Collecting Data on Rock Band Habits -- Please Help Me Out!!

[woozerkristen]

RESULTS ARE UP! Go here to see them: http://www.kristenbmiller.com/rockbandsurvey

_______________________________________

I had a paper accepted to a conference on video games in Oxford this coming July, and for it, I am doing a study of player habits/tendencies/etc in playing Rock Band. The rationale behind it is that there is work being done with the relationship between literacy and video games, and in particular how teachers can learn from the way video games teach skills and apply it in the classroom. (If anyone is really interested, I can explain the concept in more detail, but I'm going on the assumption that no one cares. ). To contribute to this discussion, I want to gather some details on how people interact with this particular game.

I would really like answers from many different types of people and players (different ages, people who play on all different difficulty levels, and both males and females). So if you are not an expert player, please don't let that deter you from participating; in fact, if you play on the lower difficulties, your responses are especially valuable.

If any of you know people who play Rock Band fairly casually, please pass this along to them, as well. That would help me out a lot.

EDIT: Survey is now closed. (Stopped it at exactly 650 responses. )

Thanks very much to all who participated in this, and to the ones who are doing the followup surveys. I may still need a few more for the followups, so you may still receive an email from me about it even if you haven't already.

I'll be working on getting the data up for everyone to look at and muse over during the rest of the week. Expect lots of fun charts! I'll post a link here once I get it done.

[moshun]

I just filled it out, and sent it along to two other people. :)

[xXjAmEZXx]

ill fill it out

[LegendofRock3021]

Just finished it.

[RockBandRocker]

I filled it out.

Hope it helps!

[Sveppi]

There, just finished :)

[jeccaneko]

I don't know why, but the female players question at the end made me sad. It feels like it assumes female players aren't as good. :(

[davidshek]

I don't know why, but the female players question at the end made me sad. It feels like it assumes female players aren't as good. :(

I didn't get that impression from that question, I thought it was pretty fairly worded. :)

Anyway, done and done. Good survey Kristen, it covered a good range of things!

[kiggidykev]

Yeah, that female question is a downer to end on. I know lots of girls that play, most just not online :)

[Bonez]

I certainly don't broadcast the fact that I'm female when I'm playing online. Hell, quite frequently I'll play as a male character online just so I don't have to hear either "Girls can't play Rock Band!" or "OMG, you r girl, be girlfriend?"

However, I won't deny that it's quite satisfying when I own someone who's in the first frame of mind.

[Sayburr]

Took survey... please share results with us.

[woozerkristen]

I certainly don't broadcast the fact that I'm female when I'm playing online. Hell, quite frequently I'll play as a male character online just so I don't have to hear either "Girls can't play Rock Band!" or "OMG, you r girl, be girlfriend?"

However, I won't deny that it's quite satisfying when I own someone who's in the first frame of mind.

Gender is definitely one of the things I'm looking at in this survey, so you will probably be interested in how it turns out. :)


Took survey... please share results with us.

Definitely. I'll either let it run for a week or so or until I hit 1000 responses.

[HiAperture]

Taken, will be interested to see the results.

[Wolfbeckett]

I certainly don't broadcast the fact that I'm female when I'm playing online. Hell, quite frequently I'll play as a male character online just so I don't have to hear either "Girls can't play Rock Band!" or "OMG, you r girl, be girlfriend?"

However, I won't deny that it's quite satisfying when I own someone who's in the first frame of mind.

Omg, u r grl, b grlfrnd?

... Filled out the survey, good luck on your research and I will be very curious to see what you find out!

[Bonez]

Omg, u r grl, b grlfrnd?

... Filled out the survey, good luck on your research and I will be very curious to see what you find out!

Crap, I'm losing my alibi here.

I'm lying, I'm a big manly man. See (http://www.rockband.com/users/Bonez/gallery/detail/P/3292325)?

[Wolfbeckett]

Look the thing is, I am not picky.

:P

[Bonez]

Um, I'm a feline (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/bonezz/enoughcomputer.jpg).

[Cpt. Overkill]

I don't know why, but the female players question at the end made me sad. It feels like it assumes female players aren't as good. :(

Most female Rock Band players aren't as good as the male players on drums and guitar(I have seen some really good female players, though.)

Most girls I play with play vocals, and they are usually good at that.

[Wolfbeckett]

Um, I'm a feline (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/bonezz/enoughcomputer.jpg).

Cute cat AND Yankee candles. This deal just keeps getting sweeter!

[Bonez]

Cute cat AND Yankee candles. This deal just keeps getting sweeter!

Dammit, you win.

[bermuddy]

just finished it.

lulz@wolfbeckett

[LegendofRock3021]

I don't know why, but the female players question at the end made me sad. It feels like it assumes female players aren't as good. :(

That's a common misconception among Rock Band players, and yes it is sad to see since there are amazing female players out there. To go even further, people tend to think girls are only good at singing, which couldn't be further from the truth, I've played with amazing female players on PS3, not only vocalists.

[Insane3]

[QUOTE=Bonez;2380005]I certainly don't broadcast the fact that I'm female when I'm playing online. [QUOTE]

Omg, you're a gurl? Wanna be my gurlfriend?

[Insane3]

Omg, u r grl, b grlfrnd?



Hmm, I guess my joke wasn't original.

[Bonez]

*facepalm*

I've created a monster.

[Insane3]

There are less girls who play video games because society tells them to take care of their hair instead.

Don't tell me I'm sexist because I'll laugh, I'm kind of the opposite.

[LegendofRock3021]

Fact is there are many great female players out there and not only vocalists. The jokes are getting lame, so enough with it already.

[KallenS]

Done, while listening to Free Bird! :D

[HiAperture]

Done, while listening to Free Bird! :D
Be more impressive if you completed it while playing Free Bird!

[woozerkristen]

Thanks to all who have filled it out so far -- this has been a really great response!

I will definitely come back and report my findings once I stop collecting responses.

That ending question has been getting pretty interesting responses. :)

[LegendofRock3021]

Thanks to all who have filled it out so far -- this has been a really great response!

I will definitely come back and report my findings once I stop collecting responses.

That ending question has been getting pretty interesting responses. :)

Your're very welcome. It was a great survey that was easy to take and I had fun doing it. I hope everything goes well with the analysis. :)

[jeccaneko]

That's a common misconception among Rock Band players, and yes it is sad to see since there are amazing female players out there. To go even further, people tend to think girls are only good at singing, which couldn't be further from the truth, I've played with amazing female players on PS3, not only vocalists.

That's why I almost never be my female characters when I play online with random people. I will be male characters then. Because if I be a female character with random people a lot of times they will automatically assume one or more of the following:

1) That I want to be hit on
2) That I don't play expert
3) That I don't have DLC

[LegendofRock3021]

That's why I almost never be my female characters when I play online with random people. I will be male characters then. Because if I be a female character with random people a lot of times they will automatically assume one or more of the following:

1) That I want to be hit on
2) That I don't play expert
3) That I don't have DLC

The only way to avoid that is to play with people you're close with. I'm sorry that stuff like that happens, it shouldn't and it's not right, but most of the guys online are immature IMO.

[jeccaneko]

The only way to avoid that is to play with people you're close with. I'm sorry that stuff like that happens, it shouldn't and it's not right, but most of the guys online are immature IMO.

I know. I do mostly play solo or with friends, but occasionally I feel like playing other people and I don't really have any friends online at the time. So I am forced to play with random people.

[LegendofRock3021]

I know. I do mostly play solo or with friends, but occasionally I feel like playing other people and I don't really have any friends online at the time. So I am forced to play with random people.

Yeah, kinda sucks not having too many online friends who play RB. It does force you a bit to play with randoms.

[firescull537]

I filled it out for you

[woozerkristen]

That's why I almost never be my female characters when I play online with random people. I will be male characters then. Because if I be a female character with random people a lot of times they will automatically assume one or more of the following:

1) That I want to be hit on
2) That I don't play expert
3) That I don't have DLC

This sort of issue is where I started with this study, but it's evolved into more of a study about learning and motivation to excel. But to start with, I was even thinking of having guy friends pose as girls (female avatars, having girls there to talk into the mic) as well as themselves and play people in score duels and join random QP bands, etc, in order to show how girls get treated vastly differently on PSN/XBL than guys do. If you are a girl, you understand, and if you are a guy who has anything about the way you present yourself online make you seem female (screenname, character, voice), you understand, but most guys don't, whether they are part of the problem or not.

[LegendofRock3021]

This sort of issue is where I started with this study, but it's evolved into more of a study about learning and motivation to excel. But to start with, I was even thinking of having guy friends pose as girls (female avatars, having girls there to talk into the mic) as well as themselves and play people in score duels and join random QP bands, etc, in order to show how girls get treated vastly differently on PSN/XBL than guys do. If you are a girl, you understand, and if you are a guy who has anything about the way you present yourself online make you seem female (screenname, character, voice), you understand, but most guys don't, whether they are part of the problem or not.

I've noticed a bunch of male players with female avatars, I don't really get the point or understand why they would want to create a female character if they indeed are male. It wouldn't be for any good reason most likely. It's very strange guys would go these length just to play and/or talk to girls online, it would creep me out if I was a female player. I kind of understand that it would be scary in a way to play with those people.

[Masquerade]

I filled it out for you (:

[Wolfbeckett]

I've noticed a bunch of male players with female avatars, I don't really get the point or understand why they would want to create a female character if they indeed are male.

Most of my characters are female and I am a dude. It is nothing weird, I just think female characters are more attractive, have better clothing options, and are just more fun to customize in general than the male characters.

[FastSolo.]

Done it dude.
Took a while!

[LegendofRock3021]

Most of my characters are female and I am a dude. It is nothing weird, I just think female characters are more attractive, have better clothing options, and are just more fun to customize in general than the male characters.

Yes, there are some guys who are not trying to act creepy who have female characters, at the same time there are others who do that for the reasons kirsten gave.

[topperharley]

Just finished the survey. Good luck with your study! :)


female characters are more attractive, have better clothing options

True, but there are a lot of options in the mens' Thrift Store that would look sweet on the female rockers.

[bmaninc]

You put a lot of effort into it, and I hope it goes well.

[murph]

i totally aced this test! A+ for me ;)

[Wolfbeckett]

Just finished the survey. Good luck with your study! :)



True, but there are a lot of options in the mens' Thrift Store that would look sweet on the female rockers.

Agreed, too bad we do not have such an option. Anyway I guess my example is moot anyway since I do not play online except with friends, so I obviously do not use my female characters for any... questionable purpose.

[davidshek]

Most of my characters are female and I am a dude. It is nothing weird, I just think female characters are more attractive, have better clothing options, and are just more fun to customize in general than the male characters.

You do realize that what you're describing is just a video game version of playing with dolls, right? :D

[Wolfbeckett]

You do realize that what you're describing is just a video game version of playing with dolls, right? :D

I am comfortable enough with my straightness to accept that :P. It is not a regular thing I do in the game but every now and then it is a fun way to kill half an hour!

[dady5000]

Done, nice survey.

[zack10house]

finished :)

[Insane3]

You do realize that what you're describing is just a video game version of playing with dolls, right? :D

Playing with dolls is not feminine, people just say it is because they are too lazy too think by themselve so they use prejudices.

[davidshek]

Playing with dolls is not feminine, people just say it is because they are too lazy too think by themselve so they use prejudices.

I don't believe I used the word "feminine" or any variation or implication thereof in my post anywhere.

[Insane3]

I don't believe I used the word "feminine" or any variation or implication thereof in my post anywhere.

You are right, you didn't say it and if I perceived it that way, that means I was accusing myself in my post.
Damn.

[woozerkristen]

The survey is closed now. Thanks to all who participated, and look for a link to the results around the end of this week.

[bmaninc]

The survey is closed now. Thanks to all who participated, and look for a link to the results around the end of this week.

Thanks. I'm hoping you got what you needed. :)

[LegendofRock3021]

The survey is closed now. Thanks to all who participated, and look for a link to the results around the end of this week.

Your welcome, it was a fun and interesting survey to take. You did a great job making it and I hope your research goes well. :)

[woozerkristen]

Results are up here: http://www.kristenbmiller.com/rockbandsurvey

[bermuddy]

thanks for the update. interesting data.

[Bonez]

596 males to 54 females? That's insane.

Great job though...I thought the research was really interesting!

[bermuddy]

596 males to 54 females? That's insane.

Great job though...I thought the research was really interesting!

O_O
i should make my move fast!

[Bonez]

Grab 'em and run!

I always knew that females were outnumbered in RB, but I didn't know by THAT much.

[bermuddy]

thats about the right ratio on the internet lol

[LegendofRock3021]

Results are up here: http://www.kristenbmiller.com/rockbandsurvey

Great, I bookmarked the page and I'll check it out a little later on today. Should be interesting to see what you got out of the survey.

[Baanu_Rass]

Apparently 8 guys play in an all female band.

[davidshek]

Apparently 6 guys are complete idiots when it comes to answering online surveys.

Fix'd. :)

[bmaninc]

An interesting conclusion I took from this:

Women are more likely than men by a large margin to pick up the game because of their significant other, leading me to believe that men are more likely to pick up the game on their own.