Is it likely that we'll see more diverse genres later?

[Magnet]

I'm sure that most of the songs that come with the game will probably be some form of rock. But I think that downloadable content gives the developers so much more leeway with the options that they offer. I think there's a great opportunity to reach out to more obscure genres and give those fans just what they're looking for - while introducing others to new music at the same time.

What do you think? Will we be seeing a great amount of variety in the downloadable content or merely more rock songs by the same artists and new ones?

[Brock_Landers]

hmm well, the title of the game probably answers the question, but that aside, what other genres are you thinking of exactly.. that include fun for all four players?

Keep in mind that Rock is a surprisingly vast stretching genre at the end of the day

[Rev0lver]

i really hope theres alot of diversity for this game. ac/dc to neutral milk hotel to amon amarth to anti-flag and everything in between.

[sa_nick]

I think Magnet's right. When rockband comes out it will have to contain a fun setlist that works well with all instruments and flows well with the learning curve. When the DLC comes a long however they can incorporate new songs that don't fit the game as well, but fan of the band want to play.

This way the average gamer wont have to put up with boring gameplay and more hardcore fan's can later buy and play songs they like.

[vichnaiev]

I can't see what's your point Magnet. I mean: look at GH. It has 80+ songs and covers all rock genres. Metal, punk, pop, progressive, it's all there. They even included BLUES (please keep those in RB, steve ray, hendrix, clapton, lynyrd, etc).
So, if GH covered all genres, what makes you think that RB won't ??

[Magnet]

I mean genres outside of rock. I'm sure the guitar could be used to play a different instrument in a genre that doesn't use guitars much. The only requirements would really need to be vocals and drums for songs in genres outside of rock. Then the guitar and bass parts could stretch for other instruments - say trumpet, piano, or synth for example.

[Rev0lver]

...but it's called rock band

[Mushaboom]

There are so many genre's of rock that i'm sure it'll be enough to satisfy...

[Seattle_Sound]

Yeah If you want to play trumpet go get Trumpet Band or Trumpet Hero.

[benjamin]

I would not mind Jazz music, if only because I have no idea what exactly it means to be Jazz music.

[Magnet]

To all the people saying "it's called ROCK band" and "go play trumpet hero," it's not like songs that didn't really fit the bill weren't present in past Harmonix games. Guitar Hero had Frankenstein where you weren't really playing guitar for half of the song, and GHII had Less Talk More Rokk where you weren't really playing guitar for any of the song. Both songs still worked within the context of the games. Don't be so closed minded with respect to the title of the game. The whole object of HMX has been to create new ways to experience the joys that come from making music, and I doubt they would want to completely restrict their wider goals just to satisfy a title of a game. I hope they do stretch the boundaries like they've always tried to do.

[shrimp-n-gritz]

Yeah If you want to play trumpet go get Trumpet Band or Trumpet Hero.

I think "Big Band" is the next project on the horizon for Harmonix. It's for the next, next gen console that supports up to 24 wireless controllers. You can choose trumpet, trombone, clarinet, sax, violin, xylophone, glockenspiel, harpsichord, triangle, flute etc. each with its own unique controller. Every middle school music department worth its salt will have one.

I kid, of course. But I agree that Rock Band should be focused on rock. Even the DLC will have to focus on the guitar/bass/drum music and won't be able to stray too far from it, I would think. I can see more obscure songs being available, but still within the realm of rock music. If you want to play something else, you'll just have to wait for some other type of game, unfortunately.

Of course if Bluegrass Hero ever makes it to store shelves, I'm all over it. I call banjo!

[shrimp-n-gritz]

To all the people saying "it's called ROCK band" and "go play trumpet hero," it's not like songs that didn't really fit the bill weren't present in past Harmonix games. Guitar Hero had Frankenstein where you weren't really playing guitar for half of the song, and GHII had Less Talk More Rokk where you weren't really playing guitar for any of the song. Both songs still worked within the context of the games. Don't be so closed minded with respect to the title of the game. The whole object of HMX has been to create new ways to experience the joys that come from making music, and I doubt they would want to completely restrict their wider goals just to satisfy a title of a game. I hope they do stretch the boundaries like they've always tried to do.

Good point about those songs. That has always bothered me about Frankenstein. I remember thinking, "I'm playing the freaking keyboard part" or something. Still, it has enough guitar to make up for it. But it is a rock song. That other song you mention is not, in my opinion. I played it maybe once to say I did and haven't bothered since.

I see what you're saying about stretching the boundaries, but I subscribe to the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" school of thought. If RB strays too far from the already successful model that Harmonix has built, it will become something completely different.

[Rev0lver]

magnet,

i just think it would ruin it if they put something in that's not rock. they called it rock band for a reason. "rock band" tells you that its just one genre, rock. a rock band would not play jazz music. the only time i would like that is if it was a band like streetlight manifesto.

[relic81]

Rap star!!!! or better yet j-pop band!!!!!!1 :D