Rock Blog Tuesday 10/09/07

[hmxsean]

First of all - thank you all so much. We just got a little gift in the mail from all of you and it was awesome. Right now people are forming a line to walk down its length and read it. That was a wicked awesome thing to do. Here is what the final banner looked like when it came. I would show it in more detail but it would frankly take for over as it is gigantic.

http://community.rockband.com/file/pic/gallery/1203.jpg

You have successfully re-stoked everyone here. It is funny working on a project like this. It is very easy to lose sight of the game when you are working on it between 8-18 hours a day for months or years on end. Getting some like this from the community kind of brings it all back into perspective. Big thanks to all of you and to Apples for putting this together. Amazing!

I got back from Seattle Saturday morning and managed to stagger coughing back to my house where I remained for the rest of the weekend. It was awesome. I also managed to play beaucoup Halo 3 and even ventured to some online matches where I handily gave out beatdowns. I like to play without the headset and be the silent reckoning. I also have the Orange Box coming to me this week... probably tomorrow. One thing is for certain - I hope my job doesn't interfere with my Team Fortress - there will be hell to pay.

Umm what else? Back in the office today after a nice Columbus Day out. My desk was moved while I was out (with my full knowledge... it isn't like someone just decided to move my stuff because they thought it was funny and now my desk is in the restroom though that would be funny and I may do it next time John Drake goes out on the road.) Tons of meetings. Tons of catching up. Great to be back and seeing everyone. I don't know when I am going out on the road again but I'll let you know when I do. Maybe we can hang out.

BLOGS!


Apples with the banner awesomosity. (http://community.rockband.com/index.php?do=/public/blog/view/id_537/)

Canfield in Montreal with THE Sandy Pearlman. So. Much. Cowbell. (http://community.rockband.com/index.php?do=/public/blog/view/id_536/)

[Apples]

The orange box is so fun. You will not be disappointed.

It's practically all I have to tide over my PC gaming these days. I was even banned from one TF2 server already because I was "doing too well as a medic, and that seemed suspicious"

MEDIIIIC !!!!

[Magnet]

That banner looks really cool. Wish I could see it in person.

[PsycoCheerio]

Banner looks sick! Nice going Apples...

So I've had the Orange Box for some time on my PC now too...can't wait to give Portal a try tonight at midnight...

so did you get the orange box for PC or 360?

[hmxsean]

360. I think it shows up tomorrow. If I am mysteriously absent from work on Thursday you will know why.

I would have installed it on my PC but it is mad unstable and a little out of date. I also have a Macbook Pro with Boot Camp but it is a little awkward for that sort of a game.

[ThePaska]

Thats an awesome banner, I'm happy I got to be a part of it! It came together really nicely. And its huge, thats just amazing! Great idea Apple, and awesome job putting it all together!

Halo 3 online is pretty sweet Sean, but I hear TF2 is even sweeter, if I had any cash left to spend I would probably have gotten it already so I could play the beta.

[PsycoCheerio]

360. I think it shows up tomorrow. If I am mysteriously absent from work on Thursday you will know why.

I would have installed it on my PC but it is mad unstable and a little out of date. I also have a Macbook Pro with Boot Camp but it is a little awkward for that sort of a game.

Oh, that's so sad...I wont be able to annihilate you in TF2 now...

[kilroy]

I was just informed by a very reliable source that the drums and mic have been pushed back to Feb 4. Is this true! Is this new or am I just terribly uninformed? I am a Game Center owner and Rock Band will lose most of its value if it is just another "guitar hero" (no offense). I have big promotions and a stage planned for this release. Please say it ain't so.

[jq71586]

I don't really want to derail this entire thread, but I do believe you've been grossly misinformed. Why would instruments come out on a random Sunday in February almost 2 and half months after the game has come out? They have been touring for quite some time with working mics and drums, and they still have 6 weeks till the game comes out.

P.S. I hate you guys, the Orange Box got delayed for the PS3. :p

[kilroy]

Sorry, I thought this was a Rock Band thread for today! Seems if this were true, it would be appropriate. If it is false, what better place to straighten it out. A thread about Orange Box hardly seems appropriate but it is what people want to talk about - that makes it appropriate.
Aside from your snotty remark, The GT and soon RB franchises are extremely important to my livelyhood so excuse me if I don't go through some kind of official channels to get some horrible information corrected. I really, really appreciate your getting the truth back to me so quickly. That is what I was hoping, but I just received independent confirmation of a delay. If a rumor is spreading please watch for it. I'm going with your version both because it is better for my business and I want it to be true.

PS - the info is coming from retail delivery channels.

Edit - btw...they were traveling with a few sets of drums. Maybe there is a problem with manufacturing 100,000 sets with the same high quality. Just a possibility.

[Electric_Zen]

I have been waiting seven years for Team Fortress 2. Send me your friend request if you are down for some fun social matches. Gamertag: Electric Zen

[kilroy]

My BAD! :o The Rock Band bundle will release on time.:D However, the drums and microphone will not be available separately until Feb 4. I just hope nothing breaks!

[jq71586]

I wasn't trying to be snobby and I apologize if it came off that way. The thing is that the bundle has been confirmed for Nov. 23. So you should have no problem setting up stands and signs for that. Now if you are talking about individual instruments, it would be a death wish for Harmonix to put such a delay because I know there are some people set in their ways about wanting Drums+Game and thats it, but as estimates go now that would put the price at 135-145. (Game 60, Drums would make up the rest.)

I guess since you are running the business you would want to try and have people upgrade to the Special Edition (the whole bundle, 169+tax for next-gen systems) Now they may not have tons of mics, and drums available to buy separately but to have none for 2 1/2 months just seems almost inconceivable.

[Akaymay]

Dude...so awesome!! I thought Apples was just making some little web page or something. That's so much more righteous! Also, check it:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/Akaymay/1234123.jpg

Good ol' Eagle Eyes! But really, if I knew the card was going to be so crazy awesome, I would have made it SO much more awesome. Seriously, I like, worship the ground you guys walk on. You seriously have some fans here, dude. You may not know it, but you guys are really famous.

But anyway, really. Awesome.

[masterx1918]

wow I can't remember if I posted on that or not. I feel stupid if I didn't

[Xzyliac]

I missed the banner? Damn I feel like an ass. :(

I totally wanted to contribute but because my PSP browser is so limited I tried to wait until I got to a PC. Coincidentally I did today.

Well to those who actually did: I salute you!

And of course to Harmonix: I worship you!

[travmeatwad]

I really wanted to be a part of the banner.. The thread was locked before I could post, though.

[Apples]

Dude...so awesome!! I thought Apples was just making some little web page or something. That's so much more righteous! Also, check it:


Good ol' Eagle Eyes! But really, if I knew the card was going to be so crazy awesome, I would have made it SO much more awesome. Seriously, I like, worship the ground you guys walk on. You seriously have some fans here, dude. You may not know it, but you guys are really famous.

But anyway, really. Awesome.

Wow... it really is you in that picture. I had to go back to the super zoomed in photos I took to see that. Good ol' Eagle Eyes indeed sir. Well met.





I missed the banner? Damn I feel like an ass. :(

I totally wanted to contribute but because my PSP browser is so limited I tried to wait until I got to a PC. Coincidentally I did today.

Well to those who actually did: I salute you!

And of course to Harmonix: I worship you!

Don't worry, you can start thinking of your comment for Rock Band 2. I plan to construct a life-like model of HMX_Sean out of popsicle sticks with fan comments printed on each stick. Think up the best comment and you may find your comment posted to the coveted "sinister mustache" position. :) :p ;)

[SmokaCola]

360. I think it shows up tomorrow. If I am mysteriously absent from work on Thursday you will know why.

I would have installed it on my PC but it is mad unstable and a little out of date. I also have a Macbook Pro with Boot Camp but it is a little awkward for that sort of a game.

I have it for the PC man and let me tell you, well worth the cash. I've been playing on the beta for quite a while now and what they did with graphics and characters is just amazing. They seemed to fit every class perfect with a certain accent. The only thing they don't have that I liked a lot in TFC is grenades, hopefully they'll add those back in with patches.

Oh and if you play heavy make sure you have a medic close by so he can use his uber charge on you :p

[sa_nick]

Nice work Apples, banner looks awesome!

I never got around to adding anything to it, no matter how hard i tired i was unable to word my emotions for the game and its many developers.

[Xzyliac]

Nice work Apples, banner looks awesome!

I never got around to adding anything to it, no matter how hard i tired i was unable to word my emotions for the game and its many developers.

Nick being serious? Say it ain't so Nick! Where's that satirical tone of yours?

[Apples]

I have it for the PC man and let me tell you, well worth the cash. I've been playing on the beta for quite a while now and what they did with graphics and characters is just amazing. They seemed to fit every class perfect with a certain accent. The only thing they don't have that I liked a lot in TFC is grenades, hopefully they'll add those back in with patches.

Oh and if you play heavy make sure you have a medic close by so he can use his uber charge on you :p

I hate to break it to you, but if you read the developer commentary, they mention grenades being specifically taken out as part of the overall design. By their reasoning, it lead to a lot of "spam fests", stalemates, and choke point situations. All of that was providing too much of an advantage to defenders for the objective-based missions.

I can't say I disagree with that logic having played TF and TFC... although some classes seem like they could use a bit more "oomph" offensively.

[Eman311]

Yea i bought two worlds used today, shouldve totally waited for to get the orange box tomorrow. That was quite silly.

Anyways, Nice work apples. I am extremely impressed with your work.

[Apples]

I have some comments and PMs from folks looking to see how their specific name turned out on the banner. Here are some high-res photos I grabbed. Those who participated can have some fun searching for themselves... a vertiable Where's Waldo personalized just for you! And if you're up for a real challenge, try to find the person that cheated and got his name/avatar on the card twice. Shame on them!



Meaty Close Ups of the whole banner:

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/3.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/4.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/5.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/6.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/7.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/9.jpg



Close up on the album pics: http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/8.jpg

Scorehero section: http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/11.jpg

Side View: http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/2.jpg

Attached Letter: http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/10.jpg

Constructing the banner: http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/1.jpg

Generally those who posted first (rockband forums) are on the left side of the card. The scorehero posters are generally on the far right.

I tried to lay out the card in such a way that there wouldn't be a "bad" spot. Everyone's entry is right next to a cool picture or the row of albums, etc.

[Desensitized]

I really wanted to be a part of the banner.. The thread was locked before I could post, though.
Same here.

Good job though. Looks great! :)

[crunchyoverseas]

I missed the banner? Damn I feel like an ass. :(

I totally wanted to contribute but because my PSP browser is so limited I tried to wait until I got to a PC. Coincidentally I did today.

Well to those who actually did: I salute you!

And of course to Harmonix: I worship you!

What? Xzyliac didn't get in on the banner? What a noob...:p

[Eman311]

I have some comments and PMs from folks looking to see how their specific name turned out on the banner. Here are some high-res photos I grabbed. Those who participated can have some fun searching for themselves... a vertiable Where's Waldo personalized just for you! And if you're up for a real challenge, try to find the person that cheated and got his name/avatar on the card twice. Shame on them!



Meaty Close Ups of the whole banner:

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/3.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/4.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/5.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/6.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/7.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/9.jpg



Close up on the album pics: http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/8.jpg

Scorehero section: http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/11.jpg

Side View: http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/2.jpg

Attached Letter: http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/10.jpg

Constructing the banner: http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/1.jpg

ahh there i am in all my 311-loving glory

[ThePaska]

Ooh thanks for posting that Apples, I found myself after a long search I realized I'm actually right at the bottom of the first column. The banner came out so great.

[SmokaCola]

I hate to break it to you, but if you read the developer commentary, they mention grenades being specifically taken out as part of the overall design. By their reasoning, it lead to a lot of "spam fests", stalemates, and choke point situations. All of that was providing too much of an advantage to defenders for the objective-based missions.

I can't say I disagree with that logic having played TF and TFC... although some classes seem like they could use a bit more "oomph" offensively.

That kinda blows, never seemed to be a problem in the earlier games =\. Ah well, it's fine as it is anyways, they keep adding in little extras here and there and it's really nice. You guys will definitely enjoy the game if you don't have your hands on the beta atm.

[PsycoCheerio]

I'm hoping there is a way down the line to add in PC vs X360...I'm not at all sure how that all works but it would be nice since none of my friends actually have a PC good enough to run any newer games, but they all got 360's...

[Oxyplox]

Awesome, I'm one of the first on the left.
It came out verreh nice~ :)

[xfMike]

Very nice work Apples. I am glad to have had my comment make the banner:

Hi-Res Pic 4 of Project Awesome Banner (http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/4.jpg)

I am the second to last one, lol. :P

Very nice turn out though, and I am happy to hear you guys at HMX enjoy it just as much as we did when we helped contribute to it. :D

[RkBndDrmr]

Awesome work Apples.

Now they just need a little work done by Cambridge Framery and find a big wall in the office.

[mobhit101]

daaaaaaaaaaamn, that banner turned out looking bad ass! Nice work there Apples! Must see pics!


And thanks again to all you guys at Harmonix! You're almost there!

[Coldplayer]

Whow!! This banner! Are those our posts from the "Thank you HMX" thread!??? Is this my sig I see there? :eek:
Maybe not.... but still awesome! :D

Could you put some more pics of this banner online Sean? I can't read anything on it from this perspective! :P

[Terranova]

Don't worry, you can start thinking of your comment for Rock Band 2. I plan to construct a life-like model of HMX_Sean out of popsicle sticks with fan comments printed on each stick. Think up the best comment and you may find your comment posted to the coveted "sinister mustache" position. :) :p ;)

lol Sean made out of popsicle sticks now that would be a sight to see. :D

[miketoast]

Hot sauce paperweights FTMFW!!!!!!!!


Great work Apps, it came out awesum!!!!!

[FrankieB]

Hey Sean, I am real glad you guys liked that banner. We all love you guys and can't wait for Rock Band!

Btw, I am the one with the Adonis holding the X-plorer on the banner :D

[Apples]

Whow!! This banner! Are those our posts from the "Thank you HMX" thread!??? Is this my sig I see there? :eek:
Maybe not.... but still awesome! :D

Could you put some more pics of this banner online Sean? I can't read anything on it from this perspective! :P

Yes, those are really your comments from last week's Thank You thread. That means if you posted in it, your own post, forum avatar, and name are adorned somewhere in Harmonix HQ for all time (or until a goat shows up and eats the banner)



Here's the closeups so you can find yourself on the banner:


http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/3.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/4.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/5.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/6.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/7.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/9.jpg

[HMXJohnlok]

Yeah it is a pretty awesome piece of work. The Rock Band plaque was amazing.

PS - My mid-torso sure is lookin' hawt in that photo.

[IbanezBassist_v2]

Sweet! I'm in pic # 5! Heh!

[masterx1918]

did you know that you put the wrong soundgarden artwork? blach hole sun's on superunknown not badmotorfinger

[Apples]

did you know that you put the wrong soundgarden artwork? blach hole sun's on superunknown not badmotorfinger

Yes. As I mentioned in the blog, some of the album art I took a little creative liberty with.

For example, certain color patterns didn't look good on the laser printer, so I avoided albums with those colors.

Other times, the album art was blank or un-interesting, so I grabbed a more interesting looking cover. It might not have been as accurate, but seeing as it was a poster it was more for looks.

There's also a certain element of "I don't know beans about albums/music, I'll just take the one that looks pretty" :D (pretty sure that was the case with Soundgarden)


Good eye to catch that. :)

[Coldplayer]

Yes, those are really your comments from last week's Thank You thread. That means if you posted in it, your own post, forum avatar, and name are adorned somewhere in Harmonix HQ for all time (or until a goat shows up and eats the banner)



Here's the closeups so you can find yourself on the banner:


http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/3.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/4.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/5.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/6.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/7.jpg

http://72.198.210.201:81/RB/9.jpg

Thanks, Apples. This is really awesome work!!

I found my post on the 5th pic. :)

[sushi111]

I got to give you guys props from scorehero and here!

Oh sushi, you troublemaker

So you guys mentally delete one of the thank y... oh hell you deserve two:D

[Smidget]

crap! The forums weren't working for me for a long while and I missed out on an awesome banner!? :( :( maaan.

[TheWolf619]

Yea, I missed it too. :(

[bounchfx]

wow - the banner looks awesome. Great job dude.

and Orange box is the ****. beat portal twice now, once on pc, once on 360. Bought it for PC but I kinda want it for 360 now too to play TF2 with some of my friends online.. I will probably rent it and buy it eventually just to have it on 360 anyway, but damn I am missing out on some fun with my console friends.. I don't know too many other pc gamers.

Portal was so freaking awesome too - every game on there is goty quality. and I wouldn't be surprised if TF2 wins multiplayer game of the year (it deserves it by far... well.. that and rock band ;)), and portal winning puzzle game of the year. I see it happening.