Harrahs , Having RB contests

[srt-8guy]

Linky
http://www.harrahs.com/rockband/?KEY=547544-536368&EDID=6BTPJV-SPLFU-WL8PAO-6VEPTA-FR01H-v1

[BYC]

That's a bit unbelievable. I wonder what their angle is on this other than trying to get people to come out to the casinos.

[jmohr1]

They had a Rock Band set-up at Harrah's (the piano bar i think) in Vegas for CES this year and I was staying there, but I missed whatever they were doing since I went to see The Beatles Love show... I guess it went over well

[King_Nuthin]

BYC, Harrah's is on the verge of bankruptcy, I'm sure they'll try anything at this point.

[srt-8guy]

BYC, Harrah's is on the verge of bankruptcy, I'm sure they'll try anything at this point.

Which casino isn't on the verge of bankruptcy ?

[davidshek]

Thread title is misleading. That page says nothing about a contest. Just Rock Band Nights, where you can come out and play.

[King_Nuthin]

Which casino isn't on the verge of bankruptcy ?
Ameristar maybe? Foxwoods?

Harrah's has been mentioned as one of those hardest hit, along with Stations and Trump. Seems any of the companies heavily leveraged in Vegas are screwed because of Vegas real estate crashing, so MGM-Mirage is also in jeopardy. I guess it isn't surprising how dire it is since a handful of companies now own 90% of them.

Not sure how Wynn is doing or some of the smaller players. I'm sure Indian casinos are still good if they're on tribal land.

Anything to get younger less experienced gamers in is a win, especially if you get them liquored up before they hit the tables.

[cherokeesam]

Naturally, my casino isn't one of the participating properties....*sigh*

I deal blackjack at Harrah's Cherokee. And we're in the process of a $450 million expansion, so not exactly hurting there. But I wish we could have Rock Band Nights, too....:(

[AC_RB_Tech]

The Harrah's Entertainment Director in Atlantic City let this out today.

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/goac/casinos/story/400731.html

The big picture is that 16 Harrahs properties will be running weekly contests leading to 4 regional semi-finals leading to a grand final in AC on May 7th.

The Grand Prize is $10K, plus being the opening act for The B52's at the AC House of Blues on Saturday May 9th. Not TOO shabby!

Harrahs signed a 2 year deal with MTV, so this is only the first of several co-sponsored events in the works.

There are, of course, just a few requirements to compete:
1) All musicians must be 21+, and have/sign up for a "Total Rewards" players card (It's free!). In some venues, all spectators must be 21+, as the venues are on the gaming floors.
2) There is a limited song list from the base Rockband1&2 install.
3) No outside guitars/drums/mics allowed. Everyone plays the same house kit to keep things fair.

Rockband lives in Atlantic City from March 4th to April 17th, every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! COME ON DOWN!!!

[idlephase]

Participants must be 21 years old and older and must bring a whole band: singer, bassist, guitarist and drummer. Up to 20 bands will compete per night. Using the Rock Band scoring system and a predetermined difficulty level, bands will have more than 100 songs to choose from. Harrah's will provide top-notch equipment, including basses and Fender-weighted guitars that look and feel like the real thing instead of the normal plastic ones people have at home.

That's almost a deal breaker there. I'll stick around until the San Diego (Rincon) location starts distributing info.

[AC_RB_Tech]

That's almost a deal breaker there. I'll stick around until the San Diego (Rincon) location starts distributing info.

Don't quote me, but some of the details that Jason talked about aren't EXACTLY the facts that are in the promotion manual that came with the install kit. I'm sure that there will be a complete set of rules posted on the Harrah's website shortly, so don't give up quite yet . . .

[jkopacko]

I talked to the Harrahs Tunica contact here and he was aware of the contest but did not have any details. He is supposed to email me when he has more information.

[idlephase]

The site has updated and is now flash-based and fancy.

[harbingerofdoom]

in case anyone was wondering here is how they are scoring it.

overall score 50% (your actual score based on gameplay)
style (meaning makup use of any props, hair & all that jazz) 25%
performance (stage presence attitude stuff like that) 25%

[harbingerofdoom]

I talked to the Harrahs Tunica contact here and he was aware of the contest but did not have any details. He is supposed to email me when he has more information.

my friend actually has an assigned casino host (i guess that means a lot of dough going through her hands??) and she is going to find out about having it in reno/tahoe also...
when i called them earlier today all they could say is "rock band...what? i dont know about any competition.."

[archery]

the west coast bracket has microsoft and pepsi teams. what are those?

[PwnageMonger]

Just a heads up to discourage supporting Harrah's financially. The property at which I worked was immersed in so many illegal things, particularly the treatment of their employees. I observed it first-hand happen to many people with whom I worked and also some with whom I was good friends. Held my breath for three years, and it ended up happening to me as well - despite scoring in the top 2% of employees nation-wide in my annual performance reviews each year. I watched fellow employees lose their jobs due to the color of their skin, their gender, rebuffing sexual advances, and obviously the bottom-line. I lost mine while on a medical leave federally protected by the FMLA, and now I'm not only jobless in this economy (despite busting my butt for three years and excelling in my roles there), without insurance (had to cancel my much needed surgery), and out of savings.

Of course, a business is in business to make money. And casinos MAKE MONEY. I know first-hand, having been a Buyer and Accountant for a Harrah's property. But, I know of many other businesses (casinos included) that treat their employees much more humanely, and at the very least, abide by employment law when it comes to their business dealings.

So, I guess all I'm saying is just don't throw your money away at a Harrah's property. There are looser slots and better jackpots at other casinos if you're the gambling type. But, hey... if you're going there JUST to compete in a Rock Band tournament, kick the tournament's ass and win that tournament money, because I'd like to at least see someone profit from Harrah's decisions.

Editing this because I just noticed that the property at which I was employed is one participating - Metropolis. So, if you enter there, rock out, win that prize money, and don't waste a dime of your money supporting a very corrupt property that has one of the worst slot pay-out ratios in the nation. Yes, I'm a bitter accountant that's seen the pay-out reports, and even though I'm bitter and very anti-Metropolis now, you can believe me when I say that I, unfortunately, have the scoop on this and couldn't find it in my heart to encourage people to play at Metropolis even when I worked there (I simply avoided the topic).

But, of course... I <3 Rock Band, and I will support anyone who rocks out and wins some money at Harrah's expense. :)

[archery]

*-i consider pretty much all casino owners to be gangsters but i have heard the same thing from the world series of poker players regarding harrahs.

anyone notice that they have teen age riot listed as 3:50? that would either be a typo or a pretty big edit. it's clearly the highest possible scoring song in that list.

[lerxstsnowdog]

Anybody game for putting together a band for the St. Louis event on March 13th? I can play bass and sing on hard pretty decently, and am very good on medium guitar (haven't quite mastered the hard just yet). Drums? Meh, I'm just now getting to the point where easy is pretty managable, so no dice there. PM me if you're interested.

[AC_RB_Tech]

in case anyone was wondering here is how they are scoring it.

overall score 50% (your actual score based on gameplay)
style (meaning makup use of any props, hair & all that jazz) 25%
performance (stage presence attitude stuff like that) 25%

Actually, that's the scoring guide for THE REGIONAL and GRAND FINALS! The local contests are scored strictly by the game scores, with ties broken by the total of each team's 'streaks'.

There are conflicting lists of available songs (The official rules description of the available songs vs. the 'song list' page on the website.) I'm sure it will be sorted out before the first competition!

DON"T LET SOME DISGRUNTLED EX-HARRAHS EMPLOYEE SPOIL THE FUN, COME ON DOWN TO A.C. and PLAY SOME ROCK BAND!

[harbingerofdoom]

the west coast bracket has microsoft and pepsi teams. what are those?

dunno.. im trying to find that out myself...

[harbingerofdoom]

no offense to anyone slighted by harrahs as a company, but if i refused to do business with any large corporation that has had such allegations thrown at them, id have to grow my own food, make my own clothes and drive a horse and buggy.

anyone that has been wronged certainly has the right to go after them to correct whatever the problem is/was, but these days to find any corporation of medium size or larger that hasnt had such allegations tossed at them just aint gonna happen.

oh, and thanks for the clarification AC... ;)

[idlephase]

Will there be any prizes for winning or competing at the local level?

[PwnageMonger]

DON"T LET SOME DISGRUNTLED EX-HARRAHS EMPLOYEE SPOIL THE FUN, COME ON DOWN TO A.C. and PLAY SOME ROCK BAND!

Actually, I wasn't trying to spoil anyone's fun. On the contrary, I encouraged people to compete in this competition and wished them luck.

All I did was warn them of Metropolis' illegal practices (the "disgruntled" part to which you were referring, I assume), and the pay-out ratio of the slots at that particular property compared to the other Harrah's-owned properties.

So, again, for those who maybe didn't read the entire post (TL;DR, I know), enter this contest and kick its ass.

[AC_RB_Tech]

Will there be any prizes for winning or competing at the local level?

From the local competition rules:
1st Place: Spot in qualifiers event, 1 night hotel package for 4 including $100 food credit
2nd Place: Spot in qualifiers event, $50 Total Rewards gift card
3rd Place: $25 Total Rewards gift card

The complete rules are posted (finally!) at www.harrahs.com/rockband

[mclumpo]

are there any drummers in the chicagoland area with a 360 interested in this?

we just need an expert drummer to go rock out?

any takers?

[thjimmy]

Actually, that's the scoring guide for THE REGIONAL and GRAND FINALS! The local contests are scored strictly by the game scores, with ties broken by the total of each team's 'streaks'.

There are conflicting lists of available songs (The official rules description of the available songs vs. the 'song list' page on the website.) I'm sure it will be sorted out before the first competition!




I didn't see this distinction in the rules. Is this from the Harrah's site or somewhere else? Any guidance is appreciated.

[thjimmy]

I didn't see this distinction in the rules. Is this from the Harrah's site or somewhere else? Any guidance is appreciated.

I just found that info in the FAQ section. Thanks for pointing that out, it makes a difference in the performance.

[TheDeacon_Reloaded]

Ohhhh....So half the score is on style and stage presence? :p

I NEED SOME LAS VEGAS AREA PLAYERS TO JOIN ME IMMEDIATELY AND WIN $10000.

Send a PM and add me to XBL - TehD3ac0n

[AC_RB_Tech]

Ohhhh....So half the score is on style and stage presence? :p

- TehD3ac0n

ONLY in the regional semi-finals and the Atlantic City Grand-Finale! First round local contests are strictly by the game scoring, with ties broken by the total of each band's streaks.

The website is a little confusing because when you open the "Official Rules" page, it opens the rules for the Central region SEMI-FINAL. If you click on any (well, almost any . . .) of the local contest site names, it will show the rules for that local first round contest. They are supposed to all be the same, but I haven't checked them all.

GOOD LUCK!

[TheDeacon_Reloaded]

Ah, thank you for the clarification!

No worries, I can still ace the song I picked :D

[AC_RB_Tech]

Ah, thank you for the clarification!

No worries, I can still ace the song I picked :D


It IS one of the thirty songs on the "OFFICIAL" song list, right?

[TheDeacon_Reloaded]

It IS one of the thirty songs on the "OFFICIAL" song list, right?

Yup! The one I picked fits my personality perfectly. The problem is finding three other expert players that are either IN las vegas or willing to travel >.<

[ERodaman]

Any chance of competing on medium level compared to teams on expert and hard - its based on points - my band rocks on medium but we havent gotten to the hard/expert level yet - only been playing for 1 month or so...

[thjimmy]

Any chance of competing on medium level compared to teams on expert and hard - its based on points - my band rocks on medium but we havent gotten to the hard/expert level yet - only been playing for 1 month or so...


I don't know about the scoring, but if you have a chance to get out there and compete, then go do it and have some fun. You may not get another chance to perform.

[Just MC]

I'll be the host for the St. Louis shows.

First competition is this Friday! Open play 7-9 and competition 9-12!

Looking forward to seeing how many people in STL can rock.

[Eirk]

Hey, wondering how registration works for this. I entered my Total Rewards info and all that jazz on harrah's site, but haven't gotten any confirmation. Does it take more than a day? And is it by email/phone?

[thjimmy]

Hey, wondering how registration works for this. I entered my Total Rewards info and all that jazz on harrah's site, but haven't gotten any confirmation. Does it take more than a day? And is it by email/phone?

I received an e-mail the next day asking me what day I wanted to perform.

It came from a rep at the casino. If you haven't heard back in a couple of days, I'd call the casino and ask for the person in charge of the event.

Good luck!

[MikeMcQ1]

I'll be the host for the St. Louis shows.

First competition is this Friday! Open play 7-9 and competition 9-12!

Looking forward to seeing how many people in STL can rock.

So, how was the turnout on Friday the 13th? I'll be there this Friday the 20th. I can't compete since I won't be able to do the regionals in Hammond due to work, but I do plan on having fun with "open play". Did anyone here see the setup in St. Louis?

[thevoiceofl]

So, how was the turnout on Friday the 13th? I'll be there this Friday the 20th. I can't compete since I won't be able to do the regionals in Hammond due to work, but I do plan on having fun with "open play". Did anyone here see the setup in St. Louis?

The turnout was good as far as amount of people in the club. Despite 10+ sign ups only 3 bands actually ended up competing. I heard that some bands were intimidated by the warm-ups of a couple of bands and decided to stick to the open mic portion. They had an open mic from 7 til about 930, a band played, another 15 min of open mic, another band played, 15 min of open mic then the final band played. There was more open mic for about 30 minutes after the last band, and then they announced the places/gave out the prizes and there was a final encore by the winning band.

3rd place got about 350,000
2nd got 1.3M
1st got 1.8M

It was pretty fun. Let me know if there are any other specific questions!

PS: The chick at the sign in table was so hot...
PSS: The guy announcing the bands/winners was awesome. If you've ever imagined your band getting called out over the loudspeaker in epic fashion, in a crowded club full of people, go play - even if you won't win. It brings back memories of the "real band" days.

[MikeMcQ1]

Good to hear it's a fun little gig. I'm curious to know if the regular crowd that is there gets into it, or is pretty much everyone there because it's RockBand competition?

As the singer, are you able to adjust your settings to be able to sing w/ or w/o the song vocals, and even adjust the sensitivity, etc?

How was the calibration of the instruments?

And were you in the competition? Songs chosen?

Thanks for the info ... sounds like a blast!

[thjimmy]

The turnout was good as far as amount of people in the club. Despite 10+ sign ups only 3 bands actually ended up competing. I heard that some bands were intimidated by the warm-ups of a couple of bands and decided to stick to the open mic portion. They had an open mic from 7 til about 930, a band played, another 15 min of open mic, another band played, 15 min of open mic then the final band played. There was more open mic for about 30 minutes after the last band, and then they announced the places/gave out the prizes and there was a final encore by the winning band.

3rd place got about 350,000
2nd got 1.3M
1st got 1.8M

It was pretty fun. Let me know if there are any other specific questions!

PS: The chick at the sign in table was so hot...
PSS: The guy announcing the bands/winners was awesome. If you've ever imagined your band getting called out over the loudspeaker in epic fashion, in a crowded club full of people, go play - even if you won't win. It brings back memories of the "real band" days.

Thanks for the update.

What songs did the top 3 play?

[twobntouch]

Anyone need a drummer for the Mar 19 Showboat Tourny? I'm expert on most songs, I think all the ones they list... I'll be there.

[thevoiceofl]

Good to hear it's a fun little gig. I'm curious to know if the regular crowd that is there gets into it, or is pretty much everyone there because it's RockBand competition?

As the singer, are you able to adjust your settings to be able to sing w/ or w/o the song vocals, and even adjust the sensitivity, etc?

How was the calibration of the instruments?

And were you in the competition? Songs chosen?

Thanks for the info ... sounds like a blast!

It was about half and half with crowd interaction. Some people were camped out in the back doing the club thing and others were up front totally into it.

The calibration was excellent when we showed up. We didn't need to adjust anything (and I don't believe you're allowed to per the rules, but I may be wrong on this point).

I was in the winning band. The songs played were Livin on a Prayer, PDA and Give it away, respectively. We played about 4-5 other songs including the open mic and encore.

One thing I didn't know is that the top 3 bands (or in this case, all of the bands who participated) are invited back for the finals on April 17th. I was under the impression that it was four weeks, and the winner from each would go to the regionals. Apparantly this isn't the case. The top 3 bands get invited back to the finals with slightly different rules on April 17th. Either the sole winner or maybe the top 2 from that are moving on to the regionals.

[LiquidKourage]

Yeah, it seems that each local contest is running a variation of the main rule set. For instance, my local contest takes the top 2 bands from each of 4 nights to the local finals.

Also, my local contest gives away 2 prizes each week-- top score and most "style". That wasn't in the rules breakdown on the website, but was emailed to the registered bands.

[thjimmy]

It was about half and half with crowd interaction. Some people were camped out in the back doing the club thing and others were up front totally into it.

The calibration was excellent when we showed up. We didn't need to adjust anything (and I don't believe you're allowed to per the rules, but I may be wrong on this point).

I was in the winning band. The songs played were Livin on a Prayer, PDA and Give it away, respectively. We played about 4-5 other songs including the open mic and encore.

One thing I didn't know is that the top 3 bands (or in this case, all of the bands who participated) are invited back for the finals on April 17th. I was under the impression that it was four weeks, and the winner from each would go to the regionals. Apparantly this isn't the case. The top 3 bands get invited back to the finals with slightly different rules on April 17th. Either the sole winner or maybe the top 2 from that are moving on to the regionals.


Congrats on the win!

Did anyone metntion anything about song difficulty? If you read through the rules (11 pages of tiny type) it says you can't play the 3 lowest difficulties in competition unless the songs are chosen randomly.

Are they enforcing this yet or just in the local finals and beyond?

[LiquidKourage]

That rule seems to be largely non-enforced. I would check with your local venue's marketing rep to confirm their ruling on the matter.

As far as beyond the locals, the song set and selection rules are completely different from Regionals up, so the issue is sort of moot at that point.

[thjimmy]

That rule seems to be largely non-enforced. I would check with your local venue's marketing rep to confirm their ruling on the matter.

As far as beyond the locals, the song set and selection rules are completely different from Regionals up, so the issue is sort of moot at that point.

Good to know. Thanks.