There is no denying that music-based video-games have been booming in the past few years. The amount the genre has evolved from titles such as Space Channel 5 on the Sega Dreamcast to the staples of Rock Band and Guitar Hero has been moving ahead in leaps and bounds. But with so many additions, expansions, franchises, and peripherals out there, lounge rooms across the globe have come cluttered and confused.
With bands signing exclusivity deals with different franchises, those who take their virtual rocking out seriously are going to want to own all the franchises they can get, the problem you may find is you are parting out your hard earned cash for the sake of rocking out to only a handful of songs.
Harmonix have taken a step to keep consumers happy with their extensive Downloadable Content, offering over 500 tracks, all working with all versions of their franchise. The Guitar Hero franchise has taken a similar step, offering 30 or so tracks off their Guitar Hero: World Tour disc to work with the upcoming Guitar Hero 5.
It’s the exclusivity that is dividing the market. On one hand you have Guitar Hero Aerosmith, Metallica, Smash Hits, Van Halen and on the other you have Rock Band Beatles - so many discs, so many songs, so much choice, but more importantly, so expensive, especially in today's economic climate.
Each new addition to the series (RB1, RB2, GH3, GHWT, GH5) brings with it new peripherals, always slightly better than the previous set, which has many households owning up to 5 guitar controllers and three sets of drums, just to keep up to date.
And with other franchises climbing out of the woodwork such as Band Hero, Guitar Revolution, Lego Rock Band, DJ Hero many people are seriously asking themselves if it’s worth it.
Hamonix and EA are really pushing Rock Band as the biggest title of the bunch, throwing a campaign across the United States which has local bars having Rock Band nights. It's a good idea that promotes the game to a crowd that normally wouldn't have that much to do with gaming. It get's everyone involved, shows that it's a fun experience that can be enjoyed by everyone, and in turn will most likely generate more sales for their product. There were similar evening hosted across pubs and clubs in Australia promoting Guitar Hero 3 that pitted the best players in the country to get the highest scores on the hardest songs. It was successful, but it was only the Guitar Hero afficinados who got in on the action.
With Christmas fast approaching, and two huge titles dropping very soon in Rock Band: Beatles and Guitar Hero 5 with DJ Hero just around the corner, the war will be back on for who can move the most units under those Christmas trees for 2009.
Is the Music Game Genre over-saturated? Is interest slowly dying out from the casual crowd that once got it booming? Ideally we’d love to see one giant DLC store where you could buy any song you like, let it run on any game you own, and just rock out at your own pleasure....but we’d also like a magical gnome here at the office, both ideas are never going to happen....
11/09/2009
So I've decided to retire the Heller's Desk segment, mainly due to the fact I was getting hard pressed to find good desk pics! So welcome to Heller's Den, a chance for me to throw out what I've been researching, playing and looking forward to.
As many of you will know, Batman Arkham Asylum is the hot topic right now, and rightly so! It's a fantastic game and I'm only a few hours into it!. Tano is busy working on the featured review, but until then, why not check out Batman's Greatest Gaming Moments.
While I wait patiently for Uncharted 2 to be released for the PS3 I've started to play Killzone 2 online quite a bit recently. It's a little harder than your average shooter, but it is so in-depth and is a great change of pace!
On the Wii front I've been getting into a lot of Wii Sports Resort, The Conduit, Punch Out!! and I've been getting back into some Grand Slam Tennis which is great fun for local multiplayer!
So we have a huge few months coming up, with such games as Modern Warfare 2, Scribblenaughts, Guitar Hero 5, Rock Band Beatles the list is growing every day!
What are you guys and girls looking forward to playing?
04/09/2009
Alright folks. We have something very special for you heavy metal, Metallica and Guitar Hero fans out there!! We're giving away 5 copies of Guitar Hero Metallica as well as some Metallica CD's.
We have two prize packs to give away on XBOX 360 and three on Playstation 3. All you have to do is read the conditions on the competition pages, follow the link, answer some questions and you'll go into the draw (as well as earn yourself a sweet little Guitar Hero Metallica medal for your profile).
So head on over to My360 or MyPS3 (depending on which platform you want to win it for) now and answer those questions!!!
20/05/2009
In 2004 Nintendo unleashed the most successful handheld system of current times, the Nintendo DS. The systems had a set of features that were a mile long, including Touch Screen, dual screens, Wi-Fi and built in microphone to name a few. Things were looking good, and with a catalogue of successful games behind it, the system was destined to be a hit.
In 2006 Nintendo re-released the console with a sleeker, smaller and more elegant design, titled the Nintendo DS Lite. It was smaller, lighter, looked nicer and featured brighter screens. The DS Lite has become the face of the Nintendo DS, and is now the model of choice.
But April 2009 will see the release of another re-design of the handheld. The Nintendo DSi boasts larger screens, dual cameras (one inside, one on the outer shell), smaller design, new user interface and SD memory card slot for AAC playback. Launching at a price of $299 at EB Games around Australia, is the DSi worth an upgrade from your Lite?
With the inclusion of cameras it would be safe to suspect a slew of titles created to take advantage of the new hardware, which of course would render the DS Lite un-useable. This is a double edged sword however, as the DSi doesn't include a gameboy advanced port. Gamers who own many accessories that utilize this port (including the popular Guitar Hero franchise) simply need to make a decision, do you want the newer device but lose your games and accessories, or do you want to continue to enjoy your hardware that you have purchased.
The DSi doesn't boast any major hardware upgrades in the performance scale, so ultimately it will be up to Nintendo to make the ultimate decision - will they continue to support the DS Lite, or slowly phase it out of production.
What are your thoughts on the DSi? Will you be upgrading from your DS Lite?
The Nintendo DSi launches across Australia on April 2nd 2009
23/03/2009
Hi Guys!
Let's face it, the last few weeks has been epic! We have seen some of the biggest releases coming out on all platforms, it's hard to keep up and it's hard to afford so many great games!
Currently sitting on my desk is a few new titles, there is Shaun White Snowboarding which was a surprise hit for me. I wasn't expecting too much, but the multiplayer aspect had me hooked from the get-go! You can check out the featured review here.
Quantum of Solace is currently spinning in my Xbox 360 and I have to say it's not that bad at all. It looks great and pushes the COD 4 engine even further, but don't expect the realism we saw from that title! Bond is all about over the top action, and so far it does it well. The review is coming next week so stay tuned.
But the one game that keeps me coming back for more and more is Rock Band. I can't get enough of this game! I just love the track list, my mates are always coming over to check it out, and we have now dubbed Friday Nights Rock Band night! Seriously you guys gotta get Rock Band or Guitar Hero World Tour, best fun ever! You can check out the Rock Band v Guitar Hero Comparison here.
Shaun White on Wii was another big surprise putting the balance board to more use than my personal scales, it just simply works. Wish I could say the same for Skate It, I like the concept of it, but it really needs a sensitivity option. I haven't spent a lot of time on the board though, so we'll give it a few weeks and see how it goes!
So I guess you are all wondering what is happening with "The Voice Is Coming"? Well I can't tell you much except that it will be arriving on Dec 4th, and it's going to be EPIC! Can't wait to see the looks on your faces....well I guess I can't see them as such, but imagine them for sure!
All you Little Big Planeters make sure you check out our extra special Level Creation comp we are running over here
Until next week, keep gaming! Let me know what you are all playing, what are your hot tips? What did you expect to be awesome and it turned out to be a steaming pile of un-awesomeness?
Heller
25/11/2008