You may have read that the surving Beatles and the dead members’ spouses have signed off on the creation of a Beatles video game planned for release by Christmas 2009. The big Beatles fans in RTH Labs’ R&D department were briefly excited. Then we remembered how unimpressed, on a rock ‘n roll level, we’ve been by Guitar Hero and Rock Band, two groundbreaking rock video games that are for all purposes Dance Dance Revolution for the fingertips.
What key elements from the rock ‘n roll experience are missing from today’s rock video games that RTH Labs could provide in a new rock video game? We would like your input, Townspeople, on designing the perfect rock ‘n roll video game. You’ve witnessed the development of Strat-o-Matic Rock ‘n Roll. Now help us push into new frontiers!
Don’t worry: any suggestion you make here is fully protected by copyright and patent laws. By reading this post, you have acknowledged that RTH Labs will allow you to keep a small portion of the future earnings from your ideas. Thank you, Rock Town Hall!
My system would be fully interoperable. First the ‘gamer’ would listen to rock music. This could be accomplished through various legacy systems — CDs, mp3’s, even LPs. Once a desire to rock has been established, the ‘gamer’ moves to level two, learning an instrument, preferably guitar or drums. The ‘gamer’ who does not successfully complete level two will become a bass-player. At level three, ‘gamers’ with a desire to rock meet each other through the various social networking software that is available, or less plausibly, through ‘real life’ social networks. Once rock bands are formed, rock music is created at level four and uploaded to myspace but not listened to by anyone not involved in the game. Playing live in front of humans is level five, and getting laid is level six.
It would have to involve repeated heavy lifting. And perhaps a “partner,” either live or virtual, who keeps suggesting stupid ideas.
The latter is an excellent suggestion, Rick. Also, I’m sure Hrrundi would agree that there certainly has to be a “tone” discussion involved between the players. Also, built in volume scores for whoever is achieving the most rockiosity. Stage moves and banter must be programmed in as choices or even non-choices such as turning your back to the audience. One of the other things is the repetitive layers of programmed shite you need to get through before each played song in that thing, what it really should be is inappropriate music supplied at random by whichever virtual soundman the game hands you.
I think, like others who have posted here, that this needs to be an all-out points war for intra-band supremacy. For example, there needs to be an ongoing contest pitting the two guitar players against each other in a volume battle. The bassist gets points for popping inappropriate octave jumps whenever the “hot chick in the audience is looking at YOU!” icon flashes on-screen. The singer gets a performance bonus (detracted from the guitarist’s score) when he can thrust his microphone between the guitar player’s legs from behind, or when he can surprise the guitar/bass player with a back-to-back “lean-to” move.
The controller definitely needs a “ROCK FACE!” button, to be pressed at key moments only. Punching in perfect synchronization with the right moment for the rock “O”-face gets you a big bonus; hitting it wrong, or over-punching, demotes you to “shorts-and-a-headband” mode.
Perhaps a “fever pitch” moment, when no matter where you are in the song, the drummer must apply a roll and the guitars/bass need to ONLY use the very highest notes on the fretboard bent up even higher! Hammer-ons, arpeggios and cymbol crashes required!
Right on, Mockcarr! Part of the challenge in this game is to balance selfish, easy strategies for gaining points and your need to at least occasionally win big “combo” points by hitting moves in the “team” playbook. You can’t go *too* far making self-aggrandizing points moves, or your ability to score team points is negatively affected.
I like the way this game is evolving!
These are all excellent ideas to improve the Guitar Hero model, but with the history of rock operas and Tolkein obessions that have made their way into music over the years, I can’t help but wonder when we’ll get the first Rock ‘n Role Playing Game.
BTW, re: “fever pitch”: LOL, etc.
Great stuff. I’m intrigued by a game that focuses solely on Rock Faces. Actually, what I have in mind may be more a tool for psychotherapy.
ah, I believe the greatest rock n’ roll video has already been invented:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V41ajt3euYQ&feature=related
If it didn’t come out for the Atari 2600, it’s not worth playing.
I think rock n’ roll video games are like video games based on movies, never worth the price of admission. Rock nerds and video game nerds (i.e., former D & D players in the analog world) don’t mix.
I don’t have big hopes from the video game company. If the game designer had been rockstar or Squareenix, I would be a bit more excited.
I could see a Beatles RPG based on their movies maybe sort of like the collaboration between Squareenix and Disney for Kingdom Hearts…as long they don’t make music related weapons the fab four would have to fight with.
Hey, maybe a side thread can be, if the Beatles were in a fantasy RPG, who would be the wizard, knight, thief, and archer?
Actually, the Grand Theft Auto Platform would be pretty ideal to put a band “trying to make it” game. the main character already gets life points by having sex with prostitutes and you get busted by the police a lot.