With all the DLC coming out...

[Peytah]

...anyone worried that songs are gonna be half-assed in terms of note charts and whatnot?

Just one of my fears. I mean, if they're gonna be releasing songs weekly, and supposedly the goal is to hit a total of 1,000 songs...that's quite a lot. And room for originality/creativity in every song might be small after all is said and done.

Not accusing them of anything yet, just a worry.

[admanimal]

I have faith in Harmonix. The trouble could come off in the future if/when they provide authoring tools directly to the artists who aren't trained at making fun song charts.

[Patch_]

Nope, I don't think HMX will half-ass anything when it comes to this game or any other for that matter.

[Feigned]

While I can't actually tell you about the songs I've played, I had the opportunity to play some of the future DLC while I was hanging out at Harmonix last week. The note charts weren't lacking in the least. The songs I played were a blast, you won't be disappointed :D

[ZkDotNet]

While I can't actually tell you about the songs I've played, I had the opportunity to play some of the future DLC while I was hanging out at Harmonix last week. The note charts weren't lacking in the least. The songs I played were a blast, you won't be disappointed :D
Damn.. both you and Apples with the DLC teases.

[hargabyte]

After doing this for a few years I think HMX has this down. Plus I think they have some newer software helping them. I believe I heard that they were using some of the same tech that is in that new ipod game they released. Basically they have software that will listen to a song and set down a note track for them. Then someone just needs to come in and clean it up and make sure it looks good. This could be what is allowing them to put out new songs so fast.

[Feigned]

Damn.. both you and Apples with the DLC teases.

I've tried my best to keep from pulling the whole "I know something you don't know" when it comes to the DLC, but I figured I'd add my two cents to the question.

Trust me, I want to tell you guys just as much as you want to know. It took all I had not to run to my computer and post a big "You'll never guess what I just played!!!!" thread. :(

[capitalfn9]

ah but you can say what you DIDNT play.... so did you NOT play GNR?!?!?!

[Feigned]

Now you're just trying to be sneaky. :p

If I answer this one then people will want to know if I didn't play Master of Puppets, or if I didn't play (insert Led Zeppelin song here) etc. So unfortunately I think I'll have to go with a "no comment" on that one.


I have a feeling that this thread is going to get hijacked by people asking questions about the DLC I may or may not have played, so back to the topic at hand. Yes, the DLC tracks have been given just as much lovin' by the HMX team as the rest of the songs.

[capitalfn9]

it was worth a shot :o

[Varsps]

Now you're just trying to be sneaky. :p

If I answer this one then people will want to know if I didn't play Master of Puppets, or if I didn't play (insert Led Zeppelin song here) etc. So unfortunately I think I'll have to go with a "no comment" on that one.


I have a feeling that this thread is going to get hijacked by people asking questions about the DLC I may or may not have played, so back to the topic at hand. Yes, the DLC tracks have been given just as much lovin' by the HMX team as the rest of the songs.

so that means master of puppets isnt on DLC, unless of course he's said it specifically so as to make us think that its not in there......double double bluff hah

[BizzyTone]

You guys are to funny, every body is playing the role of inspector gadget. I actually think the way they have promoted the game, and with all the info to date, its obvious that they are trying to hit it big with Rock Band, I do not think they will cut any corners. They seem to be focused and atentive to the current fan base and future one as well.

[MundaneSoul]

I'm not worried in the least. DLC will be awesome.

[Bakkster]

I'm not worried in the least. DLC will be awesome.

Agreed. HMX has something like 150 employees now. They should have the manpower to put out plenty of DLC.

[MaineDrummer]

No worries here. HMX will not let us down.

Nice try on the GnR. Have faith. I believe we will have GnR, Zep, and all the other desires...in time.

[Apples]

While I can't actually tell you about the songs I've played, I had the opportunity to play some of the future DLC while I was hanging out at Harmonix last week. The note charts weren't lacking in the least. The songs I played were a blast, you won't be disappointed :D

Quoted for amazingly overwhelming truth.

[Tender-Surrender]

Now you're just trying to be sneaky. :p

If I answer this one then people will want to know if I didn't play Master of Puppets, or if I didn't play (insert Led Zeppelin song here) etc. So unfortunately I think I'll have to go with a "no comment" on that one.


I have a feeling that this thread is going to get hijacked by people asking questions about the DLC I may or may not have played, so back to the topic at hand. Yes, the DLC tracks have been given just as much lovin' by the HMX team as the rest of the songs.

Let me ask you something. How did you get access to HMX? Can anyone just go there and visit, or do you have connections? I work right down the street from them.. could I just go there and see what is up? HAHA!

[jugster]

I assume that the developers over at HMX has already created a program that will take a sound stream and convert the notes to the note chart. Then all that HMX employees would need to do play the song to see there are any notes that needs to be fixed.
I also would assume that they built into the program a design for easy, medium and hard (expert being a direct pull from the sound to chart application).

I wouldn't think they expect a developer to sit and work 20 hours per song getting all the notes in the correct location per instrument. That just doesn't make sense for them or us (higher programming costs means higher DLC costs).

[Oblong]

I am beginning to wonder if I need to start saving for the 120GB harddrive. When I hear HMX talking about hundreds of songs for DLC, surely that is going to put a strain on the 3.5GB I have available on my current harddrive, right?

[Bakkster]

I wouldn't think they expect a developer to sit and work 20 hours per song getting all the notes in the correct location per instrument. That just doesn't make sense for them or us (higher programming costs means higher DLC costs).

Ah, but a hand-crafted note chart will be many times better than an algorithmically generated one. You also have lip-sync, instrument sync, and lighting cues for all of the songs. Those aren't things that can easily be done by a computer, and they all take a lot of developer time.

[army_of_me]

I am beginning to wonder if I need to start saving for the 120GB harddrive. When I hear HMX talking about hundreds of songs for DLC, surely that is going to put a strain on the 3.5GB I have available on my current harddrive, right?

I have the exact same concern... they haven't happened to mention how big the Rock Band DLC song files will be, have they?

[Feigned]

Let me ask you something. How did you get access to HMX? Can anyone just go there and visit, or do you have connections? I work right down the street from them.. could I just go there and see what is up? HAHA!

I'm actually a member of the press, so I arranged the visit with the PR rep that I talk to. I'm actually not even sure that the security lady downstairs would let you up without an appointment. They've got some mad security to keep everything under wraps!

[Tender-Surrender]

I'm actually a member of the press, so I arranged the visit with the PR rep that I talk to. I'm actually not even sure that the security lady downstairs would let you up without an appointment. They've got some mad security to keep everything under wraps!


Aw, I am so close.. yet so far away! I got past the building everyday omw to work! HMX LET ME IN!! Hah!

I guess I can keep dreaming.. or get a job there?! :) QA anyone?