Scratch is scheduled for release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 next spring and features "distinctive urban environments" and "original recordings from the catalogs of many top urban artists." Are we sensing a theme here?
Posts in category rhythm'Scratch: The Ultimate DJ' announced, Numark & QD3 on board
Scratch is scheduled for release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 next spring and features "distinctive urban environments" and "original recordings from the catalogs of many top urban artists." Are we sensing a theme here?
RockBand.com updated, custom merch now available
Perhaps the coolest addition is the ability to order 6" figures of your Rock Band 2 characters. As of this writing, the servers are being hammered, so we've unfortunately been unable to even preview what The Blueberry Muffintops look like in miniature, plastic form. Let us know if you've had any luck and, please, feel free to show off your band photos in the comments below.
Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades shreds retail November 16
First announced during E3, the encore performance will include a collection of master tracks pulled from the last 40 years, including Fall Out Boy, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Queen, as well as support wireless connectivity between both it and the original On Tour for competitive and co-op play. Not much else has been revealed, though something tells us that this November bus rides to work just got a little more awkward.
Activision clarifies Guitar Hero World Tour pricing
- $190 for the full band kit on PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii.
- $180 for the full band kit on PS2.
- $100 for the guitar/game bundle on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii.
- $90 for the guitar/game bundle on PS2.
Wii Music 'games' within the 'game' detailed
On Friday we had our final hands-on session with Wii Music before its October 20 release. Our feelings about it remain more or less unchanged from our time with it at E3. It's not a "gamer's game;" it's not even really a game in the traditional sense. Its novel mechanics will be best appreciated by young children or groups of non-gamers. Nintendo itself has said as much.
Still, we wanted to finally see the "games" of Wii Music – the three modes where players are actually scored. The first is conducting with the Wiimote as a baton, which was demo'd by Nintendo back at the system's unveiling. The gist of this game is staying true to the tempo of the original work. How close you maintain the flow determines your score.
There's also a choir bell game for up to four players, which involves "ringing" your two bells as ones matching their colors scroll past. Finally, there's the most simple of the games, which tests you ability to hear different pitches. There are 10 "levels," where you are asked to place the Mii that's producing a specific tone onto a platform – match and win.
Simple stuff indeed.
Still, we wanted to finally see the "games" of Wii Music – the three modes where players are actually scored. The first is conducting with the Wiimote as a baton, which was demo'd by Nintendo back at the system's unveiling. The gist of this game is staying true to the tempo of the original work. How close you maintain the flow determines your score.
There's also a choir bell game for up to four players, which involves "ringing" your two bells as ones matching their colors scroll past. Finally, there's the most simple of the games, which tests you ability to hear different pitches. There are 10 "levels," where you are asked to place the Mii that's producing a specific tone onto a platform – match and win.
Simple stuff indeed.
Gallery: Wii Music (10-06-2008)
AC/DC track pack to include Achievements, Trophies
Rock Band Weekly: The Offspring, six other bands
The Offspring (440
/ $5.50)- "Gone Away" - The Offspring (160 / $2)
- "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" - The Offspring (160 / $2)
- "Self Esteem" - The Offspring (160 / $2)
- "Stop!" - Against Me! (160 / $2)
- "All Right Now" - Free (160 / $2)
- "Bad to the Bone" - George Thorogood and the Destroyers (160 / $2)
- "Cream & Bastards Rise" - Harvey Danger (160 / $2)
- "Nearly Lost you" - Screaming Trees (160 / $2)
- "Push It" - Static-X (160 / $2)
Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: The Offspring, six other bands
Joystiq interview: Tommy Tallarico of Video Games Live
Tommy Tallarico has been working in the video game industry since 1991, and has worked on the audio and music for over 250 games, which sounds exhausting enough. He also ocassionally co-hosts Reviews on the Run (formerly Judgement Day on G4), he's a co-founder of the Game Audio Network Guild, serves on the advisory board for the Game Developers Conference, and somewhere amidst that schedule he found time to co-create (with game composer Jack Wall) the live-action game music experience that is Video Games Live.
Video Games Live has been bringing the rocking tunes of games to audiences around the world for three years now. Whereas Jack Wall provides the baton-waving, classy dress portion of the show, Tallarico is the tennis-shoe wearing, Spider-Man guitar-wielding rock element. Check out our full interview with Tommy after the break, and check the VGL schedule to see if there's a show near you -- because everyone should hear the Mario Bros. theme played live at least once. If you can't make it to one, enter our Joyswag Video Games Live giveaway.
Video Games Live has been bringing the rocking tunes of games to audiences around the world for three years now. Whereas Jack Wall provides the baton-waving, classy dress portion of the show, Tallarico is the tennis-shoe wearing, Spider-Man guitar-wielding rock element. Check out our full interview with Tommy after the break, and check the VGL schedule to see if there's a show near you -- because everyone should hear the Mario Bros. theme played live at least once. If you can't make it to one, enter our Joyswag Video Games Live giveaway.
Continue reading Joystiq interview: Tommy Tallarico of Video Games Live
Joyswag: Video Games Live album
- Leave a comment telling us your favorite piece of game music that you'd like to hear played live.
- You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec).
- Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day (comment more than once and we'll force you to play the Atari 2600 version of E.T. forever, Clockwork Orange-style).
- This entry period ends at 11:00pm ET on Friday, October 11th. We'll randomly select 5 winners at that time to each receive one copy of the EMI Classics album Video Games Live: Volume One (valued at $15). Please check your e-mail!
- For a list of complete rules, click here.
Let's Tap, Sonic creator Naka's 'penguin' game, coming Dec. 2008
As for the game itself, the available screenshots vary greatly and provide no basis for interpretation. There is a countdown on the official website that expires in seven days. What we do know, according to the info box in the lower right corner: the genre is "tap action," it supports one to four (to infinity) players and will release this December for 5,040 yen (approx. US $48).
Gallery: Let's Tap
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ABBA SingStar tracks unveiled, releases Dec. 2
Sony previously announced that it has a "window of exclusivity" on ABBA, so don't expect the super trouper group to hit Rock Band or Guitar Hero World Tour anytime soon.
Continue reading Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ABBA SingStar tracks unveiled, releases Dec. 2
Rock Band AC/DC tracks can only be transfered once per disc
After yesterday's announcement of the AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack, featuring all the tracks from the Live at the Donington album, Variety got a few more details from MTV's Paul DeGooyer. Most importantly, DeGooyer said the transfer can only be done once per disc, confirming initial indication of a download code printed on the game manual and expectedly void after use. Hear that gurgle? That's the collective sound of all those Blockbuster patrons' sinking hearts.The Track Pack disc also lacks a character creator and has no online play, although you can use the AC/DC tracks online with RB1 and RB2. Unlike Guitar Hero Aerosmith, you will not be playing as the band. The good news is that all songs will be available immediately -- no need to wade through "Whole Lotta Rosie" to play "Heatseeker."
And if you're wondering whether or not "Thunderstruck" will be making a cameo on Guitar Hero: World Tour, DeGooyer said that AC/DC are exclusive to Rock Band "for a term" but provided no information on whether or not there will be future DLC from the band. The AC/DC Track Pack will be rocking and saluting in early November.
[Via X3F]
AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack on Nov. 2 at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club [update]
Update 2: The "Track Pack" has been confirmed by Harmonix and MTV Games and will be available exclusively at Walmart and Sam's Club beginning in November*. The AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will be available in the U.S. on Nov. 2nd for Xbox 360, PS3 and PS2 and on Nov. 16th for Wii. The disc will retail for $39.88 for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii and $29.88 for PS2. The AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will also be available at most major retailers in Europe, Australia and New Zealand in early December. All tracks from the disc will be available for play in Rock Band and Rock Band 2 by entering a special export authentication code for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions.
*AC/DC's forthcoming album, Black Ice, will be available exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club on Oct. 20th for $11.88, as well as on the band's website.
(Full track listing and original post after the break!)
Continue reading AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack on Nov. 2 at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club [update]
Guitar Hero World Tour won't condone your awful cover songs
"If there's a licensed song and someone holds the copyright to it, we'll take it down regardless of whether or not someone complains," added Bright. We sincerely hope this gives you pause before you decide to share your unoriginal, ill-advised rendition of "Motel" California with the rest of the world.
Guitar Hero World Tour and its 86 master tracks are out on October 26th.
Rock Band 1 songs won't be DLC
Disappointed you can't just pay $5 to import the tunes like all your Rock Band 1 owning friends? We would kindly direct you to your local Blockbuster. Hint, hint.
