I don't get it.

[ErikSarcasm]

You were saying they were going to be charging fifty dollars for it? You expected an arcade game to cost fifty dollars, did you?

Every article? You would only have to read *one* article about Blitz to know it was A. an XBL/PSN game (and therefore not a 50 dollar retail game) and B. The songs export to RB3 for free.

P.S. And for the record, *your* tone was quite insulting to start with.

I don't think it was. If it was someone would've called me on it by now. Did I say "this looks dumb" or "people who like this are idiots"? No. Fact is, I was bored waiting for dinner and skimmed the forum and saw mass excitement, and I wondered why. Was I missing something? Because to me, what I saw didn't pop. In fact, the words "No Peripherals Required" shocked and disturbed me, and I wondered why RB and GH fans would want to play a game with no peripherals.

Now, had I seen the game trailer and said "Wow that looks awesome where can I get it?" I would've looked into that. Fact is I wasn't that interested so I didn't. I asked a simple question and got honest, polite, intelligent answers for the most part, with one or two notable exceptions. But it's the internet, there's always one.

[Riffrockrat]

Actually, I would think, had the trailer confused or puzzled you for some reason, you would have been more motivated to read the details about it. To figure out if there was something about the game you did not get from the trailer. You didn't say the game was dumb, verbatim, but you certainly indicated it was pointless and unappealing.

[ErikSarcasm]

Well, marketing materials didn't answer my original question, why would rhythm gamers want to play Blitz? Most of the forum posts are abouot features, songs, achievements, price, but there wasn't an "Is this fun?" thread. So, I started one. For fun.

I think I get it. It's not a Rock Band game, exactly. It's a Rock Band- themed arcade game which has crossover appeal to non-RB fans and non-exclusive RB fans (people who like other stuff besides RB). So there's really only one way to see if I'll like it. Bring on the demo, already!

And i sincerely hope that peripherals are NOT dead and that there is further innovation in this genre. Not just new songs to play, but new features, new instruments, new modes. Hell, I actually enjoyed the quest mode of GH:WOR because it added something. I liked the powers and narration, even though yes, I just wanted to play the songs. And it didn't promote the purchase of any new equipment like that slider strip integration did. Regardless of how it turns out, I hope that Blitz doesn't represent the future of rhythm gaming.

[Riffrockrat]

Whether it will be fun or not is almost completely subjective. To start with, it is hard to judge solely on videos. I think it *looks* fun, myself. Those who have had the opportunity to try demos seem to be quite positive about the game's entertainment value. I believe there is a topic where someone reviewed his experience with Blitz thus far. In any case, no, not everyone will like it, of course. Not everyone will think it is fun. I think it will be viewed, by the majority of Rock Band fans, however, as at least a decent experience.

[bonethug0108]

One of the major issues with gh/rb since they started was the instruments. From production to shipping(especially int'l) to being expensive for consumers in a collapsing economy to stores not wanting to stock them because they take up too much space(opportunity cost factors in big time for shelf/storage space; why stock/store 1 $90 item when you can stock/store 10 $50 items), the drawbacks far outweigh the positives for these companies.

We actually had a good thread about this a while back and it's likely the main factor in guitar gaming's downfall. It's prohibitively expensive to get started for most people.

There was even discussion of how they could do Rock Band without instruments(and this was before blitz was announced). We also discussed the delivery method of digital vs. in store.

Honestly Blitz is Rock Band's best bet in continuing the brand in this down economy. If it sells well and dlc sales see a significant upswing we may start seeing more songs per week and dlc continuing for longer than would have otherwise, thus benefiting peripheral players also.

And this is coming from a person who's not too keen on the Blitz gameplay(though the demo may change my mind) and has been desperately wanting a rb4(digital or in stores). Even if they don't do new peripherals, I'd like to see an improvement from rb3.

[Riffrockrat]

I was not even able to get into rhythm games until July of 2011 *because* of steep cost of entry (I have a limited entertainment budget). Playing the plastic guitar is fun, sure, but if they can make something music-based as fun without the need for average joe to purchase peripheral + game just to try it, I think it can be a big success.

[bonethug0108]

That's what we should all be hoping for, even if you don't like Blitz. If Blitz "wins" all Rock Band fans "win".

On the flipside, well let's just say we should all hope it at least does decent enough. I don't want to say Blitz failing will be a coffin nail, but with each passing year without a new core game less and less people will buy dlc. If Blitz can turn the needle up it gives hope.

[GNFfhqwhgads]

I agree with the OP.
Everyone gets to vote with their money, I suppose; and my vote is no.

You agree with OP that it's a $50 disc game involving racing and has an export charge?

but with each passing year without a new core game less and less people will buy dlc.

Since when? Considering the game/instrument is only going down in price, there's just as many people joining in on a deal as there are quitting because 'waaaaah no Tour Mode' or 'waaaaah I have to click the album sort on Quickplay instead of picking the Album Playlist option in the RB2 Tour'.

[bonethug0108]

Just lost interest in general. Sure we "hardcore" gamers keep playing rb3, but people who aren't super into it will drop out over time because of new games, changes in life, friends losing interest(big reason why I play a lot less), or whatever other reasons.

And yes new people are coming in, but to be so naive as to think there are as many or more coming in than are dropping out is putting on rose tinted glasses.

The base is and will continue to get smaller. It's not as drastic as the drop from rb2 to rb3, or from the first year of rb3 to now, but that's because a large number of those casual fans have already left.

The games on demand version I'm sure was a pretty big boon, but it still only seems to have at best offset the lack of a rb4.

In short, most gamers "beat" a game and move on. You can't really "beat" Rock Band, but I'm sure most people by now have done what they wanted to do or were able to do in it(being that it's nearly 2 years old), and only those who are "hardcore" fans are the ones making up the majority of the base.

And hmx themselves said the average player downloaded 2 songs(?), and this was when the series was still pretty big. So with the casuals dropping out and even many long time fans losing interest and buying less dlc, the sales will only continue downwards.

It's the same argument that was made when people were saying the genre was dying. Most didn't want to believe, but it's on life support and that's obvious to pretty much everyone now. Rock Band dlc, and to a much smaller degree Rocksmith, are the only things keeping guitar gaming going. But it's not going to last forever, and without a new game it will only fizzle out that much sooner.

That's why Blitz is the best bet we have. A cheap way to get new players in and buying dlc. If it's successful at both, then we can see this train keep rolling for a bit longer.

I'm not saying dlc is selling abysmally right now. But if you don't think they've dropped from a year ago you are kidding yourself. Why else do you think they dropped output and have flatly stated that if they see a change in buying habits it will increase. If not, we can get used to the 3 song week. And that is a trend we can only hope Blitz will reverse.

Dlc is hmx's cash cow, but if you don't keep feeding it the cow will die. Blitz will hopefully be a big meal.

[GNFfhqwhgads]

Just lost interest in general. Sure we "hardcore" gamers keep playing rb3, but people who aren't super into it will drop out over time because of new games, changes in life, friends losing interest(big reason why I play a lot less), or whatever other reasons.

Oh, I didn't realize new games means you have to break your old ones. That's too bad. Guess I'll get started...


Harmonix said over a million unique players play it every month, and that it's not the same million each time. They also said it's a 'side-game'. You see DLC you like, you buy it and play it, bring it to a party, whatever. It's not something you sit down and commit all your gaming time to. That doesn't mean funds aren't flowing from those people.