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Rhythm game peripheral compatibility made simple
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Guitar_Hero_Rock_Band_Instrument_Compatibility_Matrix_v3_0'; With SCEA bringing word of cross-peripheral compatibility for PS3 rhythm games yesterday, consumers looking for that "one music set to rule them all" seems to be a reality drawing closer. However, making sense of the fickle plastic instruments jungle is still quite a daunting task and knowing where each individual peripheral fits into the mass is still a convoluted process. Making life easier on all of you, Joystiq have provided a simple to read chart which clearly illustrates compatible peripherals across all platforms -- behold the Instrument Compatibility Matrix, version 3.0. Color-coded and accompanied by lots of visuals, hunting for that perfect set to fit your needs couldn't be more convenient.
Joystiq's Instrument Compatibility Matrix, v3.0
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Guitar_Hero_Rock_Band_Instrument_Compatibility_Matrix_v3_0'; With Sony shedding some new light on the sea of plastic instrument compatibility nonsense, we thought it was time to update our compatibility charts for the Guitar Hero and Rock Band series, as well as newcomer Rock Revolution. Introducing the Instrument Compatibility Matrix, version 3.0. We'll keep updating this page as new information percolates out, hoping one day to fill in every square with a green "yes." Until that time, check out our chart skills.Update: Now with more green care of Microsoft's compatibility commitment.
Rhythm games grow industry by 32% in '08
Rhythm games have certainly been keeping the tempo up for financial growth in the industry. GameDaily notes UBS analyst Ben Schachter's report, showing "music-themed games" have made up 15% of software sales year-to-date and 32% year-over-year growth so far.The Guitar Hero franchise is already up 82% this year, with Guitar Hero: On Tour taking in $15 million in July alone. Meanwhile, Rock Band, across all platforms, took in $47 million in July ... and that doesn't even count any DLC sales. Unless the rhythm game bubble bursts in the next few months, GH: World Tour and Rock Band 2 sales -- along with their respective DLC sales -- could make up a significant portion of another record-breaking year for the industry.
Sony: Music peripherals to work across games on PS3
Remember back around Christmas, when we were promised a Rock Band patch which would allow people to use Guitar Hero III controllers? You know, the patch which was going to allow PS3 owners the same features as the Xbox 360 version? Sure, it never appeared, but it seems that Sony is making sure that such a thing never happens again. Michael Shorrock, director of 3rd party relations, has posted up some info on the PlayStation.Blog stating that Rock Revolution, Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour's instruments will all be compatible with each other. Not only that, but Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2 will support SingStar microphones. This is great for those of us who are interested in picking up all of these games, but are a little less interested in having our living rooms full of plastic drum sets and guitars. The good news doesn't end there, though. That patch we mentioned at the beginning of this post may still see the light of day. Shorrock says they're "still working hard to ensure compatibility between the Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles currently on the market, and we hope to have an announcement on that shortly."Thanks to Sony for pre-emptively solving what could have been a very messy Christmas. Universal peripheral compatability just makes so much sense. Now comes the hard decision. Which game's instruments look best?
SCEA: Universal compatibility for PS3 Rock Band 2, GH: World Tour and Rock Revolution instruments
It's about time someone stepped in and took an active role in fixing this nonsense. SCEA Director of Publisher Relations Michael Shorrock has announced on PlayStation.Blog that Sony has reached an agreement with Activision, Neversoft, Harmonix and Konami to ensure that all the instrument peripherals for Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Revolution will work across all games for PlayStation 3.In case you're too stunned to comprehend what should've been no-brainer functionality from the start, your PS3 Rock Band 2 drum set should now be guaranteed to work with GH:WT and RR, and likewise for every game's guitar and drum peripherals. Said Shorrock, "We're still working hard to ensure compatibility between the Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles currently on the market, and we hope to have an announcement on that shortly."We're excited, but at the same time, we're a bit dismayed it took this long to sort out. To be clear, instrument compatibility has not been confirmed for Xbox 360 (although we do know GH:WT instruments work with RB2) or Wii versions of the music games. Microsoft, Nintendo, we're looking to you to make this universal compatibility, erm, more universal.
Rumor: Rock Band may never come to Australia
Australians love the rock music just as much as the inhabitants of any other country, but did you know that they've yet to receive Harmonix's rock star simulator, Rock Band? According to an unidentified retail tipster on IGN, Aussies may remain Rock Band-less indefinitely -- it seems retailers are hesitant to transport and shelve the bulky bundles, especially since the title is nearly a year old. The same tipster also disclosed that Australian stores are much more likely to sell the cheaper and newer Guitar Hero: World Tour when it drops later this year.It's great news for Activision, but EA may be in a heap of trouble Down Under -- further speculation from IGN's tipster states that for similar reasons, Rock Band 2 may skip over the sunburned country, making the Commonwealth of Australia a strictly Guitar Hero territory. It's regrettable that they might not have the faux-rocking opportunities afforded to the rest of the gaming world -- though we're certainly jealous that they may not have to suffer the Battle of the Band Simulators that has nearly torn the rest of the planet asunder.[Via X3F]
Actilizzard CEO finds Warner Music's logic on music licensing 'one-sided'
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick finds comments made by Warner Music -- saying it should be paid more for the use of its music in games like Guitar Hero -- a little "one-sided." The Financial Times reports that the Blizzavision chief thinks comments made by Warner Music's Edgar Bronfman don't take into account the "capital and resources" required to turn the song into something "fun to play."With the music industry taking a backseat to the games industry, it's not surprising to find record execs trying to figure out a way to squeeze more money out of a billion-dollar franchise. The thing is, though, that Activision's merger with Vivendi Games, connects it to Vivendi Universal, which owns Universal Music, the "world's largest music publisher." At the end of the day, Kotick can snap his fingers and never talk to Warner Music again, all the while squeezing every last dollar out of the Guitar Hero franchise until it stops being the soup du jour.
More Guitar Hero World Tour tracks emerge
For those about to rock, add some new tracks to your list of confirmed Guitar Hero World Tour tracks (joining Ozzy and Jimi). We've got several new ones, which should tickle the fancy of anyone with a love for older tunes. So, let's not waste time trying to be witty and just point you past the break for the goodies. Get to it!%Gallery-23491%
Guitar Hero: World Tour to feature Ozzy and other OZZFest bands
Activision just scored a major win in the battle of music genre video game supremecy by securing music from Ozzy Osbourne and other OZZFest bands for inclusion in Guitar Hero: World Tour. There's a bunch of World Tour announcements, so let's just jump right in.Newly confirmed music to be included as part of World Tour's ever expanding setlist is Ozzy's "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" as well as OZZFest inspired music including Black Label Society's "Stillborn", Metallica's "Trapped Under Ice" and System of a Down's "B.Y.O.B." On top of that, we know that both Ozzy and Zakk Wylde will be featured in the game and so will OZZFest, as a venue, of course. Finally, seven new (non OZZFest inspired) World Tour tracks were announced, pushing up the total list of confirmed World Tour tracks to 23. Make your way towards the break to get learned.
Guitar Hero World Tour adds Dinosaur Jr., Survivor ... Bob Seger?
IGN was able to pin down seven new tracks for Guitar Hero World Tour and it's, well ... it's a mixed bag, to put it kindly. Let's take a look: Airbourne – "Too Much Too young..." At the Drive-in – "One Armed Scissor" Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – "Weapon of Choice" Bob Seger – "Hollywood Nights" Dinosaur Jr. – "Feel the pain" Silversun Pickups – "Lazy Eye" Survivor – "Eye of the Tiger" Anything jump out at you specifically? Yep, Bob Seger. Now, of the Bob Seger songs you could choose from, you could do a lot worse than "Hollywood Nights." But Seger is also responsible for "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll," which is scientifically, quantifiably the second worst song ever recorded (after Phil Collins' version of "Groovy Kind of Love.") Shouldn't that preclude Seger's involvement with anything ever? Or are we being too restrictive?
Ozzy to rock Guitar Hero World Tour
Joining Jimi Hendrix, rock legend Ozzy Osbourne's likeness will be featured in the upcoming Guitar Hero World Tour. Oh, and some of his songs will be in the game (joining many others), as well. Which tracks? None other than popular tunes "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley."For those of you unaware of these songs, we've embedded some videos past the break. So head through and let your inner rocker out.%Gallery-23491%
Ozzy in Guitar Hero: World Tour, Lars hints at GH: Metallica
In an interview with USA Today, the prince of darkness himself revealed that he will be appearing in Guitar Hero: World Tour. Like Jimi Hendrix, both Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Zakk Wylde will be available as avatars in the game. Two songs have been unveiled so far:
