The video game Guitar Hero gave players a guitar to strum and songs to play along to. Now Rock Band adds drums and a mic for that full band experience. Steven Carrollgot Dublin band The Kinetiks to put it to the test
THE WORLD of video gaming has changed dramatically since the dawn of the 21st century. Technology has improved, competition between developers has intensified, and the expectations of gamers have risen. Both new game designers and established software houses now pursue more daring avenues of thought when formulating their next big title.
A basic idea like a plumber jumping over a series of barrels or a hedgehog collecting golden rings, while still popular among some audiences, is simply not innovative enough in the competitive world of next-generation gaming. Nowadays, consumers want to be involved in the action. They yearn to experience new things and to be entertained.
Through the medium of their Wii, XBOX or PlayStation, gamers now have the opportunity to do things in their living rooms which they never imagined possible 10 years ago. They can participate in a realistic second World War battlefield conflict. They can go on a crime spree through a scale model map of New York. They can play tennis, baseball and golf, and even calculate their body mass index, through their console in the comfort of their living room.
As the technology has developed, more realms of real life have been given the digital treatment, and it was inevitable that musical performance would become part and parcel of video gaming.
First it was karaoke, then the Guitar Heroseries brought basic instruments into the fold. Now, through a new game released on XBox, gamers have an opportunity to act out the complete rock'n'roll experience. Vocals, drums, chords and guitar solos are all part of Rock Band, the new release by Harmonix (the successful software company owned by MTV Networks). Up to four players can join forces and play a collection of some 60 popular songs spanning five decades.
The format of the game is quite simple. The guitarist straps on an imitation Fender Stratocaster, which features 10 colour-coded buttons rather than the conventional six strings. The drummer gets behind a miniature kit featuring four flat-panel drums and a kick pedal. The singer takes a microphone and prepares for his cue.
Once equipped, gamers choose a song, select a difficulty level and are then faced with a moving fret board featuring a series of colour-coded commands that must be replicated on the instruments. Vocalists must sing along in time to lyrics.
Just like any real rock band, gamers are faced with a demanding audience who applaud good performances and boo disappointing bands off stage. This certainly adds an extra degree of reality to the experience.
Tracks by The Rolling Stones, REM, Radiohead, David Bowie and Foo Fighters are all included in the Rock Bandset list. To keep the whole experience fresh, a number of downloadable tracks, from the likes of The Clash, Queens of the Stone Age and Blondie, are available at a cost through Microsoft's XBox live service. Rock Band'sdevelopers are confident the game could become a whole new platform for the release of music, and Metallica have been touted as one group who may use it as the first place to premiere a single from their forthcoming album.
It has even developed a celebrity following, with Bruce Springsteen guitarist Steve Van Zandt saying: "In the history of rock'n'roll, Rock Bandmay just turn out to be up there with the rise of FM radio, CDs or MTV."
Some musical purists will question why gamers don't just go and pick up a real guitar. But, in essence, Rock Bandis no different to its football, driving and adventure predecessors in that it simply offers players an opportunity to do something they might not be able to in a real-time situation.
Failed musicians rejoice: there is some hope for you yet.
Rock Band is out now on the XBox. Game €69.99, drums, guitar, microphone and USB connector package €184.99, additional guitar €79.99
THE SETLIST
SOME OF THE SONGS ON ROCK BAND
The WhoWon't Get Fooled Again
The Rolling StonesGimme Shelter
REMOrange Crush
EnterSandman
NirvanaIn Bloom
WeezerSay It Ain't So
Smashing PumpkinsCherub Rock
RadioheadCreep
Beastie BoysSabotage
The StrokesReptilia
The KillersWhen You Were Young
SOME OF THE SONGS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
BostonMore Than a Feeling
Queens of the Stone AgeLittle Sister
The ClashTrain in Vain
BlondieCall Me
The PoliceCan't Stand Losing You
OasisWonderwall
Sonic YouthKool Thing
Nine Inch NailsMarch of the Pigs
Black SabbathWar Pigs
The KnackMy Sharona
Blink 182All the Small Things
WolfmotherJoker and the Thief
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SJQTLMCMMRC2PLALXUKEWWS6HU.png)