMX because of this. No, it's not acceptable that people are paying money for broken equipment, but replacing it is possible.

Have some patience...be thankful that you are able to even get your peripherals replaced.

Do some research before you accuse HMX of being the only people to blame here.

[Ventura]

Have some patience...be thankful that you are able to even get your peripherals replaced.

Do some research before you accuse HMX of being the only people to blame here.

So what, you get a bad bit of steak at a restaurant and you blame their supplier? It's not the customer's problem mate. You pay the money, you get the product.

Having to return something barely days after the purchase because of multiple issues isn't something I'd exactly be grateful for, and most people can tell the difference between a manufacturing defect and when something hasn't been tested enough.

[drno830]

If something hasn't been tested enough, it would be broken for everyone, not just some people.

[MuyMacho]

Everyone always assumes it's lack of testing or lazyness on the part of HMX...but no one ever considers perhaps there was a problem at a factory making the equipment.

Maybe the flaw is with the production and assembly of the equipment and not with the design itself. How can you explain the people who haven't had major problems with their instruments (like myself and 2 friends of mine who have purchased the game) if it's a lack of testing etc?

Sorry, I'm not hopping on the bash HMX bandwagon. This game in 3 days has brought me and my friends more fun than any game in the last several years. It's unfortunate that people are turning their backs on HMX because of this. No, it's not acceptable that people are paying money for broken equipment, but replacing it is possible.

Have some patience...be thankful that you are able to even get your peripherals replaced.

Do some research before you accuse HMX of being the only people to blame here.
I love the game, all my equipment seems to work well (no flaws or missed notes that I'm not responsible for, anyway) but I really disagree with this 'Don't blame HMX if something goes wrong' post of yours. I think EVERYONE considers that there was "a problem at the factory."

Harmonix makes the game, and is in control of all aspects - there may be good and bad aspects, and they get the credit for all of it. And if they picked the factories and manufacturers, they were in control of the quality issues. This is not the first game they've been part of with specialized hardware.

I suspect it's one of those issues where multiple manufacturers may have been used, and frankly, that was in Harmonix's control. This stuff happens, but it happens more often when people go with cheap factories. How they deal with quality control issues and replacements will ultimately determine how I feel about them - at the moment I love Harmonix, the Rock Band game... It's an amazing platform for fun, more music, and a great multiplayer game for when people come over - so I like what they've done, but I also feel they dropped the ball by selling the PS3 version separately, with no plan to allow people to play the game unless they bought the full box, and even then, no way to play the bass and guitar parts at the same time, unless you happen to know someone with the guitar or you buy another box.

I'm not turning my back on HMX, as you think some are - but I won't turn a blind eye to the flaws either.

[Xzyliac]

God I'm so glad I got the only (apparently) perfect bundle. I can confidently declare this my favorite game of 2007.

[blue_dragonzero]

God I'm so glad I got the only (apparently) perfect bundle. I can confidently declare this my favorite game of 2007.

I think I have one, knowing where your parents hide stuff FTW. Until then, I can just play at my friend's house.

[Kylekillgannon]

God I'm so glad I got the only (apparently) perfect bundle. I can confidently declare this my favorite game of 2007.

08, 09, and 2010 most likely as well

[AdamBomb629]

God I'm so glad I got the only (apparently) perfect bundle. I can confidently declare this my favorite game of 2007.

Mine works fine although the funny thing is the when I miss notes with the guitar, i'm not sure if the guitar isn't working sometimes or if I suck on that song!

[Edgehopper]

Having done some work with the unpleasant field of Chinese product manufacturing, I'm perfectly ready to forgive HMX for manufacturing defects as long as they have good customer service. Based on what I've heard on these forums, EA customer support is doing an excellent job of handling the warranty. Since the product is otherwise amazing except for the manufacturing problems, I forgive HMX.

It also helps that at least so far, my bundle remains intact. The only "hardware problem" I've had is angry downstairs neighbors from playing the drums at 3 AM.

[Xzyliac]

Mine works fine although the funny thing is the when I miss notes with the guitar, i'm not sure if the guitar isn't working sometimes or if I suck on that song!

Yeah my wrist gives out on Seven so I blame the Strat but I know it's my lameness. :p

[AdamBomb629]

Having done some work with the unpleasant field of Chinese product manufacturing, I'm perfectly ready to forgive HMX for manufacturing defects as long as they have good customer service. Based on what I've heard on these forums, EA customer support is doing an excellent job of handling the warranty. Since the product is otherwise amazing except for the manufacturing problems, I forgive HMX.

It also helps that at least so far, my bundle remains intact. The only "hardware problem" I've had is angry downstairs neighbors from playing the drums at 3 AM.

You should invite them up for some BWT!

[schmitty]

If something hasn't been tested enough, it would be broken for everyone, not just some people.

No that would be a manufacturing defect. If its a manufacturing defect its because in the manufacturing process something went wrong and is causing the controller to be broken. If it is lack of testing it would be some don't work some do. Testing would mean that every so often there is a lemon in the production line. Testing would show how often there is a lemon.

I think its a mixture of both a lack of testing and manufacturing defect. EA and Harmonix probably didn't test for controller durability. They probably most likely tested if the game was working correctly and if they did not have any problems with there controllers they felt there was no need to change manufacturing procedures or test for controller quality. Maybe if someone has both GH1, 2, or 3 and RB they can check to see if it was manufactured by the same company or not. If it was they probably had enough confidence in manufacturing to make a quality product.

[Edgehopper]

You should invite them up for some BWT!

I just might :) I was actually surprised; I'm a heavy guy, and I've played DDR late at night without complaints.

[CENACHAINGANG54]

Everyone always assumes it's lack of testing or lazyness on the part of HMX...but no one ever considers perhaps there was a problem at a factory making the equipment.

Sorry, I'm not hopping on the bash HMX bandwagon. This game in 3 days has brought me and my friends more fun than any game in the last several years. It's unfortunate that people are turning their backs on HMX because of this. No, it's not acceptable that people are paying money for broken equipment, but replacing it is possible.

Have some patience...be thankful that you are able to even get your peripherals replaced.

Do some research before you accuse HMX of being the only people to blame here.

AMEN!!! Also why don't you ***** about GH3's Gibson????? I still have a broken Gibson that has been broke since day two and I am STILL WAITING FOR ACTIVISION TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! However when my drum pedal broke on day two, called EA and new one on the way just like that! so GET OFF OF HARMONIX AND GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING! With all the time you have spent *****ing, you could have done what I did and that was have my band carry on with me playing guitar! This is my favorite game of the year and I have bought every game so far that was announced at E3 other than Mass Effect. This is truly game of the year and I know they will fix it!

[drno830]

No that would be a manufacturing defect. If its a manufacturing defect its because in the manufacturing process something went wrong and is causing the controller to be broken. If it is lack of testing it would be some don't work some do. Testing would mean that every so often there is a lemon in the production line. Testing would show how often there is a lemon.

I think its a mixture of both a lack of testing and manufacturing defect. EA and Harmonix probably didn't test for controller durability. They probably most likely tested if the game was working correctly and if they did not have any problems with there controllers they felt there was no need to change manufacturing procedures or test for controller quality. Maybe if someone has both GH1, 2, or 3 and RB they can check to see if it was manufactured by the same company or not. If it was they probably had enough confidence in manufacturing to make a quality product.

A manufacturing defect would cause all units created on that day using those certain machines.to be faulty. The others would work fine on the days without manufacturing defects. Poor testing would lead to problems coming out with everyone due to the build of the guitar being poor.

[druff42]

Everyone always assumes it's lack of testing or lazyness on the part of HMX...but no one ever considers perhaps there was a problem at a factory making the equipment.

Maybe the flaw is with the production and assembly of the equipment and not with the design itself. How can you explain the people who haven't had major problems with their instruments (like myself and 2 friends of mine who have purchased the game) if it's a lack of testing etc?

Sorry, I'm not hopping on the bash HMX bandwagon. This game in 3 days has brought me and my friends more fun than any game in the last several years. It's unfortunate that people are turning their backs on HMX because of this. No, it's not acceptable that people are paying money for broken equipment, but replacing it is possible.

Have some patience...be thankful that you are able to even get your peripherals replaced.

Do some research before you accuse HMX of being the only people to blame here.

Don't get me wrong, I love harmonix and it's hands down best game I've ever played, but the issues seem to be pretty wide spread. Based on other postings it seems the issue with the strum bar lies in the design. (i.e. people fixing them with rubber bands and such) No matter how much you mass produce something this is a design flaw. This isn't a turning our backs on harmonix, or hamronix bashing issue, it's a simple matter of I just paid 170 dollars for a game and i expect it to work. If this were any other company and any other game with such an obvious and debilitating malfunction. It is great that they are replacing guitars and other faulty hardware, but if the replacements are broken it's a cycle that will lead to legitinmate harmonix bashing.

Not accusing anyone of anything or making wild claims, but since the game was announced one of the biggest issues was how much a game of this magnitude would cost. It seems to me that along the line somewhere someone (again not accusing just speculating) made the decision that in order to lower the price and sell more units some sacrafice had to be made (i.e. instrument quality). Maybe it didn't seem like to big of a deal, and maybe you're right and the problem isn't as widespread as it seems, but just as word of mouth made guitar hero a huge success it could lead to rock band's downfall (knock on wood) I'm sure the games already a huge success, but even just having to replace countless guitars could really hurt their overhead.

That being said all my gear works fine and I am completely in love with the game.