Rock Band Character Creation
By Steve on Wednesday, October 24th, 2007 at 11:43 PM PST In Electronic Arts, Game Companies, Game Consoles, Game Platforms, Microsoft, Sony
While reading the latest Rock Blog update, Harmonix’s Chris Canfield posted a blog discussing the character creation aspects of Rock Band. Chris seems to think most games today go about character creation at a standard that he considers “lame’”. Chris touts character creation in Rock Band to have more depth than your typical Barbie dress-up doll. Just reading Chris’s take on Rock Band’s character creation makes me believe that Harmonix really want your character to take on a unique persona of your choosing. So what happens when your four-piece band is full of fashion nuts? Chris explains:
“We also try to make character creation as fast as possible. When you’ve got 4 people all arguing about whether lime PVC pants match an Aqua-tipped mohawk, it takes some time. We tried to pull out any of the stuff that might detract from that like loading different shops, or saving every few seconds, or making players pick out clothing before their band is formed. You can still annoy your band mates and waste a ton of time here, but at least most of that should be the fun stuff.”
Outfit color variations are also an important detail to Harmonix. According to Chris, “Most pieces have between five and fifty colors associated with them.” Chris assures us that the range of colors is anything but a gradient selection toolbox, as they hand pick the colors accordingly; Color By Rock-factor, if you will. Chris then talks about certain clothes (i.e. jackets & blank t-shirts) allowing you to put a band logo on them. Before you get any wild ideas, you can’t put YOUR band logo on them (something to do with RB’s design limitations). Accessories such as shades & spiked wrist bands were also mentioned.
Chris closes by preaching how all this customization and fashion shopping in Rock Band isn’t really the point. If you’re one of those obsessive compulsive types that shouts “I want to own everything!”, then Harmonix aren’t going to deny you that option (but they do think you’re insane). Chris truly thinks the instruments and attire should be bought to best fit your musician’s style. The game is Rock Band after all. Come to think of it, Rock Band Collector & Memorabilia Simulator does have a nice ring to it.
All I have to say at this point is: Rock Band’s character creation content rocks!
As a bonus treat of news, Rock Band TV has put up yet another “rock-u-mentary” video of the ongoing Rock Band Tour. This video covers the Cleveland, Ohio stop. We get a nice perspective from a local band who thinks Rock Band is a very inspirational tool for the young. The same local band also boasts how Cleveland rocks more than any other place in the world, especially Brooklyn. Just observing their talents while playing Rock Band, I think they should stick to playing music (which is a modest improvement *zing!*). What do they have against Brooklyn anyway?
Finally, it looks like some genius recognized that launching Rock Band on Black Friday might not be such a good idea. According to Gamespot, Rock Band’s new launch date has been moved up to November 20th – a whole three days. This will coincide with re-launch of RockBand.com as a community based website “accenting social aspects”.
Tons of Rock Band news incoming. I can’t keep up with it all. I suggest you head over to the official Rock Band forums and dine to your heart’s content.
Via RockBand.com
Love the customization but I have one question. You can buy different instruments but I cant buy another microphone, do you get the option later or is there only one?
Unfortunately there is only one microphone, but you can add art to it if you like by hitting the “Y” button on your controller :]
hey, im thinkin about buyin the game and was wondering if you can create a character on the ps2 version?
can you create a character in the wii version
i want it 2 b on the ps2 version though!!!!!!!!!!!
I dont know if I should get the wii or 360 because people tell me I should get the 360 but I dont have XBL. For the wii you can buy a CD thats coming out that adds 20 songs for $29.99 so which should I get?
im goign to say get the 360 version cuz if you get the wii version i mean yeah 20 extra songs are great. but then your going to get bpard of them and who’s to say youll evenb like them in the first place. for the 360 version you can just buy the songs you like…….
please please please please help me
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As much as the character creation is supposed to be the point of the game… it becomes it with the right group. My friends and I usually use character creation as goals: “Okay guys, this time we earn enough money to dress up as Fantasy Metal… okay now dress yourself like you dressed in High School!”
Rockband Wii was lame because it didn’t have character creation. That’s why I waited for Rockband 2 for Wii.
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!