The new 'Rock Band' Guitar
2:21 PM, June 30, 2008
IGN.com has posted a pic of the new Fender guitar for 'Rock Band 2.'
Here it is....
Check out more 'Rock Band 2' photos on IGN.com.
Rock Band 2 Details
10:30 AM, June 30, 2008
Hey Gamer Gang,
This release just came through...Rock Band 2 comning in September!
The Ultimate Music Game Is Back For An Encore
Harmonix, MTV Games and Electronic Arts Unleash Rock Band™2
Entire Rock Band Downloadable Content Music Catalog Compatible with
Rock Band 2
More Music, Online Modes, Features Than Ever Before With New and Improved Drum and Guitar Peripherals
Rock Band Online Music Store Passes 15 Million Paid Downloads
Rock Band 2 Makes Exclusive Debut on Xbox 360 This September
Cambridge, Mass. - June 30, 2008 - Harmonix, the world's premier music video game company in the world, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), are taking the groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games to the next level this September with the release of Rock Band 2. With the original providing millions of players a new way to interact with the music and artists they love, Rock Band 2 is the next evolution of the franchise that redefined the standard for music games.
Rock Band is the groundbreaking platform that allows music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before - challenging players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune while learning to master lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals.
Rock Band 2 builds upon its foundation as the first music game to introduce co-operative band gameplay, multiple instruments, a robust online multiplayer experience, an unrivaled offering of downloadable content and raises the bar by delivering an entirely new level of depth, connectivity, authenticity and features including:
Backwards compatibility with Rock Band downloadable music content. All previously purchased tracks will immediately load into your Rock Band 2 song list. No need to re-purchase or re-download.
The biggest and most diverse soundtrack ever featuring some of rock's most prolific acts, comprised entirely of master recordings.
Major new and dynamic online modes that will connect the entire Rock Band community in more ways than ever before both locally and globally.
More variety of instrument choices than ever before with new and improved drum and guitar peripherals, enhanced functionality and innovative new designs - all fully compatible with the original Rock Band instruments.
And much more.
"As successful as the original Rock Band continues to be, we've now had the benefit of the last eight months to listen to our fans' requests and to build upon that foundation," said Alex Rigopulos, co-founder and CEO of Harmonix. "Rock Band 2 is a second-generation band game that will elevate the music game experience to the next level."
Rock Band 2 will make its debut on Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this September and have an exclusive launch window in North America. Rock Band 2 will be available for additional platforms later this year.
"We expect Rock Band 2 to continue to drive an amazing social music experience on Xbox 360, said David Hufford, senior director, Xbox Product Management for the Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft... "We look forward to supporting Rock Band 2 on Xbox 360 as gamers continue to download hundreds of new music tracks from Xbox LIVE so they and their friends can perform the rock music they love most."
More details regarding features and music for Rock Band 2 will be revealed at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit. Rock Band, the first installment in the franchise, garnered more than 40 awards including Game Critics Award: Best of Show E3 2007.
In addition, Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 15 million paid downloads since the game's launch in late November 2007. With more than 200 tracks available to date via download purchase (complete list of tracks at http://www.rockband.com/dlc), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.
Rock Band 2 is rated "T" for Teen (lyrics, mild suggestive themes) by the ESRB.
For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.
June 24, 2008
Still no 'GRID'
3:44 PM, June 24, 2008
I still don't have a copy of 'GRID' to play. Can anyone help?
I will have a copy of 'Battlefield: Bad Company,' later this evening.
Why don't we all go buy a copy of 'Battlefield' and try to forget about that other game... whatever it's called... 'GRIP,' 'GEAR,' 'GRIM'... whatever.
Texas Gamer Review: GTA IV
11:40 AM, June 24, 2008
June 23, 2008
'Guitar Hero on Tour' first impressions
4:37 PM, June 23, 2008
This weekend, in my tiny abode, it was all about 'Metal Gear' and 'Guitar Hero on Tour.' It WAS NOT about 'GRID' the race-car title, because I don't think I'll ever get a copy of that game... I think some secret organization is preventing me from ever obtaining a copy. I'll update the blog daily to let everyone know if some miracle occurs with THAT racing game. Maybe I'll get a copy "by next Monday."
Anyway, back to 'Guitar Hero on Tour' for the Nintendo DS, or as I like to call it "my little ticket to hand surgery." I don't think I can recall a game that, in my mind, I was more certain was going to be "good" than this one. I was dead-set to pick it up at the store the second it hit the shelves. Then I forgot the release date. As I walked in to the big blue box store to waste some time, I saw it on display, front-and-center. I bought it... no research, no quest for opinions, no nothing... a total impulse buy. I just bought it and took it home and started playing.
It's good! Hand-crampingly good. Thank goodness.
What I like:
• The strumming pick control is very cool... feels even better than the console version's strum bar.
• No Doubt is on the track-list.
• It's so portable.
• It sounds great... shockingly great.
• The controller is a cool fit with the DS. It's very responsive AND it works with older DS models.
• It's crazy fun to have a portable 'Guitar Hero' game that plays great.
• Expect difficultly is pretty darn hard.
What I don't like:
• My little finger has a hard time reaching the blue button.
• The controller seems to easily slip out of the DS's cartridge slot with the slightest nudge.
• There are only 25 songs.
• It's hard to lay in bed and play, you really have to relax your arm downward.
• Long games hurt my arm and wrist.
• The unlockable song at the end of each arena needs to be a massive hit... not Daughtry!
The funniest thing I noticed while playing 'GHoT' is that during the duration of a song... the harder it got, the closer my face would get to the screen and the more twisted my arm/wrist position would become. At one point my nose hit the screen. The dual images are a little weird.
If you have a DS and are a casual fan of 'Guitar Hero,' I think you'll be all over this game. It's a blast.
I want to see what a REAL 'GH' expert (MELCOLM???) thinks of the games difficulty and song choices.
Anyone else?
June 19, 2008
'Metal Gear Solid 4' makes me happy to own a PS3
11:11 AM, June 19, 2008
OK, why can't any other developers make PS3 games as fantastic as MGS4?
With awesome live support, achievements, easy-as-pie online updates and my huge friend list, it's hard to tear myself away from the Xbox 360, but MGS4 has totally captivated me.
I think the graphics in this latest episode of the MGS series are stunning and the gameplay is spot-on.
And speaking of gameplay, there's something for everyone here. I was a little guilt-ridden by taking advantage of cool weapons the game offers up... I mean, c'mon, it's a MGS game and I figure I'm supposed to be using stealth techniques. But, the game dumped so many cool weapons in my lap, I just couldn't resist the temptation to start blasting everyone. I've gotten over my guilt.
I'm only a few hours into the game (a co-worker spent 60+ hours beating the game on Big Boss level) and it's been a bewildering but enjoyable ride.
Get ready for baffling cutscenes, insane action, stealthy stalking, goofy bathroom humor and gaming greatness. If you have a PS3, get this game now. If you don't have a PS3, find 460 bucks and get this game and a system now.
What are your thoughts? Are you enjoying MGS4?
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Well, if anything could persuade me to tear me away from a 360 and pick up a PS3, it would be MGS4.
June 18, 2008
Review: Metal Gear Solid 4
5:38 PM, June 18, 2008
Column: Companies starting to cater to disabled gamers
5:24 PM, June 18, 2008
I was surprised to discover just how many disabled gamers are out there.
Most of them are playing casual games, and I suspect that's because complex console titles are difficult if not impossible to play when you have almost any kind of serious disability (physical or otherwise).
One product that could help change that, though, is the one-handed Access Controller from modder extraordinaire Ben Heckendorn.
I'm actually interested in doing a larger follow-up story on disabled gamers at some point, so if any of you Punchbutton readers know a disabled gamer (ideally in the Dallas area) who would be willing to be interviewed and perhaps even photographed for an article in the newspaper, let me know.
June 10, 2008
Metal Gear Solid 4 is here, and Snake wants to kick my butt
11:35 AM, June 10, 2008
See? Look how mad he is at me!
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I hope PS3 game is not as easy as the rest, or as short for that matter. Don't get me wrong, but GTA 4 was really easy and short. The other GTA's were really long games, and you almost needed the cheat codes to beat them. Call of Duty 4...loved it but beat it in 4 days, and I work a 40 hour a week job. Drake's was awsome looking and fun to play, but again easy and short. I hope this will not be a trend with other franchise PS3 games. Do you agree with that? The only one that was a real challenge was Oblivion. Please let me know your thoughts, buy the way I read your colum every week in the Quik.
FROM VICTOR: Actually, I don't have a problem with games getting shorter IF the developers and publishers charge less money for those games.
Want to sell me a five hour game? Great! As long as the game only costs 20 bucks (and still has great production values).
If a game falls into the 10- to 20-hour range, then I don't mind paying full price.
June 9, 2008
The video that will make you want to play Age of Conan (or at least laugh like an idiot)
6:34 AM, June 9, 2008
See? Your Monday just got a little brighter.
June 8, 2008
Column: What the iPhone 2 will mean for gamers
5:38 PM, June 8, 2008
While I'm as excited as anyone to see what neat technology Steve Jobs has packed into the new iPhone being unveiled tomorrow, I'm particularly curious to see how Apple nurtures the machine's gaming capabilities.
Will the iPhone 2 be a Nintendo DS killer, or just another dumping ground for crummy cell phone games?
Even in a best case scenario, I don't think the iPhone kills the DS. But I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo's next portable game machine after the DS looks a lot like the iPhone.
June 5, 2008
Review: Enemy Territory: Quake Wars
10:36 AM, June 5, 2008
I tested the Xbox 360 version of Quake Wars (developed by Nerve Software up in Richardson). The team-based FPS stuff is cool IF you have teammates that know what they're doing and stick to their chosen classes.
Medics should be healing, not rushing the enemy stronghold.
Ironically, if you play offline with AI-controlled bots, you don't have to worry about this problem, because the computer plays much smarter than the average random human comrade.
Graphically, Quake Wars doesn't stand out, but it's solid and fast and fun.
June 2, 2008
A new week of bankruptcy! A flood of new releases is coming!
5:17 PM, June 2, 2008
Wow, there's a ton of cool games releasing this week.
It's time to start seeking (legal) alternate income methods just to keep up:
• 'Lego Indiana Jones' for just about everything.
• 'Robert Ludlum's: The Bourne Conspiracy' for PS3 and Xbox 360
• 'Ninja Gaiden 2' for Xbox 360
• 'Grid' for PS3 and Xbox 360
• 'Incredible Hulk' for everything
• 'Cabela's Trophy Bucks' for Wii
But don't close your wallet yet, cuz the next week brings:
• 'Metal Gear Solid 4' for PS3
• 'Nascar '09' for everything
• 'Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit' for PS3 and Xbox 360
Sheesh! I can't remember a grouping of Spring releases like this in the past. Finally game companies are taking Summer-time gamers seriously.
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- Review: Metal Gear Solid 4
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- Metal Gear Solid 4 is here, and Snake wants to kick my butt
- The video that will make you want to play Age of Conan (or at least laugh like an idiot)
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