Harmonix makes better DLC choices

[RockBandRocker]

Recently, Harmonix's DLC choices have been getting called into question.

Well, I have something to say.

Harmonix knows what works for their game.

Yesterday, Coldplay's new album Viva La Vida dropped. It has been rumored on the internet that the band's next single "Violet Hill" would be debuting on GH. The acquisition of this "big band" (and others) has had people (on this forum and others) talking up Activision/Neversoft's DLC and talking down Harmonix's.

What I have to say is, take a listen to "Violet Hill". There is very little guitar work in that song. There is a small riff, but it isn't constant. There is a solo about halfway through the song, but it is short. It IS NOT a good guitar track. However, it IS a good band track.

Now compare this to "Girls Who Play Guitars", "Bullets & Guns", "Moving To Seattle" and "A Clear Shot". At least the songs Harmonix chooses have rather constant guitar work and keep the guitarist doing something.


I'm not complaining about the complainers or saying Activision/Neversoft sucks and Harmonix is better. All I'm asking is for people to actually listen to a song, before denouncing it as bad or proclaiming it as good or going so far as to say that Rock Band sucks compared to GH. Those comments don't help anybody.

Every week here we have complaints running rampant from Friday afternoon to Tuesday morning, at which time there are some people who find themselves needing to find some dipping sauce for the crow they are eating. I myself have done this on at least one occasion (the SXSW pack).

In short, we need to have faith in what Harmonix is doing. If we don't get a "big band" for a DLC week, we can at least take comfort in the knowledge that the song will be FUN. And FUN is what matters in this game.

Rock on everyone. :)

[Samuel346]

I understand what you're saying. It is true that most the choices, while they are misunderstood from a forum-goers point of view, are usually interesting/fun songs.


I think the issue lies in the simple fact that people don't necessarily care if it's fun or interesting.



If you hear a song and you want to play it(I have many many many songs in my collection that would fit this) then you don't care if it's complex or not.

[RockBandRocker]

If you hear a song and you want to play it(I have many many many songs in my collection that would fit this) then you don't care if it's complex or not.

I see this as most people's point of view.

The complaining seems to come from a place where just because your favorite song isn't released, then the other songs must be terrible. It almost seems as if people are being stubborn. Almost like trying to get a young kid to eat their vegetables.

I mean, there are many artists I would like to see in the game, but I have accepted the fact that most of my favorite songs will never work.

I like Sarah Brightman, but I know that her new song "Fleurs Du Mal" would never work, even though it uses beautiful guitar and drum work. Just like Celine Dion's version of "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" would never work for the game.

I sometimes think that realistic thought doesn't come into play as much as it should.

[FiveSecondFuse]

I see this as most people's point of view.

The complaining seems to come from a place where just because your favorite song isn't released, then the other songs must be terrible. It almost seems as if people are being stubborn. Almost like trying to get a young kid to eat their vegetables.

I mean, there are many artists I would like to see in the game, but I have accepted the fact that most of my favorite songs will never work.

I like Sarah Brightman, but I know that her new song "Fleurs Du Mal" would never work, even though it uses beautiful guitar and drum work. Just like Celine Dion's version of "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" would never work for the game.

I sometimes think that realistic thought doesn't come into play as much as it should.

Your POV is excellent, and I have to agree with you. I don't think the majority of people on this board are in the HMX hate squad, nit-picking all the DLC choices. It's just a rotten piece of bread can ruin the whole loaf. And that's what all of the "OMG HMX SUX AT CHOOSING DLC" topics are, propoganda from the hate squad, or then again Activision could be having people make those topics. :rolleyes:

[Sveppi]

I completely agree with the OP :)

[needLEEr]

Ugh, if you think Coldplay is suitable for Rock Band, then...


/sigh No, just no.

Also, every week where we have obscure songs, someone always rants and then bashes those songs for that week. Seriously, it's old. They won a contest, they got the rights to be in Rock Band. Don't like the song? Don't buy it and stop complaining every 5 minutes.

I have all DLC and don't regret it. I look at it as new levels for a video game. So why not? You waste all your time making threads about DLC complaints when you could be using the "Request Song" feature, it's worked in the past.

[Sveppi]

Ugh, if you think Coldplay is suitable for Rock Band, then...


/sigh No, just no.


He didn't really specify Coldplay, just the song, it was a good example. The type of song that Violet Hill is works better within the confines of Rock Band than Guitar Hero.

[Psycho77]

At I know who coldplay is and the kind of music. I dont know any of the obscure and really not interesting bands HMX is trying to sell us to make some friends money. I have no interest in them, I do listen all the youtube every week, the 95% are sub-par song that will never be popular.

[Bosco32]

I actually thought this was going to be a thread about HMX producing more fun DLC when they pick the song. I thought this week was a good example of what happens when they have an obligation to fufill, and the guitar parts are just not as interesting as what they usually offer.

[Bosco32]

At I know who coldplay is and the kind of music. I dont know any of the obscure and really not interesting bands HMX is trying to sell us to make some friends money. I have no interest in them, I do listen all the youtube every week, the 95% are sub-par song that will never be popular.

Wait, 95% of DLC are sub-par songs that will never be popular? That's ridiculous. The "obscure" have made up a tiny fraction of DLC to this point.

[Legion37]

I actually thought this was going to be a thread about HMX producing more fun DLC when they pick the song. I thought this week was a good example of what happens when they have an obligation to fufill, and the guitar parts are just not as interesting as what they usually offer.

What I noticed with these songs (the pack ones) is that the guitar is sorta bland (one is a catchy tune) but it seemed like HMX charted them to make them harder like going from green/yellow cord to yellow/orange cord in constant strumming. Not saying that what they shouldnt do...but I didnt hear such a drastic sound change.

Then again I dont play real guitar so I guess I wouldnt know lmfao

[Gryffindor]

Actually, there's more than a few songs already released that really aren't suited for RB. Pretty much all of the NIN and Freezepop songs are synth coded as guitar. I still remember the uproar of Boston's "Smokin" having the keyboard solo coded as guitar.

There are many, many bands that I would love to have DLC from that I personally understand won't necessarily work for RB.

For example, I would love to have Evanesence as DLC but because a lot of the songs are piano intense it could pose problems.

I'm still crossing my fingers for some spectacular DLC to arrive soon. It's rare for me not to download at least one song a week. It's been 2 weeks now since I've purchased anything. I'm going through DLC withdrawls! (Perhaps that's why everyone is so grumpy?):D

[chillzatl]

why waste time trying to apply logic to why a small group of people with limited musical IQ's choose to ***** week after week because they're not getting exactly what they want? It's pointless. Those people don't represent the majority. This game has sold well over 3 million copies and you get maybe a couple of hundred people at any given time *****ing about what is being released. They're insignificant in the greater scheme of things. Most people understand the concept of variety, they like the fact that there is something new available every week and they are mature enough to accept that every week isn't their week without having to complain about it like children. Harmonix doesn't need us to make excuses for them to appease a minority that just wants to complain anyway.

[Krakenheds]

I like to look at the complaining a different way, people complaining means that there are still lots of people who are very passionate about the game and just want their favorite band/song. I think it will be a sad day when we see no one complaining because no one cares about the game any more.

[Sayburr]

why waste time trying to apply logic to why a small group of people with limited musical IQ's choose to ***** week after week because they're not getting exactly what they want? Let me tell you, until these trust fund babies with their croquet mallets and fuzzy taste in music finally release Fozzy in Rock Band, I am going to get people together to restage the Boston Tea Party so they no longer have Earl Grey to calm their nerves. Mark this as HMX’s warning of the pain that is to come!

[xshrpshtr]

As a fan of rockband who has very little musical talent, yet has a blast playing with friends and family AND have gone to the local bar to perform...I feel I am in the FAR majority of rockband owners. I am quite aware of the many persons who are VERY into thier music and some who live it. You do realise you are in the minority. In referring to the DLC question of "weird/obscure" songs. These complaints are legit IMO. I am very new to this site and have No idea of the history and arguements made from iether side. I am also aware the DLC team has ZERO chance of making everyone happy. That being said. The DLC team IMO, had better figure out what the vast majority of rockband owners want. GH4 IS coming and WILL be a direct challenge. I have some breaking news for the DLC team. Weird/obscure songs is NOT what the masses desire. We grew up, had families, work hard and don't have the time to make music our lives anymore. We DO however listen to the radio at work or while driving and DO want to sing/play to our favorite songs we hear every day on the radio. There are some great albums out there not played on the radio much or ever but Jesus Christ. No Nickelback? Seether? Linkin Park, Saliva? Evanessence etc... Some hate the "popular" type of current rock out there but it IS popular. It IS what the masses are listening to. THIS IS REALITY! I wonder if GH4 figured this out? Hmmmm.

[espher]

In all honesty, if Activision has figured out that the way to success is to go with Nickelback, Seether, Linkin Park, Saliva, and so forth, I will most definitely be passing on Guitar Hero: World Tour (I'm currently "on the fence").

I can count the number of songs I like from each band on one finger, and knowing which of their songs are popular, I highly doubt those will be the ones Activision would pick...

... but they might be the ones Harmonix would pick. :)

[chillzatl]

Let me tell you, until these trust fund babies with their croquet mallets and fuzzy taste in music finally release Fozzy in Rock Band, I am going to get people together to restage the Boston Tea Party so they no longer have Earl Grey to calm their nerves. Mark this as HMX’s warning of the pain that is to come!

haha, well you can get away with that Sayburr, but nobody else!:D

[chillzatl]

There are some great albums out there not played on the radio much or ever but Jesus Christ. No Nickelback? Seether? Linkin Park, Saliva? Evanessence etc... Some hate the "popular" type of current rock out there but it IS popular. It IS what the masses are listening to. THIS IS REALITY! I wonder if GH4 figured this out? Hmmmm.

Most of the radio content out there is "here today, gone tomorrow". By the time they crank out a DLC 3 pack of one of these bands the radio station will be pushing five other bands that sound just like them, while the first band just isn't cool anymore. That's why chasing radio hits is self defeating.

I would much rather see them focus on bands that have stood the test of time, with new music, indie bands and the like mixed in for fariety. You know, pretty much exactly the way they've been doing it!

[Xiertic]

why waste time trying to apply logic to why a small group of people with limited musical IQ's choose to ***** week after week because they're not getting exactly what they want? It's pointless. Those people don't represent the majority. This game has sold well over 3 million copies and you get maybe a couple of hundred people at any given time *****ing about what is being released. They're insignificant in the greater scheme of things. Most people understand the concept of variety, they like the fact that there is something new available every week and they are mature enough to accept that every week isn't their week without having to complain about it like children. Harmonix doesn't need us to make excuses for them to appease a minority that just wants to complain anyway.

Thanks for saving me the trouble of having to write all that myself. :p

[xshrpshtr]

You are kidding me right? Nickelback a one hit wonder? Here today gone tomorrow? Are you still high from the 60s? I realise not everyone likes the same music and the arguement is subjective. To say these bands are not popular and have staying power is iether ignorant or just stupid. The popularity and currentness of a given band is VERY easily confirmed. I defy you to prove any of these bands are not "popular" or "current." We all want our favorite bands on RB but to ignore reality is not wise business practice. RB may very well find that out now that they don't have the lock on the market. Good/current/popular bands sell. PERIOD! There is no arguement to make on that point. I wish all of your favs were in there too but no one has enough hard drive space for everyones favs. I like RB. I hope they pull thier heads out. If not? Buying GH4 will happen so fast it will be a blur.
Most of the radio content out there is "here today, gone tomorrow". By the time they crank out a DLC 3 pack of one of these bands the radio station will be pushing five other bands that sound just like them, while the first band just isn't cool anymore. That's why chasing radio hits is self defeating.

I would much rather see them focus on bands that have stood the test of time, with new music, indie bands and the like mixed in for fariety. You know, pretty much exactly the way they've been doing it!

[Rock_Starman]

It's hard to compare when there's RB DLC every week and GH 3 once a month. Can really only compare the weeks they both put it out. Motorhead is better than all 4 bands combined on RB this week. GH 3 is going to have that UK pack tomorrow wich isn't that great and RB can certianly do better but for now 1-0 GH. Of course 2/3 charts suck so I didn't buy that either.

[Runa216]

Well, popular but boring sells....look at 30 seconds to mars and the all american rejects....the songs aren't bad, but they're nothing compared to rush, judas priest, and Boston.

Hell, I love disturbed, but found their songs on this game to be bleh....but look how well they sold. it's about popularity, modern stuff, not tried and true quality.

it's a shame, but it's the truth.

[Drama 313]

I could carealess about how fun a song is or what it looks like on the chart,i buy DLC because i like the song and like hearing it,thats why i only buy stuff i know and like,the "fun factor" or charts dont matter to me,the song is automatically fun if you like it and know it.

[Samuel346]

I see this as most people's point of view.

The complaining seems to come from a place where just because your favorite song isn't released, then the other songs must be terrible. It almost seems as if people are being stubborn. Almost like trying to get a young kid to eat their vegetables.

I mean, there are many artists I would like to see in the game, but I have accepted the fact that most of my favorite songs will never work.

I like Sarah Brightman, but I know that her new song "Fleurs Du Mal" would never work, even though it uses beautiful guitar and drum work. Just like Celine Dion's version of "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" would never work for the game.

I sometimes think that realistic thought doesn't come into play as much as it should.

Like I said, I don't think it matters to people.

Look at Drama313's post above me, because that's pretty much the standard. If you look at the Statosphere, besides the Metallica pack- most of the highest selling songs are not difficult, just well known.


It's not about difficulty or "fun factor" to most people.


The DLC complaining gets stupid, I'll agree, but it does on both ends.


People whom have 5 favorite bands in this game tend to tell people who don't have any favorite bands that they should "deal with it".

You'll often find on these boards, that most people that try to combat the complaining have at least one favorite band in this game while the people who complain about it have none.

So effectively, the issue stands from two types of selfishness.

1) The idea that I should get what I want and no one else should.(VERY POPULAR ON HERE)

and

2) The idea that I am owed something because someone else got it.


And I'm not sure that any post, at any length, with or without logic- will stop people on these forums from being who they are.

[tflash9]

I could carealess about how fun a song is or what it looks like on the chart,i buy DLC because i like the song and like hearing it,thats why i only buy stuff i know and like,the "fun factor" or charts dont matter to me,the song is automatically fun if you like it and know it.

Well said Drama. Fanboys suck.

[Coldplayer]

All I can say is I NEED VIOLET HILL IN ROCKBAND!!

Awesome song, would be awesome in Rockband and the new Coldplay album is fantastic!

[RockBandRocker]

People whom have 5 favorite bands in this game tend to tell people who don't have any favorite bands that they should "deal with it".

You'll often find on these boards, that most people that try to combat the complaining have at least one favorite band in this game while the people who complain about it have none.

So effectively, the issue stands from two types of selfishness.

1) The idea that I should get what I want and no one else should.(VERY POPULAR ON HERE)

and

2) The idea that I am owed something because someone else got it.




I understand that. I just think that people need to realize that their "favorite" artist, band, or song might not work for the game. I have a lot of favorite Rush songs, but I understand that they might not work because they are synth heavy. I guess I just understand the waiting game (because that is what we are all playing in the end every week/month).



All I can say is I NEED VIOLET HILL IN ROCKBAND!!

Awesome song, would be awesome in Rockband and the new Coldplay album is fantastic!

I would like some Coldplay songs, but the ones I like are piano heavy, so I feel that they wouldn't work for the game. I accept that.

I would never say anything bad about Coldplay (unless I was comparing them to U2) :p

[DavesterBrrr]

I could carealess about how fun a song is or what it looks like on the chart,i buy DLC because i like the song and like hearing it,thats why i only buy stuff i know and like,the "fun factor" or charts dont matter to me,the song is automatically fun if you like it and know it.

I don't agree.. charts are important to a songs fun factor. I really like the Clash and I was excited about "Train in Vain"... I bought the song without even checking the charts.. I played it once (I fc'd it) and I've never played it again.. i though the chart was boring and repetitive even though it was a song I really liked. Liking a song will definately help make a song more fun and enjoyable, but don't rule out the importance of the charting.

I'm sure HMX could take your favourite song and make the charts so rediculous that you wouldn't enjoy playing it if they wanted.

[an1m051ty]

I don't agree.. charts are important to a songs fun factor. I really like the Clash and I was excited about "Train in Vain"... I bought the song without even checking the charts.. I played it once (I fc'd it) and I've never played it again.. i though the chart was boring and repetitive even though it was a song I really liked. Liking a song will definately help make a song more fun and enjoyable, but don't rule out the importance of the charting.

I'm sure HMX could take your favourite song and make the charts so rediculous that you wouldn't enjoy playing it if they wanted.

I agree with you as well (which means I partly agree with Drama). Knowing and liking the song is the most important, but it isn't the end-all, be-all. I check every song out on Youtube if I don't recognize it by name and I've honestly been introduced to new music because of Rock Band. But there are bands I would buy regardless (Metallica, Nightwish, Pantera, In Flames, Alice in Chains, Rolling Stones, Motley Crue, just to name a few)

Similarly I've avoided things I liked because of how the charts looked. People bashed these songs this week but I found Girls Who Play Guitars to be the least exciting, and liked the rest enough to buy. However, after checking the charts I only wound up with Moving to Seattle. All of them looked pretty close to each other anyway; most boring. So I guess it has to be an even amount of fun-to-play and recognizability.

[weisguy119]

Harmonix may know what works for their game but I know what works for mine. I'm not downloading any more DLC unless it absolutely blows my mind.

[adamlathrom]

I like to look at the complaining a different way, people complaining means that there are still lots of people who are very passionate about the game and just want their favorite band/song. I think it will be a sad day when we see no one complaining because no one cares about the game any more.

That is a very good point. I play a crap load of Rock Band/GH3/Halo 3. I would say 70% of people online are jerks and don't give a crap about people. There are gonna be the people that whine and cry about things, hell I did it a couple of days ago when I was hammered and ran into the "60 day warranty" thread. I apologized, but hey, I really love this game. Have almost every DLC except a few. When people stop complaining, means Harmonix stops listening. Trust me, they are listening. I won't ***** about DLC. DLC every week is GOLDEN!!!!

Are people getting restless in no updates??? Prolly, but hey, you don't buy Halo 3 (bad example, Bungie constantly updates), but MLB 2k8 is a good example, you don't buy that and then expect them to give you a new mode of play do you? Online BWT would be sweet, but why complain week in and week out about them not "Patching" the game.

Alright, I'm done ranting! LOL

[nreality]

if they ever release any coldplay in rockband, i sure hope it's "yellow"

[killerewok]

Harmonix may know what works for their game but I know what works for mine. I'm not downloading any more DLC unless it absolutely blows my mind.

The best part is... no one is asking you to.

That's the whole point. Does everyone with an iPod run out and buy all the new tracks on iTunes every week? No. Every week, do a number of a-holes gripe and groan because what they wanted was not released? No... well maybe, I don't know.

Rock Band is a music platform, just like iTunes. One day, this forum will figure that out. GH is a game, and they pump out some "popular" (and not so much) DLC every few weeks or so to drum up a few bucks. Rock Band is constantly adding music to it's LIBRARY of songs, so that everyone can pick and choose to their taste. If your favorites aren't represented yet, just wait. They only release so many tracks a week, for pete's sake.

By the time GHIV is released, there will be about 300 (more or less) songs in the Rock Band library.

Thats almost 6 games worth of songs. Think about that for a moment. In stead of releaseing 1 or 2 games a year like GH, we're getting 6 a year!

[RockBandRocker]

The best part is... no one is asking you to.

That's the whole point. Does everyone with an iPod run out and buy all the new tracks on iTunes every week? No. Every week, do a number of a-holes gripe and groan because what they wanted was not released? No... well maybe, I don't know.

Rock Band is a music platform, just like iTunes. One day, this forum will figure that out. GH is a game, and they pump out some "popular" (and not so much) DLC every few weeks or so to drum up a few bucks. Rock Band is constantly adding music to it's LIBRARY of songs, so that everyone can pick and choose to their taste. If your favorites aren't represented yet, just wait. They only release so many tracks a week, for pete's sake.

By the time GHIV is released, there will be about 300 (more or less) songs in the Rock Band library.

Thats almost 6 games worth of songs. Think about that for a moment. In stead of releaseing 1 or 2 games a year like GH, we're getting 6 a year!

This (^) is why I made this thread.

I wanted to get people talking and thinking about the DLC.

Had nobody wondered why they added the music store? :confused: The point of that patch was to allow you to purchase your songs through the game. Harmonix has made a video game a viable source for muic sales.

This what what the "grail" bands need to see. If U2, Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc. are all willing to let a digital music source like iTunes sell their music, then Rock Band is an opportunity for them to "sell" even more.

[ewave14]

Buy it if you want it, shutup if you dont like it. Theres always next week, and week after next. Your not waiting 5 months for new songs.

[jeccaneko]

If you hear a song and you want to play it(I have many many many songs in my collection that would fit this) then you don't care if it's complex or not.

Agreed. I bought Train in Vain and on expert guitar it's as complicated as a normal lower tiered song on medium (except with orange notes). But I don't care because I like the song.

[RockBandRocker]

I have been following the RB DLC (not being able to play it since my 360 is dead). I have seen the charts for the DLC and in my opinion it ALL looks fun. When I get my console back from MS, I plan on going on a DLC spree.

I guess that not being able to play the game has given me an appreciation that I really didn't have before. Maybe people need to take a break from the game. :)