Hey, Harmonix

[FScrib]

I just wanted to say thank you for all the love.

Last night I was at the Waterfield (MA) Best Buy's midnight launch for Rock Band, and it was FRIGGING COLD. Before the game was released, several kind folks from Harmonix passed out stickers, hot chocolate, and donuts, and I really think it helped the overall awesome atmosphere.

Seriously, I don't think any other video game developer would or even have given so much love and support to their fans. You guys have gone out of your way to make our gaming lives completely fulfilled, and on behalf of the gaming community I thank you.

(By the way, the game is AMAZING!)

[Bakkster]

Last night I was at the Waterfield (MA) Best Buy's midnight launch for Rock Band, and it was FRIGGING COLD. Before the game was released, several kind folks from Harmonix passed out stickers, hot chocolate, and donuts, and I really think it helped the overall awesome atmosphere.

That's so awesome :cool:

I want hot chocolate :(

[HMXJohnlok]

Yay for hot chocolate! I'll pass on the thanks =D

[stiper327b]

I know HMX is going through some "trials" right now, but it must be said; they've got to be one of the most fan friendly devs in the business right now. They understand more than many others that their success lies not in formula and business-as-usual approaches, but rather by listening to the fans and *gasp* giving them what they want and treating them like real people instead of faceless cash machines. Sure, they can't please everybody, but they're damn well gonna make sure as many people are as happy with their game as they are.

And the most exciting thing? They're just getting started. I know they've been making great games for a good while now, but they're blowing up, and they're able to challenge the industry's notions about what makes a great AAA title, and we're getting to watch it all unfold as it happens.

[HMXJohnlok]

I know HMX is going through some "trials" right now, but it must be said; they've got to be one of the most fan friendly devs in the business right now. They understand more than many others that their success lies not in formula and business-as-usual approaches, but rather by listening to the fans and *gasp* giving them what they want and treating them like real people instead of faceless cash machines. Sure, they can't please everybody, but they're damn well gonna make sure as many people are as happy with their game as they are.

And the most exciting thing? They're just getting started. I know they've been making great games for a good while now, but they're blowing up, and they're able to challenge the industry's notions about what makes a great AAA title, and we're getting to watch it all unfold as it happens.

::slips Stiper a $20 and a burrito::

[NotorietyH]

It's great to see a few nice threads popping up amidst the inevitable launch day quibbles. I'm also less grouchy as I just got an email from gamestop telling me my order was processing so I can actually exhale for the first time today. I'm excited again instead of anxious.

I'd like to thank everyone in Harmonix for the metaphorical hot chocolate that they gave me!:p I haven't been this excited since I was a kid at christmas getting me SNES.

Now I'm going to wait until the DLC is up on the PS Store so I can buy it now and have it ready to play when the game arrives next week. Then off to town tomorrow to buy a drum throne and a mic stand. I didn't want to tempt fate by getting 'em before it shipped.

[stiper327b]

::slips Stiper a $20 and a burrito::

If only all of my writing was as lucrative. :D

[HMXChrisCanfield]

You guys were braving freezing temperatures... Hot chocolate was the least we could do. Besides, it was fun to get to meet everyone.

[nicko68]

That's way cool! I'm a software developer myself (I don't write cool stuff like you guys) but it must be quite the feeling seeing people lined up, waiting to buy something you worked so hard on.

[PunkJr]

It's so cool that you guys did that. I really wish I could have been out there for the fun. :)

[BriGuy]

Yup, I was there last night too. My report is in this thread (http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=8505&page=2)

Thanks again guys the treats, stckers, and most of all, your time. You didn't have to do all of that for us, but it is really appreciated! It really goes to show how much heart you guys put into this game!

[ChaosElement]

It's nice and all, but I don't think delaying it a month is really giving Canadians the love :(

[FScrib]

Stiper,

I have to concur with you. It's funny, because I wasn't interested with Guitar Hero III when I heard that Harmonix wasn't behind it. I've been a fan since Amplitude/Frequency (yeah, like everyone else...) and played all the Karaoke Revolutions religiously until the American Idol one. I've always said that they have the best potential out of any other developer and should be treated as such.

No other video games have engrossed me or made me feel like I was a part of them as much have the Harmonix games have.

Anyway, Harmonix, we love you lots down here (well, with the exception of our neighbors due to the drums XD) May you always face success with whatever you create.

[Rook_x51]

Stiper,

I have to concur with you. It's funny, because I wasn't interested with Guitar Hero III when I heard that Harmonix wasn't behind it. I've been a fan since Amplitude/Frequency (yeah, like everyone else...) and played all the Karaoke Revolutions religiously until the American Idol one. I've always said that they have the best potential out of any other developer and should be treated as such.

No other video games have engrossed me or made me feel like I was a part of them as much have the Harmonix games have.

Anyway, Harmonix, we love you lots down here (well, with the exception of our neighbors due to the drums XD) May you always face success with whatever you create.

American Idol is fun. It's EXACTLY like all the KR games you've played except with a story. While it may sound lame to like the AI game, I openly admit it being my favorite KR game to date.

[Quastor]

I entirely entered this thread expecting more flaming. Maybe this can be a safe haven for those of us in the HMX army? ;)

Personally, I've been slowly trying to win over the entire QA team. I don't know if John's doing a good job relaying my messages though. :(

[Angry_Games]

I know HMX is going through some "trials" right now, but it must be said; they've got to be one of the most fan friendly devs in the business right now. They understand more than many others that their success lies not in formula and business-as-usual approaches, but rather by listening to the fans and *gasp* giving them what they want and treating them like real people instead of faceless cash machines. Sure, they can't please everybody, but they're damn well gonna make sure as many people are as happy with their game as they are.

And the most exciting thing? They're just getting started. I know they've been making great games for a good while now, but they're blowing up, and they're able to challenge the industry's notions about what makes a great AAA title, and we're getting to watch it all unfold as it happens.

I agree. Harmonix showed the kind of love for their games by showing the fans the love with all the blogs, announcements, feedback threads, etc. Passing out hot chocolate when it's ball-freezing cold outside is just another feather in the hat.

I've been online and gaming and visiting game company forums/sites for years and years and while some are really good (Bungie is pretty good at it), I've never seen a company as good at street-level personal communication as Harmonix.

Yes yes, I am performing oral pleasures on them blah blah blah. Even with my own issue of a fender dying within 5 songs, I still feel like Harmonix is a company that can and is so far doing things the right way. Which is odd since they are under EA, a company that has absolutely zero concept of customer support...maybe Harmonix is so good that they are helping EA change? lol...good luck on that I know.

But I'm glad to see a thread like this sammiched between the negative threads. As I used to point out to everyone at my own tech forum when we were a support forum for a major motherboard company, if everyone had zero problems, there'd be no reason for this forum to exist. Part 2 of that is these types of forums/sites are geared towards helping people solve the problems with their products, so the ratio of "no problems!" threads compared to "GRRRR NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS!!!" threads is going to be disproportionate. About 1 good thank you thread for every 10-100 screaming complaint threads.

That's life. Especially on the internet.

[FScrib]

I prefer KR Party myself. AI was waaaaaaaaaaaay too easy and totally lame with the song choices.

[Thrashdragon]

I'm waiting for the inevitable "my bundle didn't come with hot chocolate" threads. :rolleyes:

[FScrib]

Angry_Games,

It's rather silly that people would be so negative and irrate about something as fantastic as Rock Band. I haven't gone through enough threads to see people's complaints, but I don't have the time/patience/attention span and I'd rather not get fired up over ignorance. Harmonix deserves mad props and repect to have accomplished such a feat for, I don't know, actually catering to its fans.

A lot of my fiance's Friday and Saturday nights have been spent with quite a few friends playing KR and Guitar Hero I&II. We're glad to have Rock Band as a part of that lineup now.

[Tomahawk214]

What I like the most is that devs actually post in threads and read about our comments and questions, unlike most developers who shun any existance of their community. The only two other studios I knew who did this was FASA Studio and Infinity Ward (even thought it was mostly fourzerotwo posting)

Thanks for the attention! By the way, Rock Band hot chocolate cups could score major monies on eBay, lol.

[Angry_Games]

Angry_Games,

It's rather silly that people would be so negative and irrate about something as fantastic as Rock Band. I haven't gone through enough threads to see people's complaints, but I don't have the time/patience/attention span and I'd rather not get fired up over ignorance. Harmonix deserves mad props and repect to have accomplished such a feat for, I don't know, actually catering to its fans.

A lot of my fiance's Friday and Saturday nights have been spent with quite a few friends playing KR and Guitar Hero I&II. We're glad to have Rock Band as a part of that lineup now.

lol yeah I've read about 50 threads of negative stuff already, and I'm done with them. I'll click on new threads and if they look like just more bashing, I hit the back button and find threads like this that are a bit more positive.

I don't ignore the problems that the RB game/hardware has for certain users, I've just solved mine by getting an instant express RMA and now I'm enjoying the game with teh drums, mic, and 360 explorer guitars. I got no time to brood and flame and scream. I did that for 5 minutes after my guitar broke last night. Then I started playing with the explorer and am SO FREAKING HAPPY with this game that I'm beside myself (heh, wtf does that actually mean anyway?).

The 5 people that will be having T-day dinner with us tomorrow...they are incredibly stoked to get a chance to see this thing in action (after hearing my gushingly schoolgirl happy comments about it!)

[FScrib]

Well, they were 7-11 cups, but still, they were awesome. And I totally would love a Rock Band cup. Or how about a Rock Band coffee mug in the shop?

[Blu Fox]

Dude i would buy the game if i got hot chocolate...:(

I WANT THIS GAME SO :eek: BAD!!