ASTRO's Roadie / Mission fake instrument gig bags are way too serious

ASTRO Gaming, the same outfit responsible for the A40 gaming headset, is dishing out a new pair of gig bags that'll go perfectly with your Rock Band drum bag. Up first is the Roadie, which is designed to hold a pair of Rock Band / Guitar Hero axes with enough room for a slim PlayStation 2 or a few of your musical video game titles. The Mission complete system gear bag is built to carry any current-generation game console (though we don't see any reason why an Atari Jaguar wouldn't fit in as well) along with most every accessory you can think of -- spare Wiimote straps and Salt & Vinegar chips included. Both pieces are available for pre-order right now, though we can't imagine too many of you buying in with the absolutely ludicrous $99.95 / $129.95 prices. Seriously, can you not buy a real Fender hardshell for less than that? Full release is after the break.

Gallery: ASTRO's Roadie / Mission fake instrument gig bags are way too serious

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ASTRO Gaming Moves You (and Your Gear) with the Debut of the Transport Series

'Roadie' and 'Mission' Bags Give Gamers the Perfect Means to Mobilize

SAN FRANCISCO - Nov. 25, 2008 - ASTRO Gaming, the gaming gear company behind the acclaimed A40 Headset and Audio System, is giving gamers a much-needed respite from the dreaded task of transporting all their stuff with the debut of the Transport Series of gaming bags. The first entries in the Transport Series are the Roadie and Mission bags, which can be preordered today from www.astrogaming.com, and will be available for purchase on December 15.

"At ASTRO Gaming, we design products for the challenges of the pro gamer lifestyle, and the Roadie and Mission bags enable gamers to protect their investments and travel in style," said Jordan Reiss, co-founder and vice president of ASTRO Gaming. "Fans of the A40 know that ASTRO Gaming is all about helping gamers achieve maximum performance, and the Transport Series continues that tradition."

The Roadie dual guitar controller ($99.95) case cradles two of any gamers' prized axes for Guitar Hero or Rock Band, while also comfortably fitting a PlayStation®2 Slim. Aspiring rock stars – whether competing professionally or just having an impromptu jam session at a friend's place – no longer have to lug their fake plastic instruments with dangling cords if they use the ruggedized Roadie bag.

The Mission complete system gear bag ($129.95) transports everything. Well, maybe not everything, but close – it securely moves a current-generation game console, power supply and controllers, leaving tons of extra room for personal effects. With three roomy pockets for stashing additional gear, the Mission is a veritable endless loot bag for gamers in motion.

The first two Transport Series products are available for preorder at www.astrogaming.com, and will be available for purchase on December 15. The A40 Headset and MixAmp, a tournament-grade headset and premium voice/game audio mixer that combine to form the A40 Audio System, are currently available for purchase.

[iEye @ Nov 25th 2008 6:14AM]

"we design products for the challenges of the pro gamer lifestyle"

Well, considering what people call "music" today, it is no wonder that a product like this will sell.
Fake music= fake instruments.

What ever happened to children taking Band at school?

[nzo @ Nov 25th 2008 7:02AM]

Well this will come in handy when the guys who ACTUALLY play guitars beat the crap out of you for being a poser.

[meist3r @ Nov 25th 2008 7:04AM]

"What ever happened to children taking Band at school?"

Not sounding like a rockstar for a couple of months/years is what always happened. Kids today think they want instant gratification (at least the dumb ones do).

It's much more impressive to play some Guitar Hero tune at a party and be lauded by your friends than lock yourself in a smelly basement with your guitar and a bunch of other weirdos wanting to make "music" yuck ... let Chad Kroeger go on fucking world tour ... I want to impress my hi-school girlfriends ...

/Doth thou findeth irony thou shall keepeth it.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Nov 25th 2008 8:01AM]

"Not sounding like a rockstar for a couple of months/years is what always happened. "

This is very true. And kids SHOULD get to feel like a rock star. These games are good for their intended purpose: a little rock-n-roll escapism and fairly clean fun. They've done a GREAT job turning this generation's kids on to some great rock from years past, something they wouldn't know otherwise. The new versions get kids and adults playing together, so that's cool. All that jumping around must be aerobic or something.

These games have even turned a LOT of kids on to playing real guitar and other instruments. So kudos there, too.

BUT.

THEY.

ARE.

NOT.

REAL.

INSTRUMENTS.

This whole "I'm a serious gamer" mentality amuses me. I can see having a nice padded duffle bag to carry your console in. I had a bag that I used to carry my SNES to my friend's house. Granted, it was just a bag I had laying around, but hey. Today's consoles have a lot more going on than my SNES. So maybe they need a little pad.

However, I SERIOUSLY doubt they require a $129 padded bag to carry them in.

And your GUITAR HERO CONTROLLER needs a gig bag? Spare me.

"any gamers' prized axes"

Other than that ridiculous Logitech wood-and-metal controller, does any fake guitar merit "prizing"?

I guess what bothers me is the thought that playing guitar Hero is a "real" "musical" hobby or an alternative to lessons or more constructive or (gasp) creative activities for kids.

I would even be on board with this if you could (without hours of hackery and programming) create your own music with Rock Band instruments. But as far as I know, you can't.

[konshuss @ Nov 25th 2008 10:45AM]

more like if you walk around with one of these you're "challenged."

[Craig @ Nov 25th 2008 10:44AM]

I think the designers of these games missed a great opportunity to do something really valuable for music and culture. If the games had been designed such that they actually taught something about reading music or playing a real instrument, nothing too complicated, but something that could serve as a springboard into more serious exploration of music-making, it might have spawned a whole new generation of young creative musicians.

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 25th 2008 6:33AM]

For when you visit your other parent on the weekends.

[G @ Nov 25th 2008 7:17AM]

You can get a REAL gig bag for less than half the price! I got one for FREE with my new Ibanez Prestige, god that's a sweet guitar.

[nsdcx @ Nov 25th 2008 1:23PM]

Did you really just use the words "Ibanez" and "sweet guitar" in the same sentence?

[absinthe party @ Nov 25th 2008 7:23AM]

I carry all my game consoles bare-handed, like a real man.

[andrew @ Nov 25th 2008 7:26AM]

i don't see anything here that a $30 canvas backpack can't do (speaking for the console bag). i'll save the extra $100 and spend it on more important things (like beer) for a night of gaming with friends.

[zoom @ Nov 25th 2008 7:42AM]

Already have to REAL guitars, and two real cases :)

(I don't even own any of these music games, cause I got the real thing)

[ZaxCG2 @ Nov 25th 2008 8:34AM]

Oh mah gawd...
I'm so jealous, you must be so freakin' awesome and makin' meeelions with your band. Your REAL band- that you HAVE right?

[ZaxCG2 @ Nov 25th 2008 8:31AM]

Sour Cream & Onion and its a DEAL.

[emh @ Nov 25th 2008 9:11AM]

Sure, but are they TSA-approved?

[the tif @ Nov 25th 2008 10:01AM]

Can't you buy a new PS2 for about the same as that bag? Buy a new ps2 and use it as your "travelling ps2" if you really want!

[Eric @ Nov 25th 2008 11:17AM]

Five out of my six guitars are in cases cheaper than those gig bags... the other one I managed to get for free with the instrument - but would have cost the same.

[michaelportent @ Nov 25th 2008 12:10PM]

Thank Jesus for Guitar Hero/Rock Band. It keeps people that have no business starting a band from starting a band. Also, to be *extra* serious, I think they need a rolling amp case modified to hold consoles, etc.

[bandigolo @ Nov 25th 2008 1:53PM]

I used to eagerly wait for the day people would stop wearing fanny packs. That day has yet to come. I've now reserved myself to waiting for the day people stop playing these stupid music games.

[Joe Anstine @ Nov 25th 2008 3:46PM]

are you serious? REAL gig bags for REAL guitars cost less and gain the person a lot more RESPECT.

If I saw someone with one of these so called "gig cases", I would beat them with it.

[Iain @ Nov 25th 2008 8:23PM]

Aw, for a moment with the article title and the thumbnails, I thought it was going to be like El Mariachi/Desperado.

Er, I mean, without the guns.
Obviously...

[si @ Dec 3rd 2008 2:37AM]

This is so, so sad.