Official Discussion - Ozzy Osbourne 8 Pack Coming 5/31 - 2 songs exclusive to pack

[kitlerc]

There has to be a reason HMX is going against their *giving you the ability to customize your setlist to what you want it to be* through DLC.

If this was the only reason they were able to get these songs in the game, I'm for it. Better that than nothing right? With AC/DC it was pretty well known that the track pack was the only way we were getting them as they had to no only deal with the band's view on how to distribute music, but they had to deal with the prior Wal-Mart\AC/DC contract. So while there was *****ing about the price point, I don't recall much complaining from informed fans.

In this case, we can only assume it was some deal with licensing, as HMX (as far as I know) has only said that this is an "experiment" in packaging.

I think it's a safe assumption though since GH didn't get any Ozzy song to Export. (Or am I wrong on this?)

[rab39]

Im very surprised with all the issues and questions being brought up HMX hasnt responded today yet...just a few of the many questions:

1. Will these two songs be "locked" in this pack forever or will we see them as singles some time down the road?

2. How exactly is $13.49 a discount...especially if someone doesnt own a pro guitar? HMXhenry said there would be a discount...very misleading. A good idea for a discount, if you ask me, would have been to charge 800msp ($9.99, the normal price of a 6 pack) and count the two locked songs as bonus songs. So we would get 6 songs for the 6 song price plus the locked songs.

3. Why are the two locked songs the ones your promoting the most? (ex. on Facebook your announcement read, "Next week's DLC: an 8-pack of tracks from metal legend Ozzy Osbourne! Including "Mama, I'm Coming Home," "Bark at the Moon," and more.") And in your Zine video the very first song shown is Mama (also the song played during the brief intro). Seems like youre trying to hype the two locked songs to sell more packs....this is a cheap and (once again) very misleading way of doing business.

Im pretty disappointed in HMX right now.

I think it is more like having to kick a field goal. They didn't lose the ball, but didn't score quite as well with the fans as they could have.

The more I think about this, the more I believe it has to do with licensing. HMX released AC/DC as a track pack, but I don’t think HMX wants to go that route any longer… maybe they are looking to see how this goes before going to other artists who don’t want to release singles into the game.

There has to be a reason HMX is going against their *giving you the ability to customize your setlist to what you want it to be* through DLC.

i meant just on the "providing info" aspect. I personally loved the big teases - but like you care more about the hype it generates then my own personal feelings..and it seems like everyone reported ozzy and gaga to me - and all the dlc this month was killer: and like you, I'm dying for the rhoades tracks most of all myself, and this tuesday will be my third favorite day of they year after depeche mode and london calling (the who, the doors, iron maiden, day 1 metallica, doolittle are probably my other faves).

If they are constrained by the artist then that's certainly not their fault...but again its probably something that should be explained better.

[RockBandRocker]

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I wish they would have included "Suicide Solution" in the place of "Steal Away (The Night)". If HMX had done that, this pack would be 100% perfect.

Still, this is a great pack of songs. Nice to see "Bark At The Moon" (one of my favorites from GH1) on Rock Band.

[Sayburr]

If this was the only reason they were able to get these songs in the game, I'm for it. Better that than nothing right? With AC/DC it was pretty well known that the track pack was the only way we were getting them as they had to no only deal with the band's view on how to distribute music, but they had to deal with the prior Wal-Mart\AC/DC contract. So while there was *****ing about the price point, I don't recall much complaining from informed fans.

I don't think HMX ever came right out and said that was the reason for the AC/DC track pack and if Licensing is the reason for these "exclusive to pack songs" I don't thing HMX will ever come right out and say it... it might hurt business in the long run if they do.

[TheStuddz]

Not a single song for me here. Oh well, I'll catch up on some old stuff.

[rab39]

Is Mr. Crowley upgrade included free, that's still unclear to me.

"We're working on another little thank you for the hardcore when DLC launches next week, so keep an eye out for that. "

If it's a video that involves decapitated pigeons and bats, i can't wait.

[Funk-n-stein]

If that means one week out of 150 comes with pack exclusive tracks, or if it means adding free Pro upgrades to a pack to benefit Pro guitarists....

Thanks for the post HMXHenry, it is really great to get feedback from Harmonix no matter what the topic is and know that you are listening. I just wanted to comment on the above section of your post.

I know that the forum posters are not a 100% representation of all people playing the game, but from the pro guitarists who have posted in this thread, it's pretty unanimous that the 'free upgrades' are not seen as a benefit inasmuch as we have to also buy a bunch of non-pro songs to get those upgrades. Not trying to harp on it, just want to make sure that the voice of the pro guitarists (on the forum anyway) is heard clearly.

[rab39]

Thanks for clearing up most questions and issues but one more: Is Mr. Crowley upgrade included free, that's still unclear to me.

"We're working on another little thank you for the hardcore when DLC launches next week, so keep an eye out for that. "

If it's a video that involves decapitated pigeons and bats, i can't wait.

[kitlerc]

With no plans for a new title in the immediate future, you're right in saying that DLC is powering RB right now. That means we need to focus on getting big artists, big songs, awesome promotions, and cool incentives. We know the people on the forums will be checking in on DLC every week, but we need to attract the attention of the rest of the other 99% of the people out there playing RB.

I would like to reiterate what I have said in a previous post...

Despite our reaction to how the tracks are bundled this week, don't take it as "Well the fans hated that, we'll never do it again." If a certain band that people want (not my examples but say, Metallica, Pink Floyd, or Led Zeppelin) are only willing to be in the game if certain conditions are made (say, track pack, exclusive bundling, or their own game with no export) and if the licensing team things there is no way to negotiate around that, then I think most people would say that we'd rather have the option for that content, despite the limitations, than to not have it at all. All we ask is to keep it to a minimum.

[tpalen7]

Alright. Well said Henry. I think he was telling us what was suspected without telling us. I guess.