Nothing on a PC release?

[rvashko]

I've searched through the forums and Googled several times, and I can't seem to find any info on a PC release of RB, other than the rather vague "we have lots of cool stuff planned for the future!".

RB's setlist is much more my kind of thing than GH3's, but I'm not going to buy an X360 or PS3 just for RB, no matter how badly I want it. Anyone have any scoop on if/when a PC version might come out?

I fully realize that revenue from the console releases will dwarf that of the PC, but if Red Octane can pull a PC port out of its hat to cash in on the holidays, why not Harmonix? *sigh*

[MaineDrummer]

Don't hold your breath. I don't see it coming myself.

[rvashko]

Well, I didn't see it coming for GH3 either....until I did. :D

[Feigned]

Yup, I've got the scoop, but you're not gonna like it. John Drake talks about why they're not exactly excited about doing Rock Band for the PC.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=gWIwTro0y5k

[rvashko]

Unfortunately, I can't watch YouTube at work. Care to give me the nitty-gritty on that?

[kanerules]

Basically saying because the Hud has so much info on it, it wouldn't work on small computer/laptop screens for people to crowd around./

[nicko68]

I was against porting to the PC, but there is one advantage. Rock Band wants to be a platform onto which you download music. When you upgrade your PC, you can reinstall Rock Band, reuse your instruments, etc. When you upgrade your console, you can't. So in this case, I think the PC would be a good platform for the platform.

[admanimal]

I would be willing to bet that it's easier for them to get music licenses if there is no PC version in the picture. Hearing the words "download music to a PC" makes record executives crap their pants.

[Thrashdragon]

If they port it to PC, it will be instantly hacked and it will be very easy to put whatever songs you want in there. Not only would they not make any money on DLC, but they'd never get a licensed track from anyone again. It will happen with GHIII.

[rvashko]

Basically saying because the Hud has so much info on it, it wouldn't work on small computer/laptop screens for people to crowd around./

Hmmm. I can see where he's coming from, but it's not like 17" PC screens are the norm anymore, and widescreen has all but replaced the old 4:3 ratio.

Plus, it seems the crowded HUD issue could apply just as well to the (majority of) console users who aren't on +37" widescreen plasmas?

Finally, it's not like every person who buys RB is going to have all four components running every time they play the game. What if it's just you on guitar and a buddy on drums? I'd think even an average-sized PC monitor has room for that.

[rvashko]

If they port it to PC, it will be instantly hacked and it will be very easy to put whatever songs you want in there. Not only would they not make any money on DLC, but they'd never get a licensed track from anyone again. It will happen with GHIII.

Are you sure it would be easy? Hasn't Harmonix mentioned on several occasions the hard work that goes into stripping a track down and converting it into game "levels"? It's not like you're just parsing out MIDI tracks.

[admanimal]

Are you sure it would be easy? Hasn't Harmonix mentioned on several occasions the hard work that goes into stripping a track down and converting it into game "levels"? It's not like you're just parsing out MIDI tracks.

He didn't say they would be -good- levels, but it's not that tough to hack out a new note chart that is decent enough. Hundreds of them have been made for GH2. Of course the main problem with these is that you don't get the same effect as with the legit levels, because as you noted, people don't have the master recordings of songs.

[Bakkster]

You'd be better off buying a Wii and waiting for Rock Band than waiting for a PC version.

[rvashko]

He didn't say they would be -good- levels, but it's not that tough to hack out a new note chart that is decent enough. Hundreds of them have been made for GH2. Of course the main problem with these is that you don't get the same effect as with the legit levels, because as you noted, people don't have the master recordings of songs.

I see your point. But if the reason for no PC port is hacking and illegal downloads/mods, why not just say that? I'm not sure I find the "crowded HUD" rationale entirely persuasive.

Of course, Harmonix never asked me what I think. :rolleyes:

[admanimal]

I see your point. But if the reason for no PC port is hacking and illegal downloads/mods, why not just say that? I'm not sure I find the "crowded HUD" rationale entirely persuasive.


Well I think they are really trying to push the full 4 person band experience with the game, and in most cases a PC is not the ideal place to experience that.

[BathTub]

Hmmm. I can see where he's coming from, but it's not like 17" PC screens are the norm anymore, and widescreen has all but replaced the old 4:3 ratio.

Plus, it seems the crowded HUD issue could apply just as well to the (majority of) console users who aren't on +37" widescreen plasmas?


Yeah my Xbox screen is the same as my PC screen, literally! 22" widescreen LCD.

[rvashko]

Well I think they are really trying to push the full 4 person band experience with the game, and in most cases a PC is not the ideal place to experience that.

I agree. But if I were a betting man, I'd bet that the vast majority of RB sessions are not going to be a full four-person complement. And I'd further bet that the vast majority of folks will be playing on screens much smaller than the huge DLPs they use for the Best Buy demo sets.

[admanimal]

I agree. But if I were a betting man, I'd bet that the vast majority of RB sessions are not going to be a full four-person complement.

Also very true.

[nicko68]

You'd be better off buying a Wii and waiting for Rock Band than waiting for a PC version.

From your fingers to HMX/MTV/EA's ears. :)

[LongDarkBlues]

Well, Alex did say that they were looking into creating tools for bands to create their own charts - I find it hard to imagine that they will force them to work through the PS3 - it seems like if they want to go through with that then a PC version - at least a bare-bones version - would be required.

[rvashko]

Well, I guess if I get the fever for some faux-shredding this holiday, my money will have to go to Red Octane/Activision. Such is life.

Silver lining is that at least I'll get "The Metal" and "Even Flow".

[Frederf]

"The Metal" and "Even Flow" are fun.

The idea that the screen/interface is the limiting issue in bringing RB to PC is rather laughable. The PC's greatest (or one of) features is its hardware flexibility. I doubt a $10 X-to-TV cable is going to stand in the way of someone playing a $200 game on their $300 TV with a $2000 PC.

There's probably a bajillion other valid reasons for not doing a PC version, but the interface/monitor thing ain't one.

Also the idea of a game level mastering suite coming out for the PC is the logical one if that idea ever gets out of "twinkle in a dev's eye" land.

[Feigned]

"The Metal" and "Even Flow" are fun.

The idea that the screen/interface is the limiting issue in bringing RB to PC is rather laughable. The PC's greatest (or one of) features is its hardware flexibility. I doubt a $10 X-to-TV cable is going to stand in the way of someone playing a $200 game on their $300 TV with a $2000 PC.

There's probably a bajillion other valid reasons for not doing a PC version, but the interface/monitor thing ain't one.

Also the idea of a game level mastering suite coming out for the PC is the logical one if that idea ever gets out of "twinkle in a dev's eye" land.

I have to disagree here. I've got a pretty beefy gaming rig that would no doubt be capable of running RB, and I run off of a pair of 19-inch widescreens. That's great for most games, but I wouldn't ever consider playing a game that requires me to stand back away from my screen with three other people. Sure, I could hook it up to my TV, but then I'd have to unhook everything and drag it downstairs every time I wanted to rock out.

On the other hand, I've got my 360 sitting downstairs hooked up to my 27-inch TV (yea, nothing spectacular here) in my living room with plenty of room for everyone to play. I need do nothing more than pop in a disc and hook up my instruments and I'm ready to go, with a decent-sized.

[jq715861]

I doubt a $10 X-to-TV cable is going to stand in the way of someone playing a $200 game on their $300 TV with a $2000 PC.
.

If I ever spend $2000 dollars on a computer. Shoot me dead. I have always hated PC gaming, and I probably always will. I haven't even owned a PC in 5 years, I've had 2 different laptops for school and such.

It's just always boggled my mind when people spend that much on a PC. But if you are really into that sort of stuff, I guess it's worth it :shrug: :confused:

[rvashko]

Well, I guess my point with the "crowded HUD" issue is that it seems like Hmx is making some rather large presumptions on the end user's part - that console users are all using huge TVs and that PC users are using teeny monitors, and that people buying RB are going to be pulling together a quartet every time they play.

I know Hmx's "ideal" end-user experience is probably four teenagers in a spacious living room or garage that has pleny of room to spread out and jump around, rocking out together with a large wide-screen TV in front of them. That's cool, but I doubt that it will be the norm.

Again, if Hmx doens't want to make a PC port because of hacks/mods (which doesn't seem to worry Red Octane/Activision) or because they don't think there's a market for it, just come out and say so.

I, for one, would be happy paying for RB Special Edition (on PC) for just me and my son to use together. And both my home office and my monitor are plenty big enough for the two of us.

[Siberian]

My PC is hooked to my HDTV.

Of course my HDTV is in my 'home office' too...

32" Sharp 1080p LCD HDTV = Best PC Monitor ever. ;)

[rvashko]

Now you've got me thinking of upgrading from my widescreen 20" Dell LCD monitor. Damn you....

[BugMeNot]

Yup, I've got the scoop, but you're not gonna like it. John Drake talks about why they're not exactly excited about doing Rock Band for the PC.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=gWIwTro0y5k


So does John Drake also think that people who own RB on consoles have 60" HDTVs? And they always play the game with the four instruments?

I am sorry, but for me, that's just a silly excuse...

My monitor is big enough for the game to be played on, but even if it wasn't, a pc-to-tv cable would fix it really easily. And if the size of the monitor is really an issue, just stamp on the box of the game, "EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUCKY ON SMALL MONITORS" ;D

Plus, I really want to play the game with a guitar only... I do not see myself going out and buying all the 4 instruments. So my monitor would be just fine