Solutions to lack of online/solo BWT...

[HeXcoda]

Okay, let's try to figure out how to do this.

For those of us who are adults and have real life to deal with and cannot get people to play our wacky music game for the many, many hours needed to experience BWT, how can we use the part of the game we paid for but have no access to?

1. Singtar hack. Sing + Guitar. Get a mike stand or a USB headset from an earlier Karaoke Revolution game and be two people at once.

PROS: It'll work. You're tricking the game into thinking two people are in the room at once.
CONS: Hard as hell. You have to be able to play two instruments at once, basically, and lyrics rarely match up to the beat of whatever you're drumming or strumming. Not many people are gonna be capable of doing this without lowering difficulty... assuming you CAN play on BWT in Easy Mode without crippling the game. (Remember, GH2 couldn't unlock anything and couldn't go to the last tier in easy mode.)
OVERALL: Well.. it's A solution. Not a very good one, though.

2. Tape recorder hack. If the game allows it, lower every single volume meter except the official vocals, then record the game's output as an MP3. Play the file back when doing BWT. If that doesn't work, record your own singing while playing the game, and try for the best score you can manage.

PROS: It MIGHT work, especially if you can get the official vocals in there. That'd be pitch perfect.
CONS: You may not be a very good singer, frankly. Also, if you don't start the playback at exactly the right time, it won't sync up and you'll crash out pretty fast. The hardware involved is convoluted.
OVERALL: A lousy solution. It may be possible, but only with a lot of work and a lot of luck.

3. Conscript anybody you can into playing with you. Grab your mother, your cousin, your next door neighbor. Shove a mike in their hands. Beg them to stay for as many hours as you need to get through BWT and unlock everything.

PROS: It's what the game wants; fleshy, breathing people.
CONS: Those people probably don't wanna play the game. They'd rather go play Madden, or watch TV, or anything other than pretend to be rock stars. They're not going to be very good at the game, either, and chances are they won't want to stick around while you plow through a lengthy campaign.
OVERALL: Bad solution. You may get lucky and make a Rock Band addict, but unless you specifically have friends with lots of free time and lots of passion for the game, this isn't gonna work.

4. Cajoling a Harmonix employee until they remove the artificial restriction against one man bands via a patch.

PROS: Works out your tension and stress!
CONS: No amount of cajoling is going to make them code things any faster -- software development takes time and manpower and an online feature is no trivial matter. Removing the 2 player mandatory minimum is more plausible, but if they're gonna be elitists about this ("It's not the TRUE experience!") you can't cajole them otherwise.
OVERALL: Not likely to work.

5. Buy Guitar Hero 3 instead.

PROS: It's the same experience you'd get offline -- a tier grinding ladder climb. It's the same experience you'd get online -- quick and straightforward coop or competitive matches. Other than only having one instrument there's no difference whatsoever. It's also a hell of a lot cheaper.
CONS: No drums, no mike. Those are big plusses. Question is, are they enough of a plus to justify getting a game which has a third of its content unavailable to you..?
OVERALL: Your mileage may vary. How badly do you wanna sing and beat drums? That's going to define it, because you are not getting anything else out of the deal.

Myself, I'm gonna try 1-5 in order. Yeah. All of that sooner than skip the game. I am a hopeless fanboy, a coming back despite the black eye because at least I get a mink coat out of the deal.

Any other ideas? And "Get some friends" doesn't count, since the idea is to find a way to play the BWT mode without having access to frequently available and interested persons.

[holyground]

Suggesting violence, even in jest, shows a serious lack of judgement. Please edit your post: as a human being you should know better.

[HeXcoda]

Wasn't even that dark of a joke, sheesh -- but alright. Point stands, that harassing them to make the change is probably not going to work.

[LongDarkBlues]

Man, for an adult you're spending a lot of time this evening whining about this - what, in 5 threads now? I think we can empathize with your situation, but it's not the end of the world - if you need to start a campaign against something egregious, maybe try these:
http://www.savedarfur.org/
http://www.freetibet.org/

Or, maybe, you could just wait until the game comes out and see how the game actually works rather than act like there's some big conspiracy against people with no gamer friends. The BWT is, in fact, a multiplayer game - It's like you're buying a foosball table and then complaining that nobody will play it with you - it's designed for 2-4 people, not one. Except, unlike foosball, with Rock Band, you STILL get 3 solo games plus access to the money and stores and character designs etc.

You doth protest too much, methinks

[SmokaCola]

New comer fight!!!! JERRY JERRY!. Kidding.

[ThePaska]

In response to this and numerous other posts about the subject of lack of Online Band World Tour Mode. I have to say I think everyone is taking this a little too seriously/hard. It isn't the biggest deal. I know it is disappointing, but the game itself is still going to be amazing.

No one is more disappointed than the members of Harmonix (They put a lot of blood and sweat into this game), it's a shame they couldn't do it, but its not going to be a feature in the game, I think we are going to have to come to that understanding and move on.

[SmokaCola]

If I have blood or sweat on my $70 strat someone is order of an ass kicking.

[Magnet]

Whining or not, it's a legitimate topic to create. I still think this whole thing is overblown, but as long as these discussions are confined to only a couple topics then it will be fine.

In regards to the topic at hand, singing plus an instrument is the best way to get into BWT by yourself. Even if guitar and singing is too hard for someone, I can't imagine bass and singing being difficult for someone who knows the song. Also, I already noted in another topic that the difficulties are likely completely irrelevant in BWT since band members can come and go during the campaign. And if you're still convinced that Easy will kill everything BWT stands for, then put the vocals on Medium. As long as you can hum decently and memorize lyrics for a couple songs, you'll be fine. It's not like bass will be too distracting to play. And if it really is so difficult, put the bass down to Medium too. There's never been any content not available by Medium for any GH game. If someone can't handle Medium vocals and Medium bass, then I'm not sure they're really worthy of experiencing BWT by themselves anyway.

[LongDarkBlues]

That's a great response - bass and vox on Medium seems like it'd be a breeze on most songs.

There's plenty of other threads for this, though:
No Online Band World Tour = * (tear) (http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=5707)
harmonix, please change the world tour mode (http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=5714)
So, if you need 2 people for World Tour... (http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=5695)

[Edgehopper]

This is a solutions thread, and I'll throw in:

6: Rock Band meetups

Instead of "Band Wanted (XBox 360)" posts, start "Band Wanted (Brooklyn, NY)" posts including location, wanted time commitments, parts, and difficulty.

PROS: Gets you your fleshy folks to play BWT as the creators intended; make new friends; even more like trying to recruit people to fill in band slots in a real band.
CONS: Making sure you don't get mugged by the criminal element on the Rock Band boards, even 4 dedicated people will have trouble getting through the Endless Setlist without substitutions, not good for the terminally shy.

I kind of like this solution, and am seriously considering it.

[McDeezy]

Ill just get my sister to learn guitar. :D

[JackBNimble]

Hey just do what I'm gonna do and make your wife and kids play in your band.My kids have no choice ,its either play or pay thats their choices.Now if you don't have a wife or kids , well you can always go to the local school and snatch one .I'm sure if you gave them 5 or 10 dollars they'd be good with it, as long as you let them go when schools out.And if that dont work you can always post a friends wanted list at your local landrie matt on the bulletin board .Either way your still gonna have RB and your still gonna have plenty of options on or off line, so suck it up princess! HAHA {sorry I've been drinking again}

[Edgehopper]

Hey just do what I'm gonna do and make your wife and kids play in your band.My kids have no choice ,its either play or pay thats their choices.Now if you don't have a wife or kids , well you can always go to the local school and snatch one .I'm sure if you gave them 5 or 10 dollars they'd be good with it, as long as you let them go when schools out.And if that dont work you can always post a friends wanted list at your local landrie matt on the bulletin board .Either way your still gonna have RB and your still gonna have plenty of options on or off line, so suck it up princess! HAHA {sorry I've been drinking again}

"Hey, kids, want to come back to my place to play a video game? I'll give you 10 bucks! Wait, where did those police sirens come from?"

[JackBNimble]

"Hey, kids, want to come back to my place to play a video game? I'll give you 10 bucks! Wait, where did those police sirens come from?"

Hey I don't just have money I have LOADS of CANDY!!! HAHAHA:eek:

[RkBndDrmr]

Well I do have a wife that loves to play, as well as 3 kids that also love to play, so there will be no complaining from me.

Anyway..But yeah, singing and playing is a great solution. I play in a real band and umm...we have to play and sing without the aid of a note chart and lyric screen. Learn the song, it isn't really that hard to do. HMX wanted to give you a real band experience..now get back to the garage and play it again till you get it right :P

[Maggot_Brain]

All you need is one extra person for the BWT. You could grab a neighbor, the mailman, the milkman, Jehovah's Witnesses or others off the street! Do be careful about asking teenage girls over......

[Xzyliac]

XBConnect?

[AdamBomb629]

All you need is one extra person for the BWT. You could grab a neighbor, the mailman, the milkman, Jehovah's Witnesses or others off the street! Do be careful about asking teenage girls over......

Jehovah's Witnesses! HAHAHAHHA

[HeXcoda]

Actually, I was figuring this thread was my effort at being constructive rather than just whining. I'm still upset about this, since BWT was the part I was looking forward to most out of Rock Band -- it's what makes it more than GH3.5 -- and I want to find a way to play it effectively and with a minimum of hassle given my situation.

I don't care if you think I'm whining or not. At least I'm trying to get some plans together for how to approach the game...

XBConnect is an interesting possibility I hadn't considered. Since the game is so sharply timed I don't know if a VPN tunnelling system would work with it... I'll investigate more.

For a Singtar approach, bass does sound like the best way to go. It'll USUALLY keep a more solid rhytm and provided you can keep the pacing of two different tunes in your head at once (since many songs drag the singer's notes across many beats or start off-beat) you should do okay... with a lot of practice.

I considered meet-ups after I posted this and shut down for the night. This community and other RB message boards would be a great way to say "I live in X area, who wants to play?". There are the usual meeting-strangers-over-the-net problems, of course. Stock up on pepper spray. Also, this probably won't net you the multihour committment you need to pounding allt he way through BWT.

I'm wondering if my recording idea may be viable alongside some disc hacks... like the rippers that pull out the data for Frets On Fire, maybe someone could make a (legal, since you'd have to own the RB DVD!) program that yoinks the vocal tracks out of the game, MP3s them, and then you can play them back for perfect pitch? It's cheating but it'd work.

Any other ideas?

[toefer]

Any other ideas?

This may be a long shot, but I figure there are quite a number of people out there that may know of the game, but can't afford to buy it. Add to this a number of people who don't know about the game, but if they played it for a minute, they'd get hooked.

What I suggest, is finding a public place to set up shop, and just invite people to come play. You can check with a local game store, if they'll let you set up your game in the corner, and then people can walk in and join up. Take it to an after school program, or something like that, where I'm sure parents will be really happy that their kids are playing video games instead of reading a book or coloring.

Granted, the logistics of this can be challenging (like transporting/having access to a TV), but it can be a lot of fun, and you can make a lot of people happy.

[Xzyliac]

I think something similar to XBConnect, tailored for RB and GH, could happen if the demand and sales warranted it.

I'll contact XBC tech and see what they have to say about the whole thing.

[AdamBomb629]

I think something similar to XBConnect, tailored for RB and GH, could happen if the demand and sales warranted it.

I'll contact XBC tech and see what they have to say about the whole thing.

Sorry, what's XBConnect?

[Xzyliac]

Sorry, what's XBConnect?

It's a software program that let's you play LAN (local) 360, Xbox, and PSP games online through a PC.

For example Halo: Combat Evolved.

It makes the system think it's playing locally when it's actually online.

[SmokaCola]

Heres an idea, go outside and make real friends. And enough of those real friends that some of them actually want to play with you. Psh **** that, then they would just get annoying. I hate the sun.

[MotleyPriest111]

Xbox Connect..... God I remember that. I kicked some kid's ass at Tony Hawk 2x and I won. I felt really good about myself that day.

[Xzyliac]

Xbox Connect..... God I remember that. I kicked some kid's ass at Tony Hawk 2x and I won. I felt really good about myself that day.

THPS2. Classic.

[lithiumkc]

Personally i hooked all my friends on guitar hero, so... Got no problems with this =) GH2 spent more time lent out to friends than in my possession, seriously.

[McDeezy]

THPS2. Classic.

I just played that the other day and said "Man this was the last Tony Hawk game that I enjoyed" Proving ground, yeah right OK tony.

[Xzyliac]

I just played that the other day and said "Man this was the last Tony Hawk game that I enjoyed" Proving ground, yeah right OK tony.

The third was the last great one but Project 8 is in my top 3. THUG-THAW flopped big time. And Proving Grounds looks average.

skate. is beautiful.

[hardyfoster]

more possible voice recording solution.

1. record yourself singing (of course on easy or medium).

2. Use a voice activated playback system.

So, pick a moment when the recorder will start recording, say after the song info disappears or a certian sound is made or the sound of the guitar and fretboard appearing is over, whatever works for you. So, at that moment, it will start recording.

Then, when you want to play it back so you can play another instrument, at the moment you picked above for it to start recording, when it does it again, just say "go" or whatever works for you. Since the playback will start on voice activation, the synching issue will be easy.

And now that I think about it, you could probably record yourself in the computer and play it back through there. As there is a ton of software where you can tinker with the time of an audio or video playback.

[hardyfoster]

i still can't see why harmonix didn't make this available for 1 player. i may be missing something but i don't see it if i am.

[ThePaska]

i still can't see why harmonix didn't make this available for 1 player. i may be missing something but i don't see it if i am.

I think the point is that it promotes getting an actual band together. Single player is reserved for the single player career. It makes sense if you think about it, and up until recently they were determined to make it online, but obviously couldn't.

[Kaboobi]

I can't fathom why so many people don't have friends. It just makes no sense to me.

[SmokaCola]

It's a software program that let's you play LAN (local) 360, Xbox, and PSP games online through a PC.

For example Halo: Combat Evolved.

It makes the system think it's playing locally when it's actually online.

Is it any good? Like huge lag problems or does it run smoothly?

[toefer]

i still can't see why harmonix didn't make this available for 1 player. i may be missing something but i don't see it if i am.


I think the trick is to look at it differently. Instead of thinking of it as a mode that you can't play as single player, think of it as an AWESOME bonus mode, for when your friends come over. Putting it that way, it's like a cool extra feature.

[Xzyliac]

Is it any good? Like huge lag problems or does it run smoothly?

The majority of Halo matches I played ran just as smooth as XBL if not better. I recommend a PC on a landline over Wi-Fi.

It's a great XBL Gold alternative.

[SmokaCola]

The majority of Halo matches I played ran just as smooth as XBL if not better. I recommend a PC on a landline over Wi-Fi.

It's a great XBL Gold alternative.

Hmmm... Does it HAVE to have system link? Or could you play co-op too?

[Xzyliac]

Hmmm... Does it HAVE to have system link? Or could you play co-op too?

I am almost sure it's both but I won't swear to it. I'm pretty sure.

[SmokaCola]

I am almost sure it's both but I won't swear to it. I'm pretty sure.


Ah cool, definitely going to check this out then. I just hope it isn't hard to get running.

[HeXcoda]

I can't fathom why so many people don't have friends. It just makes no sense to me.

This has been explained X dozens of times, but...

You're 21. Wait ten years until you have a 9-to-5 career and your college / high school buddies have moved away and the only gamer friends you have live 30 minutes away and can't gather frequently and for long hours at a stretch, THEN try to get the most out of BWT. It's not realistic.

The only reason they made BWT solo was to encourage that "real band feel", but that only works in an ideal world, which we don't live in... plenty of people are not going to be able to get their friends over often enough and for long enough to really explore this mode. I'm hoping they patch it to remove the 2 player restriction. Yes, it's not as good, but it's better than having nothing.

Now, back to some productive problem solving.

As for XBL connect type stuff, that sounds viable, but only if it's non-system-link based -- it has to mimic controllers on the same machine. That's a whole other ball of wax than something which already had a network layer attached. I'll do some research and see what I can come up with.

[stiper327b]

I can't fathom why so many people don't have friends. It just makes no sense to me.

It's not about having friends, it's about having friends that have time to do this as much as I want to do it. I'm in a weird age bracket right now where all of my friends just had their first kids. And my other friends are no more than six months newly employed at jobs which require massive amounts of overtime. I want them to play this game with me, but I'm not going to sit here and say that BWT is more important than their 6 month old, or that they should skip out on their job and come play with me.

I'll get them together for short pockets of time, and those times will be great. But I'll tell you right now that the Endless Set List is out of question, and it's rather likely that experiencing the later game stuff, such as the big arenas and the world tours, are in serious jeopardy.

If I were in highschool or college, or hell, if it were three years later and my friends' kids were a little more grown up, or their jobs were a little more secure, this would be a great thing. But as it is, right now, it's going to pose a problem.

And I do honestly understand HMX wanting to get the focus on multiplayer, but to do that at the expense of those who won't be able to fully experience that seems to conflict with how amazingly awesome this company, its vision, and their employees really are.

But at the end of the day, it's not a big deal I suppose. I'll be able to experience playing all of the songs on all of the difficulties, and I'll be able to create my character and unlock all the bonuses, but it just seems like I'll always be wondering if I'm missing something that would make the experience all the more awesome.

[king23]

What!!!! No online BWT?

[pntbllrspdr]

So can you play the BWT with only 2 or 3 people?

[ThePaska]

So can you play the BWT with only 2 or 3 people?

You can play BWT with 2-4 people.

[pntbllrspdr]

Ahhh, that's good news. I'm sure I'll be able to get my dad or sister to play with me lol

[espher]

Hey, you can't afford to get together for a few hours at a time, and I can't afford a wide-screen TV and a good surround sound system.

We're both not going to get maximum enjoyment out of the game at all times. :)

[Doshin]

But at the end of the day, it's not a big deal I suppose. I'll be able to experience playing all of the songs on all of the difficulties, and I'll be able to create my character and unlock all the bonuses, but it just seems like I'll always be wondering if I'm missing something that would make the experience all the more awesome.


this is what i think people are missing

as i understand it, there isn't a lot in BWT aside from possibly the endless setlist, that you cannot do somewhere else in the game, you'll be able to unlock everything in other modes, so yes, you'd be missing out on the general organization of features in BWT, but you can hop online and quickplay with other people online, and you can play through the solo career on all three instruments.

as far as what to do?

here are a couple quick ideas.

first: network on here, there are a lot of people ont his bored who post regularly maybe one of them is in your area, use the "band wanted" forum to see if there are people in oyur area that need someone else in BWT also, since there is no online, everyone is going to be looking for people to play with.

second: take a different perspective, the BWT doesn't need to be completed in a weekend, you can unlock things in other areas, so its not instrumental to play through it, so if you have friends, but they're busy a lot, set aside one night every week or so, and sit down, have a few beers/sodas/whatever and play the game for a few hours, then repeat next week or so, it may take you a few months, or even a year, but you'll get to play it, plus, you only need to have the leader there to play, so you don't even need the same people, heck, start now, see if you can get people together once a week, just to hang out and talk about the game or maybe play GH/GHII, if you have absolutely no one who will play with you regardless of schedule, then see my first idea.

[AdamBomb629]

this is what i think people are missing

as i understand it, there isn't a lot in BWT aside from possibly the endless setlist, that you cannot do somewhere else in the game, you'll be able to unlock everything in other modes, so yes, you'd be missing out on the general organization of features in BWT, but you can hop online and quickplay with other people online, and you can play through the solo career on all three instruments.

as far as what to do?

here are a couple quick ideas.

first: network on here, there are a lot of people ont his bored who post regularly maybe one of them is in your area, use the "band wanted" forum to see if there are people in oyur area that need someone else in BWT also, since there is no online, everyone is going to be looking for people to play with.

second: take a different perspective, the BWT doesn't need to be completed in a weekend, you can unlock things in other areas, so its not instrumental to play through it, so if you have friends, but they're busy a lot, set aside one night every week or so, and sit down, have a few beers/sodas/whatever and play the game for a few hours, then repeat next week or so, it may take you a few months, or even a year, but you'll get to play it, plus, you only need to have the leader there to play, so you don't even need the same people, heck, start now, see if you can get people together once a week, just to hang out and talk about the game or maybe play GH/GHII, if you have absolutely no one who will play with you regardless of schedule, then see my first idea.

FIRST: Strangers I meet on the internet will not be showing up at my house.

SECOND: Set aside one night evey week or so? HAHAHAHAHA. That's hillarious. I can barely set aside one hour on one night per week.

[espher]

FIRST: Strangers I meet on the internet will not be showing up at my house.

SECOND: Set aside one night evey week or so? HAHAHAHAHA. That's hillarious. I can barely set aside one hour on one night per week.

Well, it's unfortunate that you're not able to accommodate reasonable suggestions.

Better get back to kicking and screaming!

Edit: In all honesty, it's unfortunate if you don't have friends with accessible schedules. But, such is gaming, n'est-ce pas?

[lithiumkc]

<3 friends :o

[AdamBomb629]

Well, it's unfortunate that you're not able to accommodate reasonable suggestions.

Better get back to kicking and screaming!

Edit: In all honesty, it's unfortunate if you don't have friends with accessible schedules. But, such is gaming, n'est-ce pas?

Yeah, I hear ya. Schedules suck.

[NotorietyH]

SECOND: Set aside one night evey week or so? HAHAHAHAHA. That's hillarious. I can barely set aside one hour on one night per week.

Then it sounds like you don't have enough time to play BWT at all, even if it was single player. Problem solved!

[AdamBomb629]

Then it sounds like you don't have enough time to play BWT at all, even if it was single player. Problem solved!

I'll just play it very gradually. :D

[Doshin]

FIRST: Strangers I meet on the internet will not be showing up at my house.

SECOND: Set aside one night evey week or so? HAHAHAHAHA. That's hillarious. I can barely set aside one hour on one night per week.


so how exactly were you expecting to play BWT?

people are complaining that they don't have friends willing to devote the time to playing, and yet a suggestion of making time once every one or two weeks to play for a couple hours is inconvenient? perhaps if your schedule is that intense you should invest more effort on effective time management and less on complaining about video games on the internet.

i understand if you can't do it, but there is no need to be a jackass, i was just offering suggestions.

[AdamBomb629]

so how exactly were you expecting to play BWT?

people are complaining that they don't have friends willing to devote the time to playing, and yet a suggestion of making time once every one or two weeks to play for a couple hours is inconvenient? perhaps if your schedule is that intense you should invest more effort on effective time management and less on complaining about video games on the internet.

i understand if you can't do it, but there is no need to be a jackass, i was just offering suggestions.

Sorry about my delivery, but let me paraphrase: I wouldn't invite someone into my home that I met on the internet. Sorry, call me paranoid.

As for time, I just don't have enough free time to have people over for a length of time every week, but to play for a bit online (maybe later online) would be better. So, I'll just make due without a four-person BWT. No problem.

PS I'm still stoked for the game and am impounding my wife to play with me.

[IErrantVentureI]

If this hasn't been stated before, I have a theory as to why no BWT online.

Not everyone will have the DLC you do. /thread

[BarryC]

If this hasn't been stated before, I have a theory as to why no BWT online.

Not everyone will have the DLC you do. /thread

Worst theory ever. That wouldn't be that hard to code and if it was, then just allow the normal setlist online, I'd be happy with that. But alas, we get shafted with the we didn't have enough time or manpower to make it happen which is complete bull.

[HeXcoda]

If this hasn't been stated before, I have a theory as to why no BWT online.

Not everyone will have the DLC you do. /thread

It's not exactly a /thread when this thread is about solutions for how solo people can use BWT...

Plus, it's patently false, since plenty of games to date such as shooters with map packs have had online multiplayer with DLC items. No DLC, you simply can't join those games. It's simple enough to code.

Obviously, online BWT is not a trivial bit of code in general. I can understand the feature missing the ship date. Very disappointing, but that's how it is.

Now, then, back to solutions. Is there a gameshark-esque device for the 360 yet? A code that simulates a second player on board always hitting the right notes would do the trick... stinks for leaderboards, but the goal isn't to increase the size of your e-peen, it's to gain access to the critical 1/3rd of the game that is its reason d'etre...

[Thrashdragon]

And I do honestly understand HMX wanting to get the focus on multiplayer, but to do that at the expense of those who won't be able to fully experience that seems to conflict with how amazingly awesome this company, its vision, and their employees really are.

But at the end of the day, it's not a big deal I suppose. I'll be able to experience playing all of the songs on all of the difficulties, and I'll be able to create my character and unlock all the bonuses, but it just seems like I'll always be wondering if I'm missing something that would make the experience all the more awesome.

You hit the nail on the head there. I'd love for all my gaming buddies to ignore their wives and kids on a regular basis and drive four hours to drink beer and play Rock Band, but it isn't going to happen. An odd decision by one of the few dev houses that actually care about their target audience. Maybe it comes from hanging around those EA guys too much...

I do consider it a pretty big deal, however. When I read the description of the World Tour it really kicked my anticipation for the game into overdrive. It changed my thinking from "This game is going to be great" to "This may be the greatest thing since sliced bread".

Not being able to play it online because of programming time limitations stinks, but I can live with that.

Not being able to play it solo because of a design decision completely blows.

Keep working on those solutions, HeXcoda!

[sa_nick]

Sorry guy but all i really have to say is lol @ this thread.

Firtly, the whole playing and singing at the same time is an awesome idea for if u have to play it by yourself. U could prolly do it with guitar, bass or drums, whichever one suits u best.

If for some reason that don't work for you (remembering u can playing solo careers for individual instruments on harder difficulties) then just grab some new friends. Tell your damn neighbor about the game and get em to have a shot, they might love it. I can imagine this game would be an awesome way to connect with new ppl. No cool neighbors? Network on this site!

If none of that works for you then just enjoy the solo career.

Man, so much *****ing here. The game in awesome how it is.

[HeXcoda]

Focus on the solutions, not the *****ing.

And we can't just say "Sing and play, thread over." Because that's a difficult proposition in and of itself, it's good to have backup plans, and other clever hacks to make it happen.

Likewise, "Make friends lol, thread over" doesn't work, because this is about solutions to SOLO BWT. Friends != solo. And you try "making friends" when your neighbors are 40 year old family guys who don't know anything about those Vidiyuh Games except that the Jack tells them GTA is evil, and your coworkers are practically octogenarians. (One of the many disadvantages to working in my line of work.)

There are ways to play BWT solo, and we've detailed several of them here. That's not complaining, that's getting your ass in gear and figuring out how to approach a problem. More solutions are always welcome.

[Clutch414]

Focus on the solutions, not the *****ing.

And we can't just say "Sing and play, thread over." Because that's a difficult proposition in and of itself, it's good to have backup plans, and other clever hacks to make it happen.

Likewise, "Make friends lol, thread over" doesn't work, because this is about solutions to SOLO BWT. Friends != solo. And you try "making friends" when your neighbors are 40 year old family guys who don't know anything about those Vidiyuh Games except that the Jack tells them GTA is evil, and your coworkers are practically octogenarians. (One of the many disadvantages to working in my line of work.)

There are ways to play BWT solo, and we've detailed several of them here. That's not complaining, that's getting your ass in gear and figuring out how to approach a problem. More solutions are always welcome.

Here's an idea: try making more threads about this.

[HeXcoda]

Here's an idea: try making more threads about this.

Uh... why? We have enough. Hell, more than enough; I've gotten past "Man, that sucks" and am trying to be productive about it rather than just reiterating how it sucks. I only made this thread because I wanted to discuss said productive solutions to the issue. Signal vs. Noise.

If you don't have a solution to bring to the table other than "STFU" then you're done here.

[crivit]

Here's an idea: try making more threads about this.

How about if you don't have anything constructive to add then don't post in the thread. Seriously, if you're tired of reading about this topic, then don't click on any of the multitude of threads your sick of. Plus everytime you post something pointless like this, or pleads to let the thread die you're actually just moving it back up the list and keeping it alive.

This wasn't meant to be be personally directed at you Clutch414, but just more a general complaint about people who are *****ing about all the *****ing.

[weirdingway]

The simple answer is that Harmonix makes an announcement that BWT online will come in a later patch. No release date, just stating that they are working on it. There is no excuse not to include something that solves everyone's problems with BWT.

[PurpleHaze]

If none of that works for you then just enjoy the solo career.
If the solo careers offered their own unique and interesting features, then that would be something - but all of the indicators are pointing to them being very similar to the usual GH1 and GH2 structure, and, to me anyway, that's neither unique nor interesting. Let's say Harmonix gave us a choice - either have GH2-like solo careers, or allow BWT to be played solo - I certainly know which one I would choose, solo BWT, as it's the same music, same charts, but with more options, features and structure.

[LongDarkBlues]

Well, if making new friends who want to play AND playing and singing at the same time is automatically rejected, then you're screwed, man. There is no other solution except for editing the software, which I don't think is going to happen - here's some reasons:

1. Pretty much everyone would have to be the 'band leader' because he's the only one the campaign follows. That would mean very few people are willing to sit around and wait for their band leader to come online just so that they can play bass for someone 600 miles away. The band leader system makes sense for the BWT because HMX understands you might not have the same people over all the time and will have a need to have different players come and go and to have a place top store the progress info. Online, however, it'd be the vast minority who are good enough friends and have similar enough time schedules to bee able to play with more than 1 friend. Clearly the full band Quick Play makes more sense for online multiplayer for a variety of logistical reasons.

2. As another guy pointed out, the DLC is included in the BWT, and just like every other game, everyone has to have the same edition to play together online. You could have a crippled version of the BWT that didn't support using the DLC, but then everyone here would STILL be whining about how ripped-off they feel - "My friends online wanted to make a Who cover band and now we can't do it - you suck Harmonix!". Also, the DLC is a huge focus of Rock Band - if they're talking about having thousands of songs available, then it's clear that they aren't going to offer BWT without support for the integrated DLC.

For all the complaining about how the Solo Tour is 'just like Guitar Hero' I personally have yet to see anything official stating that. - so much of the *****ing is based on speculation about what the rest of the game is going to play like - why don't you wait until it's out, see what it's like and then come back here in December and offer ideas based on actually being familiar with the way everything works in the game.

[Thrashdragon]

DanT - I think you'll understand more when you get to play Rock Band and see some of the details that haven't been explored fully by previews yet.

This gives me hope that the solo career is more than a GH-esque list of songs.

[Doshin]

Sorry about my delivery, but let me paraphrase: I wouldn't invite someone into my home that I met on the internet. Sorry, call me paranoid.

As for time, I just don't have enough free time to have people over for a length of time every week, but to play for a bit online (maybe later online) would be better. So, I'll just make due without a four-person BWT. No problem.

PS I'm still stoked for the game and am impounding my wife to play with me.

haha, then i'll apologize about that last comment i made also, i could definately see what you were saying past the delivery, i have a full time day job, school, and a few other time eliminating events, and realistically the once a week thing is probably going to end up being my solution for BWT, so i just thought i'd throw some ideas out there.

its just been a huge bummer around here lately (with the exception of the amazing hijacked thread ... <3..10/20..<3) like I understand this is a huge blow to people, but this thread aside, i think its a whole bunch of moping going on, which is understandable, but still kinda lame, i think ultimately we should try and focus on the positives, and collecting/sharing new things about the game.

[stiper327b]

This gives me hope that the solo career is more than a GH-esque list of songs.

Just curious as to where Dan said that, and in response to what question?

[Thrashdragon]

Just curious as to where Dan said that, and in response to what question?


http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=5714&page=5&highlight=spraynwipe

Last post on the page. I hope it's referring to a beefier solo career than we expect.

[FailedNinja]

http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=5714&page=5&highlight=spraynwipe

Last post on the page. I hope it's referring to a beefier solo career than we expect.

In the context, he may have just meant you'll see why it would not be easy/feasible to make BWT single player.
Here's hoping for a nice solo career mode, though.

[stiper327b]

Yeah, I'm not looking for something as insanely awesome as BWT in the solo mode, but I damn sure hope it's a little more in-depth and complex than that found in GHI/II/III. Not that those aren't fun, but the excitement of the risk/reward just brings so much more to it. If I fail a song in solo mode, or only get three stars or whatever, it's no big deal. I just go back and do it over and over until I get it right. But in BWT, you have to perform, not just play, and that's the main difference between the two.

Not to mention, how are they going to work 41+ venues into the solo mode? There are only 45 licensed songs in the game, are we going to be playing each song in a different venue? Or will the majority of the venues also be the sole property of those who are able to participate in BWT?

[Bakkster]

Not to mention, how are they going to work 41+ venues into the solo mode? There are only 45 licensed songs in the game, are we going to be playing each song in a different venue? Or will the majority of the venues also be the sole property of those who are able to participate in BWT?

Everyone can participate in BWT mode by themselves by singing and playing an instrument. I don't see why people think this isn't an option. This is the "solution" for BWT, Q.E.D.

I really just need to stop paying attention to these forums until this is no longer the "in-thing" to whine about. Somebody wake me when the threads die...

[PurpleHaze]

For all the complaining about how the Solo Tour is 'just like Guitar Hero' I personally have yet to see anything official stating that.It seems like you're referring to my post - however, I was simply stating my opinions if we discover that the solo careers are not as feature rich as BWT. If it transpires that the solo careers do have their own unique and interesting features, then I will certainly be more than happy with that revelation, and if they do, I think it might be helpful for that information to be released sooner rather than later.

[LongDarkBlues]

I really just need to stop paying attention to these forums until this is no longer the "in-thing" to whine about. Somebody wake me when the threads die...
quoted for truth... my thoughts exactly. My favorite thing about this board was how positive it was and the unifying excitement over the game

[stiper327b]

Everyone can participate in BWT mode by themselves by singing and playing an instrument. I don't see why people think this isn't an option. This is the "solution" for BWT, Q.E.D.

I'm not saying it isn't a solution, but it's a solution that demands quite a bit more talent than otherwise. That's like saying you can't play Halo 3 on-line unless only play ranked matches against those with a ranking of 30+. Or saying that you can't play Madden unless you want to play on the All-Madden difficulty. Those who play BWT by playing and singing will be at a disadvantage, and will make it prohibitively difficult for some, to the point where they just won't want to bother.

I've accepted that there is no solo BWT mode, I'm fine with that. I know that the game is done, and whatever gripes I might have are all for naught. My only hope now is that they threw the solo players a bone, however minuscule in size, and gave us some, any, depth to the solo modes. I just hope they gave us a reason to play it other than simple progression.

[LongDarkBlues]

It seems like you're referring to my post
Not just you - a lot of people on here have said it's 'exactly like GHII' and I've yet to see that confirmed/

[stiper327b]

Not just you - a lot of people on here have said it's 'exactly like GHII' and I've yet to see that confirmed/

Well, DanT said in this thread:

http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=5600&page=2


Also, this is different from Solo Tour - Solo is a little more traditional, like you can tell from the screenshots on the main site.

It's not a hard confirmation that the solo mode will be exactly like GHI/II/III, but it's not exactly a ringing endorsement of it's features, either.

Listen guys, I'm as excited for this game as I have been for any game released in the past 20+ years I've been playing games. I've still got it paid in full, and I'll be taking as much time as is socially responsible to play it upon release. And I'm still convinced that HMX is one of the most talented and sincere developers in the business, and I will support them in any endeavor they wish to undertake. But I'm not going to lie and say that I'm not somewhat disappointed by the news, and most of that comes with the lack of hard details about the solo modes.

[The_Vampire_Lestat]

I don't see how people can say we're whining.

Since before E3 HMX was talking about the "Band Experience" and how they have an "interesting solution for online bandplay". Or how we will go from playing the clubs to playing larger venues with your band.

People were hyped to play online with their friends. Creating a band, starting out in a club then moving up in the world.

For me and a lot of others, the news that we won't be able to progress online with our band is a big disappointment.

[LongDarkBlues]

Well, DanT said in this thread:
http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=5600&page=2
It's not a hard confirmation that the solo mode will be exactly like GHI/II/III, but it's not exactly a ringing endorsement of it's features, either.


Yeah, but the Solo Tour section I assume he's referring to on the main site has a shot of a very similar World Map to BWT:
http://www.rockband.com/game_info/modes
http://www.rockband.com/themes/rockband/img/solo-tour-mode.jpg
I just think we should all wait and see before we nitpick the details we don't actually know anything about.

[LongDarkBlues]

I don't see how people can say we're whining.

Since before E3 HMX was talking about the "Band Experience" and how they have an "interesting solution for online bandplay"...

IT HAS ONLINE FULL-BAND QUICK PLAY
is it really that big of a deal that you don't unlock things together??
Argh! You can still play with your friends for hours on end - who cares if you are there while your friend buys a new leather jacket for his avatar? It's so ****ing trivial.

[jq71586]

IT HAS ONLINE FULL-BAND QUICK PLAY
is it really that big of a deal that you don't unlock things together??
Argh! You can still play with your friends for hours on end - who cares if you are there while your friend buys a new leather jacket for his avatar? It's so ****ing trivial.

OMG, someone else also thinks this isn't the biggest deal in the world? Thank you friend, thank you.

[The_Vampire_Lestat]

IT HAS ONLINE FULL-BAND QUICK PLAY
is it really that big of a deal that you don't unlock things together??
Argh! You can still play with your friends for hours on end - who cares if you are there while your friend buys a new leather jacket for his avatar? It's so ****ing trivial.


Yes it is that big of a deal.

Quickplay stinks, how many times am I going to have to select the difficulty I want to play on? How will I see my scores? How will I compare my different bands?

[Jp7588]

Quickplay is awesome. Don't fuc*ing mock quickplay

[Clutch414]

Selecting diffculty is sooooooooooooooooo hard.

[jq71586]

Yes it is that big of a deal.

Quickplay stinks, how many times am I going to have to select the difficulty I want to play on? How will I see my scores? How will I compare my different bands?


Hmmm.... let's see.

How many times will I have to select difficulty?

Oh my Jesus I may have to hit a button 3 times at the most to move down to expert.

How will I see my scores?

Guitar Hero saved the best quickplay scores. I'm sure Rock Band will do the same.

How will I compare bands?

Use a pen and a paper, a microsoft word or spreadsheet document. It's not that difficult.


There is always a way around things.

[Magnet]

how many times am I going to have to select the difficulty I want to play on?

I didn't realize pressing a button once before each song was so horrible that it's "that big" of a deal.


How will I see my scores?

I'm guessing your scores will be shown after each song. The game may keep high scores like what was done with Guitar Hero quick-play in the past.


How will I compare my different bands?

Compare your different bands to what? I don't understand what you're saying here.


On another note...does anyone remember the right part of the following image not being blurry at one point? I thought it was previously visible on the site.

http://www.rockband.com/themes/rockband/img/solo-tour-mode.jpg

[LongDarkBlues]

how many times am I going to have to select the difficulty I want to play on?
Clicking one button per song is pretty trivial when you're preparing to press a thousand mere seconds from then.
How will I see my scores?
Indeed - how will you? We don't know yet how it works in the game at all - you're just assuming how it functions and that it won't have any way to track that. GHII had quickplay scores and leaderboards, why wouldn't this?
How will I compare my different bands?
Do you really need a number to gauge which online band is 'better'? Can't you just tell that one band is the one with the terrible singer and the other band is the one with the awesome bass player? Didn't racking up pointless numbers in video games give way to fun after the Space Invaders era?

EDIT: Man, everyone types faster than I do - you all beat me to it!

[The_Vampire_Lestat]

Selecting the difficulty each time is a tedious task.

And I made perfectly reasonable complaints.

And loading times are going to be a *****.

Oh just finished a song... head back to the menu... select a song... select your instrument... select the difficulty...

I'd prefer to play more than tangling with the menus.

[capitalfn9]

On another note...does anyone remember the right part of the following image not being blurry at one point? I thought it was previously visible on the site.

http://www.rockband.com/themes/rockband/img/solo-tour-mode.jpg


Yea I saw that too, I dont know whats up with that.

[LongDarkBlues]

Selecting the difficulty each time is a tedious task.
And I made perfectly reasonable complaints.
And loading times are going to be a *****.
Oh just finished a song... head back to the menu... select a song... select your instrument... select the difficulty...
I'd prefer to play more than tangling with the menus.

Is that how it works? You have confirmation that's exactly how it's going to be? Because I don't think we know the details of the menus yet. What's to say that you can't make a QP setlist before you start? We don't have all the info yet.

Why would load times be longer in QP than BWT? If anything they'd be much shorter. What about the people already complaining that they CAN'T switch instruments in BWT? What about songs that you WANT to change the difficulty for? Those are all options worth having, and surely outweigh clicking 3 times every 4-5 minutes after a song. This is the sort of pointless *****ing I can't fathom. Maybe they should just make the game read your mind so you never have to select anything?

[TheTogfather]

Sorry, but I skipped most of these pages. I see the current debate is about how much more 'difficult' quickplay is vs. BWT? That's not my deal at all. And honestly, HMX is in no danger of losing me as a customer. My sadness, however, comes from all these recent "OMG, BWT is teh AWESOMEST thing EVAR!!!" articles that have surfaced. Knowing how awesome it is...and that I will have very limited access to it...kinda sucks. That's all...not 'it's the end of the world' or 'rock band is terrible now'...just...kinda sucks. I'll get over it eventually, and I'm sure I'll get creative and figure out ways to experience the BWT...but it would've been a lot more fun online...or even if it could just be done solo. Hopefully solo career is pretty fun too, that'll at least be some kind of consolation...

[The_Vampire_Lestat]

Is that how it works? You have confirmation that's exactly how it's going to be? Because I don't think we know the details of the menus yet. What's to say that you can't make a QP setlist before you start? We don't have all the info yet.

Why would load times be longer in QP than BWT? If anything they'd be much shorter. What about the people already complaining that they CAN'T switch instruments in BWT? What about songs that you WANT to change the difficulty for? Those are all options worth having, and surely outweigh clicking 3 times every 4-5 minutes after a song. This is the sort of pointless *****ing I can't fathom. Maybe they should just make the game read your mind so you never have to select anything?

Do you watch any of the vids? At E3 they selected the song then everyone had to select their difficulty and then select their instrument.

I didn't say load times would be quicker.... there just will be more load times in quickplay rather than BWT. You know.... having to reselect a song after every play. Instead of flowing from song to song... every one having to select their parts and difficulty and then finally loading the song to play. Least BWT makes it interesting.


There are far more people complaining about BWT not being online..rather than people complaining of not being able to switch instruments in BWT.

You know a great option that would be worth having? Online BWT.

[jq71586]

I guess I don't understand this whole argument to begin with. I've got the 3 ways to do this whole BWT thing.

I have a group of friends to play every Saturday. (We're finishing up college)

I have 3 PS3 friends around the counrty to already play quickplay with and they don't seem to care at all, none of them have posted in this thread.

I am going to buy a cheap used mic stand and play BWT by myself.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones that can do all three of these things.

[LongDarkBlues]

Do you watch any of the vids? At E3 they selected the song then everyone had to select their difficulty and then select their instrument.
Well sure, but does that mean it's the only way to do it? That wasn't even online - do we know that's how all the online full band Quick Play works? I'm just saying that there's still a lot we don't know about the interface and that assuming it's going to be that way - not that I think that would be even a moderate inconvenience, but whatever - seems premature.


I didn't say load times would be quicker.... there just will be more load times in quickplay rather than BWT. You know.... having to reselect a song after every play. Instead of flowing from song to song... every one having to select their parts and difficulty and then finally loading the song to play. Least BWT makes it interesting.
More load times? As opposed to loading the World Map for everyone and going through all the Manager's Requests and other menus, having lobby discussions about what to do, etc. in BWT? That's a lot more screens to load and content to move around.

[Jp7588]

Maybe they should just make the game read your mind so you never have to select anything?

I thought this was confirmed for Rock Band? I also could have sworn that chick Hilary from ign confirmed that each time you boot up the game it prepares you dinner and instantly brings you to sexual climax... This better be in. The prospect of selecting my preferred difficulty level and which song I want to play is already a burden that I don't believe I can handle. And I thought HMX cared about their fans : (

[TheTogfather]

I guess I don't understand this whole argument to begin with. I've got the 3 ways to do this whole BWT thing.

I have a group of friends to play every Saturday. (We're finishing up college)

I have 3 PS3 friends around the counrty to already play quickplay with and they don't seem to care at all, none of them have posted in this thread.

I am going to buy a cheap used mic stand and play BWT by myself.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones that can do all three of these things.

Yah, it's all about your personal situation. I, with the full-time job and family and all, will be very lucky to get anyone over once every other week to play BWT, and it'll probably be a different person every week. I'm not worried about finding people online...hoping to fill that need here actually. I probably will try the whole singing and bassing thing, but I'm not likely to be very good at that, so we'll see how that goes.

One thing this is going to do is really press me to organize some gaming marathon weekends w/ friends, which honestly will be a ****ing blast. They're going to be few and far between for sure, but worth it I'm sure. And hey, who knows...maybe we'll get the game patched in a few months to support online bwt...we'll see I guess.

[LongDarkBlues]

One thing this is going to do is really press me to organize some gaming marathon weekends w/ friends, which honestly will be a ****ing blast. They're going to be few and far between for sure, but worth it I'm sure.
Yeah! I'm pumped to get a bunch of friends over for beer, pizza and rock band nights - I'd bet there's at least 6-8 people here (all late 20s early 30s, btw) who'd be up for it once a month.

[The_Vampire_Lestat]

More load times? As opposed to loading the World Map for everyone and going through all the Manager's Requests and other menus, having lobby discussions about what to do, etc. in BWT? That's a lot more screens to load and content to move around.

Yes more load times. Managers request and charity events don't pop up after every single song you play. The "lobby" would be the world map and discussing what you do next... you're going to be doing that in quickplay also. You still pick a venue and a song in quickplay.... And you don't have to select your instrument and difficulty every time you play a song in BWT.

You don't select which instrument you play or difficulty after every time you play a song.

[LongDarkBlues]

Whatever, dude - you're clearly just looking for something to complain about - I'm done trying to reason with you about something that neither of have access to all the details about.

[The_Vampire_Lestat]

Whatever, dude - you're clearly just looking for something to complain about - I'm done trying to reason with you about something that neither of have access to all the details about.

And you have all the details? No see I'm going by an educated guess from past experiences of playing Harmonix developed games... you're going off absolutely nothing. It is clear it's not just me who is complaining about this.

Whatever dude indeed.

[LongDarkBlues]

neither of us have access to all the details about.
Ugh... Internet...is...so...stupid.

[The_Vampire_Lestat]

Ugh... Internet...is...so...stupid.

Ugh look at the vids.

You know... the things that actually show us how things will work in quickplay.

[HeXcoda]

Okay. I started this thread, and I hereby require it to die. It's gone beyond trying to be productive and nonwhiny, finding solutions to the issue, and is now a slapfight. Fold and move on.

[xenopherus]

Hey, I relate to how you must feel, HeXcoda! With the difficulty of having many freinds up to play RB issue.
I also considered the playing guitar while singing idea. I think that could really add to the challenge and fun of the game (potentially). Real rockers do it all the time, and it's a skill I've always admired. I've learned to live with the constant dissapointing news though... First the reveal that the singers voice won't be heard during online play, and the recent totally sucky band/song selections ( Molly Hatchet and C&C...terrible choices!!) and now this recent news. It's just a matter of fact the game won't be what everyone thought it would be a few months ago. But it will still be a fun game to play...
Furthermore, complaining is fun, especially when something has really irked you. It's totally pointless, but neccessary. It's more annoying to complain about people complaining.

[Xzyliac]

This thread still lives? Wow. I thought we would've all gone home and gotten on with our lives by now.

[crunchyoverseas]

I emailed xbconnect...we will see what they say...

[Clutch414]

Yeah! I'm pumped to get a bunch of friends over for beer, pizza and rock band nights - I'd bet there's at least 6-8 people here (all late 20s early 30s, btw) who'd be up for it once a month.

I've already got a Rock Band party set up at my place for me and 3 of my friends on Friday the 23rd.

We are all in our late 20's/early 30's (I just turned 30 *sigh*), we all are married, all are professionals, and two of my friends have young kids. We usually hang out twice a week (once during the week and once on the weekend). We all are huge Guitar Hero fans. So...I don't see a problem with no online BWT...at least for me.

My friends and I are going to rock my mancave/gameroom on a twice-weekly basis.

I can't wait. 1 month from today is the date of my first RB party. I'm tingling.