RB will never be a real familly and friend experience until...

[Symtex]

EA/Harmonix including other type of music then heavy metal/alternative/punk rock. This game needs pop, r&b, country etc... It needs to include music from all genre, only then this game will be a true musical experience.

Just my 2 cents.

[SoulScreme]

EA/Harmonix including other type of music then heavy metal/alternative/punk rock. This game needs pop, r&b, country etc... It needs to include music from all genre, only then this game will be a true musical experience.

Just my 2 cents.

So... but... it's ROCK Band...

[jq715861]

I can see them adding country. But it's awfully hard to find R&B and Pop songs that include all four instruments.

[NotorietyH]

So music spanning every decade from the 60s on isn't enough then?

[Symtex]

So... but... it's ROCK Band...

There is country rock and pop rock.

[SoulScreme]

I can see them adding country. But it's awfully hard to find R&B and Pop songs that include all four instruments.

But it's called ROCK Band. Country is not Rock!

[Patriot17]

I kind of agree with you, there is plenty of pop in the rock genre like for instance the Beatles, so i could see that happening but as far as r&b I hope that never happens. There could be country too because duh its played with the same instruments.

[SoulScreme]

There is country rock and pop rock.

Well, we have Green Grass and High Tide and Fall Out Boy. Southern rock and pop rock.

[smith5879]

I don't want that trash in my game. Why do people want other genres of music in rock band. I hope harmonix never does this. Besides if you include pop, r&b, country and rock, there is less room for rock music. It's no fun being a pop musician anyway you just lip sync.

[Grayshadow]

Non-rock music genres are typically not complex enough to play to make it much of a game. There are some exceptions of course, but for the most part, they're mostly all about the vocals.

I'd love to see some celtic rock, myself, but they would need bagpipe and fiddle controllers. :rolleyes:

[jq715861]

But it's called ROCK Band. Country is not Rock!

You look me square in the eye and tell me Fall Out Boy is ROCK without laughing your ass off.

[Electric_Zen]

Alex and others have said they are interested in making games covering other genres of music, but that's not what Rock Band is about.

[Electric_Zen]

You look me square in the eye and tell me Fall Out Boy is ROCK without laughing your ass off.

Fall Out Boy is boring, stupid rock music.

[SoulScreme]

You look me square in the eye and tell me Fall Out Boy is ROCK without laughing your ass off.

I didn't say it was good. It's still rock.

[Symtex]

Maybe i am too old for this stuff. My parents are already in their 60's. I don't think they enjoy Metallica and Nirvana that much...but I bet they would probably be curious to try it if they had some Celine Dion of some sort...

[SoulScreme]

Maybe i am too old for this stuff. My parents are already in their 60's. I don't think they enjoy Metallica and Nirvana that much...but I bet they would probably be curious to try it if they had some Celine Dion of some sort...

I sure hope this is a joke. Your parents can't get down with the Stones or Bowie? If Celine Dion were on this disk I'd shoot myself for buying it. Honestly, Celine Dion is now Rock?

[Bakkster]

You look me square in the eye and tell me Fall Out Boy is ROCK without laughing your ass off.

There's a reason the over-arching genre is called pop/rock.

Honestly, I'd call FoB either Power Pop (which I've always associated as rock, for some reason) or Corporate Rock. Whatever, it has a good chart, so I'm fine with it.

[Credge]

There is country rock and pop rock.

And it's still not rock no matter how you try to cut it.

[Nevermore]

The game is ROCK Band. If Harmonix wants to release Nashville band with a steel guitar, then they should. I won't buy it, but that's neither here nor there. :)

I really hate it when game companies try to mainstream everything so that everyone will like it. Inevitably, they make it so almost no one likes it. You might not like playing the rock songs that I love, but if I had to sit through your country and pop, I'd never have bought the game. In any case, I wouldn't be here complaining about it after the fact though. ;)

[SoulScreme]

Another thing to consider is that DLC is a business. Country and Pop would be considered niche markets in Rock Band. Most of the 17 year old emo/punk/metal kids would not be willing to try out some Garth Brooks.

[tf5_bassist]

Maybe i am too old for this stuff. My parents are already in their 60's. I don't think they enjoy Metallica and Nirvana that much...but I bet they would probably be curious to try it if they had some Celine Dion of some sort...

Try and tell me that your parents don't like "Mississippi Queen", just try it.

What did they listen to in the 60's and 70's?

[Ultrace]

I don't want that trash in my game. Why do people want other genres of music in rock band. I hope harmonix never does this. Besides if you include pop, r&b, country and rock, there is less room for rock music. It's no fun being a pop musician anyway you just lip sync.
I'm actually fine with them releasing these... As DLC, and as long as it doesn't really interfere with the release of the pure-rock DLC. That way, if someone does want to add those genres to their game, they can do so at their cost. But they should be left out of any potential sequels that may come down the pike.

[Bakkster]

I see more of a Sing Star-type differentiation between genres. There are two rock discs, a country disc, and an R&B disc. Let people buy what they want, instead of putting Beyonce on the same disc as David Bowie.

[tf5_bassist]

I'm actually fine with them releasing these... As DLC, and as long as it doesn't really interfere with the release of the pure-rock DLC. That way, if someone does want to add those genres to their game, they can do so at their cost. But they should be left out of any potential sequels that may come down the pike.

Agreed. You can be guaranteed that unless it was a crazy fun song, I wouldn't download much country on my own, although my wife sure will get me to; whatever gets her to play it more I say...

[SoulScreme]

I see more of a Sing Star-type differentiation between genres. There are two rock discs, a country disc, and an R&B disc. Let people buy what they want, instead of putting Beyonce on the same disc as David Bowie.

Why would there be more than one disk?

[Bakkster]

Why would there be more than one disk?

They released different versions of the game. You could buy Sing Star: Rocks, or you could buy Sing Star: R&B, or you can get both. Kinda like how GH:80s was. I'm saying instead of putting country in RB, they use the same engine and peripherals and put out Country Band.

Edit: They also take out the emover and lazyhawk and replace them with another mullet and cowboy hat ;)

[Symtex]

Try and tell me that your parents don't like "Mississippi Queen", just try it.

What did they listen to in the 60's and 70's?

I think my father was listening to Frank Sinatra...Seriously, DLC should include all type of music.

[Bakkster]

I think my father was listening to Frank Sinatra...Seriously, DLC should include all type of music.

Oh, you're looking for Lounge Hero, then.

[Symtex]

Oh, you're looking for Lounge Hero, then.

Elevator music hero ? LMAO !!!

[SoulScreme]

I think my father was listening to Frank Sinatra...Seriously, DLC should include all type of music.

But why would expect non-rock music in a game called ROCK BAND. You still haven't given a single reason to expect this.

[tf5_bassist]

Oh, you're looking for Lounge Hero, then.

Yeah, I think I saw that in gamestop... it's the one with these guys on the cover:

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/3951/rcsubwaysignlargebq1.jpg

[SinistarX]

I think my father was listening to Frank Sinatra...Seriously, DLC should include all type of music.

All type of music that consists of lead and bass guitars, drums, and vocals. Sure.

I'm pretty sure most of Sinatra's stuff fails that basic requirement. Same goes for Celine Dion. Maybe you should be buying your parents copies of Karaoke Revolution which does cross into those genres.

[tbradshaw]

It wasn't that he was expecting it, it was that he wants it to happen.

Though, more realisticaly, we are going to see Country Band, it's only a matter of time. Harmonix's first passion is rock, but just like they outsourced the PS2 port at some point we're going to see Country Band, even if they have to outsource it.

[tf5_bassist]

But why would expect non-rock music in a game called ROCK BAND. You still haven't given a single reason to expect this.

Country DLC in Rock Band? Not stylistically similar, per se, but very plausible, and very marketable.

Crooners and slow big-band material? Um... Yeah... The only way you'd be able to play it was if it had as many controllers as the Rock Band Bang Camaro Edition has guitars and mics.

And I don't know about your friends, but none of mine are hoping for Frank Sinatra or Celine Dion. My parents wouldn't even enjoy that.

Throw in some classic 60's garage rock, some Johnny Cash, and oldschool Aerosmith, that covers my parents.

[FallenAce]

How does this keep coming up? Do we have a fear of a country video game?

If I had to pick a country song, I'd probably go for Big&Rich's "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)".

Ultimately, if it's separate from something they expect me to buy, they put the freaking Chipmunks album up there as DLC and I wouldn't care.

And I hope they could come up with a better name than "Country Band". I think a good one would be "Toby Keith: The Legend".

[Symtex]

Country DLC in Rock Band? Not stylistically similar, per se, but very plausible, and very marketable.

Crooners and slow big-band material? Um... Yeah... The only way you'd be able to play it was if it had as many controllers as the Rock Band Bang Camaro Edition has guitars and mics.

And I don't know about your friends, but none of mine are hoping for Frank Sinatra or Celine Dion. My parents wouldn't even enjoy that.

Throw in some classic 60's garage rock, some Johnny Cash, and oldschool Aerosmith, that covers my parents.

I didn't say I wanted Frank Sinatra or Celine Dion...

[Bakkster]

I didn't say I wanted Frank Sinatra or Celine Dion...

O RLY?


I think my father was listening to Frank Sinatra...Seriously, DLC should include all type of music.

You don't want Frank Sinatra in the game, you just want Frank Sinatra in the game?

[Symtex]

O RLY?



You don't want Frank Sinatra in the game, you just want Frank Sinatra in the game?

Dude. He ask me what kinda of music my father was listening too. I didn't say I wanted an artist specifically. I said DLC should include all type of music. PERIOD.

[Bakkster]

Dude. He ask me what kinda of music my father was listening too. I didn't say I wanted an artist specifically. I said DLC should include all type of music. PERIOD.

Ok. I want a halberd in Halo. Halo will never be a good game until they add Medieval weapons.

[DesiredFX]

A number of bands I love I know will be passed over for DLC because the instrumentation isn't really suitable.

I love Genesis, and Firth of Fifth would make an amazing song to sing and play, but it has a HUGE piano intro at the beginning, and an ENORMOUS keyboard break right before the guitar solo, so I can't see it fitting into this game.

Similarly, I wouldn't expect them to try to include anything with "that big band sound" in the game.

But as I always say about DLC, sure enough: bring on anything and everything...as long as I don't have to buy it, I'm fine.

[bklynpnk]

DLC is ok, I would personally not buy the game however if it was added into the core content. I hate 99% of pop music out there. That is what sing star is for. I understand many different types of music make up the whole, but this is not trying to make up the sum of all music. It is rock. Metal,punk,goth....sub genres. Country, you could argue, is a sub genre, but it is treated more like its own main header; has its own music channels, its own radio stations, its own awards shows. Personally though, I do not want to play country songs. It is bad enough we may eventually have newer Metallica songs for DLC and will have to listen to Hettfield sing like a country star.

[fishfinder]

You kids are hilarious...what a narrow version of "Rock" most of you have...the great aspect of this diversion is not the rock but the BAND in the game...the collabrotive effort...in addition to DLC that covers all genres I also would like to see additional peripherals (instruments), that function properly for more than a few hours, added to cover winds (sax, flute, etc.), keyboards and harmonized vocals...and the ability to use 4 out of how many instrumental and/or vocal options...the beauty of DLC is you can opt in or out at your whim...it is a fun GAME...and exposed me to a few songs I wouldn't mind hearing my kids play on their real guitars...

[darknessmoon]

A number of bands I love I know will be passed over for DLC because the instrumentation isn't really suitable.

I love Genesis, and Firth of Fifth would make an amazing song to sing and play, but it has a HUGE piano intro at the beginning, and an ENORMOUS keyboard break right before the guitar solo, so I can't see it fitting into this game.

Similarly, I wouldn't expect them to try to include anything with "that big band sound" in the game.

But as I always say about DLC, sure enough: bring on anything and everything...as long as I don't have to buy it, I'm fine.

In the end, it all boils down to money. “It's no problem to just put it in as DLC and if you want it, get it, and if you don't, then don't" is so much easier said than done; it’s much more complex than that.

First off, you need a band's permission to use their song; whether it be for a commercial, a movie, a game, etc. (I don't know how hard it is to get that permission, but I do know it involves a lot of paperwork).

Second: Royalties. As far as royalties go, I believe that there are many different ways to go about this depending on the contract that comes with the permission to use a song. It could be a flat fee or it could be off of a certain percentage that is gained as profit from use of the song, etc.

Third: Time = Money. After gaining permission and discussing the royalties and what not, the song must be modified in order to play with the game. Well, not necessarily modifying the song itself (unless needed to and allowed by the band), but I mean adding in the “Rock Band components” for it to be playable with the game. It doesn’t seem entirely easy to make any song available. It’s obviously going to go through testing processes in order for it to play well with the game.

Considering all the factors I just mentioned above, I imagine that any song they pick to go into the game has to go through a long process involving paperwork, money (we don’t know Harmonix’s budget), and time to prep the song for the game. Whatever songs they choose would have to be something that would have to be beneficial to their time and money as the developers and to us as the consumers. If they were to see it as not being profitable, then it probably wouldn’t be beneficial to them to go through the hassle of what I mentioned above to make a song available for DLC “just because” and for only a few people to download them.

There could be many, many reasons, and none of us know neither what those reasons are nor what the exact process is, and because of that, all that we can do, as fans and consumers, is to ask, to request, and to hope that they can make it available for us. We can’t say that they will never put “so-and-so” in “cuz they are teh suxxorz.” Hell, I think Fall Out Boy sucks, yet they put it in the game. There are obviously enough people out there who like them for them to have been put in the game.

Alls I’m saying is, it’s not as easy as many of you may think…

And besides, the game IS called ROCKBAND, as many people here have stated. Doesn't the game itself say, "Live your Rock Star Fantasies!" or something like that, on the box? Why would anyone try to make Harmonix go through all the BS to put in music not related to the game?

[DesiredFX]

In the end, it all boils down to money. “It's no problem to just put it in as DLC and if you want it, get it, and if you don't, then don't" is so much easier said than done; it’s much more complex than that.

Oh, I'm completely aware of that, and I was never trying to imply that there was a magic DLC wishing well that made the contracts and production of DLC easy.

My point was more along the lines that if it's DLC, I don't have to buy it.

One of the reasons I was really looking forward to Rock Band--and why I love it now that I have it--is that it has the best set list of any of the guitar games. For once, there are actually more than 30 songs I know and enjoy playing.

But I know a lot of people disagree with me--particularly the ones who think there's not enough Metal in the game. After three GH games and an expansion pack, I'm of the opinion that pretty much ANY Metal is too much Metal.

The reason I tell people to push for DLC is that I'm tired of getting stuck with songs I don't want. They can come out with a huge collection of tracks I don't want, and if I don't download them I'll never have to play them!

[cueCrew]

Oh, you're looking for Lounge Hero, then.

Pre-order +1

Here's hoping the DLC covers a wide range. I was disappointed with Bowie Pack (DLC Should not include covers) and Metallica was nice, but still same old stuff. GH80's went in a few different directions (music, that is).

Main complaint around here is the lack of female vocals. Not to forget lack of online career mode.

[LordFlatus]

Listen, I love this game and I really like the music included. A lot of it I never heard of or didn't know who it was, but I still like pretty much like every song included.

HOWEVER.....this game is starting to act like the Wii: it's getting non-gamers like my wife to play it. And I love that! But, bless her heart, she's just not a metal-head. A lot of you on here are saying "Tough Crap! Duh, it's called *R*O*C*K* Band after all, you frickin' idiot." But you know what? I can play NCAA08 or HALO3 or COD4 by myself over Xbox Live with some pimply creep living in his parents basement, who is also by himself, all I want with all those games. But all of sudden the other night I spent 5 hours jamming with my wife, my son, and my son's girlfriend, and we had a blast. And I want to do more of that! This is a great family/friend bonding game.

But my wife is already tired of the songs. I unlocked all the songs from the Rio tour to have more selections, but to her they all sound the same. And even though I like all those songs I can definitely see her point. My son and I are working through BWT just fine and happy, but I'd like to get the wifey mroe involved.

So please vary the music on the DLC. :) Please please please consider something like "Rocks the 80s" as a separate disc so I can buy 70 songs of a different type for less than 70 bucks and not overflow my hard drive. "Funk and Disco Inferno" could still pull some tasty lead licks.

[Maggot_Brain]

How 'bout electric blues? Stevie Ray Vaughn rocked like a mutha. Gary Moore doing "Stormy Monday", say. Albert King. Freddie King. BB King. Martin Luther King. Bring it!

Or give us some, wait for it, Funkadelic. Eddie Hazel, baby!

[darknessmoon]

Oh, I'm completely aware of that, and I was never trying to imply that there was a magic DLC wishing well that made the contracts and production of DLC easy.

My point was more along the lines that if it's DLC, I don't have to buy it.

One of the reasons I was really looking forward to Rock Band--and why I love it now that I have it--is that it has the best set list of any of the guitar games. For once, there are actually more than 30 songs I know and enjoy playing.

But I know a lot of people disagree with me--particularly the ones who think there's not enough Metal in the game. After three GH games and an expansion pack, I'm of the opinion that pretty much ANY Metal is too much Metal.

The reason I tell people to push for DLC is that I'm tired of getting stuck with songs I don't want. They can come out with a huge collection of tracks I don't want, and if I don't download them I'll never have to play them!

I think I may be misleading with my post. I'm glad you understand that it's not easy for the developers to just add ANYTHING into DLC. What I'm trying to make a point of is that Artists such as Celine Dion and Frank Sinatra cannot be added to the game is it simply doesn't relate to the game at all. I don't doubt the talent of these artists, but they simply would not fit.

I believe I may have misinterpreted your post, and if I did, I apologize. I want to say that you meant to add everything and anything in terms of music that falls within the game? I would disagree with you in that any metal is too much metal, as I would like some metal music in there. But I would also love to see bands like The Cure, The Smiths, etc, bands that fall within the category of Rock and that are wonderful to listen to and would be great to play with family and friends and the such, which is what I assume you were aiming at. Somewhere along those lines at least.

I would love to see variety in DLC, so long as it all falls within the genre of Rock (including its sub-genres). I don't want to see all metal, all metallica, all classic rock.

[Cheesewood]

But it's called ROCK Band. Country is not Rock!

I always thought this was a silly argument against any genre. The game has a lot more than just plain ol' rock in it already. You're being ridiculous if you think Metallica and The Clash are the same genre of music.

[Nevermore]

Yeah, I don't really care what kind of DLC they put up, but if I see country music before I see obvious omissions like Tool or AC/DC up there, someone's gonna' have some 'splainin' to do. ;)

[DesiredFX]

(I don't specifically have a problem with Metal. I have a problem with the Metal-focus of the GH games and the fact that I'm up to my brain in playing so much Metal. If I never have to play another Metal song again, I'll be perfectly content.)


I would love to see variety in DLC, so long as it all falls within the genre of Rock (including its sub-genres). I don't want to see all metal, all metallica, all classic rock.

Well, I guess what I was trying to say was why not give people whatever they want as long as it sells? As long as I don't have to buy it it doesn't bother me.

I'm sure with all the contract and coding work involved, Harmonix wants to maximize the efficiency of the DLC process: why have your legal and software teams work for weeks if only 20 people download the song?

And from our end as fans, why have them work on a song that only 20 people want when their time would be better spent on a track that 20,000 people want?

It does seem a little silly to say, "hey, this is ROCK BAND, don't expect Sinatra," but, hey, this is ROCK BAND, don't expect Sinatra!

What I mean by that is that the game is marketed to a segment that is obviously rock-oriented. It's great that it's finding appeal in other market segments, but the truth is, what that should be telling Harmonix is that they need to find a way to make a similar sort of game designed to appeal to those segments.

It would be very easy to drive off the existing fan base if the rock DLC suddenly became just a small portion of what was made available.

[Shayde21]

But it's called ROCK Band. Country is not Rock!


Yeah... Harmonix will release Country Band, complete with Banjo controller when they finally get electricity in the areas where Country fans live.

[Transbrak]

Yeah... Harmonix will release Country Band, complete with Banjo controller when they finally get electricity in the areas where Country fans live.

hehehehe and those dang fangled cellu-lar telephones

[darknessmoon]

(I don't specifically have a problem with Metal. I have a problem with the Metal-focus of the GH games and the fact that I'm up to my brain in playing so much Metal. If I never have to play another Metal song again, I'll be perfectly content.)



Well, I guess what I was trying to say was why not give people whatever they want as long as it sells? As long as I don't have to buy it it doesn't bother me.

I'm sure with all the contract and coding work involved, Harmonix wants to maximize the efficiency of the DLC process: why have your legal and software teams work for weeks if only 20 people download the song?

And from our end as fans, why have them work on a song that only 20 people want when their time would be better spent on a track that 20,000 people want?

It does seem a little silly to say, "hey, this is ROCK BAND, don't expect Sinatra," but, hey, this is ROCK BAND, don't expect Sinatra!

What I mean by that is that the game is marketed to a segment that is obviously rock-oriented. It's great that it's finding appeal in other market segments, but the truth is, what that should be telling Harmonix is that they need to find a way to make a similar sort of game designed to appeal to those segments.

It would be very easy to drive off the existing fan base if the rock DLC suddenly became just a small portion of what was made available.

I don't think I could've said it any better myself. Glad we're on the same page. :D

[S1ashRev]

It's called "ROCK BAND!!!" Hello, doesn't that tell what genre it is. More rock, less crap!

[Church0070]

Ya.......it is called rock band, but if you don't want "rock" I guess I am kinda confused on why you bought the game...............................

And if you don't like it why don't you go make "Insert genre here - Band"

[DethBoxx]

Country is the only thing I hope they never add. But as long as it is only DLC, I can easily avoid it.
If it was in the actual game, that might prevent me from buying it....

[Church0070]

Country is the only thing I hope they never add. But as long as it is only DLC, I can easily avoid it.
If it was in the actual game, that might prevent me from buying it....


But the things about country DLC is that it takes the spot of another "rock" song

[MaxMeanie]

R & B Band
- Session musicians would play for you while a lyricist writes your lyrics and then when you are done laying down your vocal track a producer will come into your virtual studio and make you sound like you can sing. No accessories needed for people with no talent.

Rap Band
- You would scour the virtual rock world so your could steal a line or two of some other artists music which you would then use as the main part of your song. You would have to add some lyrics referring to b****** and h*s and cappn some mofo. Accessories would include a virtual turntable, glock and 40 of old 800.

Country Band
- You have to come up with the simplest lyrics possible, usually about gettin drunk in a bar and losing your wife to your brother. Add crappy music and you win. Accessories include a large belt buckle, 10 gallon hat, Banjo controller, still controller and picture of wife/sister.

[DethBoxx]

Lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shayde21]

I can't wait to make my avatar look like the kid on the porch from Deliverance.

[Brutal]

"We have both kinds of music, Country and Western."

Country Band (Jamboree) would sell well.

I'm a metal head so Metal Band would rock. Or more Blues. Blues Band, where you make a deal with the Devil. Or Steve Vai. Either one.