Paying to Export songs in Lego Rock Band?

[Warrior Ty]

Okay, I understand why I had to pay money to export songs from Rock Band 1, since it doesn't come with a code and if they didn't charge people, then anyone could rent the game and get the songs for 400microsoft points.

I've bought a couple of the track packs, and they all came with codes to transfer their songs to Rock Band and Rock Band 2.

I read the forums concerning Lego Rock Band, and I have a few questions.

A) Why on earth would I have to pay 800 microsoft points to export songs from Lego Rock Band to Rock Band 2 when the game comes with a code.

B) Why can't I play "Teen" rated songs in Lego Rock Band if I already own the songs from Rock Band 1 & 2 and ACDC? I'm 22 and my XBOX Live account is an adult account.

C) Why would it matter if a kid played any of the "Teen" rated songs? They're completely censored. Furthermore, if the kids parents already bought them Rock Band 1 or 2, then they already have been exposed to these songs.

[GNFfhqwhgads]

A. Because a $50 game plus a $10 export is the standard $60 price.

Because Harmonix didn't make it and Traveler's Tales wants a bigger cut.

B. Because it's not made for the 22 year old playing solo, it's made for the 35 year old not wanting his child to hear some naughty things from what he's downloaded on his RB2.

Because you own RB2, so you can already play them.

C. Because your opinion =/= everyone's.

[Ehfahq]

A) Why on earth would I have to pay 800 microsoft points to export songs from Lego Rock Band to Rock Band 2 when the game comes with a code.

You dont have to. So if it bothers you so much dont do it.


B) Why can't I play "Teen" rated songs in Lego Rock Band if I already own the songs from Rock Band 1 & 2 and ACDC? I'm 22 and my XBOX Live account is an adult account.
That is probably the dumbest question ive read today.



C) Why would it matter if a kid played any of the "Teen" rated songs? They're completely censored. Furthermore, if the kids parents already bought them Rock Band 1 or 2, then they already have been exposed to these songs.

Thats the 2nd dumbest. But I will respond. LRB is E, not T. Therefore you only play E songs on the game. Guess what.......just because cuss words are censored, that doesnt mean themes are.

[Ultrace]

A) Why on earth would I have to pay 800 microsoft points to export songs from Lego Rock Band to Rock Band 2 when the game comes with a code.
That's up to you. If you don't feel it's worth the $10, then don't export, and choose to play the songs just within Lego Rock Band. Simple.

[Oscar-Rio]

A) The cost could be buried into the initial cost of the game costing the buyer more at the store. Not everyone owns Rock Band 2 to have that ability to export. Some people will buy Lego:RB and only play Lego:RB, so why should they be expected to pay an export fee that they're not getting to use?

B) The Game is rated "E" for everyone. This is also probably why there is rumoured to be no online play.

C) It goes further than profanity. Lyrical content and themes play a big part in this; ie. Hammer Smashed Face

[murph]

You had to pay $$ for RB1 because of re-licensing, not just because there was no code.

Track Packs are just that - intended to be track packs, imported into RB2. That's why the on-disc game features are limited.

LRB was developed to be it's own separate game. If you want to play them in RB2 you have to pay an extra $10 for re-licensing again. Also, LRB is only $50 so if you include the $10 fee - it's the same price as a "normal" X360/PS3 game, including the export.

[Warrior Ty]

Well I knew it was greed all along on "A."

You're right, I didn't think about "B" from that angle. If you're married with kids and if you play video games with your kids then you don't want them listening to your music. Much easier to hide your copy of Rock Band 2 from them than to hide the XBOX 360 and instruments from them.

[Oscar-Rio]

Well I knew it was greed all along on "A."
.

No, it's really not. Stop being stupid.

[Mex]

Well I knew it was greed all along on "A."

You're right, I didn't think about "B" from that angle. If you're married with kids and if you play video games with your kids then you don't want them listening to your music. Much easier to hide your copy of Rock Band 2 from them than to hide the XBOX 360 and instruments from them.

It's not greed, it's business. HMX, EA, MTV etc are not making games for the purpose of taking a loss.

[Apples]

Point A relates directly to people who rent, borrow, or resell the game for exclusive purpose of using the export. This has been a widely discussed and used strategy for obtain Rock Band 1's songs.

And while the developers thus far have been a good sport about it, they aren't going to continue to be if this mechanism causes them to lose out on huge swaths of their legitimate sales. For every person who rents and exports, or exports and sells their copy... that's a lost sale to them. And last I checked, the developers aren't in the market for giving away their content for free.

[Flawless]

Because they don't like when people are poor pants who rent and dump.

[Apples]

Because they don't like when people are poor pants who rent and dump.

But I want to be able to get 90% of the content at 10% of the cost. :rolleyes:

[elfreako]

Point A relates directly to people who rent, borrow, or resell the game for exclusive purpose of using the export. This has been a widely discussed and used strategy for obtain Rock Band 1's songs.

And while the developers thus far have been a good sport about it, they aren't going to continue to be if this mechanism causes them to lose out on huge swaths of their legitimate sales. For every person who rents and exports, or exports and sells their copy... that's a lost sale to them. And last I checked, the developers aren't in the market for giving away their content for free.

That's exactly it. The big difference with the RB1 export is that this time, the export is available right from launch, when the game in in full commercial cycle. RB1 sales were pretty much over by the time RB2 arrived, and there was no real loss.

In the end it doesn't really change much. Instead of renting/exporting for a total of 5 + 10 = $15, you just need to buy it, export, and sell back, which is something like 50 + 10 - 30 = $30

$30 for 45 songs is still a bargain. Well it would be if the song selection was any good, but that's another story.

[Warrior Ty]

Hey Apples? Do you know when more companies are going to start producing games for XBOX360 that yield avatar rewards for achievements met while playing them? Rumor has it that only Splosion Man and Rock Band Beatles have it.

[SonicRocker15X]

Hey Apples? Do you know when more companies are going to start producing games for XBOX360 that yield avatar rewards for achievements met while playing them? Rumor has it that only Splosion Man and Rock Band Beatles have it.

TBRB has none, except the avatar shirt you get for free with a code in the game that not everyone got.

[Warrior Ty]

Elfreako, I don't sell my old games. I hang on to them. You never know when you'll need them for something.

[Apples]

I don't have any specific knowledge to your question. But generally once a feature opens up for one developer to use, others have an ability to follow through as well.

For example, there are tons of games now with achievement-unlockable gamerpics where once there were few. It just took a bit of time for others to catch on and use that ability.

[Warrior Ty]

Thanks SonicRocker. So I guess only Splosion man has Avatar Awards

[SonicRocker15X]

I don't have any specific knowledge to your question. But generally once a feature opens up for one developer to use, others have an ability to follow through as well.

For example, there are tons of games now with achievement-unlockable gamerpics where once there were few. It just took a bit of time for others to catch on and use that ability.

In all honesty, I'd hate to start up the FHM, but I'd expect a few in RB3.

(In all honesty, winning an avatar prop RB instrument relative to an ultimate challenge when beating the ultimate challenge would be awesome)

[Warrior Ty]

Thank you for your time Apples. Guess its just a waiting game for now.

[elfreako]

TBRB has none, except the avatar shirt you get for free with a code in the game that not everyone got.

Hey has anyone complained about not getting t-shirts for their Miis yet? Clearly Wii users are getting screwed beyond reason.

[GNFfhqwhgads]

Hey has anyone complained about not getting t-shirts for their Miis yet? Clearly Wii users are getting screwed beyond reason.
Miis have like, five colors of t-shirts to choose from.

[Warrior Ty]

Elfreako, Nintendo hasn't given North American gamers any notable updates to the Mii Channel since that one that lets you link Personal Trainer Fitness on your DS to your wii so you can use your Mii.

They initially stated that they might add more Mii parts, but they never did.

On another note, your Mii's clothes are influenced by the game you are playing. So if there is a mode where you can use your Mii in Rock Band Beatles, then its up to Harmonix to design the clothes your Mii will wear in their game.

[bmaninc]

So, what's the deal. Give me a straight answer.

Can I or can I not rent and export LEGO Rock Band, or do I have to actually buy it?

[hmxhenry]

Well I knew it was greed all along on "A."


To clarify, the licensing process is different for on disc songs, DLC songs, songs cleared for export, etc. I wish all songs were free to license, but unfortunately that's not the case.

And as many other posters have pointed out, the $10 export fee is optional. If you'd rather not pay it please feel free to enjoy the game on disc.

Remember when you could only play games on discs (or *gasp* cartridges)? I think discussions like this provide an interesting commentary on the status of export in video games. How many games currently offer export? How many games offer export for free? How many games / titles / developers regularly include export features with the intent of unifying the world of those games? Do you think export will be a key feature in the future of gaming?

[GNFfhqwhgads]

To clarify, the licensing process is different for on disc songs, DLC songs, songs cleared for export, etc. I wish all songs were free to license, but unfortunately that's not the case.
Your export description for LRB is a tad wordy.

Does it work like RB1 or the 20 free?

[white-ti]

surely, technically speaking, if you were the first to rent the particular copy of a game you could export it. But why not just buy the game, It looks great! :D

[cmenear]

Much easier to hide your copy of Rock Band 2 from them than to hide the XBOX 360 and instruments from them.

Right next to your playboys.



Remember when you could only play games on discs (or *gasp* cartridges)? I think discussions like this provide an interesting commentary on the status of export in video games. How many games currently offer export? How many games offer export for free? How many games / titles / developers regularly include export features with the intent of unifying the world of those games? Do you think export will be a key feature in the future of gaming?

Digital distribution will be the future of gaming.

I can't wait for my $49 annual subscription to RB:XM so I can stream DLC to my console for the purpose of playing. Unlimited song selection, no HD space to consume. Can search for online partners that have the same subscription level I do! WIN:WIN:WIN!!!!

[Warrior Ty]

Pretty sure only music games offer the ability to export content, and to my knowledge Harmonix was the first to do so.

Lego Rock band has alot of features that are exclusive to it, so I don't know why anyone would sell it to EBgames after exporting the songs. If its ability to customize the tour van and band room is anything like the editor in Lego Racers for N64 then I will be very happy.

I for one like cartridges. They last forever. (Aside from the battery backed up memory. However my Super Mario World cartridge still hasn't lost my save data.)

[Baanu_Rass]

Do you think export will be a key feature in the future of gaming?

It better be. I wish L4D2 would have it. I'd have a preorder on it if it did. RB is the first game I can think of that had it but now I am constantly wondering if new games will be able to get something from the old games. It's like Stop N Swap or the game transfer in Golden Sun but better.

[Ehfahq]

I cant wait for the day we go back to them. Discs are a pain.

And look at how much memory you can put on something the size of a cornflake nowadays.

[Warrior Ty]

Not a fan of digital distribution. I'd rather have a physical copy of a game than an imaginary one.

[murph]

Thanks SonicRocker. So I guess only Splosion man has Avatar Awards
Did 'Spolsion Man get patched for this? listening to Major Nelson's podcast, he said the game did NOT support this at launch but would be patched in soon. i didn't buy the game, so i have no idea.

for the games coming out just now...avatar awards were pretty new and probably were announced (to devs) during the dev cycle and not added. you'll see more games with this feature in 2010 and beyond.

[Warrior Ty]

Hey Ehfahq, how many of your game cartridges have broken in the last 15 years? Now how many discs has your XBOX 360 eaten in the last 15 months?

[Warrior Ty]

Wait... so no games at all have avatar awards?

[GNFfhqwhgads]

Hey Ehfahq, how many of your game cartridges have broken in the last 15 years?
At least 3.

Now how many discs has your XBOX 360 eaten in the last 15 months?
0.

[Ehfahq]

Hey Ehfahq, how many of your game cartridges have broken in the last 15 years? Now how many discs has your XBOX 360 eaten in the last 15 months?

Zero and zero.

Are you trying to make a point? Because nobody sees it but you.

[Warrior Ty]

Nobody else has a 360 that eats games?

[GNFfhqwhgads]

Nobody else has a 360 that eats games?
Nope.

[Jglaubman]

Nobody else has a 360 that eats games?

Mine prefers oatmeal.

[davidshek]

So, what's the deal. Give me a straight answer.

Can I or can I not rent and export LEGO Rock Band, or do I have to actually buy it?

You have to buy it. With the disc comes a code, which I'm assuming is a 1-time-use code. You enter that code on a website which will give you instructions on how to unlock the Export feature on the disc. You then use that Export feature to rip the songs to your HDD, just like with the RB1 Export.


Your export description for LRB is a tad wordy.

Does it work like RB1 or the 20 free?

See above.

[ThunderCurls]

You have to buy it.

Wrong. It is possible to rent and export. Just as long as his local store do not take the codes and he is the first person to try it.

You do not have to buy it necessarily, I would try renting it first bmaninc.

[TKS]

Nobody else has a 360 that eats games?

what do you mean , eat ? i've had one game that's broke but that's because i moved my 360 from a horizontal position to standing up roughly and i think it got a scratch on it and it won't play at all . ( that game was scene it Box office smash ) but that's the only game i've had that's ever become unplayable in anyway and that was my fault and i realise that

[BT67]

Mine prefers oatmeal.


Nope no disc have been eaten, but mine also prefers oatmeal. :D

[ThunderCurls]

what do you mean , eat ?

Some xbox drives scratch up games.

[TKS]

Some xbox drives scratch up games.

well that sucks

[Jglaubman]

Wrong. It is possible to rent and export. Just as long as his local store do not take the codes and he is the first person to try it.

You do not have to buy it necessarily, I would try renting it first bmaninc.

I have never seen any video game rental store that includes the game manual with the game. Maybe I'm in the minority here?

[davidshek]

Wrong. It is possible to rent and export. Just as long as his local store do not take the codes and he is the first person to try it.

You do not have to buy it necessarily, I would try renting it first bmaninc.

Right, when's the last time you rented a video game? Those codes will be used before they ever hit the shelf of the store.

[ThunderCurls]

Right, when's the last time you rented a video game? Those codes will be used before they ever hit the shelf of the store.

SO you shop at every video game store in the world? Bravo sir, bravo. My local Blockbuster store does NOT remove codes and this how I was able to get the AC/DC track for FREE.

Awesome post though, great job!

[Mikachu]

A) Why on earth would I have to pay 800 microsoft points to export songs from Lego Rock Band to Rock Band 2 when the game comes with a code.
Just wanna make sure I'm not reading this (and Wikipedia) wrong. Do I have to use the code and pay the 800 Microsoft Points, or will just one method work?

EDIT: Jusr saw David's comment. Nevermind.

[ThunderCurls]

Just wanna make sure I'm not reading this (and Wikipedia) wrong. Do I have to use the code and pay the 800 Microsoft Points, or will just one method work?

Both. The code will let you pay for the transfer, without the code no transfer cannot occur.

[Jglaubman]

Just wanna make sure I'm not reading this (and Wikipedia) wrong. Do I have to use the code and pay the 800 Microsoft Points, or will just one method work?

You have to do both. It's basically like buying the game for 60 bucks with free export.

[TKS]

Just wanna make sure I'm not reading this (and Wikipedia) wrong. Do I have to use the code and pay the 800 Microsoft Points, or will just one method work?

both... it's all part of one method there aren't any more methods lol

[davidshek]

SO you shop at every video game store in the world? Bravo sir, bravo. My local Blockbuster store does NOT remove codes and this how I was able to get the AC/DC track for FREE.

So from the fact that your local Blockbuster does it, you extrapolated the fact that all of them do? Bravo sir, bravo. Maybe that's the way Blockbusters in Australia do it, but here in the States, they don't.

Leaps of false logic do not = truth.

But thanks for telling us that you effectively ripped off HMX of the money they deserved from you for the AC/DC tracks. Good job! :rolleyes:

[ThunderCurls]

So from the fact that your local Blockbuster does it, you extrapolated the fact that all of them do?

Nope. Don't put words in my posts. I'm merely stating it's possible, for his local store do the same. You're still insinuating that you've been to every rent shop in America and know how they all function.

[yelladog32]

Point A relates directly to people who rent, borrow, or resell the game for exclusive purpose of using the export. This has been a widely discussed and used strategy for obtain Rock Band 1's songs.

And while the developers thus far have been a good sport about it, they aren't going to continue to be if this mechanism causes them to lose out on huge swaths of their legitimate sales. For every person who rents and exports, or exports and sells their copy... that's a lost sale to them. And last I checked, the developers aren't in the market for giving away their content for free.

This has been happening since games were resold, though. Games wouldn't be priced as high as they are now if it weren't for the second-hand market being as big as it is now. Another example of this is college books. Every time a second-hand game is sold, it is a lost sale for the original group.

[deathmonkey]

I for one like cartridges. They last forever. (Aside from the battery backed up memory. However my Super Mario World cartridge still hasn't lost my save data.)

I have CD games that are more than 15 years old and they still work...they have absolutely no fingerprints on them. Take care of your media and they will take care of you...

[Icarus599]

A. Because a $50 game plus a $10 export is the standard $60 price.

Because Harmonix didn't make it and Traveler's Tales wants a bigger cut.

B. Because it's not made for the 22 year old playing solo, it's made for the 35 year old not wanting his child to hear some naughty things from what he's downloaded on his RB2.

Because you own RB2, so you can already play them.

C. Because your opinion =/= everyone's.

Keeping in mind you're paying that full $60 for 40, rather mediocre songs. (except a few, but $60 is not worth 3 songs).

[deathmonkey]

Nope no disc have been eaten, but mine also prefers oatmeal. :D

Mine likes Lucky Charms...

[deathmonkey]

Both. The code will let you pay for the transfer, without the code no transfer cannot occur.

Double negative...doesn't that mean that a transfer can occur? :p

[MyronJ906]

Keeping in mind you're paying that full $60 for 40, rather mediocre songs. (except a few, but $60 is not worth 3 songs).

If there are only a few songs you like, then it's probably not worth the money anyways. It's the same with any game that has a setlist, there typically won't be a huge number appealing to you since it has to do something to please everyone.

On the other hand, you might only like a few, but you could throw a RB party and surely there would be people there who enjoy the other songs.

I try to buy all DLC whether I personally like it or not, because we use my PS3 when my workplace provides Rock Band competitions.

My girlfriend and I, not huge Queen fans. But I can name several people I know that would commit obscene crimes for even one Queen song.

[Mikachu]

My girlfriend and I, not huge Queen fans. But I can name several people I know that would commit obscene crimes for even one Queen song.
How do you think we got Fat-Bottomed Girls? You're welcome.

[bmaninc]

You have to buy it. With the disc comes a code, which I'm assuming is a 1-time-use code. You enter that code on a website which will give you instructions on how to unlock the Export feature on the disc. You then use that Export feature to rip the songs to your HDD, just like with the RB1 Export..

Excellent, thank you very much.

[MyronJ906]

How do you think we got Fat-Bottomed Girls? You're welcome.

:eek: (need I say more?)


I would've done the same for Killer Queen, but thanks to you I didn't have to :)

[aspiring]

People are whingers. Its only $10 and your getting the game cheaper anyway!

I just spent $360 US dollars on upgrades to my ION in anticipation for this! I am pumped and November cannot come soon enough!

[Baanu_Rass]

People are whingers. Its only $10 and your getting the game cheaper anyway!

I just spent $360 US dollars on upgrades to my ION in anticipation for this! I am pumped and November cannot come soon enough!

What did you get?

[bmaninc]

I don't rent games, ever. I just wanted to know for information's sake. I wasn't planning on getting this.

[aspiring]

Rock Pedal, Practice Pad, Pintech Cymbal with Boom Cymbal Arm and a Drum Stool. Add on Shipping (I'm in Australia) and i made myself broke. All in anticipation of this game :D I mean, who cares, we finally get Sum 41!

[Mikachu]

:eek: (need I say more?)


I would've done the same for Killer Queen, but thanks to you I didn't have to :)
I think anyone would have done the same for Killer Queen. That song is off the heezy, beezy. (I think this is where I stop.)

[Baanu_Rass]

Rock Pedal, Practice Pad, Pintech Cymbal with Boom Cymbal Arm and a Drum Stool. Add on Shipping (I'm in Australia) and i made myself broke. All in anticipation of this game :D I mean, who cares, we finally get Sum 41!

Nice! I just finished the mesh head mod with Roland heads. Cost ~$140 CAD but man are they great to play on.

[AleisterTheGrey]

I honestly don't know why people complain about not getting free songs, how greedy are you?