Rock Band 3 -- Definitely at AC2011!
I've enjoyed playing Rock Band with everyone for the past few years at AC, and next year will be no different. Other than adding keyboard, pro guitar/bass/drums, vocal harmonies. Lots of new songs. Probably/definitely another tournament.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_band_3
I'm quite excited about the song selection. Quite a few favorites, songs I never thought I'd see in Rock Band, and definitely wasn't expecting to see keyboard charted for. Most of the setlist complaints are "not enough metal", "I don't know who any of these bands are", "where's Dream Theater/Rush/etc".
I know I'm going to practice keyboard/vox, and definitely pro guitar. I'll more than likely have the 102-key guitar with me next year, not sure if I'd want to lug the actual MIDI-enabled guitar with me (though I'd definitely want to have it customized, at least a new paint job).
There IS going to be Rock Band 3 at Anthrocon, as long as nothing keeps me away from Pittsburgh. And even then, I'm sure someone would bring it.
And I'd hope you'd be having fun, I'd hate to play with someone who saw it as a chore. I play whatever needs to be played, though I prefer anything but bass (unless I have my Precision bass with me).
I always have fun whenver I play Rock Band. If it's singing I might have to get a little used to it since I'm not really a singer and I don't sing in front of crowds often. But slowly I can get the courage the do some really exagerated movements if I just focus on the song.
I would love to know the song list of RB3 and any other songs you have from the RB series.
Google.
I've fallen behind in my RB DLC, but I'll try to catch up by Anthrocon. Or borrow a friend's who has all DLC.
Either way I'll still be happy to sing along to all songs available for play.
I would love to see someone competent playing the 'real' guitar, maybe if it's not made available for general play there could at least be a demo.
Assuming all goes well with me buying one next week, I'll have a Mustang (102-button guitar) with me, and I'm sure at least one person might have the 'real' guitar by the time AC rolls around.
And competent is relative. I can get 100% expert on The Beautiful People or possibly I Wanna Be Sedated, but that's nothing compared to some of the harder songs.
Among all your new DLC, I believe that Under Pressure by Queen is a must. The whole Freddie Mercury/David Bowie harmony makes it one of the most fun songs in the game.
Fun on vocals != fun for everyone else. Definitely a bit better with the addition of keyboards, but that only goes so far.
I so agree with Milt. It was bad enough having to suffer Under Pressure in GH5...
It's the same reason I haven't seen "Good Vibrations" come up in play except for showing off vocals, and haven't seen "Free Bird" / "Hangar 18" in most party settings... if it's no fun for one or more instruments it makes for a poor song to play in a group setting. (These songs are just examples, obviously not even close to a complete list).
And if that doesn't convince you, just take a gawk at the chart for "We Will Rock You" (Lego Rock Band) on Guitar/Bass/Drums and observe how entertaining that must be to play. (The answer being it's not, if you ask most players.)
What you have to keep in mind is that Rock Band (and formerly Guitar Hero) attracts a wide variety of players. Beginners who are easily intimidated by anyone else, people who play for insane scores, folks who play to put on a show. You're also going to get people who just want to sing because they enjoy singing, regardless of if it's in a car, karaoke, or Rock Band. You can't be TOO picky about who gets up on the mic, since the overall goal is that everyone has a good time.
...but I agree on the last part. If someone really wants to play a song like "We Will Rock You", everyone other than the singer should know beforehand. And probably be allowed to play another song afterward, since anything other than vocals is a bore. Or just learn instrument + vocals, so you can play one of those boring parts as well.
soooo I am just curious...are us mere novices welcome to play too or not? I mean I can play expert on bass on some songs at home, but my skills vary with the song and the day and the rest of the house is variable on our abilities too
Just curious since this is a game I do like to play just for the fun of it..not anything serious
Welcome to enjoy Rock Band during freeplay? Definitely. It's there for people to enjoy, regardless of skill level.
Welcome to play during the competitions? Maybe. I can respect anyone who wants to go out there and give it their all, but I'm not sure if anyone playing on lower difficulties really expects to hold their own against anyone who's playing for keeps.
I'd love to see RB3 at the convention, though I'd probably tackle bass or vocals just for fun. Maybe I'll do drums to.