I'm a little worried that HMX has fumbled the ball...

[Brock_Landers]

It's great all the love this game has been getting in the press and whatnot, but in the midst of pimping how awesome the band aspect of the game will be (and fair enough) there's been very little mention of how you don't actually need all four componants to play it and have a good time.

Now, discerning gentlemen such as ourselves realize this logical fact. We also know that if you have the internet you can still get that band play by going online. We're a smart bunch of fellas.

Unfortunately, whenever I read one of these ZOMG ROCKBAND BUNDLE PRICE SCOOP?! articles on any numerous gaming websites, the large majority of comments from the masses is "Onoez $200 for one game? THIS IS TEH SUX" and very few speaking actual sense. The fact that you'd need seven arms to be able to play all instruments at once doesn't even crop up.

So with the next three/four months coming up, I really hope that the single player/online part of it is really stressed. Regardless of how much more fun it obviously would be to have all four friends in your room at once, people need to know that you don't NEED to buy all instruments.

The other option--and one which I imagine won't be popular here--is to do no bundle option. It's not my choice of buying it, but it'd send a clear message at least.

[karlkaza]

Ooooooooooooooooooookkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk??????? ??????????

[Brock_Landers]

Your generous contribution to this thread has been noted.

[Coldplayer]

Hm, well, I think you will still have the possibility to buy everything seperate. Although, I really can't imagine how anyone would want to buy just one instrument. I mean, even if you play alone, you still want to alternate with the instruments you play, hm?

[Wachman]

i think what you should've done is wait until HMX ACTUALLY ANNOUNCED PRICING, first.

it could've went in your favor if you had said nothing, and it still can.
you're a litte too worried, these guys are pros. they've been waiting their ENTIRE CAREERS to release a game/platform of this scale.
this isnt just a stepping stone for them.

what can they really do about rumors anyway? they're way too busy finalizing the game.
you know what seems to make you worry?
you've reading comments and listening to idiots who dont know what the hell they're talking about.
thats all.

[StrikerD]

I'm not going to buy a bundle, I'm going to buy the game & a WIRELESS! guitare (I have a 360), whilst my brother buys the drums and my other brother buys another guitar (or gets my parents to buy one) and my mom'll buy the mic. Works for me...It's probably going to be my only holiday purchase, I gotta save money for a ticket to Taiwan.

[Brock_Landers]

i think what you should've done is wait until HMX ACTUALLY ANNOUNCED PRICING, first.

it could've went in your favor if you had said nothing, and it still can.
you're a litte too worried, these guys are pros. they've been waiting their ENTIRE CAREERS to release a game/platform of this scale.
this isnt just a stepping stone for them.

what can they really do about rumors anyway? they're way too busy finalizing the game.

Uhh.. maybe you need to reread my post. It's really got nothing to do with the price rumors at all. It could cost $300 for all I care and I'd still pick it up.


you know what seems to make you worry?
you've reading comments and listening to idiots who dont know what the hell they're talking about.
thats all.

Wow, awesome, Sir! It's like you took the exact point of my post and relayed it back to me as if it was a well thought out reply :D

My exact point being the idiots out there who--from a survey perspective--appear to be the majority thinking that you need to buy all intstruments to enjoy it. If there was more emphasise put on the fact that this isn't the case, there wouldn't be this problem.

Fact is, I want idiots to buy this game (considering they comprise a large majority of the population). More sales = better product for me in the long run.

[Tendoza]

I could really care less about packaging or pricing, honestly. I have a job and enough money to buy it, so I just kind of ignore all the 11 year olds who ***** about the pricing all day long.

But from a business perspective, I can see all the "OMG 200 $$ NO WAI!!!!!" comments a little stressfull.

[StrikerD]

It's the face the 360 bundle has a wired guitar that has most people tied up in a knot/

[geo2n2]

I think the OP has a good point.

It's surprising how many people think you have to buy the whole set and have no idea you can just buy the game and play it with the GH2 guitars.

[army_of_me]

Hahaha

I think it's funny how everyone's missing this guy's point.

It's not the price of the bundle that's the concern.

It's that the fact that you don't have to buy the whole bundle is lost on the majority and not mentioned in the media.

[parastroke7]

Correct, but say that you wanted to buy all the instruments seperately. From what I understand, it'll end up costing 50 dollars or more than the bundle.

Now, what most people might do is buy the guitar first, then the mic, then the drums, as they play the game and see what they like and what they don't.

I personally plan on buying the bundle because I like a challenge, and I like to learn new things. I'm good at GH, so the guitars are a must. I'm a drummer, so OBVIOUSLY I want the drums. I'm getting the mic just because I might decide to test my singing ability. \

Apart from that, I have a lot of friends who like GH and the like who don't have PS3's or 360's, or high speed internet for that matter. So the bundle is obviously the way to go for me, but everyone has their "right choice".

For a guy who lives in the city, single, doesn't get leid, doesn't know anybody, but has a HUGE XBOX live friend's list, then he's probobly going to want to buy the game with a single instrument of his choice. Just an example.

Lots of different situations to consider...and I have no clue why I made a post in this thread. Maybe I oughtta cut it out?

[MotleyPriest111]

I'm only going to by the game itself. I have two Xplorers already, and I doubt my friends are man enough to sing. I play on Expert, one of my friends plays on Hard, and the other one plays on Easy. So if he buys the drums, that's what he plays. If not, he can sit and watch.

[army_of_me]

I personally plan on buying the bundle because I like a challenge, and I like to learn new things. I'm good at GH, so the guitars are a must. I'm a drummer, so OBVIOUSLY I want the drums. I'm getting the mic just because I might decide to test my singing ability. \


You've exactly described my situation.

[whofan]

I think most people here are still missing the point the OP is trying to make.

He's not talking about pricing per se, he's talking about public perception of the Game in relation to pricing.

He is talking about those who don't realize that this game can be played solo without trouble.

In response to this, all I can say is that the people who think this are not very smart and don't bother to look into the game at all. It's their loss if they don't realize the single player potential of the game. Harmonix has repeatedly stated that the game can be played on your own, what more do you think they can do? Beat people over the head with a stick while saying it?

The fact of the matter is that no matter how much you stress the single-player aspect you won't be able to shake off the multiplayer perception of the game. That's just the way it is.

Harmonix are doing their best PR wise and if people don't realize the full potential of the game, well that's their own problem

[Eastwood]

also, IMO, the people on this forum who ask the flameworthy questions are mostly n00bs who have just a fleeting interest in this game and nothing more. while I am a n00b myself, i have noticed that the bulk of the active, participating people here seem to have grey matter between their ears and all seem like they can hold an intelligent conversation. Also, everyone who is on this forum, for the most part, seems like they are puchasing the full bundle at all cost. So far, the Rock Band community looks fine to me. Most of the guys who post the dumb questions are never heard from again. Those are the guys who will buy the game eventually, probably with one peripheral, and we will rarely see them on the online portion of the game. But it looks to me as if we have at least 1,000 solid members to compete with and join for the next couple of years. I wouldnt be to worried if I were you.

[newwaytodie]

I've already pre-ordered my "price-TBA" bundle and I plan on trying all the instruments. Online and offline. I feel like I would miss out on a lot if I only had, for example, one guitar and only played offline.

[_GABO_]

I have a lot of friends who like GH and the like who don't have PS3's or 360's, or high speed internet for that matter.

Holy crap. There are people on the planet that still are stuck with dial-up? How tragic.

I'm going to get the bundle for the same reason as parastroke7. None of my other friends have the right set-ups for wireless, nor do they have a PS3 (neither do I, no $500 paperweight for me), nor an XBOX 360 (which I'll soon have). Hell, some of my friends don't even have PS2s. (They're all GameCubers, Wii owners, or PC gamers.)

Also, being a (lame) guitarist, (somewhat of) a bassist, and a singer, I think I'll take up the pseudo-drums after I beat the guitar campaign. Rock Band will be expanding my musical horizons!

[monlienNH3]

I've seen all the same idiotic responses to Rock Band new stories as the OP, and I agree that between now and game launch they should probably make it clearer to the general public that while this game is called "Rock Band" and you can play with up to four people, you don't need to utilize the full capabilities of the game to enjoy it. I'm sure they've got a plan though and I trust they'll convey that message clearly before launch - plus with EA publishing I'm sure we'll be seeing TV ads closer to launch. Right now, the news and hype is going to the hardcore gamers. Real marketing will start when the game is ready to be released.

I personally never thought they were going to release a true bundle until everyone started throwing that around. I thought the Gamestop bundles were going to be a store packaged bundle (like they do with consoles) - $99.99 for Guitar and game bundle, $70 for drums, $30 for mic. Personally I think the best way to sell/market this game is with 4 packages:

Guitar w/ game bundle $100
Drums w/game bundle $100
Game w/ mic bundle $70
Game $59.99

Then sell extra instruments individually for those who want them all. Perhaps this is the hold up on the official pricing/packaging. It may be hard to get 7 different SKUs into a retail store for one game (especially one that takes up so much shelf space). Then add an 8th one (the bundle) to that, and you've got an even bigger mess from a retail standpoint. I would not be shocked if an EA distributed bundle doesn't exist, but with so much specualtion, I can't see them not releasing one for at least the launch. Sorry for getting off topic, but I think the above bundles would make casuals/parents more likely to purchase the game. Of course, almost everyone on this site wants the bundle - but we're not the norm.

[parastroke7]

You've exactly described my situation.

bahahaha! Little did you know...I'm your alter ego.

[Magnet]

I think HMX has made it perfectly clear that you can play single-player. And they've been making a big deal so far about all of the online capabilities. Are there really, like, any games out there that are purely multiplayer? Any idiot should be able to figure out that you can play this by yourself. If someone is too stupid to come to this realization, I don't think HMX is fumbling any ball. It's more like HMX threw a pass and hit the guy in the head because he wasn't paying any attention.

The whole thing with Rock Band is that its title and its real power are in multiplayer. They want to show off that aspect of it. The party aspect that the game is really made for is perfect for their marketing. I honestly don't think they need to do much with showcasing single-player. It would be like stressing the single-player of a Mario Party game in an ad. Sure, it's there, but why are we showing you this when we could be better spending the time showing multiplayer? They want to get across the potential of the game first and foremost.

I'd like to see more single-player, personally. But I completely understand why they've been straying away from it so far. It just seems less amazing when there's one instrument on the screen compared to the grandiose four player HUD.

[Kang_Zircon]

I think HMX has made it perfectly clear that you can play single-player. And they've been making a big deal so far about all of the online capabilities. Are there really, like, any games out there that are purely multiplayer?

FFXI after level 12...

But, you're right. The thing that makes RB stand out from GHIII is not just the extra peripherals but the fact that twice as many people can play. It's not nearly as impressive to just show one person playing the drums.

As for the bundles, a lot of people would be sorely disappointed if you counldn't just get everything in one, huge box.

And for packaging individual peripherals with the game: Drums+Game would probably sell. Guitar+Game would not sell as well if you can use GHII & III controllers. And Game+Mic would probably do very poorly if only because you can pick up any old usb mic or use a headset. It seems like it would probably be a lot easier to not package any of the peripherals with the game and instead include a coupon/rebate card for the game disc in each peripheral box. That way you could get the discount of a bundle option, but stores wouldn't need to stock 8 different RB products.

[monlienNH3]

Are there really, like, any games out there that are purely multiplayer?
Shadowrun (unless you want to battle bots all day) and I think Warhawk dropped the single player campaign



I honestly don't think they need to do much with showcasing single-player. It would be like stressing the single-player of a Mario Party game in an ad. Sure, it's there, but why are we showing you this when we could be better spending the time showing multiplayer? They want to get across the potential of the game first and foremost.

While I agree that they should show the full potential of the game, I'm personally looking forward to playing "drum hero," "guitar hero," and even rock "karoke revolution" all on one disc more than 4 player co-op. Yes, 4 player co-op is the basis of having a "rock band", but when it comes to multiplayer, I'll personally have more fun going one on one over LIVE with guitar battles and drum battles. And finally when I'm bored with all that, I can play the showcased 4 player co-op. That's what's so great about this game - the amount of replayability it possesses is massive. Comparing it to Mario Party doesn't do this game justice at all. You can do one thing in Mario Party. This is 3 games in 1 with the capability of doing it all at once if you want. If they properly show potential customers the full range of gameplay this title has to offer, this could be way bigger than guitar hero.

Please don't take this the wrong way. I love the idea that you can play 4 player co-op as a full band. But I think saying that's the main selling point is selling this game short. Over the next few months, I'm sure we'll be seeing more from each aspect of the game - not just the multiplayer.

Also I think the OP was concerned more with the fact that people who aren't researching the game seem to be under the impression that you must buy the whole bundle to play the game. While that does seem completely ignorant, showcasing the single player just a little bit would go a long way towards helping people realize that they can make this Guitar Hero 3.5 if they want. Then they can grab a copy for $60 and use their Xplorer or Les Paul and play the 37+(subtracting the 3 doubles) new songs they'll get - which is ~$17 cheaper than buying 37 downloaded tracks at the current GHII rate. Saying you can play single player is one thing, showing it is another.

[Magnet]

I was only using Mario Party for an example of a game where single-player would not be a feature used in marketing much. In that sense, it's a fair comparison. You're already seeing all of the potential of Rock Band when you see 4 players playing at once. There's a lesser marketing value for Rock Band in showing single-player screenshots or video compared to multiplayer. The notes are not going to change when you go to single-player. It's just going to be one of the multiplayer tracks blown up bigger. It's not very exciting after you've already seen the multiplayer footage.

Maybe the look of the guitar single-player game is not as great as the traditional Guitar Hero look. It obviously can't look too similar or there would be copyright infringement of some sort. This might turn some people off right away thinking that it's just a lame clone. Maybe that's why they're not doing much with Rock Band's "Guitar Hero" campaign media-wise.

What I think they should be doing in addition to the co-op marketing is the solo drum campaign. There's no Drum Hero out there right now competing on the 360 or PS3 at the moment. So there shouldn't be many claims at all of cloning from ignorant people in that respect.

Obviously RB has the 3 games in one and co-op/online going for it, and I think they've done a good job at reiterating the 3 games in one point. What I think they need to do now in the coming weeks is go in depth with at least one of those solo careers (as stated earlier, I think drums would be the most sensible option) to let people know that the solo careers are going to be there and fun to play by yourself. I think putting the solo drums in videos and screenshots would be good, and then clearly pointing out the guitar and karaoke aspects in the write-up parts for the previews of the game. Or a better way might be having all three single-player campaign screenshots side-by-side to really emphasize the scale of the game.

[Inaudible-Whisper]

I know exactly what you're saying. I've read numerous times "$200!? meh... ill stick with teh guitar heroez" when you can get the same experience as Guitar Hero in Rock Band for the same price. A lot of people don't seem to understand that. Then, if you wish, you can upgrade at your own pace. It's all right saying "Why buy separately? You save money with the bundle" but the problem is that a lot of people don't have, or aren't willing to fork out $200 all at once for a game. Now WE know we don't have to, but a lot of people don't, it seems. Maybe people would see it differently if they thought of it as Guitar Hero, which can be upgraded to Drum Hero at any time for an extra $60-80 etc.

[AVC808]

i dont believe harmonix dropped the ball at all. they dont have control over what the media decides to publish/report. if you dont think youre hearing enough about single player modes, it's because the media knows the main attraction of the game is the ability to form your own virtual rock band. it's main appeal is to be a party game.
ive watched all the online videos and interviews and any time a member of the company is in there, they mention the single player modes, and the ability to join others online to form your own band so there is no need to buy all the other instruments if youre only interested in one aspect. so theyre doing what they can to announce the game's various modes of gameplay, but they cant force the media to report every single detail.
i think a consumer interested in the concept would be smart enough to notice online or in a store that there are cheaper versions of RB as stand alone game, or with just the guitar, or drums and realize they can play single player and form a band online.

[Wachman]

fortunately for me, unlike the OP, i dont let unintelligible people get to me.

[AVC808]

i think the OP is more worried about seeing harmonix and the RB (too early to call it a franchise?) succeed and not lose out to the other rhythm games. he's not bothered by the unintelligible, but they would be the reason for the loss revenue based on his perception so far.

[vichnaiev]

I think the title is very, very, very misleading. Come on: "HMX has fumbled the ball" because they didn't stress enough the single player ? You honestly believe that ?? I can't see Rock Band not selling trillions of copies in a gaming market that has had enough of the same shooters, race games and etc that are only getting better graphics. Look at Wii. At the very possibility of something NEW it sold very well, and they haven't showed any decent hardcore game yet !! It's all promise. Rest assured that RB cannot fail even if they wanted to. Casual/interactive gaming is on top.

[MotleyPriest111]

The only way Rock Band could possibly fail right now is if they took away the DLC, online mode, character creation, and replaced all the songs with rap.

[Phrank-E]

It doesn't matter what HMX puts out there.. Look at GH1.. HUGE sucess with little to no hype outside of a few game mags and review sites. Word of mouth is what got it into peoples hands and word of mouth is gonna do the same for RB. When it is in stores and customer A buys just the game and his stupid buddy friend who thinks you need to put out 200 for it, comes over he will then see what time it is and go buy one of his own. Two months later bored with guitar he will ventur out and get drums. HMX will do just fine. And don't forget who is publishing... There will be mad press for this one when the time draws nigh. It just doesn't make good sense to spend alot on advertising right now when it is so far off to be released.

[monlienNH3]

With all the junk that I've written in this thread, I may have gotten off track from my point. I don't think HMX has "fumbled the ball." But I can see where someone could have concern of the game not succeeding due to misconception like the OP's train of thought. But I have full faith that this game will sell like crazy and will be one of the most incredible gaming experience EVER... even if they released it next week. Maybe showing single player wouldn't be such a great idea, but I still don't think it would hurt. I mean where are the Karoke Revolution fans? Do they not like rock?

Anyway, just leave the marketing and planning of this game to EA and HMX and everything will work out. It's still a couple months away.

[gh2masterwellalmost]

It's great all the love this game has been getting in the press and whatnot, but in the midst of pimping how awesome the band aspect of the game will be (and fair enough) there's been very little mention of how you don't actually need all four componants to play it and have a good time.

Now, discerning gentlemen such as ourselves realize this logical fact. We also know that if you have the internet you can still get that band play by going online. We're a smart bunch of fellas.

Unfortunately, whenever I read one of these ZOMG ROCKBAND BUNDLE PRICE SCOOP?! articles on any numerous gaming websites, the large majority of comments from the masses is "Onoez $200 for one game? THIS IS TEH SUX" and very few speaking actual sense. The fact that you'd need seven arms to be able to play all instruments at once doesn't even crop up.

So with the next three/four months coming up, I really hope that the single player/online part of it is really stressed. Regardless of how much more fun it obviously would be to have all four friends in your room at once, people need to know that you don't NEED to buy all instruments.

The other option--and one which I imagine won't be popular here--is to do no bundle option. It's not my choice of buying it, but it'd send a clear message at least.

The worthless rubbish of moaning at HMX (yep, im experienced at that believe me, im a reformed addict of saying I WANT MORE SONGS!).

Look however it'll plug in, however it'll work, it will be good. Promise. So, stop the thread, lock it i dunno w.e. u wanna do. Just... pointless pointless pointless. And yes, I've just invalidated my arguement because i've added gas to the fire, but hey, if i wanna moan at you not HMX, its my choice :P