DL C Flexibility

[The Buggman]

I'm pretty new to the "Downloadable Content" thing, but it seems like common sense that the downloadable content for Rock Band would be accessible for any subsequential titles. Now, would this be the case with any possible future Rock Band sequels or will consumers be asked to purchase separate packs for those sequels? I only ask as this would be the deciding factor for my buying this game's downloadable content.

[Senkoy]

It's too early to tell right now but i'm sure everyone would be god damn pissed if all their DLC wasn't compatible with RB2. You hear that Harmonix? God. Damn. Pissed.

[WiseOldUnicorn]

It's too early to tell right now but i'm sure everyone would be god damn pissed if all their DLC wasn't compatible with RB2. You hear that Harmonix? God. Damn. Pissed.

A-freaking-men. I don't know if I'd even buy an RB2 if my DLC wasn't compatible. (I'm lying, I would totally buy it anyway because I'm a fangirl, but still. I'd be pissed.)

[Senkoy]

Dood, don't let Harmonix know you'd still buy it! We must threaten to boycott if it's not compatible! I'm definitely boycotting.

[borsdy]

I was under the impression that they won't bother with a sequal and just stick to putting up DLC and sell standalone instrument controllers...

[The Buggman]

I'm totally fine with them keeping Rock Band up through DLC as opposed to making a full-blown sequel. That makes perfect sense to me... I suppose for the time being, I could buy this content in the faith that the DLC would be compatible with any sequels, assuming they'd have any.

[Parodygm]

I was saying just this the other day. I certainly would not purchase a Rock Band 2 if it wasn't compatible with RB content. Unequivocably would not buy it.

A sequel could add functionality to the interface or new game modes, extra stock songs, more clothing and accessories, updated models for characters and venues without the need to change the basic format of the song tracking. I'd pay for that, but I wouldn't pay to start over on the songlist.

[sporkBrigade]

A sequel is coming. Period. Sean could post right after me and counter me, and that wouldn't convince me otherwise. Gaming hits get sequels, fact, period, move on dot org.

Our only previous example of DLC content is GH2 to GH3. At the time, RedOctane made comments that the DLC would not be compatible because the code was being reworked. He never mentioned anything about liscensing agreements restricting such a thing, but that doesn't mean it won't come up in the future.

Point is, it's impossible to tell one way or another based on current facts. But it would be in HMXs best interest to try really hard to make it compatible.

[Ultrace]

There's also the question of software possibility. Has there ever been an instance before on PSN or XBL where DLC worked for more than one game? I don't know if it's something as easy as telling RB2 to look for DAVID_BOWIE_HEROES.DAT somewhere on the hard drive of the system being played. If files are somehow set to be only compatible to one game (the files themselves may have a marker as to which game they operate with), then it might be impossible. I don't recall hearing anything from HMX one way or another at any time on reusable DLC, although obviously it would be nice as I'm planning to purchase a lot...

[The Buggman]

There's also the question of software possibility. Has there ever been an instance before on PSN or XBL where DLC worked for more than one game? I don't know if it's something as easy as telling RB2 to look for DAVID_BOWIE_HEROES.DAT somewhere on the hard drive of the system being played.

This is basically the question I hope to be answered by the developers. If there was any bit of hope that this were possible and the liscensing agreements permitted, I would not hesitated to load up on all content available... Otherwise, I have already spent a lot more than I normally would on temporary entertainment and don't see myself even considering the downloadable content or Rock Band's sequels unless there was the promise of vast, mind-boggling improvements. It just wouldn't be logical.

[TreoRock_]

HMX has so many things to fix on Rock Band both software and hardware that I think it would be really too premature to think that Rock Band 2 is coming out. As of today I think HMX is putting a lot of time in DLC and patches to make this game be what they promised it willl be.

[The Buggman]

Still, assuming that at some point in the future there will be a sequel to Rock Band, I would not want to have spent $50-$100 extra dollars on Rock Band's downloadable content just for it not to be compatible. There's something very uneconomical about doing such.

[Segnosaur]

what if they make a rock band 2 but put out it's setlist as rock band 1 dlc

[The Buggman]

what if they make a rock band 2 but put out it's setlist as rock band 1 dlc

Worthy compromise, but highly improbable... There wouldn't be much of a reason to purchase said sequel if this were the case.

[Fee501st]

also, what if they added a 3rd Guitar in RB2, Where its lead, rhythm and Bass. All the RB1 DLC be usless to the rhythm player since there is probbly no rhythm track. you got to think about what new features RB2 will have before you demand it be backwards compible

[The Buggman]

First, I don't think anyone here is demanding anything. This has simply been a query -- Is it possible that Rock Band's downloadable content would be compatible with a any sequels.

Though, you do make a valid point... certain new features may prove troublesome if attempting to make this downloadable content compatible. However, realistically thinking, so many peripherals would certainly end up being a messy situation. Aside from that, I can't really imagine how different a sequel would have to be to render this content completely useless as different modes can always be put in place in such a case.

Anyway... the question still stands: Is it probable?
It would be great to have a rep answer this.

[Segnosaur]

i dont thin k harmonix has ever added periphals to a series in between games

either same instruments as before or it's a new series

[Maggot_Brain]

They definitely need to make a bunch of changes/additions/fixes to RB1 before they ever think of a sequel. And I'll be massively pissed if all my expensive DLC doesn't carry over.

[WiseOldUnicorn]

i dont thin k harmonix has ever added periphals to a series in between games

either same instruments as before or it's a new series

They added bass guitar to GH2.

[SSPWOLF]

Just interjecting muse here...

but let's say RB2 comes out and it says "WILL NOT SUPPORT PREVIOUS VERSION DLC"

I'm not going to run around in circles waving my hand in the air and stepping on my cat for empahsis as I shriek "OMGZOR TEY ARE TEH DEVILZOR!"

Because I know (read: assume through arrogance) that it's traditional for a game company to "up the ante" meaning....

RB1 = 48 tracks plus DLC.

RB2 (should) = 60 (or so) tracks plus DLC

Even if not... 48 new songs all at once would certainly be more than enough incentive for me to put my old DLC on the back burner.


By the by.. I cracked open GH2 the other day just to play Free bird again, as I've gotten much better on the guitar. It was fun, I lamented loudly to anyone who would listen "Why oh why can't Freebird and Sweet Child O' Mine be in RB!?!?!?!"

Then I went back to playing Rock Band and had a blast as usual.


Just my 2 cents

[Maggot_Brain]

Let's crunch some numbers!

In three weeks, I dl'd 12 tracks. If Harmonix puts out a minimum of 3 tracks a week for the next year (ignoring albums for now) and I get half of them, that comes to 78 more tracks I'm going to get at a price of $5.49 per three pack. That comes to $142 in the next year. I'm not willing to just throw away that investment. I sure hope RB2, whenever it comes out, lets you use previous songs.

[SSPWOLF]

Maggot Brain provides an excellent point.

In the spirit of friendly discussion of an interesting issue, I'd like to play counterpoint, respectfully.


There was a time when a young SSPWOLF had a cassette tape collection that stacked as high as he was tall. Those cassettes got thrown in a dumpster years ago.

I don't have the patience to go through and use a program to stream the audio from all of my old Lionel Ritchie, Bobby Brown, and Wham cassettes. It's just too much of a hassle.

However, I can't go through life without hearing "Tender Roni" and "Dancing On The Ceiling" I for one would choose death over that. Therefore, I have been forced to spend 99cents a piece on those songs so that I could download them from Itunes and listen to them on my Iphone. (which currently glares menacingly at my laptop and threatens to send the kid from Die Hard 4 and all those apple commercials over to talk some sense into windows Vista from time to time)

I think I speak for everyone when I say.. when you bring Tender Roni into the equasion, it's pretty much a debate winner. It doesn't matter whether the next generation of RB supports the previous one or not.

[Maggot_Brain]

One of the things that sucked the most about the transition from vinyl to CDs was having to repurchase your music collection. I didn't mind too much because CD is a superior format.

I just don't see how RB2 tracks would be superior enough to RB1 tracks to justify repurchasing. (Who knows what they're working on?)

[SSPWOLF]

One of the things that sucked the most about the transition from vinyl to CDs was having to repurchase your music collection. I didn't mind too much because CD is a superior format.

I just don't see how RB2 tracks would be superior enough to RB1 tracks to justify repurchasing. (Who knows what they're working on?)

I have it on good authority that Rock Band part 2 will be entirely comprised of original recordings from Master Shake from Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

[Maggot_Brain]

I was hoping for Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

Relax.

[Kingfish]

Its possible that a new Rock Band would offer new options or additional ways to play. The few I can think of right off the top of my head;


The creation of a five piece band by adding a rhythm or duel lead guitarists position would be awesome(but problematic I fear).
Also, the ability to select a member of the band to be the designated "Vocalist" in addition to their instrument(and thus a five piece band with four members or a true three member band like Rush).


I don't think that last option would affect the DLC songs much BUT, the first one would most certainly screw with stuff.

That said...if the changes to the songs were to cause the DLC stuff to not be compatible...well, RB1 KNOWS what you've downloaded, why couldn't RB2 read that same info and then allow for a "credit" to be awarded for the new RB2 exclusive DLC(same song if at all possible).

Just a thought...but I am on cold meds AND at work so, if it don't make sense...that’s my story and I'm sticking to it!

[Kingfish]

I have it on good authority that Rock Band part 2 will be entirely comprised of original recordings from Master Shake from Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

Awesome...but I want Frylock's solo work included as well...I think it's akin to Gene Simmons' solo stuff, dark and brooding and a bit heavier than their group work.

;)

[Ultrace]

That said...if the changes to the songs were to cause the DLC stuff to not be compatible...well, RB1 KNOWS what you've downloaded, why couldn't RB2 read that same info and then allow for a "credit" to be awarded for the new RB2 exclusive DLC(same song if at all possible).
Because you're still able to use all of those songs on RB1. If they were "locked out" of RB1 when you first powered up RB2, then a credit might be in order. Otherwise, because they can still be used, there's no need for reimbursement.

EDIT: This is assuming that the new DLC is different from the original DLC. I see your clarifier on same song if at all possible. For the same content, yes, I could see a credit...

[The Buggman]

It's quite disappointing to find that no one from Harmonix has been able to provide us with the specifics of the matter... Just the facts would be enough to give us an idea of how likely are any of these ideas. A credit for a Rock Band 2 compatible version of a song we would have purchased for Rock Band would be superb.

[Segnosaur]

no hmx guy s mentioned it because it is such a shady area that is too early in the dev process to decide specifics

[SSPWOLF]

It's quite disappointing to find that no one from Harmonix has been able to provide us with the specifics of the matter... Just the facts would be enough to give us an idea of how likely are any of these ideas. A credit for a Rock Band 2 compatible version of a song we would have purchased for Rock Band would be superb.

Are you serious?

No offense but, Rock Band has been out for what.. 2 weeks?

Are you seriously dissapointed that you don't have any official news on how the sequel to a 2 week old game is going to work?

Wow. Just wow.

[The Buggman]

Are you serious?

No offense but, Rock Band has been out for what.. 2 weeks?

Are you seriously dissapointed that you don't have any official news on how the sequel to a 2 week old game is going to work?

Wow. Just wow.

I think you misread me and what I've been saying the entire time... The only thing question I've had since I started this thread is:
IF there is to be a sequel to Rock Band, is it at all possible for the downloadable content we are purchasing to be used in said sequel.
In other words, could Harmonix provide the specifics required to make this possible or give a percentage value that will correspond the probability of this totally hypothetical situation's success if/when a sequel is made.

Since it doesn't take a couple of hours to make a game of any significant magnitude, I'm sure Harmonix may already have somewhat of an idea of whether or not they wish to make a sequel which may answering this that much more or less complicated.

I'm sure if you look back and read only my posts, you'll see where my only concern has lied since the beginning.

[Ultrace]

Are you serious?

No offense but, Rock Band has been out for what.. 2 weeks?

Are you seriously dissapointed that you don't have any official news on how the sequel to a 2 week old game is going to work?

Wow. Just wow.
Not to mention that "Just the facts" usually doesn't satisfy anyone here... See: printing french on Canadian packaging for an example of giving "the facts" and getting every reaction from being called a liar to threats.

[The Buggman]

Not to mention that "Just the facts" usually doesn't satisfy anyone here... See: printing french on Canadian packaging for an example of giving "the facts" and getting every reaction from being called a liar to threats.

Probably not "usually," but I'll take whatever information I can get on the subject. If I or others understood the process involved in making this possible, then I see two outcomes.

One being a few people are disappointed by the impossibility of the task and with the information in mind, we forget about how dear we hold our precious moneys and begin buying the downloadable content all the while pitying Harmonix for being in such a predicament them self.

The other is we're overjoyed after hearing the simplicity of the task and high rate of possibility which sends us frolicking over to purchase whatever content suits us until we hear Harmonix has decided to go a different route, ending our spending spree and cursing Harmonix's name until we see how great the assumed sequel is.

Sure, that's a pretty optimistic view on the subject, but who knows... Maybe I wouldn't so much mind buying the content once I was rescued from this pitch-black cave of ignorance... Maybe there are some others that feel the same way... Maybe it doesn't require a legal mastermind to list the steps needed to take to make Rock Band's downloadable content compatible with any sequels or discuss the aforementioned alternatives to said issue...

Now, I've not be a member of these forums for long and you all might know each other (and maybe Harmonix employees) a lot better than I, but surely I'm not setting my hopes too high when assuming this is easily understood by most of the people here. I'm saying all of this in the sincerest manner possible. I merely have a question I wish to be answered.

[Bakkster]

I think you misread me and what I've been saying the entire time... The only thing question I've had since I started this thread is:
IF there is to be a sequel to Rock Band, is it at all possible for the downloadable content we are purchasing to be used in said sequel.
In other words, could Harmonix provide the specifics required to make this possible or give a percentage value that will correspond the probability of this totally hypothetical situation's success if/when a sequel is made.

Since it doesn't take a couple of hours to make a game of any significant magnitude, I'm sure Harmonix may already have somewhat of an idea of whether or not they wish to make a sequel which may answering this that much more or less complicated.

I don't think they've even decided if they want to make a sequel.
I don't think that even if they have, they have determined if any improvements would cause DLC to be incompatible.
I don't think that whether they could or couldn't they would make an announcement until the decision was made to cut it out, or they already had it implemented (remember when they said they wanted online bands, then dropped it from coding concerns?).

They probably know just as much about if DLC will be compatible with RB2 as much as any of us.

[SSPWOLF]

Every day I visit these threads. Then I stare at a 20 dollar bill and think to myself "I never knew you were this important."

Then I glance at my Xbox 360 and realized I spent more than 2 dollars to download "Track and Field" and I realize.. "Nope, some people just need something to be angry about."

Then I go and find a fat kid and pay him 20 bucks to recite "I'm a little teapot".

[WiseOldUnicorn]

Every day I visit these threads. Then I stare at a 20 dollar bill and think to myself "I never knew you were this important."

Then I glance at my Xbox 360 and realized I spent more than 2 dollars to download "Track and Field" and I realize.. "Nope, some people just need something to be angry about."

Then I go and find a fat kid and pay him 20 bucks to recite "I'm a little teapot".

Thing is, if HMX keeps true to their promises about DLC, it's going to be quite a bit more than 20 dollars. If I'm remembering correctly, they said at one point they eventually wanted there to be thousands of songs available for download. If there's a thousand songs available and you like even just one-quarter of those songs, that's 250 songs, which at $2 a piece comes to $500. Yeah, a lot of people probably wouldn't buy anywhere near that many, but others (myself included) would. And if you're investing that much in it, it would be really nice not to have it all more or less invalidated just because Rock Band 2 comes out.

Of course, it's way too early for anyone to even be thinking about a Rock Band 2 yet, but hey. The concerns are still valid, if rather ahead of their time.

[SSPWOLF]

I think my point is basically that...

If I buy 1000 dollars worth of songs for this game that it must be a pretty ****ing amazing game for me to spend 1000 dollars playing it.

So if they release a second one and RB2 > RB1 then I won't care if I can't play my 1000 dollars worth of songs, because for RB2 to be > RB1 it will have to have at LEAST as much content as RB1.

And I can always go back and play the "old" stuff any time I want to.

Like I said before, I popped in GH2 just to play Sweet Child O' Mine and Freebird the other day.

I'm not AGAINST DLC being supported across a sequel. I would welcome it.

I just (personally, IMO) think it's stupid to care that much about that particular feature of the game when there's a whole GAME to play aside from it.

Guess I'm just that ONE odd customer who is happy with the game and I absolutely look forward to any improvements, to include a sequel, and I don't feel the need to be ridiculous or offensive in my "hope" for certain features.

[padreswin]

SSPWOLF - you make some mighty fine points. But can you please incporporate Tender Roni into any and all future points. That would make me smile.

[SSPWOLF]

SSPWOLF - you make some mighty fine points. But can you please incporporate Tender Roni into any and all future points. That would make me smile.

No. That's yesterday's news.

Now it's all about "I've Got My Mind Set On You" by George Harrison.

[Dekelia]

I'd hope they do make it backward compatible, but really, I don't see a new version of Rock Band any time soon. Why would they want to do additional development and license and create tracks for another 50 songs to sell for $60 when they can just keep selling songs at $2.00 a pop on DLC.

If DLC does well then that's their cash cow. If it doesn't do well or if the hype for the game is dead in a year, then we might see the sequel quicker. If they do put out a sequel which is backward compatible, then it'd be an instant buy just for the songs. If it isn't...I doubt I'd bother, but maybe if the new features were good enough.

[Parodygm]

Look, if DLC was always going to be the main focus of the game then I would have thought it would be prudent to hammer out a track format that included everything you needed now as well as flexibility for future additions.

At that point you can treat the game itself as an engine that can be upgraded as necessary with automatic backwards compatibility.

Let's hope that happened.