Rock Band Wii - 6/22/08 - $170 - Pictures!

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botticus

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4/15 - Picture edit thanks to CombatCraig.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/joystiq-hands-on-rock-band-wii/

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It's been known to be in the pipeline forever, but the PR just came out, via GAF:

MTV Games, Harmonix and EA Announce Rock Band for Wii on June 22, 2008

The number one selling game in February 2008 is coming to Wii!

Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a division of MTV Networks, which is a division of Viacom, along with distribution partner Electronic Arts, Inc., today announced plans to release the award-winning music video game Rock Band on the Wii home video game system from Nintendo in the U.S. and Canada on June 22, 2008 for the suggested retail price of $169.99.

Rock Band for Wii will be released as a Special Edition bundle including the software, drums, microphone and a wireless guitar. Stand alone instruments will also be available on June 22nd for people who want to build their band one instrument at a time or want to play the drum versus drum game mode. The game will feature 63 songs including five bonus songs for Wii gamers to enjoy.

"The Wii's success among casual and core gamers of all ages makes it an ideal match for the cross-generational appeal of the music featured in Rock Band," says Bob Picunko, Vice President of Electronic Games and Interactive Products, MTV

"The social interaction and addictive nature of the Rock Band experience is a perfect fit for the Wii and will undoubtedly be fun for the entire family," says Steve Singer, licensing VP from Nintendo.
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http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262687
 
Will the Wii GH3 guitar work with Rock Band? If so, and if they get the DLC stuff sorted out, I'll probably end up picking this up. Good news nonetheless.
 
Unless they offer a way for folk to be able to buy the songs that the PS3/360 crowd can, I don't see any reason for someone to get this version unless they only have a Wii. Even then, how long can it last without getting new songs?

I suppose they could offer compilation discs with the songs or something so that people have access to them on the Wii.
 
[quote name='Ryukahn']Unless they offer a way for folk to be able to buy the songs that the PS3/360 crowd can, I don't see any reason for someone to get this version unless they only have a Wii. Even then, how long can it last without getting new songs?

I suppose they could offer compilation discs with the songs or something so that people have access to them on the Wii.[/QUOTE]

Right, half the fun of Rock Band is the new releases every week.
 
Now to answer some of the questions that will appear.

First of all there are five extra songs on disc for the Wii version of the game. As we get closer to launch we'll let you know what they are.

The feature-set is a lot closer to the PS2 version of Rock Band which was also developed by Pi Studios. We've decided to focus on getting the core gameplay on to the Wii and focus on making that awesome.

The instruments don't use the Wiimote. They function the same as our peripherals on the other platforms.

The game will be released in a special edition bundle for $169.99.

It is pretty cool to get a game of this breadth onto the Wii and we are really stoked about it.
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Yay, thanks EA! Good to see those 7 months were put to good use.
 
fuckin' finally...at least now I've got options on what to get it for (wait for wii version or get a 360/PS3 with that version..)
 
So, this is just pretty much the PS2 version which means it's missing a lot of features.

Terrible, I would hope most Wii owners would pass on this.
 
Wii only owners, you guys better hope its not completely stripped of everything like the PS2 version. I think the PS2 version didn't even let you create characters. No online isn't that bad, no DLC is horrible. Those 5 bonus songs might even already be available as DLC. IMO this should have been put at $149 MSRP for missing so many features.

If you have the other consoles or intend to buy one in the future, do yourself a favor get that version instead. Besides not having a stripped down version, a big selling point is the PS360 versions offer actual surround sound as well.
 
You can't create characters because it's a FMV instead of actual gameplay when you're watching your character perform. :|
 
[quote name='zewone']So, this is just pretty much the PS2 version which means it's missing a lot of features.

Terrible, I would hope most Wii owners would pass on this.[/quote]

I'm passing. I'm sorry, but just taking the PS2 build and porting it to the Wii, even though the Wii could obviously do DLC (Wii Pay-to-Play) and online is just...expected I guess. I'll just wait until the next 360 price drop and buy Rock Band right along with it.
 
[quote name='crystalklear64']I don't think those extra features are worth 400$[/QUOTE]

Because that's the only game on the Xbox 360. :|
 
[quote name='zewone']You can't create characters because it's a FMV instead of actual gameplay when you're watching your character perform. :|[/quote]
Interesting. Well thats dick. Custom characters are a huge chunk of the fun.

[quote name='ArthurDigbySellers']I'm passing. I'm sorry, but just taking the PS2 build and porting it to the Wii, even though the Wii could obviously do DLC (Wii Pay-to-Play) and online is just...expected I guess. I'll just wait until the next 360 price drop and buy Rock Band right along with it.[/QUOTE]
Good choice. Rock Band is so great that you shouldn't have to play a stripped down version. You may have to wait but at least you'll experience it correctly.
 
It should do reasonably well from the Wii owner only base. I dont think they care about online functionality as much as the people on the HD side of the aisle. Most people have probably already picked it up for one of the 3 systems that its already out on though.

Most likely too expensive for me to ever buy, despite that it has just the right feature set for me. No DLC is fantastic, but it has to be supported by subsequent ON DISC releases.
 
Good god. fuck you EA. fuck you Nintendo for letting this shit be passable.

On the other hand, thank you Activision for fucking up GH3 on the Wii, since I used that to pay off Rock Band on the 360.

This shit is just pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.
 
Well I'm a Wii only owner and suck at anything online BUT I would still value new songs every week. Just another reason to stick with GH now.
 
[quote name='zewone']Because that's the only game on the Xbox 360. :|[/quote]
Well some people don't have anything else they would like on another system.

Just because there's thousands of games on xbox 360 doesn't mean there's enough that I like on it that justifies a purpose.
 
I can see why everyone here thinks this is unsatisfactory, but it will sell like crazy, and I suspect EA knows that very well. Why bother spending money to put extra work into a product if it will not ultimately affect sales?

I wouldn't be getting it anyway (GH3 reminded me that all rythym games are basically the same), but if I did I also don't understand the fuss about no DLC. It makes total sense to not have to put in the development work to pioneer this on the Wii if people will buy it anyway. The idea of a disc with all the additional DLC from other systems compiled is a good idea, and it would sell just fine. If any of us were EA, we'd have done the same.
 
[quote name='mephitical']I can see why everyone here thinks this is unsatisfactory, but it will sell like crazy, and I suspect EA knows that very well. Why bother spending money to put extra work into a product if it will not ultimately affect sales?[/quote]

Very good point, since the Wii isn't selling any less than it was from it's launch, it makes perfect sense to release it at $170 (and garner even more money off it), and it's not like EA will be touting Rock Band on Wii will have no online, they'll make sure they include it has the 5 exclusive songs to it...stuff like that and indeed, it'll "sell like crazy"

If you recall Guitar Hero 3 was only 2nd to Super Mario Galaxy on games sold in November for the Wii
 
[quote name='Strell']fuck you Nintendo for letting this shit be passable.[/QUOTE]

Eh, isn't that such a redundant thing to say about Nintendo at this point? While there are many, many good/great Wii titles, their threshold for "quality" is notoriously low. After all, they did drop the phrase "of quality" of the official Nintendo "seal."
 
[quote name='anomynous']Wait, people were expecting there to be DLC on the Wii version?[/QUOTE]

People are fucking expecting some developer to get their head out of their ass and run content directly from SD cards. Just because Nintendo is going to pussy about it doesn't mean someone can't step up.

You can access content directly in games - there's at least two instances of it happening. So why the fuck can't DLC be incorporated with SD cards?

Infuriating bullshit. Why the fuck is the SD card slot on the goddamn system? Nintendo is a cheapass company. Might as well drop it and save the 5 bucks per system in manufacturing costs.

[quote name='mykevermin']Eh, isn't that such a redundant thing to say about Nintendo at this point? While there are many, many good/great Wii titles, their threshold for "quality" is notoriously low. After all, they did drop the phrase "of quality" of the official Nintendo "seal."[/QUOTE]

I'm really curious why so many people hold this seal in such high regard, at least recently. There was bullshit on the NES and SNES. When was the last time the seal was used? Or, if like you imply, when was it altered?

It's kind of like how some people protest "Under God" on money. Everyone else just ignores it. Why the hell is it making a difference now?

I don't - for one second - believe the two are related.
 
i'm wii only, and i'll still buy it...

i don't care about online or much of the features, really. DLC would be nice, but i'm okay NOT be tempted to pay MORE money every week.

ultimately, i'd rather play the gimped version than nothing at all.
 
[quote name='DocRamon']
i don't care about online or much of the features, really. DLC would be nice, but i'm okay NOT be tempted to pay MORE money every week.
[/quote]

Yeah, $6 a week to add to a game I already have makes the cheapass in me cry. But for some reason people complain about $30 or less Guitar Hero expansion discs with like 30 songs on them.
 
I see people saying fuck EA, but it's not really there fault Nintendo didn't give their system a decent amount storage space and has screwy online functionality.
 
Do not want. I'm waiting until I get a PS3 (or 360, if they ever make one that works). I like to support the Wii as much as possible, but gimped versions can stay on the PS2.
 
[quote name='Chris in Cali']I see people saying fuck EA, but it's not really there fault Nintendo didn't give their system a decent amount storage space and has screwy online functionality.[/quote]
No one else seems to be having a problem with it. If Vicarious Visions can do it, I think EA can find someone to figure it out. If they cared to.

[quote name='mykevermin']Eh, isn't that such a redundant thing to say about Nintendo at this point? While there are many, many good/great Wii titles, their threshold for "quality" is notoriously low. After all, they did drop the phrase "of quality" of the official Nintendo "seal."[/quote]This isn't really a quality issue... hell, SCEA is supposedly the publisher that people put on a pedestal in this argument, and this is pretty much the same game put out on their console. I consider a horrendous lack of features a whole different beast.
 
Well, that was quick. I would've considered buying the disc only version, since I have 2 guitars and a mic already (as much as I'd like them, I just don't have any feasible space for a drumkit, my place is filled with enough fake instruments as it is) but that is just too gimped for me. As it is, I'll be passing without regrets here.
 
:rofl: @ this. Awesome! [quote name='crystalklear64']I don't think those extra features are worth 400$[/quote]

That extra 100 dollars gives you so much more though. ;)
 
[quote name='BIG5']If you can afford Rock Band, you can afford a PS3. Sadly, I can afford neither.[/quote]
Really? I can? Well then since you know so much about my income can you file my taxes for me.
 
[quote name='Strell']I'm really curious why so many people hold this seal in such high regard, at least recently. There was bullshit on the NES and SNES. When was the last time the seal was used? Or, if like you imply, when was it altered?[/quote]

It *WAS* changed, of that you can be certain.

It's kind of like how some people protest "Under God" on money. Everyone else just ignores it. Why the hell is it making a difference now?

I don't - for one second - believe the two are related.
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Whether or not they are related is immaterial. The Wii gets the PS2's Rock Band (and nobody's concerned about graphics here - they're bothered by the feature set that a current-gen console is lacking compared to its contemporaries. Even you mentioned it.

I'll cease my discussion on the "seal" and its implications so as to allow you to unwrangle your panties and avoid a prolonged bitchfest on the matter. But I only know of one console where I can get an identical port of Xbox's "House of the Dead 3," or PS2's "Ninjabread Man," or the PC's "Agatha Christie."

The last word on that matter is yours.

[quote name='botticus']No one else seems to be having a problem with it. If Vicarious Visions can do it, I think EA can find someone to figure it out. If they cared to.

This isn't really a quality issue... hell, SCEA is supposedly the publisher that people put on a pedestal in this argument, and this is pretty much the same game put out on their console. I consider a horrendous lack of features a whole different beast.[/QUOTE]

Oh, that's tripe. You're trying to tell us that because an 8 year old console and a 2 year old console have games with identical featuresets that both have equally lax quality control? I'm not really going to try to get into that argument here, but even Strell pointed out how the Wii should use the SD slot for DLC, the Wii's online should at least allow for band play, etc. Holding the Wii to the standards of the PS2 isn't something you should be doing.

To be fair, BOTH Wii and PS2 should have online play - but with the Wii, I see no feasible excuse for no DLC. Or, for that matter, to be priced the same as the PS3/360 versions.
 
It's truly sad when Atlus can put online play into a $20 budget title (Octomania) and EA can't see fit to add it to a game that costs $170. EA is pathetic.

That said, to really rub this in EA's face, Activision needs to deliver that DLC they've been promising for the Wii version of Guitar Hero.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']The last word on that matter is yours.
[/QUOTE]

You act like I'm not agreeing with you on this, which is kind of annoying considering that, you know, I am. Especially when you bring it up, I question its validity, and the best you can respond with is some retarded "bla bla panties" comment. That's a new tactic from you, but an old one from idiots over at Gamefaqs. You beefing up your repertoire with that? Might as well start ending sentences with a Wayne's World era "NOT!".

And hell, beyond that, you're implying that I'm the only one who thinks this is crap. And since you're one of the first to trod off a "you're a fanboy" retort, ask yourself - shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't I be trying to downplay these downgrades as minimal altercations? Maybe your mind is just broken and is reading one thing but assuming another.

Again, I'm not convinced something matters now versus the 20+ years before it. The "revelation" that the seal is altered/missing sounds like something birthed out of a blog, and was rapidly picked up and spread around by everyone else like it was golden word. Kind of like the term "AAA title," which I assure you is not some magical industry term, and instead is just something a no name forum goer made up one day.

I'm becoming increasingly concerned about this kind of shit being pulled specifically toward Nintendo. I question - and don't pretend there isn't proof - the attitude that seemingly every developer in the world has against Nintendo. Maybe Nintendo doesn't give a shit at all, which would explain part of it. But I seriously can't imagine that everyone working at NoA and NoJ is so out of touch with the modern gaming world that they are completely fine with shoddy ports, shovelware, and featureless ports.

There have to be people over there getting pissed off about it, because that would be normal.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']Oh, that's tripe. You're trying to tell us that because an 8 year old console and a 2 year old console have games with identical featuresets that both have equally lax quality control? I'm not really going to try to get into that argument here, but even Strell pointed out how the Wii should use the SD slot for DLC, the Wii's online should at least allow for band play, etc. Holding the Wii to the standards of the PS2 isn't something you should be doing.

To be fair, BOTH Wii and PS2 should have online play - but with the Wii, I see no feasible excuse for no DLC. Or, for that matter, to be priced the same as the PS3/360 versions.[/quote]I guess I've never looked at features as a measure of a game's quality, in the context of whether or not the game should be accepted for licensing.
 
[quote name='BIG5']If you can afford Rock Band, you can afford a PS3. Sadly, I can afford neither.[/QUOTE]


I don't see how affording a $150 peripheral laden game means you can afford another $400-500 for a PS3. I bought Rock Band for the PS2 specifically because I can't afford a $400 PS3 right now. Or, at least, can't justify it to the wife after having spent so much money on Wii games and other controllers in the last year and a half.

If they had announced this 2 months ago, I might have waited for the Wii version, but now it's too late. But at least the PS2 instruments are compatible with the PS3 so upgrading in the future won't be a problem.

Yeah, there's no downloadable content, but it's still fun. I couldn't give a crap that you can't create a character and neither does the rest of the family. It's about the songs and playing together. It's a stripped down game, big deal. It's still fun. You minority "hardcore" console owners keep forgetting you're not the only ones who exist in the market. There are plenty of people who will buy this for the Wii and have fun playing it regardless of it's crippled status. God forbid grandma and grandpa might buy this for their Wii and be introduced to a whole new gaming experience. It would be such a shame they got a half-assed game and never knew it.
 
[quote name='botticus']I guess I've never looked at features as a measure of a game's quality, in the context of whether or not the game should be accepted for licensing.[/QUOTE]

Quality =/= features, but it is undoubtedly disheartening to see a game offered at the same pricepoint as it is on other systems, but lacking the features that not only the other versions have, but that this console is fully capable of.
 
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