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Rockband and how it failed us

Published: Thu 24 Jul, 2008 | 17 Comments

 

Ah how time flies. This time last year, I remember it clearly, there was excitement for me for 2 reasons. 1) I was about to go on a 3 month world trip to all the places I’ve ever wanted to go (re: everywhere but Asia) – something Id been saving for months for and 2) when I got back not only would I have Halo 3 ready to go with some co-op love, but Rockband – the game Id read everything about for months – would be out weeks, if not days, after my heroic return to Aotearoa (Maori week compulsory word).

 

So, the trip goes really well - in fact while in Vegas, as fate would have it, the Rockband tour bus was in town showing off the game. I didn’t get a go, but I watched a small bit of it. And it looked AWESOME. And I thought to myself ‘Man, ate waaay too much buffet this morning” and after that I thought “Damn I can’t wait to play this when I get home”.

 

Everything was in place. My friends and I had arranged a battle to the death for first go on the drums. I had selected sledgehammer as ‘weapon of choice’, which incidentally is my choice of weapon against zombies.

 

I get home, play Halo 3 – its average. Final boss is laughable. Then we wait for Rockband.

 

….and wait.

 

…and wait.

 

Christmas comes and goes and nothing. Asking at games stores only helps to solidify opinion that they don’t have a strict policy on employing based on looks/scent/ or general communication ability. No one knows when it’s due. Is it January? March? June? Nothing - no one has any idea. People give lame reasons that we have to accept.

 

So we wait. And nothing comes.

 

The game fades from my ‘care-o-meter’. It’s about level with Helen Clark at this stage.

 

 

During this time, and after reading on US forums about how awesome RB is and how often the drums break, news comes forth about Guitar Hero 4. And it’s a band game! After the okish GH3 (please don’t call it legends of Rock with bands like the Killers…) I was looking forward to GH4 and the song list they’ll bring. But now they’re trying to match RB! Awesome! And the drums are far superior. All signs point to a good time.

No date that I know of has been set for GH4. And Rockband 2 is due in the States this November.

 

Through the grapevine I heard RB1 is going to be released in NZ in September, which is laughable. Sorry Rockband, you’ve burned too many bridges. A YEAR to release a game? If that aint ultimate fail, I’m not sure what is.

 

I’m not holding out hope for GH4 coming any time soon. And I take anything I hear/read with an unhealthy amount of salt. But I do hope we in little old NZ get to see some plastic instruments all through our living room some time soon.

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