Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/JoystiqThe Joystiq Podcast combines insightful commentary on the week's video game news and culture with several disembodied, often spooky, voices. Voices may or may not belong to Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann, Joystiq.com editors, or their guests. Spookiness not guaranteed where prohibited, please check local laws. More information available at www.joystiq.comSting, Tool join Guitar Hero World Tour's lineuphttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/sting-tool-join-guitar-hero-world-tours-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/sting-tool-join-guitar-hero-world-tours-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/sting-tool-join-guitar-hero-world-tours-lineup/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Joining Hendrix, Ozzy and others, Sting will be walking around the virtual concert halls of Guitar Hero World Tour. According to the press release, you can play as Sting during the vocal career "or play alongside him" in the Police track, "Demolition Man." Additionally, three songs from Tool (who are not bringing their likenesses to the game) have been confirmed: Parabola, Schism, Vicarious.

We now know about 65 tracks of the reported "over 85" tracks. With about seven weeks to go before its October 26 North American launch, when do we get to learn the rest of the tracklist? More importantly, where's our virtual likeness of Lars Ulrich?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>activisionguitar-heroguitar-hero-world-tourneversoftstingtoolFri, 05 Sep 2008 14:20:00 ESTPS3 Rock Band PAX pack not workinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ps3-rock-band-pax-pack-not-working/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ps3-rock-band-pax-pack-not-working/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ps3-rock-band-pax-pack-not-working/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Members of the Rock Band forums are reporting issues with this week's PAX DLC for PS3 owners. According to users, the pack just won't work. Apparently, the tracks are available in the game but get stuck on the loading screen.

We've sent requests to Harmonix and Sony to clarify what the problem is and when users can expect a fix. This would be the second time in recent memory that something has gone technically wrong with Rock Band's DLC.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>psnrock-bandsonyFri, 05 Sep 2008 11:50:00 ESTRock Band competition sponsoring Make-A-Wish in Vancouverhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/rock-band-competition-sponsoring-make-a-wish-in-vancouver-starts/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/rock-band-competition-sponsoring-make-a-wish-in-vancouver-starts/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/rock-band-competition-sponsoring-make-a-wish-in-vancouver-starts/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Make-A-Wish foundation, in conjunction with a slew of sponsors, will be holding a Rock Band competition in Vancouver, Canada, starting Oct. 4. The $100 entry fee, along with pre-purchase tickets for the finals at the Roxy Nightclub, go straight to the Make-A-Wish foundation. The first round of the competition will be held at the EA studios located right outside of Vancouver in Burnaby. From that event, the five finalist bands from each of the four divisions will then compete at the Roxy Nightclub on November 6 for prizes.

There are four divisions for competitors to register their groups: Competitive, Social, Corporate and 18 & Under. There are currently no details about prizes, but it sounds like a cool charity event. Isn't that enough?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>charityeaharmonixmake-a-wishmake-a-wish-foundationrock-bandFri, 05 Sep 2008 02:00:00 ESTVideo: Rock Band export feature in actionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/video-rock-band-export-feature-in-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/video-rock-band-export-feature-in-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/video-rock-band-export-feature-in-action/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Richard Mitchell, master and commander over at X3F, has put together a dandy little video chronicling what Xbox 360 owners can expect during the Rock Band export process, which Harmonix fully detailed today. The video shows the relatively painless process (with Benny Hill theme music interlude) involved in the 400 ($5) 1.5GB transfer.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>rock-bandrock-band-2transferx3fx3f-tvThu, 04 Sep 2008 19:00:00 ESTRock Band disc export goes live, costs $5 for 55 trackshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/rock-band-disc-export-goes-live-costs-5-for-55-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/rock-band-disc-export-goes-live-costs-5-for-55-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/rock-band-disc-export-goes-live-costs-5-for-55-tracks/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Harmonix just officially announced that the update allowing Rock Band songs to be transferred to Rock Band 2 has gone live. Once Rock Band 2 is released, drummers, vocalists, and plastic guitar players will be able to transfer 55 songs from the original game to the sequel for $5 (400 MS points).

55 songs? That sounds like it's missing a few tracks. The press release details -- in tiny print at the bottom -- that the missing songs are: "Enter Sandman" by Metallica, "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath (cover), "Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden (cover) and "Monsoon" by Tokio Hotel (a DLC song from the European disc). Sorry folks, but we can probably take a guess as to why Harmonix couldn't re-license some of those tracks.
Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>BreakingNewsexportHarmonixMTV-Gamesrock-bandrock-band-2transferThu, 04 Sep 2008 14:00:00 ESTFour more GH World Tour tracks leak, Aussie release date revealedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/four-more-gh-wt-tracks-leak-aussie-release-date-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/four-more-gh-wt-tracks-leak-aussie-release-date-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/four-more-gh-wt-tracks-leak-aussie-release-date-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It may seem odd that we're still talking about leaking Guitar Hero World Tour tracks, especially when we've had a full set list for the competing Rock Band 2 for months now (heck, we've had the whole thing ranked by difficulty for a week). Nonetheless, four more included tracks were revealed at an Activision press conference in New Zealand. The newly revealed songs (as reported by Gamespot) are:
In addition, the event revealed a Nov. 12 release date for the game in Australia. With 64 tracks already confirmed by various sources, we have to wonder when the rest of the reported "over 85" tracks will finally be revealed.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>activisionghwtguitar-heroguitar-hero-world-tourred-octaneThu, 04 Sep 2008 01:00:00 ESTClassic rockers re-record tracks for Guitar Hero World Tourhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/classic-rockers-re-record-tracks-for-guitar-hero-world-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/classic-rockers-re-record-tracks-for-guitar-hero-world-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/classic-rockers-re-record-tracks-for-guitar-hero-world-tour/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Who says you can't teach old bands new tracks? (Insert groans from audience). Activision sent word today that the Guitar Hero World Tour track list will include three classic songs that have been re-recorded just recently. First off, MC5's 40-year-old classic "Kick Out the Jams" has been "updated and modernized" by MC5's Wayne Kramer, with help from Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell and Guns 'N' Roses Gilby Clark. The Sex Pistols will be offering up a newly recorded version of 1969's "Pretty Vacant" and Motörhead came back to the studio to re-record their 1979 hit "Overkill" for the game.

Activision is casting these re-recorded classics as a way for fans to get "a unique experience of old yet new legendary sounds." Still, we have to wonder if the decision might have had more to do with missing or incomplete master recordings, a problem that afflicted the "Who's Next" DLC that was planned for Rock Band. Either way, it's nice to see some classic rock stars coming together to support a thoroughly modern interpretation of their songs. If only they all felt that way.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>activisionghwtguitar-heroguitar-hero-world-tourred-octaneWed, 03 Sep 2008 19:30:00 ESTGuitar Hero: World Tour lacks a 'No Fail' optionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/guitar-hero-world-tour-lacks-a-no-fail-option/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/guitar-hero-world-tour-lacks-a-no-fail-option/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/guitar-hero-world-tour-lacks-a-no-fail-option/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Serving as a great anecdote for the old saying, "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone," an Activision representative has confirmed that Guitar Hero: World Tour will be lacking Rock Band 2's party-friendly "No Fail" option, either as a menu option or as a cheat code. Also interesting is that you can't save your bandmates should one fail; instead, you can comparatively miss more notes than in RB and stay alive.

The lack of a "No Fail" option certainly isn't going to be a game-changer -- after all, its predecessors (including RB1) sold very well without it. And although the virtual rock elitist might scoff at the notion that it's now harder to fail songs, GH:WT does have the added bonus of presenting a detailed analysis of your performance after each song (we've placed an exemplary image after the break Update: Now it really is after the break). We'll have more on our time at PAX 2008 with the game, specifically the drums, later this week.

Continue reading Guitar Hero: World Tour lacks a 'No Fail' option

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>ghwtguitar-heroguitar-hero-world-tourrock-bandrock-band-2Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:00:00 ESTSmashing Pumpkins single to debut as GH: World Tour DLChttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/smashing-pumpkins-single-to-debut-as-gh-world-tour-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/smashing-pumpkins-single-to-debut-as-gh-world-tour-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/smashing-pumpkins-single-to-debut-as-gh-world-tour-dlc/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Aural squash annihilation news now, with Activision already promoting Guitar Hero: World Tour DLC in the form of a Smashing Pumpkins track pack. In addition to the hits "1979" and "The Everlasting Gaze," the downloadable pack will feature the exclusive debut of a new single dubbed "G.L.O.W." Unsurprisingly, you can expect the content to become available for download sometime after the game's launch later this year.

Those hoping to find lead singer Billy Corgan on the game's disc won't be disappointed either as, well, he's actually on there. Corgan will appear as an in-game and undoubtedly creepy character, singing and gyrating (probably) through the band's "Today," or whatever other career song you choose to fling at him. Be gentle.
Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>ActivisionDLCGuitar-HeroGuitar-Hero-World-TourPSNXbox-LiveTue, 02 Sep 2008 17:00:00 ESTPAX 2008: Darth Vader and Stormtroopers rock to Alanishttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-darth-vader-and-stormtroopers-rock-to-alanis/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-darth-vader-and-stormtroopers-rock-to-alanis/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-darth-vader-and-stormtroopers-rock-to-alanis/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Having just exercised our right to go broke at the Pink Godzilla mini-store on this year's PAX 2008 showfloor, we were surprised and elated to turn around and see Darth Vader and a merry band of Stormtroopers taking the stage to play Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" on Rock Band 2, with vocals being handled by some unknown non-cosplayer. Apologies for the quality, as the moment was rather impromptu, but we had to share this with you.
Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>paxpax-08pax-2008penny-arcadepenny-arcade-exporock-bandrock-band-2star-warsSat, 30 Aug 2008 18:00:00 ESTGuitar Hero director knocks Rock Band 2 cymbalshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/guitar-hero-director-knocks-rock-band-2-cymbals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/guitar-hero-director-knocks-rock-band-2-cymbals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/guitar-hero-director-knocks-rock-band-2-cymbals/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We knew that as we came closer to the games' respective release dates, the feud between Harmonix/EA's Rock Band 2 and Neversoft/Activision's Guitar Hero: World Tour would reach critical mass. In the quarrel's latest smack talk salvo, Guitar Hero director Brian Bright discussed rival Harmonix's cymbal attachments for their sequel's drum kit peripheral with Eurogamer, providing some highly quotable zingers -- and buddy, we don't mean snack cakes.

Bright condemns Rock Band 2's cymbals for being "dual-mapped", meaning they'll share the functions of one of the pads of the standard kit, making the attachments somewhat unneccessary. He also dismisses them for being a panicked copycat reaction to World Tour's cymbal-equipped kit -- based on the familiar gameplay we've seen from the latest installment in the Guitar Hero franchise, we assume Neversoft would be the unparalleled experts on matters duplicative.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>activisioncymbalseaguitar-hero-world-tourharmonixneversoftrock-band-2Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:00:00 ESTRock Band Weekly: PAX pack with Jonathan Coulton, MC Frontalot and Darkest of the Hillside Thicketshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/rock-band-weekly-pax-pack-with-jonathan-coulton-mc-frontalot-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/rock-band-weekly-pax-pack-with-jonathan-coulton-mc-frontalot-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/rock-band-weekly-pax-pack-with-jonathan-coulton-mc-frontalot-a/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Rock Band is going charitable, with a special PAX Pack for next week's DLC. All three bands are performing at this weekend's Penny Arcade Expo, and all money for the tracks go towards Child's Play charity.

PAX Pack 1 (240 / $3)
  • "Skullcrusher Mountain" - Jonathan Coulton
  • "Livin' on the Corner of Dude and Catastrophe" - MC Frontalot
  • "Shhh…." - Darkest of the Hillside Thickets
All songs are master recordings and "Shhh" is a previously unreleased track. The songs will be available for download next Tuesday and Thursday for Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively.

[Note: Image a Jonathan Coulton lyrical word cloud.]

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: PAX pack with Jonathan Coulton, MC Frontalot and Darkest of the Hillside Thickets

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>darkest-of-the-hillside-thicketsdlcjonathon-coultonmc-frontalotpaxpenny-arcade-exporock-bandrock-band-dlcrock-band-weeklyskullcrusher-mountainSat, 30 Aug 2008 02:30:00 ESTRatner: 'I would love to do a Guitar Hero movie'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/ratner-i-would-love-to-do-a-guitar-hero-movie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/ratner-i-would-love-to-do-a-guitar-hero-movie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/ratner-i-would-love-to-do-a-guitar-hero-movie/#commentsFiled under:


What's more upsetting: that rumored God of War director Brett Ratner thinks the Guitar Hero brand is good movie material or that someone actually pays this guy to consult on their brands? In an interview with the movie mangler, MTV managed to get Ratner to say (ostensibly with a straight face), "I would love to do a Guitar Hero movie, if Activision would ever let me. I'm trying to convince them, but why would you have a movie screw up such a huge franchise? Not that I would make a bad movie." Oh no, what could be bad about a movie based on a video game that tasks players with hitting colored dots in time with rock music? Wait, don't answer that. Joystiq spies report that Ratner is also considering adaptations of video game classics Pong and Tetris.

So there's that. Then there's this: Brett Ratner was paid real money to "come up with a name" for the latest Guitar Hero. Ratner says, "I did, and it became Guitar Hero: World Tour." In other words, the geniuses at Activision couldn't figure out a name on their own, so who better than the guy who directed Rush Hour? In other news, we're apparently in the wrong line of work.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>ActivisionBreakingnewsBrett-RatnerGuitar-HeromoviesThu, 28 Aug 2008 18:14:00 ESTRock Band Weekly (revisited): Locksleyhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/rock-band-weekly-revisited-locksley/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/rock-band-weekly-revisited-locksley/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/rock-band-weekly-revisited-locksley/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Taking the stage and stepping in this week for the delayed Rush album, Moving Pictures, is American rock 'n' roll band, Locksley. They're certainly not as well known (at the moment) as Rush, but check out the videos after the break before automatically passing judgment on the DLC replacement band.

Locksley Pack 1 (240 / $3)
  • "She Does" - Locksley (80 / $1)
  • "Dont Make Me Wait" - Locksley (80 / $1)
  • "All Over Again" - Locksley (80 / $1)
The songs should be available soon for download on Xbox 360 and PS3.

[Thanks to those who sent this in.]

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly (revisited): Locksley

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>locksleyrock-bandrock-band-weeklyThu, 28 Aug 2008 15:30:00 ESTPS3 Fanboy gets its hands on Starpex's wooden guitarhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/ps3-fanboy-gets-its-hands-on-starpexs-wooden-guitar/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/ps3-fanboy-gets-its-hands-on-starpexs-wooden-guitar/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/ps3-fanboy-gets-its-hands-on-starpexs-wooden-guitar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Our friends at PS3 Fanboy recently had a chance to try out the guitar equivalent of the ION Drum Rocker: Starpex's premium (i.e. not plastic) guitar controller, which more or less looks like a gutted Fender Stratocaster. Their verdict is that the Starpex plays very well, but the $180 price tag is likely to turn off more than a few people. Bonus points for being fully compatible with both Guitar Hero and Rock Band, but no word on an Xbox 360 version. The Starpex will be available for PlayStation 3 and PS2 rockers, with a Wii version reportedly on the way later.

Gallery: Starpex Guitar

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>guitarguitar-heropeakrock-bandstarpexThu, 28 Aug 2008 10:15:00 ESTRock Band 2 getting full albums from Foo Fighters, Chili Peppers, Jane's Addiction, morehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/rock-band-2-getting-full-albums-from-foo-fighters-chili-peppers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/rock-band-2-getting-full-albums-from-foo-fighters-chili-peppers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/rock-band-2-getting-full-albums-from-foo-fighters-chili-peppers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Rather than parsing the info out in tantalizing nuggets, Harmonix/MTV has just given us an expansive look at the future of Rock Band, courtesy of Entertainment Weekly. The magazine revealed six of the full albums headed to Rock Band 2, which we'll now happily pass along to you:
  • Foo Fighters -- "The Colour and the Shape"
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers -- "Blood Sugar Sex Magik"
  • Jane's Addiction -- "Nothing's Shocking"
  • Megadeth -- "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying"
  • Stevie Ray Vaughn -- "Texas Flood"
The last album is a best-of No Doubt compilation made specifically for the game. Rather than try to impose our own musical tastes on you, we'll just pass the mic your way and ask which of those records has your head banging in anticipation.

[Thanks, Jon]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>BreakingNewsdlceaharmonixmtvrock-bandrock-band-2Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:15:00 ESTGuitar Hero World Tour features lots of brands (except Gibson!)http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/guitar-hero-world-tour-features-lots-of-brands-except-gibson/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/guitar-hero-world-tour-features-lots-of-brands-except-gibson/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/guitar-hero-world-tour-features-lots-of-brands-except-gibson/#commentsFiled under: , ,


An Activision press release that just landed in our inbox breathlessly details every single promotional tie-in that Guitar Hero World Tour's packing. Really, it's a huge list! Here it is, straight from the release: "Ampeg, Audio-Technica, EMG Pickups, Ernie Ball, Evans Drumheads, Guitar Center, Krank Amplification, Mackie, Marshall, Orange County Drum & Percussion, Pork Pie Percussion, Regal Tip, Sabian cymbals, Vox and Zildjian drumsticks."

Notice anything missing? Considering it's busy trying to sue everyone but Activision, even retailers, it's unsurprising that guitar-maker (and patent-claimer) Gibson is nowhere to be seen. Of course, the total absence of any Gibson branding on Guitar Hero World Tour's Genericasters was our first clue but it would appear that lack of cooperation extends to the in-game experience as well. So, while you trick out your virtual drum kit with gear from the above purveyors, your axe will remain hopelessly generic. Isn't there any game in town besides Gibson and Rock Band BFF's Fender?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>ActivisionGibsonGuitar-HeroGuitar-Hero-World-TourNeversoftThu, 28 Aug 2008 02:00:00 ESTJoystiq hands-on: Guitar Hero World Tourhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/joystiq-hands-on-guitar-hero-world-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/joystiq-hands-on-guitar-hero-world-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/joystiq-hands-on-guitar-hero-world-tour/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

"Hang on a minute," I thought as I played Guitar Hero: World Tour at Activision's booth at the Leipzig Games Convention, "Isn't this Rock Band?" The layout on the World Tour screen is almost identical to Harmonix's series, with the guitars on either side, the drums scrolling down the middle (with the same horizontal bars displaying bass notes, except in World Tour they're purple, not orange) and the vocals on top. The star power meter, along with the rock meter, is kept in the top left, which means that if you're playing drums or bass guitar, it's not very easy to see.

It took a little while to get used to the drums. The two-tier structure with the cymbals feels great, but can be slightly confusing at first. The drums are a lot bouncier than the Rock Band ones, making them not only quieter, but more fun to play. With Rock Band, the bounce seems to come more from the way the sticks are held, rather than out of the structural nature of the pads. Not hearing the constant thok, thok is definitely preferable too, as anyone who has bought silencing pads for their Rock Band drums will know. [Editor's note: Rock Band 2 also features quieter, bouncier drums.]
%Gallery-23477%

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Guitar Hero World Tour

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>activisionguitar-heroguitar-hero-world-tourjoystiqfeaturesleipzig-08lgc08neversoftWed, 27 Aug 2008 19:50:00 EST'Technical difficulties' delay Rock Band's Rush DLC, possibly for weekshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/technical-difficulties-delays-rock-bands-rush-dlc-possibly-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/technical-difficulties-delays-rock-bands-rush-dlc-possibly-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/technical-difficulties-delays-rock-bands-rush-dlc-possibly-f/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The issues with this week's Rock Band DLC were worse than we first thought. Rush's Moving Pictures album will not be available for purchase on Xbox 360, nor PS3. Apparently some guy called "unforeseen technical difficulties" has screwed everything up. Wait, it gets worse. According to the announcement post on the official Rock Band forums, the problem may keep the album from being available for a couple weeks.

Harmonix is currently shifting the release schedule around to have some tracks out this week, keeping its streak of new content since the game's launch alive and well. We'll be sure to post when we hear something about Harmonix's plans.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>moving-picturesrock-bandrock-band-weeklyrushWed, 27 Aug 2008 18:20:00 ESTRock Band Moving Pictures DLC stalled due to 'technical difficulty'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/rock-band-moving-pictures-dlc-stalled-due-to-technical-diffic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/rock-band-moving-pictures-dlc-stalled-due-to-technical-diffic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/rock-band-moving-pictures-dlc-stalled-due-to-technical-diffic/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bad news, everyone! This week's Rock Band DLC offering -- Rush's Moving Pictures album -- didn't come out today as planned. In a post on the forums, Harmonix's Sean Baptiste said, "There is a technical difficulty that is being worked out. I'll alert you when it is all clear." We wonder if that has anything to do with figuring out how to tell singers they can't wail on "YYZ." It's okay, please stop crying.

No timeline has been given, although at this point it seems more likely the Xbox 360 content will be released alongside PlayStation 3's content this week. That is, assuming they fix the problem by Thursday.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>harmonixmoving-picturesRock-Bandrock-band-2rushTue, 26 Aug 2008 23:11:00 EST