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That's who I play online with
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Rock Band 4 announced for PS4 and Xbox One
- Thread starter GameE
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That's who I play online with
toymachine
Member
If you know my history of obsession with these games you can probably understand why nobody I know in real life wants to play music games anymore...
It really is, and I am pretty sure it will need a functioning online to sustain the playerbase and popularity. I have no real friends who plays Rock Band, so I exclusively use online to jam with friends or just randoms I meet through quickplay. I have almost maxed my friendlist on PSN with people from Rock Band, and searching for randoms always gives results during prime time, even today 5 years after release. No way am I going to sit there alone playing Rock Band 4 by myself, I'll then rather stick with Rock Band 3... which is just stupid!
I was so looking forward to this game, so I really hope they get online sorted. I fear this game will turn into a complete flop without online. I have no idea what Harmonix is thinking.
TheFurizzlyBear
Member
I'm sure they are thinking that between the metrics they have and the survey data that online multiplayer is a low priority item. They know how many people played the other games online in groups. If it was truly a high number it will launch with online multiplayer, if its a small minority then it won't. That isn't to say it will never have online multiplayer but maybe not at launch.
I doubt it. Online is still blooming with active players daily. I can hardly play a game on my PS without getting spammed with RB3 invites from my friends. They have said RB3 is still being played by hundreds of thousands of people monthly, and I can bet you a huge chunk of that is online. I am very curious about the results of the survey data, cause if you go to the Harmonix forum now there is a huge backlash of disappointed and angry people wanting clarification about online. For many, including me this is a deal breaker.
Online has been a core feature since RB1 and included in every game except for Lego. Harmonix was very forthcoming when they had to remove piano and pro guitars, so why obscurely release such a huge bomb in one interview and then stay completely silent?
And idiotic move and really bad PR by Harmonix.
the article quote you are talking about is
right?
as you said they have been rather forthcoming on a lot of things. I would expect that their silence in this situation isn't avoiding because they don't want to deal with it but rather that they aren't allowed to deal with it or that plans aren't finalized yet. As it says in the quote, servers for online play can be quite expensive, especially when they need to not have any lag.
I mean they already said they have a lot more to show aside from some new songs at E3, which is what 9 days away now? I wouldn't be surprised if part of their showing was online features if there are some and there is just an order to not talk about online features at all until then.
Beyond that they could be weighing if it's worth the money to put online play in at launch, but instead get some sale money rolling in first and just promise online features sometime next year or something.
Who are telling them not to talk about it? From my understanding they don't even have a publisher anymore. Wouldn't it be in their best interest to squash this rumor before it got completely out of hand? People are raging all over the Harmonix forum right now, it doesn't look pretty in there, but I think it's good people are loud for Harmonix to realize how important online is for the community and franchise.
If they have online news lined up for E3 then that's great - I really hope they do, but in that case it still sucks that we must live with this rumor for weeks before they confirm or deny it.
mad catz is their publisher (well co publisher but it sounds like they will handle most of the marketing).
beyond that their marketing team could easily be telling them not to say anything.
you ask if it would be in their best interest to squash it... I will say it likely isn't in their best interest to squash it . If they do have an announcement for E3 letting it run wild is likely in their best interest. it's getting people to talk about the game, it's getting fans to be vocal about what they want, and history has shown time and time and time and time and time again that in situations like this as soon as something is announced the period of unknown that we are in is almost immediately forgotten and people just talk about the announcement instead.
Now even if they don't have online to show off, letting the rumor run wild still isn't terrible. Yes it might be better to squash it now, but well the fans passionate about this are going to be pissed one way or another so letting them riot and bring more media notice to rock band 4 isn't a horrible thing, especially if they swoop in after there is a huge riot and explain that online will be coming at a future date. It would turn what could be a bad statement into a potentially good one as if they just outright said that it won't have online at launch people would complain like they are, but if they let the people complain now and come in with that news most of the people who had been complaining about no online aren't going to continue to complain, and those who feared no online at all will just be happy to get it eventually.
I will say personally I prefer when companies are just straight about things, but sadly from a PR viewpoint a lot of times that is not remotely the best course of action.
Having been following Harmonix for years, I can not remember a single time they've done something like this to piss of the fans for PR reasons. It's very out of their character to do something like this, and they already have a reputation for being humble, open and forthcoming. I even remember watching an hour long video of one of the founders talking about the history of Harmonix since its beginning to the end of Rock Band 3 - not being afraid to highlight the bad and the good parts. And don't forget during "The Leak" before Rock Band 3 was released Harmonix responded by showing off the complete setlist in a funny video. Harmonix is a small company with many of the veterans still holding the same key positions, and I assumed they would want to uphold the ' humble good guy' reputation they have attained over the years.
It's all very iffy and I don't like it.
So tell us that Harmonix!
Don't vaguely say it in one random interview and go completely AWOL afterwards. This has never been their style. They were immediately upfront with no keyboard, no pro-gutiars, no PC release and they didn't shy away with the DLC they didn't get the rights to transfer over to RB4. Online is a much bigger core element of the game, and should have been the first thing they addressed if the funds were so lacking. Heck, if they're that desperate start a kickstarter campaign, I'll gladly help support it. You know you can't have RB 4 - the next generation of rhythm games with no online. It's absurd.
Baron von Loathsome
Member
So tell us that Harmonix!
They were immediately upfront with no keyboard, no pro-gutiars, no PC release and they didn't shy away with the DLC they didn't get the rights to transfer over to RB4. Online is a much bigger core element of the game, and should have been the first thing they addressed if the funds were so lacking. Heck, if they're that desperate start a kickstarter campaign, I'll gladly help support it. You know you can't have RB 4 - the next generation of rhythm games with no online. It's absurd.
Well obviously, it sounds like they're still trying to figure it out. You can't really make a formal announcement when you aren't even sure that announcement is true.
Someone reached out too the guy doing the interview on twitter and asked him if it was the campaign only or just online in general. He said it was online in general
So why vaguely hint about it during the interview? Wouldn't it be better if they just said that they weren't ready to talk about online yet instead of needlessly infesting doubt and confusion? They are aiming for an October release which is just five months off, so it's kind of worrying that such an important core feature like basic online play is something they're not even sure will make it in the game or not that late in development stage.
RandyBobandy
Banned
Someone reached out too the guy doing the interview on twitter and asked him if it was the campaign only or just online in general. He said it was online in general
So why vaguely hint about it during the interview? Wouldn't it be better if they just said that they weren't ready to talk about online yet instead of needlessly infesting doubt and confusion? They are aiming for an October release which is just five months off, so it's kind of worrying that such an important core feature like basic online play is something they're not even sure will make it in the game or not that late in development stage.
Well that's bitterly disappointing
As long as the songs don't look as easy as the new GH ones though I'll still bite
Baron von Loathsome
Member
It sounds like they addressed as well as they could at this point in time. Them saying it might not ship with online play is more useful then keeping us in the dark about it longer. If it does end up shipping with online play or get it patched in, sweet. If not, at least we know about it already and can hopefully come to terms with that fact before the game launches. You know, hope for the best, expect the worst.
I don't think that's good enough. They have always... until now... been upfront and sincere with previously scrapped features, so vaguely talking about it in one random interview is not how you best address the removal of such an important core feature.
It was a stupid move on their part and they are getting huge backlash for it.
Baron von Loathsome
Member
They could addressed that better, I'll grant you that. But they have addressed it.
And backlash, sure, it's there, but I wouldn't call it "huge." Here on NeoGAF, pretty much the entire discussion of this missing feature has relegated to less than 100 posts. On their official forums, I see three threads about the feature totally to roughly 200 posts, compared to over a thousand posts about the loss of keyboards.
Lady Siara
Member
If it doesn't have online play, then I'll just pick it up later. Same thing I'm doing with Splatoon since it doesn't have the mode I'm most interested in yet.
It's unfortunate, but I guess you could view it as a sort of early access where they continue fleshing out the game. It benefits both Harmonix by cutting costs and the consumers for allowing those who want to jump in day 1 to do so, but others to pick it up later for a bit less. I could see the lack of online costing them some sales at launch, but that's about the only downside I can think of. I'm still hoping it will be there at launch, though.
Good call on Iron Maiden tracks. They're all pretty spectacular, though some have some fairly annoying charts.
A great song but there's a lot of downtime for vocals.
I had considered Foreplay/Long Time but the good parts for each instrument are kind of scattered throughout the song. Even so, it's definitely up there.
That song really brings back memories of RB1. You couldn't play a session online without hearing it. I remember the bass track being really lame, but otherwise, I'd agree.
Good choice. Not overly technical but nice and upbeat on all four instruments.
It's unfortunate, but I guess you could view it as a sort of early access where they continue fleshing out the game. It benefits both Harmonix by cutting costs and the consumers for allowing those who want to jump in day 1 to do so, but others to pick it up later for a bit less. I could see the lack of online costing them some sales at launch, but that's about the only downside I can think of. I'm still hoping it will be there at launch, though.
Good call on Iron Maiden tracks. They're all pretty spectacular, though some have some fairly annoying charts.
A great song but there's a lot of downtime for vocals.
I had considered Foreplay/Long Time but the good parts for each instrument are kind of scattered throughout the song. Even so, it's definitely up there.
That song really brings back memories of RB1. You couldn't play a session online without hearing it. I remember the bass track being really lame, but otherwise, I'd agree.
Good choice. Not overly technical but nice and upbeat on all four instruments.
Someone reached out too the guy doing the interview on twitter and asked him if it was the campaign only or just online in general. He said it was online in general
Either someone asked an almost identical question and got an almost identical answer, or I saw the vid where this one was asked, and the way the question was worded certainly didn't make it sound like "online in general", so, what he meant and how it was interpreted could certainly differ. Edit: Yeah, the question was different, but that answer was given almost verbatim to someone asking about online campaign play. So idk anymore.
PhoncipleBone
Banned
Well, there is always "Won't Get Fooled Again." Granted, it is nightmarish on drums, and there is plenty for all instruments to do. Plus, you get the minute long break or so near the end where you all get a moment to rest before the explosive finale.
I actually think I kind of prefer it that way. Each instrument gets their time to shine. If you're playing with a full band in person it's amazing to look over and watch someone else do something amazing after or before your part. Also as someone who mains drums I think the whole song is really fun even if the Long Time portion is pretty simple, though the other instruments definitely have their less interesting parts (especially vocals obviously).
I think the best Iron Maiden songs for bandplay is Hollowed be thy name, Fear of The Dark and Rime of the Ancient Mariner. None of them are too hard, and they all have fun parts for each instrument. Rime of the Ancient Mariner has one of the coolest Bass solos in the game.
Foreplay/Long Time is the unlimate band song for me too, it's just an amazing song for every instrument.
I would also like to add I Want It All by queen. This is the Queen song I've played and enjoyed the most. Challenging and fun for every instrument + the song kicks ass and has a really cool beat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ke-JZinSfw
Edit : Holy shit just noticed the keyboard, that was brutal :O
The official Rock Band page on Facebook posted this link from GameSided. No new information, but they made "bingo" cards for songs that they expect to be announced at E3. Good fun and something to shore up the lack of news on the Rock Band front lately.
Plus, since the official Rock Band posted it, it totally means that all these songs are getting in, right?
/s
Shift Breaker
Member
"Featured Dave Grohl"
Just tick that box already, we know he'll be in the game in some manner.
I know, right? I think my bingo card (the middle one) is pretty good, but wanted to add some challenges alongside solid picks.
GuitarAtomik
Member
Lol. That is literally the only song I purposely deleted from my hard drive. I. Fucking. Hate. That. Song.
Think the chances of getting another Maiden track are pretty good?
I tend to think so with a new album coming out this year and the digging up of old tracks for remastering they did recently for iTunes and Onkyo. Perhaps also the band management has down time off while Bruce recovers.
If there is one, no idea what it could be. Most of the obvious ones have been covered.
I tend to think so with a new album coming out this year and the digging up of old tracks for remastering they did recently for iTunes and Onkyo. Perhaps also the band management has down time off while Bruce recovers.
If there is one, no idea what it could be. Most of the obvious ones have been covered.
Shift Breaker
Member
PhoncipleBone
Banned
I want The Warrior back too for vocals mainly, but also drums. Also Shakin' for both as well.
For Maiden, I want Caught Somewhere in Time, because the solo section is amazing with a lot of solo style variety, but I doubt it's popular enough, and it's not a band favorite. I could see any of about 10 different songs making it.
Ah, yes, Wrathchild, part of the Wrathchild/Supernaut/Fuel pack that never ended up happening.
Would pay dollarbucks for that nowadays though.
Baron von Loathsome
Member
Lot of songs trapped on that disc that I want. The Warrior, Only a Lad, No One Like You, 18 and Life...
As for Maiden, I want The Evil That Men Do at some point.
That's a good one. I'm meh on Wrathchild because it's not as "epic", no Bruce, and a bit short. 22 Acacia Ave would be awesome. So would Revelations. Bummed that wasn't in the Flight 666 live pack in favor of the Clairvoyant.
Glad to see people wanting the Warrior back. It's perfect 80s vocal cheese, and they already had the masters at some point.
MulderWasTaken
Member
Did they confirm that there will be no song export for Rock Band 3?
Juke Joint Jezebel
Member
Man, I hope at some point they'd be able to get Stan Bush official DLC in RB4. "The Touch" and "Ground Zero" (Known as "Till All Are One" in RB3) are already purchasable as RBN DLC. Would love to see "Dare".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NouZB6QuCys
Dem vocals. Blaring out the main chorus with harmonies would be amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NouZB6QuCys
Dem vocals. Blaring out the main chorus with harmonies would be amazing.
As of now, there is no export for Rock Band 3. They have said, however, that if enough people say they want it (and I'm sure enough people have) that they will try and work on it. Their priority right now is getting existing DLC worked on, however.
yup, they have also said that the rock band network in general won't be coming over, but they haven't made it clear if the tracks they brought over for the ps3 version might make it over (still technically RBN releases, but they were the best of RBN effectively (according to them) and thus I would imagine has a chance of making it over.)
I don't need many rock band network songs to come over... mostly I just need cheesy pop song to make it over
So glad I'm not the only one who loves that song. But yeah I really hope they find a way to bring over the RBN songs. I also need The Ultimate Showdown, Jonathan Coulton, Flight of the Conchords, Paul and Storm, and Amberian Dawn.
I highly doubt they will bring over the 360 exclusive songs (don't know if any of them are) at least at launch (I mean it's supposed to be a platform right, so they could add the rock band network back at a later date)
I am hoping the rock band info next week is exciting though, as it's one of my most anticipated games for this fall.
I am also hoping that they confirm this song though I imagine there are good odds that if they do that song they will use this version instead.
I'm not even a huge fan of the song, I just think the reactions would be funny to it (and I don't hate the song lol)
In other random thoughts it would be amazing if they put a Pentatonix song in the game. such as daft punk I wonder if people would take issue with playing drums/bass to a voice instead of real drums or bass lol.
pantsonhead
Member
Gonna man up and admit it: the RPG choice system sold me. I'm holding out for shitty romance options. Do it Harmonix, make my day!
Would you like your girlfriend to be named Yoko
or would you like her to be named Ono?
...
and looking her up I just learned John Lennon was murdered... how did I not know that >.<;
Baron von Loathsome
Member
I'm sitting here wondering whether Harmonix will be at one of the Big Two's conference, and if so, which one. I need to know Rock Band 4's E3 news the moment it comes out.
That's a good question.
That's a good question.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
So this is where Chris Avellone is going.
NightmareTrigger
Banned
My bet's on Sony. John Drake works there now, he's got the connections. Like Adam Boyes and Disney/Mortal Kombat.
If Microsoft were smart, they'd make it happen at theirs. Touting the platform family exportability and legacy instruments might be a big factor for 360 users on the fence of upgrading to one of the current gen consoles. I mean, it would be big for either Sony or Microsoft, but since MS is behind, they have much to gain, considering the amount of casuals who haven't bought into this gen yet and love their Rock Band.
Baron von Loathsome
Member
If it's not Microsoft's conference, this might be the first year I watch all three of the console manufacturers' presentation.
Crimsonclaw111
Member
Still hoping they drop the megaton "Rock Band 3 exports are in!" on stage at e3.