T
his Autumn’s big punch up, ‘Rock they’ve demonstrated a willingness to
Band’ vs. ‘Guitar Hero’ pay for that experience.” This autumn,
we’ll find out just how much when
Forget The Stones vs. The Beatles, Oasis both camps release eagerly awaited
vs. Blur, and Michael Jackson vs. Prince, new editions. Rock Band 2 will hit the
because this season musical rivalry takes shops in the States in September with
an unusual turn as two videogames Guitar Hero: World Tour set to follow in
battle it out. It’s not just about sales. The October with both brands are spending
excitement generated by these games is hefty sums on advertising
igniting renewed interest in music itself,
allowing players to experience songs Rock Band is rolling out new instruments
in a whole new way and introducing with full drum training mode and a song
kids to an array of tunes. In the next library that tops 500 tracks including full
few years, these games could launch albums from the likes of Foo Fighters and
bands, resurrect careers, and just maybe the Red Hot Chili Peppers. On the flipside,
reshape the music industry. Guitar Hero is ditching all cover versions
in favour of the original recordings, the
Welcome to the future of music, where new version will offer a studio function
the living room is the new garage that lets players create their own music
and plastic guitars, drum sets and and post it online.
microphones replace the real thing.
Music by the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi It’s easy to see why these games are
and the Who is currently available on the proving to be such a hit with 5 to 55
first version of the game, which allows year olds alike. They bridge the gender
players to form a virtual band and play and generational divide even at a time
along to famous songs. Like its rival where overall music sales are in a slump.
Guitar Hero, the music video game has Rhythm games are addictive gaming and
found success by tapping into the long families are getting captivated together,
_AN UNLIKELY MUSICAL BATTLE
By Linda Black_
the industry begins to recognize just how
established history of air-guitar playing with parents and kids alike strumming designed to work with games. Additional important music-related video games
among music fans into competition with along to songs like Black Sabbath’s tracks to your library cost twice what you are. Executive vice president and general
an all-star soundtrack. ‘’Paranoid.’’ Some are getting so into pay on iTunes. Artists and labels, both manager of Universal Music Enterprises,
these games that they’re taking the next which get a hefty royalty are starting to Mike Davis recently explained “This is
So-called ‘’rhythm’’ games have step and picking up a real instrument. count the cash. The artist split is bigger becoming an important piece of the
exploded over the past year, with Guitar Mastering a plastic guitar is a far cry from than that of iTunes and if you own the marketing puzzle.”
Hero III: Legends of Rock selling 11.3 playing the real deal, but both games masters and the publishing, it’s huge.
million copies worldwide and Rock strive for a certain degree of authenticity. Fans have already bought more than While it may be true that these
Band moving an additional 3.5 million. In Guitar Hero’s axes look like real Gibson 44 million downloads through Guitar developments seem to benefit musty
revenue, that equates to more than £570 Les Pauls, while the guitars on Rock Hero and Rock Band. There are vast classic acts more than new artists,
million. Although these figures alone Band look similar to Fenders. catalogues of music that could potentially however, rhythm games are also helping
are gripping, this new genre has many be released for use in gaming. to break new bands. One such band is
diverse implications. Music industry buffs are getting all hot Texas rockers Flyleaf, who saw their
and sweaty too. The Napster generation For once-mighty rock bands now debut album shoot past the platinum
Alex Rigopulos, CEO of Harmonix, is soon to be replaced by a generation that struggling to get noticed, this is excellent mark after appearing on Rock Band.
the company behind Rock Band was are learning that once again, songs have news. When Activision teamed with Simultaneously, the music industry is
recently quoted as saying “We’re making value. MTV and Activision are already Aerosmith in June to release Guitar Hero: hoping for a rock revival, propelled by
them (gamers) active participants, and selling song downloads specifically Aerosmith, sales rocketed. After 13 long rhythm-game-loving tweens growing into
and acrimonious years in the making, young adults with money to spend. The
material from the new Guns N’ Roses future looks bright with industry rumours
album Chinese Democracy will finally be suggesting a game based on the “DJ
given an official premiere on Rock Band Hero” trademark that Activision filed in
2. The song Shackler’s Revenge will early 2008, and would utilize a turntable
appear on the music video game sequel. controller to allow the player to be a virtual
The band’s decision to officially introduce disc jockey being next on the cards.This
material from their sixth album via a is more than a temporary phenomenon,
computer game may seem odd, but it’s a rhythm games are here to stay, so grab
move likely to become more popular as your plastic guitar and rock on!
Music_48_
www.scotcampus.com_
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