Rock Band Network: Developer Quotes and Clarification

[rockdude]

well what im curious about is if Harmonix is going to make the software needed for getting a song in the game free? Because at all I have read about RBN almost makes it sound like that, or our we going to have to buy it? I dont think this will matter that much to me though because I think I would try doing it the Rythm Authors way, but that brings up another question isnt rythm authors a fairly small group? so will they only be able to accept a certain amount of songs or will they take it all and just get it done when they get it done?

[Poncho]

I just have one quick question that I didn't see up in the quotes.

Does anyone know if bands will have to censored their songs or will it be uncensored but have some sort of rating system for songs?

[Knucklesdude]

well what im curious about is if Harmonix is going to make the software needed for getting a song in the game free? Because at all I have read about RBN almost makes it sound like that, or our we going to have to buy it?

The only things that you would really need to shell money on are the Creator's Club Membership ($100) and a Reaper license ($60). The rest will be provided for free. Look here for more on what you need: http://creators.rockband.com/spec

I dont think this will matter that much to me though because I think I would try doing it the Rythm Authors way, but that brings up another question isnt rythm authors a fairly small group? so will they only be able to accept a certain amount of songs or will they take it all and just get it done when they get it done?

They have a contact e-mail and a Twitter, so you can go on either of those to ask them. But you can go ahead and apply, it's moreso their problem to handle the demand than yours.

Does anyone know if bands will have to censored their songs or will it be uncensored but have some sort of rating system for songs?

The RBN is under the same content umbrella as regular download content. So yes, songs may have to be edited to make appropriate for Rock Band.

[HMXEnosity]

Reaper is available to work on both Windows and Mac, and while I prefer to work on the Mac side -will Magma be PC only? I presume if I'm having to use PC Magma I'll have to have done the work in PC Reaper.

Reaper is available for Mac and PC.
The Rock Band Network plugin for Reaper is PC only.
Magma is also PC only.

The RBN plugin is not necessary for charting (but very helpful). Magma however is required for testing and submitting songs. Also remember that both Magma and the RBN plugin for Reaper will work on a Mac running VMware (or something similar).

well what im curious about is if Harmonix is going to make the software needed for getting a song in the game free? Because at all I have read about RBN almost makes it sound like that, or our we going to have to buy it?

Magma and the RBN plugin for Reaper will both be free.

[General Lein979]

1. Will artist be able to sell their songs in packs?
2. How are the characters going to be mocaped? Mainly mouths and hands.

[HMXEnosity]

1. Will artist be able to sell their songs in packs?
2. How are the characters going to be mocaped? Mainly mouths and hands.

1 - no

2 - RBN uses a program to lip-sync based on the song's vocal track. Hand positions for the Guitarist and Bassist can be animated in Reaper.

[iruhlman]

No doubt there'll be some chartmeisters who are better at this than others; but it's not like there haven't been controversial charts even from the pros at HMX (and Neversoft, for that matter). Charting is guesswork, not an exact science; but maybe there'll be a rating system on RBN where players can let you know who the *good* charters are as opposed to those who consistently turn in shoddy work.

but what if someone brings something different to the table than your standard "charting" from like HMX or someone they have trained?

Meaning songs are different from the GH boys that chart the same songs already in Rock Band and vice versa. Someone might like they way a song is charted in GH over the same song in RB (I cna't give an example: just used for sake of argument)

Example I know how to play alot of the songs in RB and GH on guitar for real so its nice to see (War Ensemble in GH) is nearly identical to how its played for real on a guitar. Not all songs are charted with how they are actually played on guitar. Some prefer this and some don't. Granted if someone just throws up a bunch of random notes to expert guitar chances are it wont be that great, dunno maybe they get lucky and its still fun, only time will tell once these songs are released and everyone is watching youtube videos of the RBN charts and starts commenting on them.

[massiveparanoia]

So I totally understand the concept of moving songs over to the PS3/Wii versions by hand, but out of curiosity, will PS3 and Wii owners still be downloading a "RBN Client," as in essentially a separate store from the main music store? Or will RBN songs be intertwined with the rest of the songs in the music store? Or will it get it's own section (among the "new release, song packs, etc)?

[massiveparanoia]

but what if someone brings something different to the table than your standard "charting" from like HMX or someone they have trained?

People who enjoy some of the older music games, for example Dance Dance Revolution, will probably be familiar to song charting already, not just in game, but from the ABSOLUTELY HUGE amount of user made songs/stepfiles (chart) And really it's a give and take process.

Sometimes there are people that make really good charts, either accurately challenging or really fun. Then there are the jokesters or no tallents that just throw a bunch of random notes to screw with people.

But that's what the screening process is for. If the song's guitarist is simply playing fourth notes and the chart is some wacky shredding throughout, flags will be raised.

At the same time, it's a new system, just starting up. We've gotta give people time to get accustomed to it. I've nothing but high hopes for it (plus I can't wait, because sometime in the future I'll have my own material up for download )

[iruhlman]

People who enjoy some of the older music games, for example Dance Dance Revolution, will probably be familiar to song charting already, not just in game, but from the ABSOLUTELY HUGE amount of user made songs/stepfiles (chart) And really it's a give and take process.

Sometimes there are people that make really good charts, either accurately challenging or really fun. Then there are the jokesters or no tallents that just throw a bunch of random notes to screw with people.

But that's what the screening process is for. If the song's guitarist is simply playing fourth notes and the chart is some wacky shredding throughout, flags will be raised.

At the same time, it's a new system, just starting up. We've gotta give people time to get accustomed to it. I've nothing but high hopes for it (plus I can't wait, because sometime in the future I'll have my own material up for download )

me too (i hope), The big question is how will you stand out from the crowd when RBN has 1,000 tracks to choose from? I play metal/Vai'ish mostly but many are burnt out on the metal category already.

I'm coming in with a bit different approach as I don't have alot of existing material and pretty much its all is going to be created strictly with this RBN in mind. So when I come up with a guitar riff, I'll coincide that with a note chart instantly. Should be interesting to see how it turns out. Hard part is going to be getting a singer to write and record lyrics in like a matter of days. Could prove difficult especially with using a variety of vocalists with different music styles.