Official Discussion - Rock Band Network

[silentknell]

The idea that other consoles are going to have to wait doesn't really concern me at all. I can always wait. What I am concerned with is whether I, on PS3, will be able to play some of my friends' bands or favorite local bands at some point after they become available on the XBOX360. You know, eventually.

***Edit: Clever anecdote, but I don't think it's a good idea to call fans of any one particular console morons.*** - HMXHenry

[DJPooka]

Since these tools are near to what HMX already develops, can we get an idea of the man hours it would take to get a track ready for RBN? I know you probably aren't releasing full details yet, but I'd like an idea of what kind of time it takes "the experts" to go from master recording to testing.

I'm wondering because I suspect there will be a niche for non professional enthusiasts to take unsigned or very indie artist's music and do the rock band development for them. The labels will get their own people, but there's probably going to be a need for community developers. Before I get my interest too into this, I'm just wondering what kind of time we're looking at.

Or have I missed the idea entirely and you don't expect amateur developers to be involved?

I'm interested in this too... I'm also gonna pt together a business proposal for a guy at work who runs a small indie record label who I work with

[Gryffindor]

There's going to be the continued releases as normal, and this will be additional to that in its own separate store.

Good. I imagine most of the artists releasing through the new program will be indies (which I personally don't really care for). I can't see large bands signing up to do this as they simply don't have the time, staff and knowledge to do it.

As a PS3 owner I'm actually ok with this one. Let the 360 users weed out what's good and bad.

[Lone Bulldogs]

The idea that other consoles are going to have to wait doesn't really concern me at all. I can always wait. What I am concerned with is whether I, on PS3, will be able to play some of my friends' bands or favorite local bands at some point after they become available on the XBOX360. You know, eventually. Because I could see something like this happening to me in the future.

January of 2010.

Band Member X: "Hey! Thanks so much for facebook messaging us about that Rock Band Networking thing!"

Me: "Oh, yeah, definitely! I mean, really, it was for my own benefit; I just wanted to play your songs on Rock Band."

Band Member X: "So what did you think of them?"

Me: "Huh?"

Band Member X: "What did you think of those songs we put up on the Rock Band Network? It actually took us forever to do the whole thing, but I knew guys like you were really looking forward to us trying this new thing out."

Me: "Errm. Yeah... well, about that."

Band Member X: "You mean you haven't seen us on there yet? Dude, those songs have been out on there for over a month! Ok, well, when you get back home tonight, promise me that you'll check 'em out."

Me: "Well, listen, the thing is this. I'm on the Playstation 3."

Band Member X: "Ohhhh. Wait, are you saying that Playstation 3 doesn't have Rock Band Network?? Oh, Man. I'm sorr..."

Me: "No, no. We do have it. Playstation 3 does have it, technically. But... well, only certain ones with enough sales on XBOX360 gets transferred over to the PS3. Which means, um, your songs... uh... just... um."

*awkward silence*

Band Member X: "Are you telling me that people on XBOX360 aren't buying our songs, which is why you haven't been able to play them?"

Me: "...yeaaah. Pretty much. But don't worry about it, man. The lack of sales really doesn't say anything about the quality of music you guys make. Honestly, XBOX360 users are just bunch of morons with poor taste in music and pretty much everything else so..."

Band Member X: "My wife owns a XBOX360."

Me: "Oh."

*awkward silence*

Not only is this funny but I bet the RBN causes some people to buy a 360 for their favorite band that didn't make it.

[rockfresh126]

wow Subpop is on board? FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS NOW PLEASE!

[HMXEnosity]

Hm, I wonder if HMX will provide some sort of guidance on their charting philosophy and conventions to the developers.

Documentation will be released in the coming month. We want the Rock Band Network to have the same standards of quality that our weekly dlc has. Keep checking out - http://creators.rockband.com/docs/Authoring for more details..

[Gryffindor]

Not only is this funny but I bet the RBN causes some people to buy a 360 for their favorite band that didn't make it.

Likely not. Those, like me, that have a large amount invested in DLC and instruments aren't about to change consoles just so we can play a band that's only offered on the 360. The cost is too high to start over from scratch.

[HMXEnosity]

I also saw that there's potential to set up your songs that you've created and test them out in the actual game before submitting them. Is this correct?

Yes, you will be able to test songs in-game before submitting them.

Is there any kind of automated process available to help when it comes to "dumbing down" the charts for lower difficulties? I understand if we have to tweak a bit on our own...but it'd be tough to have to basically rechart a song from scratch for each difficulty. Especially on Easy/Medium where there could be concerns for WAY under charting.

Our audio team authors each difficulty by hand. This way each difficulty is authentic and fun to play. More info on charting is coming soon

[EntropyMu]

Likely not. Those, like me, that have a large amount invested in DLC and instruments aren't about to change consoles just so we can play a band that's only offered on the 360. The cost is too high to start over from scratch.

No kidding, I'm trying to figure out how I can start over to be a part of the RBN creation/review process. Forget DLC, just the 360 + RB2 + Instruments is painful.

[woodwindpizza]

Where can I watch the video ? I've looked on the website but hasn't found it...

creators.rockband.com