Rock Band Blitz – Rumors and Facts

[Catch-22]

Which game company do you work for? And how come you're posting here instead of designing your own game?

[KooleKyle]

Again, how much could have been solved with just one more button.

I think this game will do just fine with out the third button, considering it will have five lanes maximum. Don't try and pass judgement on a company's actions until the actual product is out. Imagine trying to play TTFAF or another higher difficulty song. I'm sure those two button per lane [ 5(2)=10. ] will keep you busy. Especially if you're going for one of those 'crazy powerups' or whatever.

[FujiSkunk]

What happened?

You said yourself this game has some different features than the earlier games, including power-ups. Again, Harmonix may have determined the extra features made for a better game ioverall, but also necessitated some slimming down of the instrument tracks to make the game more fun and easier to learn, at least for the typical player they are hoping to bring in.

[Lowlander2]

I think this game will do just fine with out the third button, considering it will have five lanes maximum. Don't try and pass judgement on a companies actions until the actual product is out.

But the product is more or less out. Harmonix have put it out five times already. The addition of powerups will extend its appeal and gameplay, but it's gonna have be damn good to cover what the game considers a tricky solo now.

Oh yeah, remember how you guys keep saying how the simplicity of one track is compensated by having lots of different ones? Well, this video shows that "solo restriction" is still in effect. That is, when a solo is playing, you have to play just that track. Considering solo events are where most of the magic happens, what happens when there's no magic to be found?

And I know, "solos aren't all that common", but come on, they happen more often than you think, and they're where all the difficulty is, or isn't in this case.

You said yourself this game has some different features than the earlier games, including power-ups. Again, Harmonix may have determined the extra features made for a better game ioverall, but also necessitated some slimming down of the instrument tracks to make the game more fun and easier to learn, at least for the typical player they are hoping to bring in.

That's what extra difficulties should be for: to seperate and cater for different audiences.

[Meat-Popsicle]

This article has an interesting insight: Most people ditched their instruments long ago, but still have DLC on their machine, sitting around doing nothing. This game allows them to resurrect it all, at a very low price point.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/122/1222273p1.html

Another thing this article makes clear something that everyone else has known for a long time, but the people here in the echo-chamber just won't acknowledge: there is no WAY we are ever going to get a Rock Band 4. The genre isn't just down from it's heyday, it is permanently DEAD. I don't even know who to get mad at. Certainly not Harmonix ... they are geniuses for keeping this revenue stream going for as long as possible. But they know it would be crazy to ever make another major investment in the genre. I guess I am left to blame "myself", for being stupid enough to fully adopt all of the fun things that have only a limited shelf life in the real world.

I'm going to go home, break out my DDR pads, and play until the endorphins kick in. Though I think I'll have to move aside my boxes of eTopps [R.I.P.] cards to get at them, which will just make me even more sad.

[FujiSkunk]

Considering solo events are where most of the magic happens, what happens when there's no magic to be found?

What happens? Everybody deletes the game, of course. Then every game magazine calls it the worst ever. Harmonix goes bankrupt. Activision announces 20 new GH sequels. Power Gig is revived and christined Game of the Year. And GNF gets elected president.

Seriously, what do you want to hear? I understand you feel you have legitimate concerns about the game play, but could you please state your concerns and opinions in a way that doesn't imply you know everything there is to know about a game that isn't even out yet?

Or, as Henry said before, "Say something positive. I dare you."

[KooleKyle]

Oh yeah, remember how you guys keep saying how the simplicity of one track is compensated by having lots of different ones? Well, this video shows that "solo restriction" is still in effect. That is, when a solo is playing, you have to play just that track. Considering solo events are where most of the magic happens, what happens when there's no magic to be found?

In all honesty, that solo didn't look too unfun at all. I'd imagine once you're immersed in the actual game and trying enjoy it, it'd be still pretty fun, Two buttons and all.
-shrug

[MagicMurderBag7]

Bla bla bla this video bla bla bla

Holy crap. This game looks really fun! I cant wait for it!

[Lowlander2]

I understand you feel you have legitimate concerns about the game play, but could you please state your concerns and opinions in a way that doesn't imply you know everything there is to know about a game that isn't even out yet?

But the baseline button-pushing part of the game is already out. Which means that the big difference, and perhaps the only ones given the instrument switching system being involved in the series prior, are the powerups and perhaps an overhaul of instrument switch combos as we know them.

Colour me sceptical these will be enough to make it a compelling experience for me. I think the livestream will give me the answer.

[SirDavidTLynch]

Another thing this article makes clear something that everyone else has known for a long time, but the people here in the echo-chamber just won't acknowledge: there is no WAY we are ever going to get a Rock Band 4. The genre isn't just down from it's heyday, it is permanently DEAD.

I saw nothing in the article that said there will never be a Rock Band 4. How is the genre "permanantly DEAD" when Rock Band 3 continues to get more DLC every single week?

Maybe what works on the DS's + Control Pad doesn't work on the Xbox 360's D-pad. Maybe Harmonix tested out many different designs to see what would work.