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Confirmed: Rock Band $170 on Nov. 23 for Xbox and PS3; PS2 version coming Dec. 10 at $160
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/CONFIRMED_Rock_Band_170_on_Nov_23_for_Xbox_and_PS3'; It's official folks, Rock Band will be $170 for Xbox 360 and PS3 and release Nov. 23. A Friday ... wait, Black Friday? Yes, more on that in a second. The PS2 version will release Dec. 10 for $160. Our spidey sense started tingling that something was up when we received info that Amazon was listing Rock Band for $169 -- a $30 reduction from the $199 they've had listed for months. Turns out that they received the official price today. The bundle includes the game (reg. $60, $50 on PS2), the guitar (reg. $60, but wired on Xbox 360, wireless is separate and $80), the wired drums (reg. $80), and wired microphone (reg. $30).Now the big question: What were the powers that be thinking with November 23rd? Nov. 23rd is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, the high holy "oh my gawd we're going to get trampled when the stores open" day of the year. Can you imagine what it's going to be like trying to pick up your game at retail on that day? Don't know about the rest of you, but if there were ever a time to get your game by mail -- this would be that time![Thanks to all those that sent info in]
Today's most strum-it-yourself video: Mega Man 3 intro on guitar
Hey kids, do you want to rock and roll with the best of them and show off your video game cred? Well now you can with this shred-tacular new video showing you just how to obtain that much-coveted status. All you need is an electric guitar, memories of Mega Man 3, and deep-rooted knowledge of modal scales.The video is embedded after the break for those who wish to play along and learn from this tutorial -- for everyone else, well, the video is still embedded if you just want to have a look-see.[Thanks, Alex]
DS Daily: Guitar Hero DS
Most people seem to love Guitar Hero. If you're one of the few who have managed to escape the dastardly clutches of the franchise, please, feel free to tell us all about it. But if you're one of those who are totally addicted to getting your thrash on, we've got a question for you: what do you think of the franchise heading to the DS? With a peripheral, even? Does it appeal to you or not?
Rock Band wireless guitar for PS3 rocks the FCC
While there's no indication that they got the game to test it with, the folks at the FCC did at least get to spend a bit of time with the new wireless guitar for the PS3 version of Rock Band, which is more than enough to make us a tad envious. Somewhat interestingly, the guitar looks to come bundled with a fairly unassuming-looking dongle (check it out after the break), which would seem to be unnecessary if the guitar used Bluetooth, as some had previously speculated. Otherwise, the FCC filing looks to be about as standard as they come, complete with a snippet of the manual, a slew of test reports, and a few shots of the guitar's innards thrown in for good measure (click on through for a glimpse of that).
Creepy Jam Sessions audio clarified, un-creepified
Remember how we were so spooked out by last week's hidden message in Jam Sessions that we swore off haunted houses for the rest of our lives and ran home to eat pizza rolls, sans ghosts hovering over our heads? We haven't been that scared since, well, since we saw the game's European boxart! Oh, burn!One of the programmers from Plato, Jam Sessions' developer, posted a video to explain the voice that seemed to be whispering, "Don't kill us," or "Forgive us," whenever users let the A6 chord play out. It's actually one of the recording engineers saying, "Tsugiikimasu," which is Japanese for "next," as in, "I'm going to play the next chord."While that makes a lot of sense, it doesn't explain that tapping noise we hear on our bedroom window every night, nor does it clear up the moaning and creaky mattress sounds coming from the apartment above us. We think it might be the Chupacabra. Bring your ghost hunting gear past the post break for videos of the creepy message and Plato's explanation.
Hasbro's Power Tour guitar finally launches
It's been a long time comin', but the Power Tour guitar we peeped back in January is nearly ready for your youngster's hands. Modeled after a Gibson SG, this axe enables your little ones (or you, it's alright) to plug in any source and rock right along with it, and the built-in learning mode should do a decent job in creating the Guitar Zeros of tomorrow. Ships on the 15th for just under $70.[Via OhGizmo, image courtesy of Popular Science]
Guitar Hero stuffie for wannabe rock stars
If this is not the cutest game-related item you've seen in a while, then we want to know what is. Unfortunately, it's not for sale (shenanigans!), but the brilliant craftster behind this piece, poisonholly, apparently accepts custom orders. We can't help but wonder if we could get this baby in a special design that looks more like the controller for Guitar Hero III on the Wii ... after all, it just needs another white panel for the Wii remote![Via Hawty McBloggy]
Rock Band's bundled guitar to be wired on Xbox 360, wireless for PS3
Now that you've gone and pre-ordered Rock Band, here's a tidbit about what will actually be included. According to Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos, the guitar that comes bundled in with the Xbox 360 version will not be wireless, as he reportedly states that "the cost of wireless technology on the Microsoft side is higher." Notably, the PS3 bundle will indeed include a wireless axe, and before you get too riled up, Xbox 360 users will still be able to purchase a wireless shredder separately if it's a make-or-break scenario for ya. Oh, and the drums and microphone will be wired on both platforms, but Xbox 360 buyers will purportedly get a USB hub thrown in to hook it all up.[Via GamingToday]
Harmonix CEO confirms Rock Band's Xbox 360 bundle guitar is wired
In the latest OXM Podcast, Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos confirms that the Xbox 360 guitars for Rock Band are wired in the bundles. There will be wired and wireless versions available for the Xbox 360, but once again, the retail bundles will come with a wired guitar. The PS3 guitars are all wireless. The Xbox 360 bundle will also come with a USB hub for all the peripherals to plug into. On both the Xbox 360 and PS3 version the microphone and drum kit will be wired. Rigopulos says, "The cost of wireless technology on the Microsoft side is higher and to be able to offer those bundles at a price point that would be reasonable for consumers it was necessary ... on the 360 side we are also bundling a hub." And no, there is no official price yet. It's starting to look like the $20 difference between the Xbox 360 wired and wireless guitar we reported after receiving an internal Game Crazy memo is holding up. So, that's that, the Xbox 360 bundle of Rock Band has a wired guitar and you'll get a little hub to plug everything in. Now comes the question if Microsoft will loosen their grip on the cost of licensing the proprietary wireless tech if the PS3 version of Rock Band sells stronger (comparatively given its lower install base) due to its wireless advantage. In the end, we don't blame Harmonix/EA/MTV for this wired issue -- although it was shady of them to hide it this long -- we're more upset that the consumer is going to get an inferior product due to an obnoxious licensing issue. It's deja vu all over again.[Thanks sm0ke]%Gallery-3923%
Guitar Hero DS details surface at Austin GDC
We haven't heard much about Guitar Hero DS since it was confirmed, but Adrian Earle of Vicarious Visions let a few tiny tidbits slip at the Austin Game Developers Conference. The first is really no surprise: the peripheral that was being considered is a go, though the design is not yet completed. Earle only promised that we would "absolutely love it." Perhaps his Magic 8-ball told him so? Or maybe the peripheral is closer to completion than he wants us to think. The second bit is the one we found more interesting, and potentially either horrifying or fantastic. Graphically, they're planning on keeping the DS installment as true to the look of the Guitar Hero franchise as possible. The series has a pretty distinct look that has grown more and more detailed over time, and we can't wait to get a glimpse of how they plan to translate that to the dual screen experience. It sounds like they've set themselves quite a challenge here, and we hope they can pull it off. After all, DS gamers already have some of the best rhythm games ever made ... our standards are high. But the Guitar Hero series is all about fun, so if done well here, it should fit right in.
Rock Band tour dates across US
If you've been looking to get your hands on Rock Band, here's your best chance before it launches on ... actually we still have no idea on an official release date. The 24-city tour will start in Vegas on Sept. 9, the weekend of the MTV Video Music Awards. The full list of tour stops can be found after the break.Big trucks, like the one seen above, will travel the country and allow people to play on a "full stage with lights and sound systems." That's much better than what you'll have in your living room. Further, "any rockers ... who play on the Rock Band tour bus stage will be captured on tape for consideration by MTV casting directors." Two bands will get picked and be flown to NYC to perform on TRL. The winning group will get to open for a "surprise super group" at the Rock Band launch concert. We don't fear the Reaper, but we do have concerns of what MTV will do to those people. We can only imagine this equation: Next + Dismissed + Parental Control + Super Sweet 16 + Rock Band = ???
Wanna rock out? Jam Sessions bundle comes with mini amp
It might not go up to 11, but the miniature amp included in an upcoming Jam Sessions bundle shows that Ubisoft is definitely taking their music simulator seriously.The "Performance Bundle" -- which includes a First Act-branded mini amp -- will retail for $69.99 USD, but won't be out until November 1st, despite the game being released next Tuesday. The bundle's a clever move by Ubisoft to appeal to the more earnest musicians with their product. Now all we need is Guitar Center to start stocking the non-game.[Via DS Fanboy]
The Guitar Hero III controller broken down (literally)
Many of our commenters have wondered how the Wiimote fits into the Guitar Hero III controller, and, more generally, what the benefit is of sticking the Wiimote in there. IGN has answered the questions in their latest Guitar Hero III writeup, which includes pictures detailing the guitar's design. The most obvious new feature in the guitar is its portability. The controller's neck can be removed, making it much easier to fit into a backpack or suitcase. The other noticeable feature, the Wiimote-shaped hole, is actually not the point of access for the remote. Instead, a removable door on the back of the guitar allows you to plug in your Wiimote, with a little indentation provided for balling up and stuffing the wrist strap.The Wiimote actually does more in the guitar than just broadcast your Nintendo fandom: it provides the wireless connection capability and motion-sensing Star Power activation for which the other GH guitars have their own hardware. Exclusive to the Wii version, powered by the Wiimote, is force feedback-- the guitar rumbles along to the beat, just like a real guitar.The Wii game, developed by Vicarious Visions, will have all the same songs as the next-gen versions, and will run in widescreen at 480p. It looks fine, and graphics really don't matter in Guitar Hero (who has time to look at them?) Apparently it'll have some kind of online mode, but the exact implementation has yet to be revealed.The Wii version of Guitar Hero III actually looks like it might end up being a solid purchase-- if the rumored Wii Rock Band release doesn't happen.[Via NeoGAF]
PAX 07 rock-on: Jam Sessions
When a friend alerted me that Ubisoft was demonstrating Jam Sessions near one of the lounge areas at PAX, I got over there ASAP. Jam Sessions has been one of my most anticipated DS games, and it's not even a game. In fact, it was one of the games I was really hoping to see at the show, because I am crazy about DS weirdness. I found a stage, upon (or near) which an Evil Avatar writer was strumming away, accompanied by an Ubisoft employee on bass and some guy who just showed up with a harmonica. The DS was running through a Fender amp, and sounded great. The greatest consideration for any musical instrument is how it sounds, and Jam Sessions is nearly indistinguishable from a real guitar. The guy playing had skill, as well, meaning that all in the handheld lounge were being treated to some very lovely improvised music. Until I took my turn, that is.
Song list for Jam Sessions reveals Beck, Bob Dylan, and others
Ubisoft has announced the official track list for Jam Sessions, the DS guitar simulator known formerly as the hard-to-swallow Hiite Utaeru DS Guitar M-06.Songs include Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone," Beck's "Jackass," and Coldplay's "Yellow." The 17 tracks feature a solid range from mainstream pop, to reggae, to good ol' rock & roll. Like M-06, Jam Sessions will step players through the chords of each song, allowing them to rock out with their whatevers out. Of course, Jam Sessions will still feature the free-play modes that made the original such a viral sensation. After an initial delay at the start of the summer, Jam Sessions is currently scheduled release on September 11th, and we can't wait for it. Check out the full song list after the break.
Jam Sessions contains Best Buy-exclusive songs
The song list for Ubisoft's Jam Sessions has been revealed, and it's pleasant enough to be worth checking out when you get tired of randomly making noises. There are some great selections, like "The Man Who Sold the World" and Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry" as well as a lot of stuff that we're too old and lame to know anything about. There are a few songs like Beck's fantastic "Jack-ass" that don't seem to have that much guitar in them, which leads us to question their appropriateness for this game. On the other hand, it's (sheet music providing instructions for playing) a Beck song in a video game. That's awesome.We also have to wonder how Ubisoft decided to categorize covers by artist: for example, "Life Is A Highway" on the card is billed as the Rascal Flatts version rather than the original Tom Cochrane version, and the aforementioned "The Man Who Sold the World" is billed as Nirvana and not David Bowie, despite the guitar arrangements being identical in both cases and therefore indistinguishable. Oh, right, marketing. We should learn not to think too deeply about these things.Speaking of marketing, Ubisoft is including a bonus that is either awesome or infuriating, depending on your proximity to a Best Buy. Three exclusive songs will be on copies of the game sold at Best Buy, including Jimi Hendrix's "Wild Thing" (what were we just saying about the covers?). GameStop shoppers will get a preorder bonus that doesn't require a separate pressing of the game: a free subscription to Spin magazine. The full song list is available after the break.
EA confirms Rock Band in US 2007 despite AU and EU delays [Update]
According to Red Octane COO Charles Huang "multiple territories ... will not see Rock Band this Christmas." Now remember, Red Octane makes Guitar Hero and is the competitor to the Harmonix developed, EA published, Rock Band. Huang believes Australia and New Zealand are out this year and expects those territories to pay $275 Australian for the game and peripherals. Speaking with Gamespot AU, he says possible release delays can be attributed to peripheral manufacturing output and that this could reach beyond the Asia-Pacific region. Huang says, "I'm not singling out Australia -- probably it will be multiple territories that will not see Rock Band this Christmas is my guess." EA Australia won't confirm the information, but GameSpot UK was told by their EA rep, "We don't think [Rock Band] will be released in Q4."EA confirmed with Joystiq that Rock Band is still coming to the US in 2007. Although there is still no announced release date, no confirmed peripheral price, and we've heard hardly a peep about the game from the corporate side since the good buzz generated by E3. And we know we were working with "prototype" peripherals that hadn't gone into mass production at E3. We've asked for comment from EA about what's going on with the game and its peripherals. We'll update as soon as we hear back.Update: EA got back to us and said that "everything is on track to launch the game on time" in the US. They'd also like to clarify that no European or Australian ship dates were ever announced and "at this point everything else is pure speculation." They won't answer specific questions regarding US peripheral supplies, we asked if they can guarantee at least a guitar for every copy of the game, but they do say that they're "working as hard as [they] can to produce as many copies of the game as quickly as [they] can." And finally, in terms of a release date, "We're almost there! Rock Band will ship this holiday in North America for the PS3 and Xbox 360."
Rock Band bundles have wireless guitar on PS3 and wired on Xbox
We've been working on getting answers to what's going on with Rock Band's peripheral pricing for a long time. There are still no "official" prices to be found, but there is one anomaly regarding the wireless Xbox 360 guitar that is really starting to kick up questions. This $20 difference in the prices between the Xbox 360 wired and wireless guitar, which Joystiq first reported on back in May, has come back around in a sneaky way with the Rock Band bundles. Both Amazon and GameStop currently sell the Rock Band bundle for $199, with one key difference: The PS3 version comes with a wireless guitar and the Xbox 360 version is wired.So, for gamers looking to avoid the currently marked $20 difference between the PS3 ($59.99) and Xbox 360 ($79.99) wireless guitar prices, the bundle is apparently not the answer. We also spoke with Red Octane yesterday, following up on questions we had at E3 about the price point of their Xbox 360 wireless guitar. Given Red Octane's already dramatic history on this wireless issue with Microsoft, we wanted to know if licensing issues and cost to the consumer had been worked out for this guitar and Guitar Hero III's release. They couldn't officially answer at this time, but the GH III bundles are currently identically priced on GameStop's website."Officially" none of this information means anything at this point. Although consumers should be made aware that the Rock Band bundles they're currently purchasing on GameStop and Amazon for the Xbox 360 are officially marked as wired, while the PS3 version is marked as wireless.[Thanks Zachary]
Line6 releases the Pocket POD for tone on the go
While we're not crazy about modeled solid-state guitar tone, sometimes firing up that 800-watt tube amp just isn't feasible -- which is where Line6's new Pocket POD comes in. Essentially a miniature version of the company's popular POD amp modelers, the Pocket POD features 300 presets based on vintage and modern amps and cabs developed in conjunction with several popular guitarists, a host of effects including delay and compression, 1/8-inch input for jamming along to an iPod, headphone jack, and USB connectivity to Line6's Vyzex software to tweak and tune your presets any way you like. If this thing sounds half as convincing as other Line6 modelers, it'll be quite a steal at $129 -- but deep down you'll know it's not the same.[Via Macworld]
Crate ships USB-equipped Profiler 5 mini guitar amplifier
While a USB keyboard may do the ivory-ticklers in the crowd some good, Crate is looking out for the six-string warriors by shipping its USB-equipped Profiler 5 mini amplifier. This five-watt combo guitar amp measures in at less than eight-inches tall and weighs just six-pounds, and aside from giving users the option of powering it via an AC adapter or six AA cells, there's also an auxiliary input for rocking along with your DAP. More important, however, is the rear-mounted USB port (shown after the jump), which enables guitarists to easily record their shredding without any external breakout boxes. So if you think you can give the twin four-inch speakers in Crate's latest all they can handle, the Profiler 5 is available now for $159.99.
