Will Guitar Hero IV's launch mean the end for Rock Band?

[OrdealByFire]

Guitar Hero is a much more popular series, and the fact that it will be newer and sporting a 6-piece drum kit can only mean bad news for Harmonix.

I think Harmonix might have to release Rock Band 2 this fall just to keep in the headlines, and not let Guitar Hero IV have the spotlight.

[JohnnyTurk]

if they do the create a song properly, the idiots will end all games, they wont even be able to sell more guitar heros, and whats this 6 piece drum kit? ive not seen this...

edit

ah, has a dedicated symbol pad, i think theyre just being extra, u dont need a dedicated symbol pad at all

[Ocyron]

I don't think so. Rock Band has sold quite well, and there is a more limited audience for the really pricey with all of the extra peripherals. Rock Band was first to market with this type of package and thus is already established. It's a little frustrating that the new Guitar Hero reportedly won't work with the Rock Band peripherals (at least the drums) and vice versa...I don't really want to have to store two sets of fake plastic drum controllers.

Add that to the fact that Rock Band provides weekly DLC and generally does a much better job of charting notes, and I think Harmonix should be okay. I'll bet we get some significant new DLC from big bands between now and when GH4 is released. Maybe a full-fledged expansion disc even.

[strikeman99]

HMX knew this was coming at least for the last couple of weeks. Although I will probably buy GH4, I will also keep playing RB as long as HMX gives us songs and the increased options we've asked for (online BWT, Bass solo mode, etc).

[AliceInChained]

Two games in the same genre are allowed to co-exist, ya know?

One doesn't have to die, or will for that matter.

[FultonPub]

HOw many of these threads do we need? Geez, i bet there are a dozen active threads about GH4 right now. They are clogging up the boards!

[cdylan13]

It will definitely not be the end.

[nunant11]

IMO, it's going to come down to a couple of things. First, gameplay in GH IV. If the gameplay is at the same level or better of RB or atleast close then I think it will come down to music quality. This is where I think HMX will be in trouble. Although just speculation, the names being thrown around for GHIV are pretty impressive and will appeal to more, not all, customers than what RB's music has been over the past 2-3 months and what they have planned for the near future. It sounds as if Activision is going to invest heavily into the project and are taking major steps to ensure that they get upper echelon bands into their game.

If they can stay in the ballpark with gameplay, costs, quality and it only comes down to music selection, RB could be in some trouble. Regardless, the competition is either going to make RB stronger or it's going to weaken it considerably. It's not going to stay the same. I would bet anything that Activision is analyzing customers comments as to what they like and dislike about RB and they will target the main complaint, music selection, to make the GHIV more attractive.

Saying that GHIV is a rip off of RB is kind of like saying that each time a new console comes out, it's a rip off of the previous model. Is every gaming system a rip off of Atari? Why is Activision wrong for seeing something that has had success in their genre of game and trying to outdue it? We, the consumers win in the end, regardless of which game turns out to be better. The competition will give us more and better options as to what we want to buy.

[Queens of the new age]

if it has song for the dead then maybe....

[vedis]

only a complete ****** would think rb would end cuz of "G HIV" cuz thats all it is, a disease, and its meant to be killed

[Ben2998]

I don't think tha RB is in real danger...
They still have 6 months to release an Expansion pack for 360 and PS3 and they have alot of ideas to work on! If they can make good DLC and listen to all of the commentaries from the players they should be fine!

The problem is that the only way to see the popularity of a DLC, it's by releasing it and look at the sales. A lot of players are only core players who doesn't care about the website!

The only thing that RB should look into is that feature to create his own music un GH4.

I don't think it's gonna be a good features, we'll see a lot of craps and Activision said that the vocals are not accepted in thoses download, wich means that you need to create them from scratch inside the game. LAME!
And we're also gonna see a thousand of half-done songs and DragonForce-like songs. I don't want this to happens

[trg007]

It definitely won't be the end for RB. The competition is a good thing and it will cause both companies to try and make their games better.

[an1m051ty]

Well I don't think it will shortly kill RB. But if that leaked list turns out to be true for GHIV, which of the so-far-as confirmed bands are showing, their would be no way to beat it game-disk to game-disk. Of course, the DLC is where the showdown will take place, and while RB has been consistently pleasing to 30 percent of the population, its going to take somewhere around the Boston pack (in popularity) every week to maintain enough solid customers - and thats only presuming that GH doesn't do it just as good or better.

[tazzmissionx]

Rock Band won't die period, but there are issues/features that Harmonix needs to address before GHIV hits the streets.

[Ooishi]

Certainly won't kill it, but I am interested in seeing what effect it will have...

[Wertty]

First of all, the " G HIV" comment made me laugh out loud, for all the wrong reasons. It's not the taliban people, calm down. They aren't out to kill your children, they aren't out to overtake the government, they're COMPETING.

Would you expect them to just keep the same old formula knowing what Rock band could eventually do with all of its instruments as opposed to GH's guitar? I doubt it. It's a natural evolution.

Back on topic, I really doubt it'll be the end of RB.
if you know anything about the music/rhythm games in japan AND here, you'll know that when another comes along, the other one doesn't just dissapear.
Just take a look at ITG and DDR. They're practically the same thing, only ITG is more challenging. i play both for different reasons. It'll be the same for rb and " G HIV"( Lol.)

[Just1_Joe]

This just means HMX will have to try harder.

[deadendchris]

Why I agree it is just fine for guitar hero to go the same route as Rock Band I have to say they are gonna have to come out with some real hard core **** for me to spend around $200.00 again...There gonna have to have some super great songs the guitars drums and mic are gonna have to just own...I wouldnt even spend $100.00 to get Guitar Hero 3 for ps3 so it will be a real hard sell for me to buy the new one when it comes out.. I have no want for the Aerosmith one either...

I do think this will make HMX pick it up more they already do a good job dlc for the most part has been great.Other than guitar problems has been a really good game..

[Highlandlassie1]

Unless the game is compatible with Rockband peripherals, it wont sell well.

Who wants TWO drum kits cluttering up their livingroom?

Guitar Hero is dead, trying to revive it after the fact will be tough.

[Fausttt]

compatibility of peripherals is key. i would gladly put down $100 for GH4 and a cymbal add-on pack if i didnt have to buy new drums/guitar/microphone. but if they wont work with the guitars/drums/mic i have now, i wont be buying more plastic to clutter my living room.

[PlanetHill]

Who wants TWO drum kits cluttering up their livingroom?

QFT. I sure don't!

Funny, people often rag on RB: "Where is the ROCK? It is ROCKBAND after all", etc.

Does anyone not think it's hilarious they are adding drums to "GUITAR HERO"?

...and still no Microphone. It's not a band, it's a rhythm section. :p

This is a hail mary pass...

[DarkJ3JB]

I vote no... but it will be hard for Harmonix to compete... The drums look nice for GH4 but the issue really is how good are the songs... Rock band was a dead on hit.

[Solid_Snake]

Well I don't think its going to be the end of RB either. Its rare when the release of a new game means the end of another. Even then it can take a while to see the full outcome.

However this is going to be the start of a bloody war. When Aerosmith signed on with Activision, at first it meant nothing, but now that GHIV is going to feature a full band it means something. Whats going to make it for either one of these games is the songs! The majority of the players will flock to the game with the better songs, if Activision is secretly securing rights to these big name bands it could hurt HMX really bad. HMX will need to stop playing around and start trying to secure the bands that the community has been asking for.

[BT67]

Let's say GH4 won't work with the RB instruments but the GH4 instruments are equal or just a bit better then RB's, and the price will range from $150 to $199. Let's say they land Van Halen, GnR, AC/DC, Beatles and Led Zep also whatever the most requested Heavy Metal band is, would you spend $$$$ just for these songs and the possibility of more in the future?

As much as I love the above bands I'm not sure I can justify spending $$$ for basically the same experience just for those bands or (insert your favorite bands).

[SJBenoist]

As to everyone mentioning GH series being more popular ... it's cheaper. The law of demand is at work here ... and if the instruments are better, and the songs are more popular, it's going to cost more.

Not only am I happy with RB, but no way in hell am I spending another 300$ for a marginal improvement over what I have now.

[ShiftyPimp]

...of the drum peripheral. Looks quality to me. I really think that the GH crew is going to think this one through and give it a hell of a shot. They've got some pretty heavy band names leaked, but I can remember thinking the same thing when I first saw the RB leaks.

I posted a pic of the drum kit a while back (friend of mine leaked to me) on another thread, but the HMX mods pulled it down within 30 secs...

copywrite issues.... yea...right. :rolleyes:

as for now, i have no vote. interesting idea though, maybe some heated competition is eggsackly what HMX needs to get out the wallet and reinvest some of the money they raped from us on the &4!++4 peripherals. spend them ends on some kickazz artists. :cool:

[PlanetHill]

...of the drum peripheral. Looks quality to me. I really think that the GH crew is going to think this one through and give it a hell of a shot.

Maybe. Velocity sensitive pads and cymbals are a nice touch but only three drums is a fatal flaw IMO. And it doesn't look THAT sturdy to me...kinda top-heavy even.

[Phataken]

I think if rock band can get some good dlc and possibly band wourld tour online it necessarily won't mean the end. If they don't i would have no idea what might happen IMO.

[Sayburr]

GH still has the name and the unit sales. All they have to do is fix their charting and start putting out weekly DLC. Bands, big bands, will flock to them. RB proved it would work... now GH will take it and run.

Its kinda like Rock-n-Roll from the 50's. The bands with fewer listeners, aka the minority, would create wonderful songs with great beats, lyrics, and guitar. Then the bands with more listeners and the backing in large numbers, aka the majority, would steal the minorities hard work and inspiration, release lesser versions of the songs, but would make all the money just because they were the majority. Its not fair, but its history. History predicts future. RB will always be better, but GH will sell more and get better bands.

[SirAhenobarbus]

Who knows.


ah, has a dedicated symbol pad, i think theyre just being extra, u dont need a dedicated symbol pad at all

Very true. Also, you don't really need pads at all, buttons on a joypad are all that is needed.

[Sayburr]

Let's say GH4 won't work with the RB instruments but the GH4 instruments are equal or just a bit better then RB's, and the price will range from $150 to $199. Let's say they land Van Halen, GnR, AC/DC, Beatles and Led Zep also whatever the most requested Heavy Metal band is, would you spend $$$$ just for these songs and the possibility of more in the future?


Yes, if I can play VH, GnR, AC/DC, Beatles, and Led Zep on GH, AND I know they will not come out on RB, damn skippy I would fork over the money...

[Sonofmogh]

Certainly not.... Of course I'll be able to say better once ANY DETAILS about GH IV are announced...

Also it depends on whether you mean Rock Band or the Rock Band SERIES... the former being more plausible... but when HMX feels that the popularity of the game is waning, they'll create a second game if only to reinterest people.

[Sayburr]

Maybe. Velocity sensitive pads and cymbals are a nice touch but only three drums is a fatal flaw IMO. And it doesn't look THAT sturdy to me...kinda top-heavy even.


More like a real kit:
2 tom, 1 Snare, 1 Bass, 1 cymbal, 1 hi-hat.


http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/05/5-14-08-gh_iv_drums.jpg

http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/brand,zzounds/fit,400by400/MB4265AMB-36937c26cf84f688139a23315dd57974.jpg

[DDMagnaS]

sayburr's right, the GH4 drum kit is looking pretty quality. I only hope HMX either learns from the design or makes it compatible with RB, because I might have to pick it up.

[HyeJinx1984]

You guys are so easily flustered. let's just see what happens.

[Solid_Snake]

Yea the people who are saying that the GHIV drums suck are being biased. It looks a lot like the Drummania drumset. Alot of the Rock Band drummers were drummania veterans, they prefer that set over the RB drums.

RO really did their homework and I can bet that the GHIV is going to be top quality. The set is not only more realistic but it adds an extra dose of challenge in the mix. I for one am very excited about the GHIV drums.

[hellspawn]

All I know is that one drum kit takes enough space of my living room already!

[supersickie]

Yes, if I can play VH, GnR, AC/DC, Beatles, and Led Zep on GH, AND I know they will not come out on RB, damn skippy I would fork over the money...

Reluctantly, I have to agree. Guarantee a physically-sound package and HMX-style charts and I'd have to give this a go as well.

To the point, it won't be the end of Rock Band. If anything, it's going to require HMX to up their game. Competition can mean beautiful things in this capitalist society.

[americanistax1]

the drum kit looks impressive, if they put zeppelin or more guns n roses, definite buy for me, comparing the two kits, rb drums are shallow, you will feel more immersive with the drums in guitar hero 4.
harmonix please give us better songs, if you keep releasing harmonix packs you will be dead againts GHIV

[Wiffalit]

I have been playing RB for only a few months, and although me and my family play it almost daily, I would love to upgrade. I have had to return RB to BESTBUY 6 times (5 times for the drums not working, 1 time for the guitar).

When I am driving and listening to the radio and I hear something like Led Zep or AC/DC, I always think, "This would be great to play on RB".

I'll be the first to tell you that I don't know alot about RB or GH, but if I found a similar system with better instrument quality, better musical artists arrangements with no "Side B's", I would jump on it.

I invested $200.00 on RB for my family and I and it has been a great experience. But, if I have the opportunity to further better my family's quality time, I will start saving my money to do so.

I love RB, but the industries ability to compete with each other only makes it better for the consumer.

This is just my opinion.

Thanks,
Don

[nreality]

i doubt it will.. a lot of people already put much money into Rockband.. and already have the equipment.. if anything, people who own rockband, and buy Guitar hero, will interchange games.. when they are bored of one, they will play the other..

[JorynnRace]

I will echo what others have said: Competition can mean great things.

I REALLY hope that there won't just be a bunch of the same songs crossed over. The most lame thing would be for GHIV to have a bunch of songs that RB already has. So I acctually condone bands becoming exclusive to one company or the other, it reduces the chance of paying for the same thing twice. (yeah.. that can be construed as an argument against buying GHIV as well... but still) AND it increases the chance that one of my favorite songs will be put into game form.

I personnally, will be first in line to pick up some of those GHIV drums. Especially if the whole set they drop is compatible with the GH3 Gibson (ie.. I won't have to buy another guitar.

Let me explain: I have a GH3 for PS3, so my Gibson pretty much has just been sitting there since I got Rock Band for 360. So it is extra incentive for me to get GHIV for PS3 if I don't have to buy yet another guitar.

[Tralcave]

Maybe they should ship Rock Band to EUROPE - Before talking about quitting rock band first of all :P

[PCTraitor]

If it looks the same and plays the same as GH3 count me out. That game sucks.

[TuesdaysGone]

I think that GH 4 will kick Rock Band's ass if Harmonix doesn't get their heads out of their ass and start releasing good DLC.

[americanistax1]

looking at the drums for GH it makes you realize that RBdrums wont work
the orange cymbal is our pedal so, they wont work and they will make you buy a new set....oh it makes me remember that i cant use my les paul with rock band, so again buy the same thing that does exactly the same but with the rival

[Nickeleye]

Personally I think it would make more sense to have the left cymbal as your crash and right is a ride. I think the bottom three being a mix between snare, toms and hi-hat similar to how RB does it now would work best. The only reason I don't like the idea of the left cymbal being a hi-hat is because a lot of times when you're playing drums (right handed anyway) your right arm is reaching directly over your left to get at the hi-hat as opposed to almost directly in front of and higher than the snare. It seems to my the hand placement would be strange. After playing on a real kit I can see why RB did it the way they did given the pads they had to work with. I think the GH4 set would be pretty nice actually if they added one more cymbal pad directly the right as a hi-hat, but whatever.



More like a real kit:
2 tom, 1 Snare, 1 Bass, 1 cymbal, 1 hi-hat.


http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/05/5-14-08-gh_iv_drums.jpg

http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/brand,zzounds/fit,400by400/MB4265AMB-36937c26cf84f688139a23315dd57974.jpg

[leftover_crack]

yes it is

and if it doesn't completely kill it , it will for a couple of months

right now i see gh 4 as rb 2

its going to be a rb clone except with an in-game setlist that is 9999999999999999999x better than rock band's

[Stass]

I think this will kill Rock Band for Wii owners. This makes it much easier to wait till fall to get my rock on. No doubt that is why they are releasing information just before RB comes out for the Wii. Wii owners already have at least one guitar, and she sheer amount of sales GH made off their wii version will keep wii owners off of the RB candy and get them to hold off for GH IV.

At least, it worked on me.

Side note: Those drums look super pimp.

[dinga6969]

I don't know if it will kill Rockband or not because in my opinion gh3 blew it when they decided to up the difficulty and chart notes that aren't even in the song. I know people don't want to be bored but making a song harder to play than it is by playing notes that don't exist is a way to turn me off from a game. Saying that, I whole heartedly believe that Red Octane's peripherals will destroy those of Rock Band. It's really a shame that they couldn't stay together because Harmonix makes an unbeatable game and Red Octane's peripherals are top notch.

[Rock_Starman]

I doubt people that bought RB only to find those won't work with GH IV aren't going to be buying insturments again for GH IV.

Even if they were willing,even if they don't have RB already then that just means we'll have to stop getting The Mother Hips/3 songs a week and start getting U2/6 songs a week.

[tepidshark]

I am a little scaptical of custom songs. What is cool about GH and RB is that if you don't play a note that part of the instrament doesn't play. If it is like the custom songs they make for GH2 and GH3 then it will be lame.

[CrimsonDawn427]

No I think Rock Band will always be on top

[Quinarvy]

I doubt people that bought RB only to find those won't work with GH IV aren't going to be buying insturments again for GH IV.

Even if they were willing,even if they don't have RB already then that just means we'll have to stop getting The Mother Hips/3 songs a week and start getting U2/6 songs a week.

And we won't get anymore Metallica/3 songs a week and stop getting Boston/6 songs a week

[absolutzero]

The answer is No.
Things can only improve unless people just stop caring.

[ThePaska]

Unless GH IV is a vast improvement on GH III, there is no way I'm buying it, and it wont put much of a hurtin' on Rock Band.

[JesusSilencio]

I think that most people that already have Rock Band won't be willing to buy another plastic drum set. But for the people that don't (Europe, Wii owners), GHIV could be a better option for them.

From what I can tell, RO's drum set will be better. RO has a very good track record (GH guitars, dance pads), and to me, the set seems better designed. I'm not totally sure that they can keep the set competitively priced though, as velocity sensors, an extra pad, and silent material that has reasonable rebound aren't cheep.

[Lithium_666]

Depends on the setlist, i have a feeling the drums will suck though, high hat notes in a crash symbal position= fail. Think ill stick to rock band.

[RockLobsta85]

I dont think it will end it but expect Harmonix to do nothing to compete. We can expect crappy DLC, promised but never delivered DLC albums, shoddy built intruments, and no udates to the gameplay itself. It will fade away slowly until EA buys Activision or something (because they buy everything) and reunites Harmonix and Red Octane(i could only wish). But I am hoping im wrong, and i dont have to sell Rock Band just to play the music i want on an instrument that feel better. Who Knows maybe well see RB go on sale and the drums get redisigned to compete. But it is published by the same people who publish Madden which has changed in the past 5 years so maybe im just getting my hopes too.


Looks like ill be getting GH IV, online band career, better drum design, innovative guitar, create your own song( not really selling me though), sublime, Linkin Park, Led Zepplin, yup, cant wait

[Tename]

guys... remember... Guitar Hero IV have the ability to create your own tracks (without vocals)... if this mean you can create charts for any song you want... say MP3 you download from Itunes... think of the possibilities?

[JesusSilencio]

guys... remember... Guitar Hero IV have the ability to create your own tracks (without vocals)... if this mean you can create charts for any song you want... say MP3 you download from Itunes... think of the possibilities?

That's not what it is though (although I guess it's too early to tell). It seems more like the song creator in Frequency/Amplitude (Harmonix's original games), but you can also assign different sounds to each note, rather than the note itself designating what sound is played. So you have a bunch of different sounds for drums, guitar, and bass, and for guitar/bass you set the pitch.

Charting to an MP3 would be way too complicated for most people, since you have to make the chart sync up the music (and rock music changes tempo almost constantly). Also, there all the copyright issues that I'm sure Activision doesn't want to deal with.

[JackBNimble]

I think that most people that already have Rock Band won't be willing to buy another plastic drum set.

That's not so true!
I would be willing to buy the whole kit(4 peripherals) if GH4 turns out to be a decent game.Although I am not going to run out and buy it on the release date, but I will wait and see what happends.If it's anything like GH3 then I would have to say NO and pass on it.

I think GH4 will be good for RB and we will see some improvements coming our way to RB, atleast that's what I'm hoping for.

[Ventura]

I voted yes.

At first I hated Activision. They wouldn't give us ps3 owners compatibility back in November when I wanted it the most.

But then Harmonix sat on their hands for 6 months, refused to answer any questions and released nothing but new tracks that we have to pay for, and a patch to add a store that's designed to sell more of these new tracks. And in the process, the ps3 version of Rock Band is now in worse shape than it was at launch. Worse shape.

If you'd asked me late last year, I'd have told you Rock Band was going to own the world in 2008. Guitar Hero 3 was generally considered to be inferior to 1 and 2, and all Harmonix had to do was get the game out everywhere and actually throw some post-release support our way. Neither condition has been met.

If Activision can get Guitar Hero 4 out pretty much everywhere in the world by the end of the year at a decent price, with the peripherals sporting that Red Octane level of quality that we've all come to know and love, it is going to seriously compete with Rock Band.

If you've just been working on Rock Band 2 all this time Harmonix, I don't want to know. Unless you've done something absolutely revolutionary, I don't care. I don't want another Rock Band so soon. I want to see some support for this game.

Don't make me choose between importing Rock Band 2 and buying Guitar Hero 4 locally at the end of this year. Not if they're sporting features such as create a song, an improved drum controller and exclusivity on some huge band names. If you put me in the same situation as I was last year Harmonix, only the Guitar Hero franchise has seriously caught up to where you're at, this isn't going to end well for you.

[killer_roach]

I was just hearing from somebody who was saying that the intended MSRP of GH4 in the UK looks to be £250, so that's not a very good sign of things to come in terms of pricing...

[sillystou]

250 euro makes 385$ in US dollars. Ouch... I guess there's a price to pay for quality.

[killer_roach]

No, £250, not €250. As in (250 * 1.94) = $485 US ($486 CAN). Not sure what the EU pricing is, but I was hearing £250 for the UK.

[absolutzero]

Too expensive!! At least for a single game plus peripherals (no matter how cool they may be), I don't think I'd blow that kinda money without letting GH4 penetrate the market and see how it does.

[AlexMeth]

I wonder how this GH4 announcement will impact the sales of the GH:Aerosmith game. Way to saturate the market Activision!

I'm sticking with RB. I can't afford of fit another plastic drum set in my living room anyways.

[CM_Drunk]

HMX knew this was coming at least for the last couple of weeks. Although I will probably buy GH4, I will also keep playing RB as long as HMX gives us songs and the increased options we've asked for (online BWT, Bass solo mode, etc).

Same here. Im a genre fanboy, not a devolper fanboy. More music games = more fun for me.


Well I don't think it will shortly kill RB. But if that leaked list turns out to be true for GHIV, which of the so-far-as confirmed bands are showing, their would be no way to beat it game-disk to game-disk. Of course, the DLC is where the showdown will take place, and while RB has been consistently pleasing to 30 percent of the population, its going to take somewhere around the Boston pack (in popularity) every week to maintain enough solid customers - and thats only presuming that GH doesn't do it just as good or better.

What leaked list do you speak of? Link, plz!

[killer_roach]

All they've done is namedropped a few artists... we haven't heard any song titles. Who knows what we'll get from those bands (although, if I were to put money on it, the Linkin Park song is probably going to be something off of "Minutes To Midnight", which might be enough to taint the entire game... wow, that album was bad).

[CaptainPasty]

Where did you find this pricing information for GH4?

[nicko68]

I think this will kill Rock Band for Wii owners. This makes it much easier to wait till fall to get my rock on. No doubt that is why they are releasing information just before RB comes out for the Wii. Wii owners already have at least one guitar, and she sheer amount of sales GH made off their wii version will keep wii owners off of the RB candy and get them to hold off for GH IV.

And for those of us needing more music, we have GH:Aerosmith to tide us over for a couple of months. Brilliant strategy.




At least, it worked on me.


Me too.

[killer_roach]

I had heard it from somebody with some pretty good contacts... that being said, considering how far out GH4 is from release, take any pricing right now as a rumor until we hear definitively.

...that aside, it's likely to be relatively accurate.

[K_rok8923]

I think all these threads are stupid. Two competitors can coexist and still have each one being equally succesful. I used this example in another thread. Its like Burger King and McDonalds, they have both been around for a long time and they both have their followers. Some people may go from Rock Band to GH4 but others will stay. And for the ones who want both can get both. It doesn't make any sense that all of a sudden Rock Band will be done with.

[AliceInChained]

Where did you find this pricing information for GH4?

There's no pricing information, it's all rumours.

[ronhextall]

There are millions of Wii owners out there that don't have RB. RB did nothing for the Wii but port the PS2 version, time will tell if Activision did more with GHIV. Like it or not the Wii is the most popular system out there, ignoring them was a mistake by RB.

RB for the Wii sould like crap to most people.

I seriously doubt the price of GHIV will be that much different then RB, they have plenty of suits that know how to compete and something double the pirce wouldn't have made it out of the initial meeting.

Anybody that wants a band game for the Wii already has a GH3 guitar, so making that compatibile is a winner right there. If the Wii version of GHIV isn't dumbed down then that is another winner.

Activision did a nice job of GH3 for the Wii.

IMO Wii owners would be stupid to not at least wait and see before making a decision.

[killer_roach]

Activision did a nice job of GH3 for the Wii.

On the second attempt... *ducks*

[U2Phreak1969]

You know, I think the price point question is a HUGE one.

I think price point is why GH continues to dominate the market worldwide. . . besides the fact they already are worldwide (with distribution).
Let's just say for a minute that the speculated price point is right, atleast for Europe. Let's say its actually a tiered price like the current Rockband price point.

Let's also say for the sake of argument that puts the new GHIV price point at $279.99.

Sure the GHIV set is better, but are people going to run out in droves to buy it when Rockband is $100.00 cheaper and actually has more available music?
To me, seemingly this gives Rockband the same advantage over GHIV that GHIII currently has over Rockband.

With current Rockband price point being $169.99 compared to anywhere from $99-120 for GH III, if you are a penny pinching consumer (especially considering the economic environment in the U.S. right now), are you going to want the ante-up the extra money when all you want to do is play guitar?
In the current scenario, we are only looking at a $50-75 difference. As GHIII goes away and the only RB and GHIV remain, the new customer is only left with full band options from both companies and vastly higher price points.
I think that favors the future of Rockband at that point.

If there is indeed at least a $100.00 in disparity between the new GH, I don't care (as has been argued elsewhere) that GH has the brand identity. . . I think savvy customers will be taking a second look at Rockband.

This whole argument is, of course, entirely based on speculation but one suggestion I'd make to Harmonix as GHIV rolls out. Instead of coming out with a brand new and shiny Rockband II (or III, as rumor has it RBII will just be a music expansion with patch improvements to the original program) with all new instruments, I suggest you use Rockband II as a springboard to introduce new instruments and new boards, but allow the new instruments to be bought individually and have one of the RBII patches include the ability to choose original instruments, or new instruments. . .

Then as the customer can afford new instruments, they go out and buy them individually. Say an enhanced drumkit for $125.00. A new keyboard for $90.00 extra. . . a 5 button harmonica for $50.00. . . WHATEVER!!! But by raising the price point for individual enhanced pieces you bridge the gap between Rockband and GH without disenfranchising your customer base and give us a far more economical way of upgrading.

I see it like my current Rockband set up. I bought the game in February. A couple weeks later I started downloading tons of DLC. . .A week or so after that, I bought 2 Omega pedals for a double bass setup, then just two weeks ago, I modded my mic so that I could use an SM-58, or a wireless. Plus, I now have all DLC (some I love, some I hate. . . but that is a different subject). If I was to resell you guys my entire Rockband set-up, I wouldn't part with it for less that $500.00, not that it is for sale! I love it!

Will I still buy GHIV? Maybe. . . I like all the bands they mentioned for the upcoming setlist. I hope Rockband can make some in-roads to gain some other huge bands like GH. That is my only current complaint about Rockband. Their more obscure setlists may actually force me to buy GHIV. However, that being said. . . Those more obscure songs are a fascination to me having come from a background of 15 years of karaoke where the musical releases are all radio driven. It's nice having some punk and true alternative music. Even if I do buy GHIV, Rockband isn't going anywhere. But I digress. . .

[Serpentd]

I think that most people that already have Rock Band won't be willing to buy another plastic drum set. But for the people that don't (Europe, Wii owners), GHIV could be a better option for them.

From what I can tell, RO's drum set will be better. RO has a very good track record (GH guitars, dance pads), and to me, the set seems better designed. I'm not totally sure that they can keep the set competitively priced though, as velocity sensors, an extra pad, and silent material that has reasonable rebound aren't cheep.


Ummm, as far as an extra drum set in the living room or whatever, you just explained to why I will have the extra. First by stating I am on my 7th drum set and still struggle with it to work 100% correct. Plus I need to use socks, rubberbands, $100 dollar pedals, $30 dollar gum rubber etc, etc to get the results I want and still struggle. Plus all you have to do is take one minute to tear down the RB drums and put them in a box in a closet, not really a big issue IMO.

Like you stated, RO makes killer equipment, they have the track record. Plus you listed everything these drums should have in the first place. Lets see here, a quility kit with velocity sensors, Hi-hats/cymbals, SILENT drum heads with rebound.:rolleyes:

People have been trying to get their RB drums to do ALL of this for the most part with a lot of added/wasted time, expierementing and testing not to mention dropping the money to do so on top of the $170 dollar price tag.

I'm curious if the GH4 drums were actually the new "after market" drums for Rock Band, how many people would make this purchase alone? Even for say $100-125 dollars. People aren't hesitating to spend $75-90 bucks on a pedal alone. Why wouldn't they spend the money to have a "quality" drum set?:confused:

If these drums do end up being high quality, I can gaurantee that I will have another plastic drum set. Hell, I already have 4 real full drum sets in the basement. usually 2 set up at a time. But, I'm also known to be Mr. "Overkill" though by most friends and family.:p

Anyway, just my perspective is all.;)

[Lady Siara]

Guitar Hero has probably kept a close eye on Rock Band for mistakes that they themselves don't want to repeat. With an advantage like that, they may have something good up their sleeve.

However, one thing people will get disappointed by is the track list. It's not going to be the 70+ songs you all are used to. It's going to be a thinner, and hopefully, more balanced list. Of course your setlist is going to be better when you're focusing on two instruments, now try that with four.

[FamousLastX]

Activision did a nice job of GH3 for the Wii.
They did? Funny go to the official GH3 forums and all I see is complaints and more complaints about the Wii version. Also, I went out and bought the 360 version after already owning the Wii version so yeah, it wasn't great.

[CM_Drunk]

I see the situation as this. Guitar Hero is the biggest name in the genre, and will likely draw bigger bands and more buys just because of the notoriety of the brand.

HMX is the innovator, and will most likely keep evolving their product. Just look at whats happening. Rock Band comes out, offers a far superior game, and a superior experience and even though its sales pale in comparison to that of GH3, Activision is following HMX's lead and trying to put the whole band together.

Now we get to wait and see what HMX's counter move will be. ANd it will probably be kick ass. WHich as Ive said in this thread and others, will do nothing but make me a happy gamer.

[CaptainPasty]

They did? Funny go to the official GH3 forums and all I see is complaints and more complaints about the Wii version. Also, I went out and bought the 360 version after already owning the Wii version so yeah, it wasn't great.

The only topic you will find there with any regularity is about DLC. Wii players want DLC, just like everyone else. I don't think its going to happen now, however, since they have two other games in the pipe and Activision is probably trying to make GH4 the best it can be to start out on an equal footing with Rock Band. GH3 on the Wii doesn't have technical problems (excluding the mono sound issue), and the guitar is considered the best out of all the platforms.

Contrast what Activision did for GH3 on the Wii (Wii Remote integration, online play, stat tracking, full feature list) to what Harmonix is doing with RB:Wii and you can see what people are complaining about.

[gerwolf]

Don't worry about Guitar Hero 4. It's not going to work right. And besides Rockband 2 will be out before them and making Guitar Hero look even worse before all the glitches happen to Guitar Hero 4. It will take several years for Guitar Hero to match Rockband's inital release. By the time Guitar Hero can match the original Rockband game. Rockband 10 will be out!

[Songblade]

I've seen GH4 in a couple articles on the web and it all nauseates me. Activison/Neversoft lost me as a fan/customer when:

A) They wouldn't let us use GH3 guitars for Rock Band (PS3 - and for the record, I'm GLAD. Rock Band guitars are better. Initially I was angry.)

B) I realized that the graphics for GH games are kiddie and childish. Cartoony maybe. As I get older the more realistic sets, gameplay and little details in Rock Band are appreciated.

C) Something more fun (that was actually fun and not just difficult) and innovative came out. I've only played GH3 (at someone else's house at that) twice since I got Rock Band. The fact GH4 is playing catch-up isn't impressive, it's sad. Guitar Hero has it's niche - it's about GUITARS, HENCE WHERE IT GETS ITS NAME. Now it's just... band hero. *twirls finger* whoooooo.

Speaking of "whooooo...", GH4's drum kit has an extra cymbal... the setup looks unstable on those short stubby legs. There's the feature to create your own songs? How many lame emo covers will "fans" make of songs we've never wanted to hear in the first place? They should release in on a Nintendo system first since it seems aimed at youth.

I was wondering what GH4 was going to do to "up the ante", and secretly I was hoping for a 6th Purple fret... yeah... you heard me... THAT would be interesting. Focus on the GUITARS and aging lame has-been bands Guitar Hero, leave the band gameplay and fresh tunes to the superior game: ROCK BAND!

[Cassiuss]

I would also agree with the above poster.

That whole activision patch hoarding thing really burns my ass. I guess I am glad I have the RB guitar now, its better and less toy like but at the same point they didn't want to play nice and I remember **** like that.

All business aside, they could have co-operated and done the right thing with Harmonix, approved the patch and the two guitars would have been compatible. But no they saw this as some type of infringement(or something) on their market and got greedy. imo it would have been really good PR for them and probably would have increase guitar sales for them as people were used to that effin clacker setup.

They lost me as a customer then, GH4 aka Band hero I won't be getting.

Douches.

[Pint0Xtreme]

Guitar Hero's (likely) decision not to make the peripherals compatible with previous games strikes me either as idiotic or ambitious. They either have plans to completely dominate this specific rhythm market, which they will not, or they simply think that somehow it was a smart move to cut off a considerable percentage of potential customers. Yes, there will be people who are willing to buy two drum kits. However, that does not change the fact that there will also be people who are NOT willing to buy two drum kits. By making the decision to not make their peripherals compatible with Rock Band, they have effectively reduced their customer base.

Assuming it's possible, what I think would be a smart move for Harmonix is to consider making their next drum kit compatible with all their Rock Band titles as well as Guitar Hero's title, just as they did with the guitars. It would provide a major incentive for people to buy their peripherals, which would be compatible with all the rock-rhythm games. As Sony found out with their PS3, the cost factor does make a difference. Providing the market with a system that allows people to play the most games with the least amount of cost will always eventually win out.

[Drama 313]

Not the end but RB will take a major hit as far as sales and DLC sales go,i mean GH:Aerosmith is coming in a few weeks and i see that as a threat to HMX as well.

The setlist in GH:Aerosmith alone is better then most of RB's setlist or the DLC.GH:Aerosmith has tracks from Run-D.M.C., Stone Temple Pilots,Deep Purple,The White Stripes,The Police,Cheap Trick,The Clash,Lenny Kravitz,The Black Crowes,Joan Jett,The New York Dolls and more


*waits for the mods to lock this thread,seeing as they're lockin all GH threads unless its its a thread bashing GH, biased are we?*

[LI0NHEA12T]

The 6th Purple Fret idea sounds really cool, and I wish they would have done something like that also (capitalize Rockband!). Create your own song I think will draw some appeal, but not a substantial amount. While a lot of people have asked for this feauture (including Rockband players), I think most people will actually not use it or will become bored of it quickly (depending on how advanced the customization is). A lot of individuals who already own Rock Band will also probably not want to shell out the extra money for all the equipment they will need to play GH4 (i.e. - another drum set). I think people who never picked up Rock Band and only own GH will be interested in this game, or individuals who really appreciate GH's genre of music over Rock Band (if they're able to secure certain bands that someone REALLY wants to play). Otherwise, I think those who own Rock Band will stick with RB. Co-existance is def. what I see in the future. :cool: