Rock band tournament?

motsrun

There seems to have been much interest in this, but little follow-through. It was hinted at in the console tournament thread that while there isn't a Rock Band tourney in one area, it could be possible in the freeplay area or somewhere else. I'm asking someone with the resources to pleeeease organize this or post in here if interested, as the want to play with my band against other bands is a primary reason for me going to PAX, and I know I am not alone in this with the many other posts about it and complaints(ahem) in the console thread.

Rules etc. can be negotiable, I just ask that people keep in mind that 1) different songs have different possible maximum scores and 2) someone should calibrate the TV and system before such a tourney starts.


Anyone who cares: my band is "I'd hit that with a pipe wrench!" in XBox scoring.

Lastly, if there is someone specific(the freeplay guy, Kenneth or something) that I should contact about this can a mod drop me a line? My email is motsrun@gmail.com.

Cheers, and here's to hoping that RB makes it in...

TrainwreckX

I would be VERY interested in a "Battle of the Rock Bands" as it were. I have a full band attending PAX that would definitely jump in. I would really only play, though, if it was organized in some fashion. It doesn't need a prize, just needs to not be chaotic/a waste of time.

I have a whole set of RB hardware, but I'm quite reluctant to bring it...

TacoChief

This was actually something I was expecting of PAX this year. I thought it would be cool if there was a rock band tourney with a stage and all that set up so its like a real battle of the bands, figured it would be fun and Im sure there would be a ton of people willing to play. Have judges or something so that it isnt necessarily based on a score and different songs can be played, have scores play a part (as difficult songs usually have higher point maximums) as well as show, costumes, band organization ect... If they made a big deal out if it, this would be one of the coolest things at PAX, though it seems kind of late to plan this now.

TrainwreckX

TacoChief wrote: »

This was actually something I was expecting of PAX this year. I thought it would be cool if there was a rock band tourney with a stage and all that set up so its like a real battle of the bands, figured it would be fun and Im sure there would be a ton of people willing to play. Have judges or something so that it isnt necessarily based on a score and different songs can be played, have scores play a part (as difficult songs usually have higher point maximums) as well as show, costumes, band organization ect... If they made a big deal out if it, this would be one of the coolest things at PAX, though it seems kind of late to plan this now.

Holy fuck that would be so fucking sweet though. We require a rep from Harmonix/EA/MTV Games to read this thread and get on this idea. STAT!

Moe Fwacky

I think it's a little too close to PAX to be planning something of this magnitude.

TacoChief

Moe Fwacky wrote: »

I think it's a little too close to PAX to be planning something of this magnitude.

Yeah which sucks cause this would be l337. Maybe next year with RB2 :P

TrainwreckX

Moe Fwacky wrote: »

I think it's a little too close to PAX to be planning something of this magnitude.

It should have gone without saying. I'm surprised somebody, someplace, didn't decide to do it. Space concerns could quite possibly be an issue, but I figure if there is a will there is a way with something like this.

Time is definitely not on our side at this point

BigRed

also harmonix might do something at their booth, but probably wont know until pax itself.

TrainwreckX

BigRed wrote: »

also harmonix might do something at their booth, but probably wont know until pax itself.

I was thinking that.

franco523

I'm thinking that, yes, this is a big deal and will be difficult. However, this is all we have to make it happen. Let's make it happen, in whatever tiny capacity we can make it happen. The issue is who's bringing their set? Who's willing? Freeplay? Whatever? I'm actually playing rb right now, but i'll do some research and post as we see what we can do.

I know folks are interested, but who's interested in putting forth the effort? I don't own rb or a 360, so i can't offer that much, but i'll help as i can.

Franco
i'd hit that with a pipe wrench

TacoChief

Shit I would organize this in a heartbeat but I have 0 authority at PAX.

motsrun

I also own neither RB nor an XBox, also do not live in Seattle... so while I'd love to provide these things, alas, I cannot.
I'd totally be up for helping set up somewhere if someone does have/is willing to use or bring the necessary equipment, though. I, like many, am seriously surprised there hasn't been mention of something set up somewhere like at Harmonix's booth or whatnot.

Tournament logistic-wise, the most difficult thing would be rules; tracking teams and scheduling ought not be hard at all, I wouldn't think, and I'd be willing to put in time doing that.

Folks with the hardware and PAX-authority-type resources... please consider helping.

At this point, I'd even be happy with just having RB set up to play somewhere if we cannot get a full-fledged tournament going(would be better than nothing eh?).

Cheers,
Mots

Id hit that with a pipe wrench!

TrainwreckX

I own RB, and Xbox, and all the instruments, as well as live near Seattle. However, if there will be copies of the game in Freeplay, I'd rather not bring my stuff. It's a huge hassle with my tiny-ass Mustang.

Moe Fwacky

Yeah, I think your best bet here is to find out who's in charge of CFP and try to work out something with them.

TrainwreckX

Moe Fwacky wrote: »

Yeah, I think your best bet here is to find out who's in charge of CFP and try to work out something with them.

/agreed. But who will volunteer?

motsrun

Moe Fwacky wrote: »

Yeah, I think your best bet here is to find out who's in charge of CFP and try to work out something with them.

Already asked that and for mod help finding this person(assuming a mod somewhere knows who is in charge of CFP) in my original post, Moe-zy Moe. Anyone out there know who to contact?

Edit: That sounded mildly inflammatory and wasn't meant to. *shoot self*
Also, I just PM'ed Zig to see if he knows the fellow, and if I get contact info I'll get to it and let all know the results of said contact here.

Cheers,
Mots

TrainwreckX

I know Zig said the guy's name is Kenneth in another thread. That's all I know.

Wedge

Kethenn runs CFP, Shoat and I are deputy managers.

We'll have official prizes for daily high scores on certain games, including Rock Band. This obviously isn't nearly the same thing as a tournament and isn't intended to be such.

Additionally, we'll have pre-printed tournament bracket sheets available so that attendees can run their own tournaments, but participants wouldn't have any special priority in using console stations and there wouldn't be any PAX provided prizes. If there's enough interest we may dedicate one of the Rock Band stations to fan run competitions for a block of time.

TrainwreckX

Wedge wrote: »

Kethenn runs CFP, Shoat and I are deputy managers.

We'll have official prizes for daily high scores on certain games, including Rock Band. This obviously isn't nearly the same thing as a tournament and isn't intended to be such.

Additionally, we'll have pre-printed tournament bracket sheets available so that attendees can run their own tournaments, but participants wouldn't have any special priority in using console stations and there wouldn't be any PAX provided prizes. If there's enough interest we may dedicate one of the Rock Band stations to fan run competitions for a block of time.

Getting a little support to get a dedicated station may be the best way to go. Maybe people can pool for a prize or something.

Still, a daily high score for Rock Band also has me excited... I assume it will have to be a specific song? Picking any song would obviously lead to tons of problems.

Wedge

TrainwreckX wrote: »

Getting a little support to get a dedicated station may be the best way to go. Maybe people can pool for a prize or something.

Still, a daily high score for Rock Band also has me excited... I assume it will have to be a specific song? Picking any song would obviously lead to tons of problems.

Everyone will get 2 distributed tournament buttons at PAX, participants could pool those (1 button for entry?) for the tournament prize (certain quantities of buttons can be redeemed for prize points).

The daily high score is kind of broken with regard to Rock Band because it'll tend to favor only a subset of songs, but it should be fun nonetheless. It's very straightforward, every day a prize goes to the band with the highest score on any song.

TrainwreckX

Wedge wrote: »

TrainwreckX wrote: »

Getting a little support to get a dedicated station may be the best way to go. Maybe people can pool for a prize or something.

Still, a daily high score for Rock Band also has me excited... I assume it will have to be a specific song? Picking any song would obviously lead to tons of problems.

Everyone will get 2 distributed tournament buttons at PAX, participants could pool those (1 button for entry?) for the tournament prize (certain quantities of buttons can be redeemed for prize points).

The daily high score is kind of broken with regard to Rock Band because it'll tend to favor only a subset of songs, but it should be fun nonetheless. It's very straightforward, every day a prize goes to the band with the highest score on any song.

Well it's at least a subset. Otherwise I think it would be major broken. At least this way it's only a little broken.

John-311

I hope there are a lot of games of Rock Band going on at PAX! I help put on a Rock Band Night every week in Portland, OR and have witnessed many times just how fun it is to get together with other fellow Rock Band fans and rock out! To me it seems like a no brainer to have several stations set up for people to play Rock Band, especially a cool stage setup with lights, fog, monitors, etc. To me there is way more appeal in playing Rock Band rather than bring your own PC to play MMOs or whatever when you can actually play RB together in person. I would be willing to help organize something, even a fan created event outside of PAX at a bar or something.

TrainwreckX

John-311 wrote: »

I hope there are a lot of games of Rock Band going on at PAX! I help put on a Rock Band Night every week in Portland, OR and have witnessed many times just how fun it is to get together with other fellow Rock Band fans and rock out! To me it seems like a no brainer to have several stations set up for people to play Rock Band, especially a cool stage setup with lights, fog, monitors, etc. To me there is way more appeal in playing Rock Band rather than bring your own PC to play MMOs or whatever when you can actually play RB together in person. I would be willing to help organize something, even a fan created event outside of PAX at a bar or something.

Agreed in every way. Somebody organize it, and I shall bring my band to participate!

Kethenn

There may or may not be a semi-organized Rock Band tournament this year.

Suggestions for rules formats may or may not be considered in the event of such a tournament, and individuals wishing to help organize such a theoretical tournament may or may not be contacted.

(post suggestions, pm me with interest, don't get your hopes up >_>)

Papstio

I read rules from a lot of people who set a a Rock Band tournament and the best I found are below. I found this posted in the Rock Band forums by DarkEternal37.

Here's the way I think a tournament would go if I was running it. I should be doing a paper right now and I'm putting way more effort into this than that. You're welcome!


First of all, I wouldn't do separate tournaments. Everyone plays the same difficulty (more in a sec).

Qualifying round is a great idea. Here's how this would go for me. I'd start with signups as a full band. If a band signed up together, then that's fine, they're a band. Also, I'd allow for individual instrument sign ups. Kind of a "free agent" pool if you will. Then you could match up kids as they come in with others to make more bands.

Main rule here would be that you can only play in one band. You can't play in more than one even if it's on different instruments. You're stuck.

Okay, so the qualifying round would proceed like this:

- Everyone plays the same 3 songs. Tier 2 on Easy. Tier 1 on Medium. Tier 2 on Medium. Feel free to pick whichever you like.
- All 3 scores are added together for the band.

Now how many you let through the qualifying round would depend on how many signed up, but I feel 8 is a nice round number. So the 8 bands with the top combined scores advance and are ranked. So you start the actual tournament from here. The good news is you've gotten everyone involved so far, and you've had bands play at least 3 songs. Now you get the teams that are actually gonna have a shot to win it all.

So in standard tourney fashion, Rank 1 plays Rank 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5.

Now during this round, each song is chosen at complete random and will be played on HARD difficulty. The two bands that play each other will each play the same song. So if band Number 1 gets Vasoline on Random, Band Number 8 will play Vasoline as well. However, when it's Band Number 2's turn they will choose random as well so they may not get Vasoline. See what I'm saying here? The point is that the two bands directly in contest play the same song, thereby competing for the same score.

Now obviously, the band with the higher score advances.

Now we're in the Semi-Finals with 4 bands left. This is where we crank it up to Expert and repeat the last round's process.

Finals time. Expert again, one song. I think for the finals we should choose a song instead of Random. Something epic would be good and well suited. Maybe not Run to the Hills cause it's ungodly tough on drums but something from a top tier (Maybe Highway Star?)

Higher score = Winnar!

I'm not sure how many sets we will have, but obviously the more sets the less time we need for this style of tournament. I also don't know how much time (if any) we would have. I just wanted to suggest some rules should there be a semi-organized Rock Band tournament this year.

Papstio
I'd hit that with a pipe wrench!

Smidget

Only thing with that example is that its strictly a score-based tourney - it doesn't take performance, style, dress, etc.. into consideration. Just depends on what you want but I think others have posted previously about wanting a tourney that does include those aspects.

If it will help to make this possible (by saving logistics planning time), here's an example of a way to judge the bands that takes all aspects into consideration:

Bands play, audience enjoys show, judges judge, best score wins. done and done (as long as bands are prepped and ready to go one after the other)


edited for replying to Moe's comment below

Moe Fwacky

I think you guys are missing the most important aspect of any tournament that happens at PAX: efficiency. You need to make things run as quickly and smoothly as possible. There are a lot of things people want to do at PAX; this tournament should be designed to happen in the shortest possible amount of time.

TacoChief

Moe Fwacky wrote: »

I think you guys are missing the most important aspect of any tournament that happens at PAX: efficiency. You need to make things run as quickly and smoothly as possible. There are a lot of things people want to do at PAX; this tournament should be designed to happen in the shortest possible amount of time.

Not to disagree with you... but as Rock Band is one of the biggest games out right now, it could be an all day side event like a really long concert that people can walk in and out of and bands have set times they are supposed to play and bla bla bla. If they did something huge with this I can guarentee you 100% that a shitload of people would participate and watch and all that. This is something that is appealing to people and making a big deal out of it would be extremely beneficial to PAX imo.

Smidget

TacoChief wrote: »

Moe Fwacky wrote: »

I think you guys are missing the most important aspect of any tournament that happens at PAX: efficiency. You need to make things run as quickly and smoothly as possible. There are a lot of things people want to do at PAX; this tournament should be designed to happen in the shortest possible amount of time.

Not to disagree with you... but as Rock Band is one of the biggest games out right now, it could be an all day side event like a really long concert that people can walk in and out of and bands have set times they are supposed to play and bla bla bla. If they did something huge with this I can guarentee you 100% that a shitload of people would participate and watch and all that. This is something that is appealing to people and making a big deal out of it would be extremely beneficial to PAX imo.

Doing something huge with this, as stated previously, isn't really an option this year. And making what IS being theoretically planned an all day event just isn't a good idea, not theoretically.

TacoChief

Smidget wrote: »

TacoChief wrote: »

Moe Fwacky wrote: »

I think you guys are missing the most important aspect of any tournament that happens at PAX: efficiency. You need to make things run as quickly and smoothly as possible. There are a lot of things people want to do at PAX; this tournament should be designed to happen in the shortest possible amount of time.

Not to disagree with you... but as Rock Band is one of the biggest games out right now, it could be an all day side event like a really long concert that people can walk in and out of and bands have set times they are supposed to play and bla bla bla. If they did something huge with this I can guarentee you 100% that a shitload of people would participate and watch and all that. This is something that is appealing to people and making a big deal out of it would be extremely beneficial to PAX imo.

Doing something huge with this, as stated previously, isn't really an option this year. And making what IS being theoretically planned an all day event just isn't a good idea, not theoretically.

Im not saying it can be done this year. Its all hypothetical for a cool idea thats all.

John-311

I don't care about a tournament or prizes, I just want to play the game with people. I may end up hanging around Harmonix's booth for a lot of PAX just to play RB2, but I'm hoping there will be at least like 5 stations for full bands to play RB1. This is my first time going to PAX though, so I don't know how console freeplay works or if there are long lines just to play games or what.

TrainwreckX

Song choice should work as follows:

Each round the tourney admin picks 3 songs. Two bands are playing against each other in each round. Each of the two bands can "eliminate" one of the 3 admin-chosen songs from play. The result is there is one song left that both bands agree to play. All bands will be given the same choice of three songs each round. This is what seems the most fair.

Also, because they suck ass, the 11 bonus songs will not be used. I wish downloaded songs could be used, but I'm not sure if that would be fair. Maybe only one of the 3 songs could be a downloaded song or something. If the tournament machines even HAVE DLC (which I doubt anyway).

motsrun

I favor Papstio's ruleset for a tourney completely. It would be uber-efficient(I agree with you there Moe) and if we feel like it, we could easily as others suggest add judging to the mix and lose little efficiency so long as we have people willing to dedicate some time to judging.

With the limited possibility of this this year, I'd much rather have an efficient score-based tourney than nothing at all or something that we have a hard time gel-ing together. Something easy to get together would prolly be best.

Also, I fully support DLC inclusion and bonus song inclusion. Not all the bonus songs suck to all people... some folks like them all, some folks like some, some folks like none. There is also much DLC that completely rocks... and most of the songs out there that rival a certain song in the main game *cough* for maximum point score are in fact DLC.

Cheers,
Mots

Id hit that with a pipe wrench!

TrainwreckX

Related but not the same:

http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=65960

franco523

I have to be honest, i'll just be there to play. I'm not interested in prizes or a tourney as much as just playing with/against the other bands. One way of keeping it fast and efficient would be to have it done in stages, an hour on, two hours off, or 30 on, an hour off. I'm not sure. However, the idea would be to plan it in sections so that folks can still move about pax on their own time.

Or, we could just have a place and time of everyone with a full 4 man that's interested meet up outside the hall and schedule matchups throughout the day. Don't get me wrong, i'm interested in doing as large a tourney as we can, but i'm more interested in keeping it as clean and efficient as humanly possible.

I don't like stepping on toes, despite being willing to hit "that" with a pipe wrench.

Franco

I am unsure, uncertain, untimely, and underdressed. Who let me in here?