Rock Band in 2013 and beyond

[RuseBalaxin]

Except last month when I had no internet for a full week and was still able to use the Xbox just fine.

I never said that you couldn't actually use the X-box without an internet connection. Though I have encountered an inability to play certain videos or disc games offline. Arkham City, for example, refused to load until I had received
a lengthy update, this is what I was referring to.

[hodayathink]

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for Rock Band living on and creating newer, better experiences to fulfill those rock star fantasies inside me. I just feel that video game consoles are, in themselves becoming a leaky boat, a sinking ship. This generation of gaming has endured an astounding 7 years opposed to the mandatory 5 that our technology dictates to the market. I would be very interested in knowing what exactly are the limitations of today's consoles that necessitates newer hardware.

Backwards compatibility, as you mentioned is the other major issue I have.
What becomes of the $1,000+ dollars I have poured into this franchise?
For others it's even more. When and where do we, as gamers draw the line?
Every version of the PS3 after its initial launch saw Sony strip away things
like usb ports, specific hardware features and even PS1 compatibility.

First of all, it was PS2 compatibility that got stripped, not PS1. You can still play pretty much any PS1 game on any PS3, new or old.

Second, in theory, while there isn't much that the current generation consoles can't do, a new console would be able to do everything "better". Developers right now run into limitations with RAM (just ask Bethesda about the PS3), with disc/hard drive speeds (long loading times), even with raw power. New systems should, in theory, make everything easier.

[ThatAuthoringGroup]

I've gone on the record saying that they only way rb can be resurrected is to move to all real instruments (for peripheral freedom as others mentioned). But I've also went on to add that they should get rid of 5-button legacy mode and develop a new casual mode of play utilizing real instruments so people who aren't interested in learning will still have fun. Needless to say I was burned at the stake for the suggestion. Maybe it's not such a bad idea for the next generation of consoles, especially considering the possibility of DLC not being able to transfer over anyways.

So get rid of everything that makes Rock Band Rock Band, and use the mode that only a fraction of a fraction of the existing players use (pro).

Charlie! How many times have I told you to keep doing Charlie work at the bar and stop coming up with these hair brained schemes?

[SirDavidTLynch]

I never said that you couldn't actually use the X-box without an internet connection. Though I have encountered an inability to play certain videos or disc games offline. Arkham City, for example, refused to load until I had received
a lengthy update, this is what I was referring to.

If a single-player retail game required you to always be online, I don't think this would be the first I've heard about it.

[Meat-Popsicle]

If a single-player retail game required you to always be online, I don't think this would be the first I've heard about it.

That game would be Diablo 3. Others require you to download the latest version before you continue playing, but how would it even know there was a new version to download if you were never online?

Y'know, I wouldn't be stunned to hear that there were some games that refused to run unless you got online to check for an update, and then refused to run until you downloaded and installed any update that might exist. But I can't say for sure that any game does that (since I'm always online with my PS3).

[Sayburr]

I am hopeing for 2013, Harmonix will release a new version with the release of the new Xbox (if it happens). I don't think HMX needs to release a new version on the current generation of system.

I don't think HMX needs to add anything additional to the series, the pattern matching system works great the say it is. For those who think the game is too easy, they can buy a Mustang and have a bigger challenge. Just polish the game and release it along side the next gen systems when the casual market is interested in gaming again.

What I do hope is HMX is able to continue to afford to release a couple of songs each week so they can put the tag line on the new game box, "312 weeks of new songs have been released so far, bring the total number of songs that can be purchased seperatly to over 5,000. Rock Band gives you more song choices than any game in the history of console gaming!"

[Mackie]

So get rid of everything that makes Rock Band Rock Band, and use the mode that only a fraction of a fraction of the existing players use (pro).

Charlie! How many times have I told you to keep doing Charlie work at the bar and stop coming up with these hair brained schemes?

I didn't say, there would only be pro mode.

Hey was that a Always Sunny reference? If so ill take it.

[princeofcups]

I expect to see Rock Band 4 as a next gen tittle with dlc till then.

That seems most likely. Right now their "owners" are trying to recoup their DLC licensing investment with minimal effort/expense. From what we know of the people at HMX, they definitely have plans for the new consoles, but what we don't know is if their "owners" will let them invest the man years needed to develop a RB4.

[skyp1e]

There are so many things that a Rock Band title could do to stay fresh.

Integration with a website. They sort of do it a bit on facebook now, but I think a dedicated website for Rock Band with a virtual world to spend "fame points" and "money" would be a nice shot in the arm.

Broaden the peripherals so that any budget can be involved. Do this with a controller similar to what the DS had for GH on the low end and make it so that MPA's can accommodate any instrument including phono and XLR style microphones on the high end. In between offer the same GRYBO guitars and PRO keys and guitars as was available for RB3.

Add achievements regularly and incorporate plenty of in game activity with the online virtual world. Let people hook up online so that they can form bands easier in game without relying so much on randoms. I realize that you can sort of do this now, but it's woefully infective and could benifit from a more user friendly approach with tools such as "guilds", calendars, bulletin boards and HMX challenges that people can hook up with one another to accomplish.

Offer rendering software to those that have a talent for creating in game clothing, venues and props. Similar to how authoring groups can do charts. Let these artists earn money from the store as their work is offered as DLC.

There really are plenty of things that can still happen for Rock Band titles in the future.

[rkbdgurl]

I'm buying what you're selling. Nice ideas skyp1e