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Forbes writer defends "knockoff" slam against Rock Band
Earlier in the week, Forbes writer Peter C. Beller became the industry's latest whipping boy after taking ironic (and comical) shots at Harmonix for knocking off Activision's Guitar Hero to develop Rock Band. Calling Rock Band "a shameless knockoff of Guitar Hero," many chalked the remarks up to a journalist swallowing public relations fluff, often served to the gaming unaware in hopes to strike a cord with the readership of an unrelated industry publication.Surprisingly, Beller has come to the defense of his statements saying, "If you define knockoff as "a copy or imitation of someone or something popular" the way Merriam-Webster does, then I think Rock Band fits the bill nicely." Beller continued, explaining he is aware Harmonix was the development team behind both titles but made the statement to outline that Activision has strong competition regardless of how profitable its franchises are. Unfortunately, in the statement made to GameDaily, Beller failed to explain why his editorial was so slanted. In fact his statement failed to explain anything, really.
The Halo Wedding or: 'With this halo, I thee wed'
Though it's probably ripped more than a few couples asunder, Halo finally united one permanently in Florida last weekend. Desirai Labrada and John Henry marked the beginning of their wedded life with a Halo-themed wedding, complete with John-117 officiating the whole thing. Hey Kids, Choose Your Own Comedy Adventure!: Mild: We'd like to pass on our best wishes to the happy couple, and pass along this advice: Don't go to bed in the middle of a disagreement. Or, to put it more succinctly: finish the fight.Medium: We'd like to wish the couple all the best, and remind them that the best thing for a new marriage is always sitting in separate, darkened rooms in utter silence.Spicy: Let's see, shall we go with "finally see his man cannon?" What about "wedding night teabagging?" We just can't choose!
AT&T's U-verse TV picking up seven Viacom networks in HD
Just days after AT&T announced that NHL Network HD would be gliding over to U-verse TV, in flies a report stating that Viacom and AT&T have linked up on a sweet new deal. Said agreement will enable seven new networks to join the U-verse TV EPG: MTV HD, VH1 HD, CMT HD, BET HD, Nickelodeon HD, Comedy Central HD and Spike HD. The deal also "renews carriage of the MTVN and BETN channels and VOD content featured on AT&T U-verse TV, and provides for carriage of new international channels, including MTV India, later this year." Now, let's wait and see if those monthly rates creep up any after the fact.
MTVNHD & Nick Jr. going Deutsch
It's a promise, in 2009 Germany get MTVNHD and Nick Jr. distribution. Sure, they may not be quite on time but this is a new year and we're forgetting about the past. MTV Networks Germany didn't let slip which broadcaster(s) would be putting the channel on the air, but MTVNHD is due in the early part of the year with Nick Jr. following, although until then you can get your Nick fix while it replaces the Palladia loops on weekend mornings.[Via HDTV Total]
CES 2009: Harmonix interested in music and RB track combo sales
Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos mentioned at CES that he thinks it makes sense to offer up digital versions of songs with Rock Band tracks in a single offering. Ars Technica was there when Rigopulos expressed that it's something the company is interested in, but the CEO didn't expound exactly how it might happen.Considering Harmonix is owned by MTV, it's not really a stretch to see how partnerships could be made for such a combo deal to happen, but Rigopulos does believe it would "change the tenor" of the developer's relationship with record labels. As long as Rock Band tracks continue being about $2 and the digital songs cost an extra buck (if you want to purchase it), the whole thing sounds like a reasonable deal.
CES 2009: MTV Networks adding 2000 hours of programming to PS Store
The PlayStation Network Video Delivery Service will be getting a big boost from a new partner: MTV Networks. While MTV Networks includes the well-known "music" channel, it also includes VH1, Nickelodeon, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike, Logo, CMT, The N, TV Land and Atom. Some shows to be added to the PlayStation Store include MTV's The City, COMEDY CENTRAL's South Park, Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants and VH1's Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels."We're thrilled to add content from MTV Networks to our line up, it's a perfect fit for the PlayStation demographic, one of the most coveted audiences in entertainment today," said Peter Dille, Senior Vice President of Marketing and PlayStation Network, SCEA. "Combined with the superior technology of the PS3 and PSP, the PlayStation Network's video delivery service truly provides consumers the best and most comprehensive content on demand from an incredible line up of entertainment brands to enjoy at home or on-the-go.""From Nickelodeon to TV Land and everywhere in between, MTV Networks' brands feature some of the most popular shows and some of the hottest stars for almost every conceivable demo," said Greg Clayman, Executive Vice President, Digital Distribution and Business Development, MTV Networks. "By making our diverse content lineup available through the PlayStation Network, we're giving PlayStation users instant access to hundreds of hours of our very best programming in the comfort of their own living rooms."
Time Warner, Viacom reach agreement; Bromance crisis averted
Put down the bubbly and nearest willing stranger for a moment, if you're a Time Warner Cable subscriber, you may have noticed that your MTV Networks channels -- including everyone's favorite Palladia / MHD -- are still there, even after a very public squabble threatened to turn them dark around the same time everyone's Zune started working again. Both sides have confirmed the cable giant reached an agreement in principle with Viacom, without revealing how it happened. How much did Viacom end up getting? We may have to wait for the next TWC rate hike to know for sure. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Time Warner Cable threatens Viacom with the ghosts of Christmas past
Time Warner Cable CEO & President Glenn Britt says don't blame him, blame sliding advertising and falling ratings for Viacom's lost revenue and subsequent Scrooge-style "extortion" of TWC customers to keep MTV Networks on after the ball drops tonight. Beyond the outrageous claim that viewers might be tuning away from My Super Sweet 16 marathons, Britt claims that "penny per subscriber per day" adds up to an unreasonable $39 million, while TWC nobly attempts to keep negotiations going on behalf of its customers. Oddly we find it hard to view either side as thinking of the customer first in this slapfight, but if we miss a single episode of Bromance before things are resolved, there will be hell to pay. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Viacom stations to go dark on Time Warner Cable
Bad news, Time Warner Cable subscribers. The cable carrier notorious for resisting HD expansion until a competitor rolls into town is getting ready to pull all 19 MTV Networks channels (MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1 and Comedy Central just to name a few, presumably including the HD versions). Viacom has just unleashed a scathing announcement that calls the carrier's refusal to pony up "outrageous," and publicly pleads for its bigwigs to reconsider and open up the checkbook. In essence, Viacom is asking for a fee increase of just under $0.25 per month, per subscriber -- which, admittedly, sounds rather high given the lack of MTV-related content that's a) watchable and b) in high-definition -- but TWC is straight-up refusing. Now, we've no qualms with a provider balking at price increases, but while it's planning to let content vanish from lineups, it's also raising monthly rates by $3 in Raleigh, Orange County, Los Angeles and New York City. Ahem, TWC -- could you bother justifying these hikes by allowing us to keep our content? And don't even come at us with the "we just added more HD!" comment -- after all, you blast us everyday with ads proclaiming that your HD "is free." [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
CMT says Roy Orbison coming to Rock Band
CMT, the MTV-owned country music station, has let slip that a track pack of Roy's tunes will be hitting Rock Band 2. As fans of the fellow, we're glad to see him get on board the DLC train to Moneytown, USA. So, what could the tracks be? That's anybody's guess right now. And, guess what? We're anybody!Head past the break for our guess of two tracks that could be featured in this upcoming pack, and be sure to tell us your guess in the comments!
MTVNHD is live on Sky+ HD
You knew it was coming, but today's the day. MTV's international poster child -- MTVNHD -- has officially launched on slot 384 for Sky+ HD customers across the pond. Granted, you'll have to subscribe to the Music Pack in order to gain access, but that might be a bullet you simply have to swallow. And just think, it gives you one more reason to work out that sound system you just put together -- bonus score![Thanks, Martin]
Bigpoint is poised and ready to invade US markets
USA Network and the SCI FI Channel are getting ready for a blitz of online games coming their way from Bigpoint. Peacock Equity Fund, which includes NBC Universal, recently bought a majority stake in the German game producer and are planning to distribute their browser-based, free-to-play titles on network sites.Previously planned titles, including a game based on the hit series Next Top Model, are still in the works. Bigpoint is also expanding across Europe through partnerships with MTV Networks International to promote their 26 browser games to users in nearly a dozen countries. They also offer a handful of downloadable games and a veritable plethora of mini games to over 43 million registered users.
GHWT for Wii instruments compatible with Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 for the Wii looks to be doing so many things right, especially when compared to the original's more lackluster release. The best news we got from IGN's preview is that the game is compatible with all the instrument peripherals on the system to date -- Guitar Hero 3, GH World Tour and the original RB (natch). The Official Joystiq Instrument Compatibility Matrix has been updated.On a related note, we've heard your thoughts and suggestions for how we can make the ICM (as we affectionately call it) better, and we promise more update are on the way soon.
Viacom: Rock Band attracts more talent
According to Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman (Via Edge Online), Rock Band has an easier time of attracting musicians than its competitor, Guitar Hero. Dauman said that he believes artists see that Viacom has a "music orientation" (the company owns MTV, you see), adding that the company has "the opportunity to attract talent to [Rock Band] in a way that our competitors have greater difficulty doing." Dauman cited the upcoming Beatles game in particular, saying that the deal to create the game "is something that we probably got because we're Viacom--we're MTV Networks." The Edge Online piece states that Rock Band has officially surpassed the 500 song mark with the release of the most recent No Doubt tracks, which compares rather favorably with approximately 150 songs available for Guitar Hero: World Tour. As for Viacom's future in the video game industry, Dauman said that the company likely won't be making any more "big acquisitions" like its purchase of Harmonix in 2008.Finally, Dauman dropped a few more details on the Beatles game, saying that "it will just blow you away." He added that the game will feature "never-before-heard dialog" from the group's recording sessions.
MTVNHD's second European invasion detailed
Our ambivalence about its programming hasn't served to slow the progress of MTV International's HD baby, poised to launch in ten new countries by the end of the year. The UK adds MTVNHD on Sky, Israel lights it up on HOT while the Latin American tour kicks off in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Caribbean Islands and Uruguay via DirecTV Panamerica. We already know that's not the end, with France queued up and the network prez noting interest from providers around the world including the Far East. Promising a (not-so) massive 300 hours of original programming commissioned for the next two years, sleep easy knowing repeats of the same old concerts will be available in 1080i no matter where in the world you are.
MTVNHD headed to France via SES ASTRA
MTVNHD -- the international variant of MHD Palladia -- promised to continue its quest for European domination, and France is next to go, but not on Numericable. Hooking up with SES ASTRA's satellite capacity, the network's bringing music and children's programming to HD CanalSat subscribers at some unspecified future date. so it could be today, tomorrow, next week or later but yes, France, you will soon be ignoring the same extremely limited content loop others have been experiencing for some time now.
Modelabs follows up MTV3.3 with -- you guessed it -- MTV3.4
MTV and French carrier SFR are back at it with yet another remix of their Modelabs-sourced music phone, and this one's just about as funky fresh as we've seen 'em. Following the MTV3.3, the new MTV3.4 carries the torch with one-click access to MTV content (in other words, you'd better really be into MTV to buy this thing), a 2-megapixel camera, 3G, video calling, and microSD expansion. It runs as little as €9 (about $12) depending on the plan and the contract -- so MTV aside, it seems to be a pretty good deal considering you're getting a tricked-out 3G slider.[Via Unwired View]
Hideo Kojima receives lifetime achievement award from MTV
MTV has awarded Hideo Kojima its first-ever lifetime achievement award for games as part of its MTV Game Awards 2008, held Nov. 22 in Germany. The award was presented to Kojima, who appeared in person, by Assassin's Creed producer (and fan of his work) Jade Raymond.Far from the end of his lifetime in games, the legendary designer commented, "I have to say, even though I received this award, let me state that I will not retire. I will continue to create games as long as I live." You can watch a video of Kojima's acceptance speech after the break.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Lips mic incompatible with Rock Band / Guitar Hero (at launch, anyway)
Anytime we hear the words "incompatible" and "music game" mixed into the same sentence, we typically can't resist the onset of a bitter beer face. That being true, we can't say we're too terribly bummed about this one, particularly since we highly doubt Microsoft's Lips will have the same following as Rock Band and / or Guitar Hero: World Tour. At any rate, you should probably know that the accelerometer-packin' Lips microphone will not work with RB nor GH at launch, though creator Keiichi Yano of Inis did confess that compatibility was theoretically possible with future patches. 'Course, we doubt anyone will spend time on said patches unless Lips moves like a billion copies this winter, but we suppose anything is possible with a snap of the fingers and a pinch of pixie dust.[Via Joystiq]
Drum roll, please: Original Rock Band bundle gets a price cut
Attention virtual rock and rollers, Harmonix has sent word that the original Rock Band bundle (as in not Rock Band 2) has received a price cut just in time for the holidays. The Xbox 360 version of the bundle has seen a $30 price cut, knocking the official price down to $140. Sure, you might not get the fancy self-calibrating guitar, or the new drums, but it's a significant savings over the $190 Rock Band 2 bundle. It's worth noting that Amazon actually has the bundle for $120, which means you could grab the Rock Band 1 bundle and a copy of Rock Band 2 for less than the cost of the Rock Band 2 bundle. That's definitely our suggestion if your goal this holiday is to be the coolest parent / grandparent / uncle / aunt / total stranger on the block.
