But unless Hamonix gets bought out by someone with deep pockets and high optimism, it could be the last we'll see of these games.
I'm guessing whoever buys Harmonix will probably put Rock Band on the backburner (outside of maybe DLC), while getting them to focus on other casual games like Dance Central.
As for the DC Collection, yeah a lot of people are just assuming it's the 4 PSN/XBLA ports bundled together. Though there is precedent to believe it's more, since the Ultimate Mega Drive Collection came with 40+ games, including ones they had or were planning on releasing on PSN/XBLA. Personally, I won't be interested unless there's Skies of Arcadia in there.
I'd prefer a Saturn Collection more than any collection from Sega though. Dreamcast games were ported all over the place but Saturn games? They're right in the dead zone between piss easy Mega Drive (or Master System) emulation and prettier and convenient Dreamcast ports. Sure the Saturn was meant to be a complete clusterfuck structurally but I wants Shining Force 3 damnit.
Yeah I'd like to see some sweet, sweet Saturn collection come up. I thought a lot of the lack of Saturn re-releases had to do with the Saturn and its games being a bitch to either emulate or port, and that any ports that we have seen have merely been ports of previous PC releases of the same games.
But I could be wrong on that. But its beside the point. I'd like to see some Saturn love too.
That's pretty much exactly how I understand it too. But then Sega do the same thing with their DC re-releases as well, the games popping up on XBLA/PSN are actually PC ports (from what I understand, pretty mediocre ones too), so I think that might be down to Sega being tight assed and/or lazy.
I'll be picking up Mario vs Donkey Kong off of Amazon. I never played the first one, and I like that sort-of thing, so the new one should be mind blowing to me.
This makes me sad. Rock Band is like my dream game.
It's mine too (probably all in all my favorite gaming product this generation), but even I knew it couldn't last as a top-selling product forever. Everything goes in waves, and now rhythm games will shift back to being fairly niche endeavors. The whole Pro mode thing in RB3 seemed to signal a return to catering to the hyperniche, and the whole game feels like one giant Big Rock Ending for the music genre as a whole. Truth be told, it's still kind of weird that the plastic-rock genre was ever popular in the first place; it's so nerdy, which is why I love it, but after the whole Guitar Hero 3 / Rock Band 1 head-to-head blowout, I think we were all waiting for the bubble to burst.
I hope HMX at least push new DLC for another year or so (especially with those Pro instruments people just shelled out for), but even if it stopped then, I'd still be immensely satisfied with the collection of songs I have (I think about 340, all in all) and will keeping playing my RB library until the last Xbox 360 console in the world is melted into scrap metal for our robot overlords. Hell, worst comes to worst, I ended up with a really cheap MIDI keyboard! :P
This was mentioned briefly on the Giant Bombcast, but does anyone know if the Rock Band and Dance Centrals brands are owned by Harmonix? And potentially more important, can this revive dreams of a true Amplitude/Frequency sequel?
EDIT: Speaking of sales and quality, which I know are only marginally related, at best: Wii Party was honestly one of the worst games I've ever had the displeasure of playing with the Nintendo name stamped on it. I only got to try it for about half an hour, but the whole thing was so devoid of personality and charm that it felt like it was designed by a computer algorithm. I mean, I've played Carnival Games Mini-Golf a few times with my nephews, and that game has way more appeal and depth of play than Wii Party. I can understand totally why there'd be no word-of-mouth buzz about the game, as it feels like the total opposite of Wii Sports/WSR.
Whoa whoa whoa. The Sly Cooper Collection came out and NOBODY TOLD ME? WHAT IS THIS?
Going by your sig, you're australian? I don't think Aus or NZ get it for another 2 weeks.
Lunker: MTV Games own Rock Band and Dance Central and will probably be part of the package when they sell Harmonix.
Nothing's stopping them from making an Amplitude/Frequency sequel (so long as it's a spiritual sequel or Sony are the ones that buy them, since they own those two IP's) if they could actually make money off them. Both games were enormous bombs. I think the only reason Sony even let them make Amplitude was because Frequency reviewed well. If Activision had been their publisher, their kids would've been lined up and executed.
Since it's known as THE game to get for Kinect, I'm sure Dance Central will sell well enough to justify a sequel. As Unco said, I wouldn't be shocked if Harmonix starts concentrating on that and other stuff instead of Rock Band.
Former SCE boss thinks Microsoft and Sony could co-develop gaming hardware within a decade
Never one to be afraid of making bold comments, former Sony Computer Entertainment president David Reeves has made his most startling prediction yet – that platform holders such as Sony and Microsoft could co-develop a console within the next decade.
“When you're on the first-party side, you realise how really, really expensive it is to develop a platform,” Reeves told CVG.
“Whether it's PS3, or Xbox 360 or even Wii, they cost millions – maybe not billions, but absolutely millions. You don't know when to put that stake in the ground of technology and move on. You know, say 'that's enough'.
“Eventually, it may just become so expensive to develop that Microsoft and Sony say, 'Okay, let's get together’. I'd say it's between 10 and 15 years away. That's how long I think it will take. I don't think it will be the next console cycle, but probably the next cycle after that, where you might have something platform-agnostic.”
Reeves adds that while he thinks his logic is sound he concedes that by then balance of power may well have changed hands, with Google (and, notably, not Sony) being one of the companies he expects to be at the heart of gaming.
“But it might be different players, of course,” he added. “It might be Google getting together with, dare I say, Microsoft, or Google with somebody else.”
Derp derp derp derp derp derp derp.
Couscous on
0
Warlock82Never pet a burning dogRegistered Userregular
edited November 2010
Wow, that's dumb. Sony and Microsoft are not going to "team up" outside of one company buying the other (which won't happen either). If anything, if costs become unreasonable they are more likely to drop out of the video game market. They sure as hell have enough other divisions to still make a profit.
The only real hardware team-up I could see is Sony and Google but only for something like a Google TV add on for the PS3.I only say that because Sony seems pretty deep into Google TV.
I'm guessing whoever buys Harmonix will probably put Rock Band on the backburner (outside of maybe DLC), while getting them to focus on other casual games like Dance Central.
You know, I could totally get behind MS buying Harmonix. I mean, they need someone in house who gets the Kinect, and Rare can't do everything. Puting some effort in to an awesome Dance Central 2 wouldn't be the worst idea, and just let RB coast on DLC for a while (which is about all most fans want anyway.)
The only real hardware team-up I could see is Sony and Google but only for something like a Google TV add on for the PS3.I only say that because Sony seems pretty deep into Google TV.
Eh, I wouldn't read too much into that, since Google TV is open-source.
I don't really think Google as they stand now will get into the console business... they aren't really in the mood to partner with one company to the exclusion of others, and if they try to make an open-source console Android-style, it'll soon become a fragmented cluserfuck.
The only real hardware team-up I could see is Sony and Google but only for something like a Google TV add on for the PS3.I only say that because Sony seems pretty deep into Google TV.
Eh, I wouldn't read too much into that, since Google TV is open-source.
I don't really think Google as they stand now will get into the console business... they aren't really in the mood to partner with one company to the exclusion of others, and if they try to make an open-source console Android-style, it'll soon become a fragmented cluserfuck.
Then again Engadget leaked pics of a supposed PSP phone running android a couple weeks back so i wouldn't completely write it off.
Wow, that's dumb. Sony and Microsoft are not going to "team up" outside of one company buying the other (which won't happen either). If anything, if costs become unreasonable they are more likely to drop out of the video game market. They sure as hell have enough other divisions to still make a profit.
He's probably talking about Dyack's favourite hypothetical one console future. I can see why some people love the idea, since it consolidates the market into one place, but it'll never happen because it's completely unrealistic.
And yes, David Reeves is a loud mouth idiot, hence why Capcom hired him.
The only real hardware team-up I could see is Sony and Google but only for something like a Google TV add on for the PS3.I only say that because Sony seems pretty deep into Google TV.
Eh, I wouldn't read too much into that, since Google TV is open-source.
I don't really think Google as they stand now will get into the console business... they aren't really in the mood to partner with one company to the exclusion of others, and if they try to make an open-source console Android-style, it'll soon become a fragmented cluserfuck.
Then again Engadget leaked pics of a supposed PSP phone running android a couple weeks back so i wouldn't completely write it off.
Since Android's open source, too, they might not have to Partner with Google to use it.
Cameron_Talley on
Switch Friend Code: SW-4598-4278-8875
3DS Friend Code: 0404-6826-4588 PM if you add.
0
HenroidMexican kicked from Immigration ThreadCentrism is Racism :3Registered Userregular
Former SCE boss thinks Microsoft and Sony could co-develop gaming hardware within a decade
Never one to be afraid of making bold comments, former Sony Computer Entertainment president David Reeves has made his most startling prediction yet – that platform holders such as Sony and Microsoft could co-develop a console within the next decade.
“When you're on the first-party side, you realise how really, really expensive it is to develop a platform,” Reeves told CVG.
“Whether it's PS3, or Xbox 360 or even Wii, they cost millions – maybe not billions, but absolutely millions. You don't know when to put that stake in the ground of technology and move on. You know, say 'that's enough'.
“Eventually, it may just become so expensive to develop that Microsoft and Sony say, 'Okay, let's get together’. I'd say it's between 10 and 15 years away. That's how long I think it will take. I don't think it will be the next console cycle, but probably the next cycle after that, where you might have something platform-agnostic.”
Reeves adds that while he thinks his logic is sound he concedes that by then balance of power may well have changed hands, with Google (and, notably, not Sony) being one of the companies he expects to be at the heart of gaming.
“But it might be different players, of course,” he added. “It might be Google getting together with, dare I say, Microsoft, or Google with somebody else.”
Derp derp derp derp derp derp derp.
Man what. His only reasoning behind this idea is "Hey it's kinda expensive!"? And then he doesn't have a clue on development cost?
Yeah, I believe someone said it best with "former president for a reason."
Henroid on
0
Warlock82Never pet a burning dogRegistered Userregular
Wow, that's dumb. Sony and Microsoft are not going to "team up" outside of one company buying the other (which won't happen either). If anything, if costs become unreasonable they are more likely to drop out of the video game market. They sure as hell have enough other divisions to still make a profit.
He's probably talking about Dyack's favourite hypothetical one console future. I can see why some people love the idea, since it consolidates the market into one place, but it'll never happen because it's completely unrealistic.
And yes, David Reeves is a loud mouth idiot, hence why Capcom hired him.
Honestly as much as it "seems" like it would be nice to have a one-console future, overall it just leads to the same problems every monopoly has - if you control the business, you can shit all over everyone and there is nothing they can do about it because you're the only game in town. See: Nintendo developer practices during the NES (and at least part of the SNES) era as a good example. There's a good reason everyone was very gung-ho to jump over to the PSX ship when a real alternative was established.
Sure, the costs are great, but the potential rewards are greater. It is why there are so many failures. It is like arguing that you shouldn't produce blockbuster titles because of the potential to fail.
Really, the costs are more of a reason to stop being sofa king we todded on console development and take a more Nintendo-like approach.
Edit: Shouldn't the goddamn former president of SCE have at least a rough estimate of the costs? I know it is Europe, but it just seems like that kind of info would be useful for his job.
Does someone have a rundown on all the RB3 bundles? I'm wondering how many people are going to end up with pro instruments.
The only bundle is the game + keyboards. Everything else is separate.
Even though RB3 wasn't exactly a blockbuster, people say in the RB thread they're having trouble finding keyboards. I'm not sure how the pro guitar (the one with buttons) is doing. The pro guitar with strings doesn't come out till the spring, by which point everyone but the most die-hard RB folk will have forgotten about it.
New motion control devices from Sony and Microsoft are flying off the shelves, says GameStop -- and the retailer says it's an environment that reminds it a lot of the Wii's game-changing launch.
GameStop president Tony Bartel says customers should expect supply constraints over the holiday, and that Kinect in particular is helping drive console growth for the Xbox 360. Last month, Xbox 360 was the only console platform to see year-on-year growth, and Bartel expects that trend to continue thanks to Kinect.
"We definitely do see a new customer coming into our stores," he told analysts on the company's financial results call to investors. "And it is selling hardware as well."
Posts
I'm guessing whoever buys Harmonix will probably put Rock Band on the backburner (outside of maybe DLC), while getting them to focus on other casual games like Dance Central.
As for the DC Collection, yeah a lot of people are just assuming it's the 4 PSN/XBLA ports bundled together. Though there is precedent to believe it's more, since the Ultimate Mega Drive Collection came with 40+ games, including ones they had or were planning on releasing on PSN/XBLA. Personally, I won't be interested unless there's Skies of Arcadia in there.
I'd prefer a Saturn Collection more than any collection from Sega though. Dreamcast games were ported all over the place but Saturn games? They're right in the dead zone between piss easy Mega Drive (or Master System) emulation and prettier and convenient Dreamcast ports. Sure the Saturn was meant to be a complete clusterfuck structurally but I wants Shining Force 3 damnit.
But I could be wrong on that. But its beside the point. I'd like to see some Saturn love too.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
It's mine too (probably all in all my favorite gaming product this generation), but even I knew it couldn't last as a top-selling product forever. Everything goes in waves, and now rhythm games will shift back to being fairly niche endeavors. The whole Pro mode thing in RB3 seemed to signal a return to catering to the hyperniche, and the whole game feels like one giant Big Rock Ending for the music genre as a whole. Truth be told, it's still kind of weird that the plastic-rock genre was ever popular in the first place; it's so nerdy, which is why I love it, but after the whole Guitar Hero 3 / Rock Band 1 head-to-head blowout, I think we were all waiting for the bubble to burst.
I hope HMX at least push new DLC for another year or so (especially with those Pro instruments people just shelled out for), but even if it stopped then, I'd still be immensely satisfied with the collection of songs I have (I think about 340, all in all) and will keeping playing my RB library until the last Xbox 360 console in the world is melted into scrap metal for our robot overlords. Hell, worst comes to worst, I ended up with a really cheap MIDI keyboard! :P
This was mentioned briefly on the Giant Bombcast, but does anyone know if the Rock Band and Dance Centrals brands are owned by Harmonix? And potentially more important, can this revive dreams of a true Amplitude/Frequency sequel?
EDIT: Speaking of sales and quality, which I know are only marginally related, at best: Wii Party was honestly one of the worst games I've ever had the displeasure of playing with the Nintendo name stamped on it. I only got to try it for about half an hour, but the whole thing was so devoid of personality and charm that it felt like it was designed by a computer algorithm. I mean, I've played Carnival Games Mini-Golf a few times with my nephews, and that game has way more appeal and depth of play than Wii Party. I can understand totally why there'd be no word-of-mouth buzz about the game, as it feels like the total opposite of Wii Sports/WSR.
And of course, like most musicians who bitch about music games, his music is available for them. Hell, he re-recorded a few songs just for Rock Band.
Yeah, the Sly Collection is out, and it has a very vague teaser for Sly 4. Looks like Sucker Punch is staying busy.
Going by your sig, you're australian? I don't think Aus or NZ get it for another 2 weeks.
Lunker: MTV Games own Rock Band and Dance Central and will probably be part of the package when they sell Harmonix.
Nothing's stopping them from making an Amplitude/Frequency sequel (so long as it's a spiritual sequel or Sony are the ones that buy them, since they own those two IP's) if they could actually make money off them. Both games were enormous bombs. I think the only reason Sony even let them make Amplitude was because Frequency reviewed well. If Activision had been their publisher, their kids would've been lined up and executed.
You know, I could totally get behind MS buying Harmonix. I mean, they need someone in house who gets the Kinect, and Rare can't do everything. Puting some effort in to an awesome Dance Central 2 wouldn't be the worst idea, and just let RB coast on DLC for a while (which is about all most fans want anyway.)
Eh, I wouldn't read too much into that, since Google TV is open-source.
I don't really think Google as they stand now will get into the console business... they aren't really in the mood to partner with one company to the exclusion of others, and if they try to make an open-source console Android-style, it'll soon become a fragmented cluserfuck.
Microsoft partnering with Google? Really?
He's probably talking about Dyack's favourite hypothetical one console future. I can see why some people love the idea, since it consolidates the market into one place, but it'll never happen because it's completely unrealistic.
And yes, David Reeves is a loud mouth idiot, hence why Capcom hired him.
Since Android's open source, too, they might not have to Partner with Google to use it.
3DS Friend Code: 0404-6826-4588 PM if you add.
Man what. His only reasoning behind this idea is "Hey it's kinda expensive!"? And then he doesn't have a clue on development cost?
Yeah, I believe someone said it best with "former president for a reason."
Honestly as much as it "seems" like it would be nice to have a one-console future, overall it just leads to the same problems every monopoly has - if you control the business, you can shit all over everyone and there is nothing they can do about it because you're the only game in town. See: Nintendo developer practices during the NES (and at least part of the SNES) era as a good example. There's a good reason everyone was very gung-ho to jump over to the PSX ship when a real alternative was established.
Zeboyd Games Development Blog
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
The joke's on him, though
He's in Motorhead
Especially if you account for some of these massive marketing efforts that are required at the launch of a console.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Erm... he IS Motorhead. Like how Trent Reznor is Nine Inch Nails.
Now he can never part from it
Motorhead are fucking awesome.
Lemmy is categorically wrong in this case though, lawl.
Just probably not while drumming.
And as an added bonus, their name wasn't "Lemmy Killmeister"
Really, the costs are more of a reason to stop being sofa king we todded on console development and take a more Nintendo-like approach.
Edit: Shouldn't the goddamn former president of SCE have at least a rough estimate of the costs? I know it is Europe, but it just seems like that kind of info would be useful for his job.
I could live with them producing Rock Band DLC (they do this on their own, unmanaged by Viacom) while they make a successor to Frequency/Amplitude
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Lemmy is pretty cool, that was just a silly reason for not liking the idea of music games obviously.
Although yeah, most stage names are kind of . . . well "bad" for lack of a better word. Obligatory:
There is only one RB3 bundle. It only has the keyboard (not valid for PS3 in North America). Otherwise, all RB3 gear must be purchases separately.
The only bundle is the game + keyboards. Everything else is separate.
Even though RB3 wasn't exactly a blockbuster, people say in the RB thread they're having trouble finding keyboards. I'm not sure how the pro guitar (the one with buttons) is doing. The pro guitar with strings doesn't come out till the spring, by which point everyone but the most die-hard RB folk will have forgotten about it.
New motion control devices from Sony and Microsoft are flying off the shelves, says GameStop -- and the retailer says it's an environment that reminds it a lot of the Wii's game-changing launch.
GameStop president Tony Bartel says customers should expect supply constraints over the holiday, and that Kinect in particular is helping drive console growth for the Xbox 360. Last month, Xbox 360 was the only console platform to see year-on-year growth, and Bartel expects that trend to continue thanks to Kinect.
"We definitely do see a new customer coming into our stores," he told analysts on the company's financial results call to investors. "And it is selling hardware as well."