My Thanks for the Awesome Guitar Controller

[Torgo]

in 1997, my arm was broken, along with many other bones, in an auto accident when my Dodge Shadow was hit head-on by an 18-wheeler on a snow-covered road. It was broken so badly that the main nerve bundle was severed severely, making most of my arm and left hand completely numb. I really only have feeling in my pinky and ring finger of my left hand.

The reason I give that info is for you to understand why I've never been able to play a guitar-based game before. Sure, I've tried by setting the guitar for "lefty" and trying to strum with my left hand, but the strum bars on all of the guitar controllers in the past were just too low profile, and my hand would miss the bar completely all the time.

I've spent the last few years watching my friends enjoy these games, while I sat on the sidelines, wishing that I could play as well. When I saw that Rock Band was going to include a drum kit and a microphone, I knew that I'd be able to actually play the game somehow. I didn't know if I could play the drums, but I knew that I'd be able to sing if nothing else.

When I opened my copy of Rock Band last night (PS3 version), and I started playing around with the new guitar, I knew that I had to try and play a song. Much to my surprise, I made it through "Creep" on Bass at 99% (on easy). I almost broke out in tears, as I am now just typing this, as I've been an avid gamer since before the Atari 2600 days, and I've been constantly battling with my left hand since my wreck. I played for 5-6 hours last night and I enjoyed the hell out of it. I know that I'll never be able to play any higher than the "Hard" difficulty, but I'm fine with that (Hell, I couldn't even get through 'Little Sister' from QotSA on easy last night.) The simple fact that I am finally able to play a game like this, with my friends, is the greatest thing that I could have asked for.

So again, thank you Harmonix, you have made at least this gamer VERY happy!

Glenn Percival
Playstation Nation Podcast
PSN- Torgo

[Ryder35]

Can't believe that no one else has replied to this. My wife has MS so I know what it is like to not be able to do things you used to take for granted so I for one and really pleased and happy for you. I hope you continue to enjoy the game as much as possible!

[admanimal]

That is awesome!

[mdbomb]

Very nice story! Glad to hear you are able to enjoy this finally.

[SteppinRazor]

Well, there is a little sugar for your coffee.

[sporkBrigade]

Very awesome. Funny how a little design change like a higher profile strum bar could change everything. I love it. Thanks for sharing!

[GHudston]

Awesome. It's great to hear stuff like that, thanks for posting this and brightening up the forums a little bit.

[Torgo]

I actually got good enough to play a few songs on Medium with the Bass, including "Blackened." That was insane!!!

I love this game.

I had 2 musicians on my podcast, and we talked about our experience quite a bit. If anyone's interested, check the link in my signature.

[boboette]

It is touching. I'm happy for you man. I didn't read the post until today because I thought it's one of those sarcastic ones :)

[SoulScreme]

I'm so conflicted, on one hand the new strumbar annoys the heck out of me and you are definitely a rare case. On the other hand, I can feel your joy. I did martial arts for years until I herniated two disks in my back. If there were a game that could let me truly emulate fighting again I would be in heaven.

[Emowii]

I'm still kinda confused as to how you couldn't play the old guitars, but now you can play the Rock Band guitar? Design wise they don't seem that different to me.

[batsu336]

It's good to see a happy customer who took the time to post as opposed to the ones who are just having negative experiences with the game.

[Maggot_Brain]

I actually got good enough to play a few songs on Medium with the Bass, including "Blackened." That was insane!!!

I love this game.


That's really cool. Enjoy!

[seafisch]

Wow, terrific story. For all the bashing the guitar is taking, it's nice to hear such a positive perspective. I'm not a huge fan of the high profile strumbar myself, but it obviously works for some people, and I'll get used to it.

Other than that little nit pick, I love the design. The flush fret buttons with the color on the top edge, not on the fret board itself, the solo buttons, the effects switch. I really hated the Xplorer controller before the RB Strat came out, but now it looks even worse.

It's unfortunate that some production issues are leaving a bad taste in people's mouths. For the record, I need to have mine replaced - but if the replacement doesn't have any problems, I will be happier than a pig in poop with the Strat.

[seafisch]

I'm still kinda confused as to how you couldn't play the old guitars, but now you can play the Rock Band guitar? Design wise they don't seem that different to me.

The high strumbar allows him to strum with his left hand, which has limited feeling due to his injury. He would miss the lower strumbars on the other controllers. Think of trying to flick a lightswitch with just the side of your hand. Now imagine doing that if the lightswitch were only 1/8" long.

[Torgo]

I'm still kinda confused as to how you couldn't play the old guitars, but now you can play the Rock Band guitar? Design wise they don't seem that different to me.

I would miss the strum bar most of the time unless I looked directly at my thumb and the bar. The extended lip of the strum bar on this guitar allows me to almost rest my thumb on it, and even though I'm not very accurate in where my thumb is hitting every time, the larger lip allows for more possible errors on my part.

[Keanna]

I'm really glad that Rock Band had such a positive impact on your life. I really am!

Just work at it-- it'll become muscle memory the more you play, and you'll make it up to Hard in no time.
You'll up through the ranks! When you do, post some video or something! Be awesome!
(I have a friend I see at the local anime convention every year, and he only has one leg. He actually uses his crutches to play DDR, and does so on Standard.)

[Pilsen6]

Waaaaaaaaah! I'm so happy that I can play a game WAAAAAAAAAAAAh!, J/K I just had to.
But hey good for you It's nice to hear that someone it's taking advantage of the new design and isn't coplaining like others in this forums.

[thorn_9]

Thats fantastic. I am happy for you. I am very happy with the guitar as well, it kicks the xplorers ass all over my living room!

[Lady Siara]

XD What a great story, it's not often you hear of a video game almost bringing someone to tears.

[jq715861]

Congrats bro. Something like this puts all the guitar complaining and compatibly issues in perspective. This is what video games are supposed to be about.

[Damaged]

I would miss the strum bar most of the time unless I looked directly at my thumb and the bar. The extended lip of the strum bar on this guitar allows me to almost rest my thumb on it, and even though I'm not very accurate in where my thumb is hitting every time, the larger lip allows for more possible errors on my part.

Congrats on having a good time with the game. If it ends up getting too fast though, couldn't you just use the "solo" buttons and not bother strumming? Not the best option, but an option none the less. (I've thought about using them to get around the strum bar problem but haven't tried it yet.)

[Apples]

I somehow missed this post at the time it was posted, but I have to say it's an awesome story. :cool: Hope you have a grand time with the guitar.

[seafisch]

If it ends up getting too fast though, couldn't you just use the "solo" buttons and not bother strumming?

Isn't that just during the solo sections that you don't have to strum?

[tbradshaw]

Congratulations. That's so great.

[Julio_No_Mas]

That's great to hear. :)

One more reason why we can like the Strat.

[jq715861]

Hey, sorry to sort of bring up this somewhat old thread, but I just saw you won that Uncharted package. Congrats, man.