Exclusive Concert to Celebrate the Launch of Rocksmith
Ben Postulart-Toronto: In celebration of the upcoming release of the new video game Rocksmith, Ubisoft held an exclusive concert to show off this interesting take on the music simulation gaming genre. Rocksmith takes games like Guitar Hero, and Rockband to a whole new level by letting the players use a real instrument instead of a fake guitar, or bass. With Rocksmith you can use any instrument that has a quarter of an inch connection.
The concert featured three bands, The Reason, Magnetta Lane, and The Suburbians. Each band played two of their own songs, and two covers of songs that are featured on the upcoming video game release. One of the most interesting events of the night was when Magnetta Lane performed a cover of Blur’s “Song Number 2″. The ladies of Magnetta Lane had members of both The Reason and The Suburbians come up on stage and sing the famous “Whoohoo”s.
There were four stations set up where fans and artists alike had a chance to get a firsthand look at Rocksmith before its October 18th release. In my opinion, this is not nearly as simple a game as its Predecessors, Rockband, and Guitar Hero, With Rocksmith you need to know how to play a real guitar. For an average gamer, and musically inept person like me, this game looks way too difficult. This game is more suited to someone who knows the basics of guitar playing, or someone who is good at guitar and wants to learn some new songs.
The price point is a bit of an issue with me as well. Most new games retail for about $60 dollars in Canada, but the price of Rocksmith will be $80. Apparently the reason for the steeper price is because of the adapter that comes with the game. Another reason that this is not a game for the average gamer is because you have to have an electric guitar in order to play it. This is not something that I would recommend purchasing for a young child, it would probably end with a child getting very frustrated and smashing the new guitar that you bought for the sole purpose of being able to play this game. If you love to play music, playing video games, and have an electric guitar, this game is for you. If you want a simple music simulator, I would go out and pick up either Guitar Hero, or Rockband.
It’s very obvious that you spent very little time going through the game to see what it has to offer.
Rocksmith is as much a learning tool as it is a game. If you would have investigated it further, you would have seen the minigames that are a very fun way too learn vital techniques and build skills. Not to mention the dynamic difficulty that adjusts to your level of skill and progresses at a very comfortable pace.
This Game is for people who really want to learn how to play guitar, improve on guitar, or just another method to learn songs for skilled guitarists.
I have been playing guitar for 20 years and wish they had something like this when I was learning how to play.
You’d be lucky to get 2-3 lessons for under $80.00
In my opinion, Ubisoft got it right by making a game where you learn real life skills.
Have to agree with you Andrew. What a missed opportunity when Ben could have maybe, i don’t know TRIED the game.
Oh well hope he enjoyed the free Jäger
Though i will admit that the game did deserve to be thoroughly explored, there was very little chance to as the game was quickly in use by many people through out the night, giving little chance for Ben to actually play it along with helping the photographer {Me} out during the events of the night.
That being said, i do believe he was right in saying that it is not for young children as kids often break items that they find challenging. He merely meant not to waste money on an item if your kid isn’t ready for it.
Also, as this was one of his first events, it can’t be helped that he would need to learn simple things such as to try and be more out going with getting a chance to play the game. I will however say, i was impressed that he didn’t drink on the job, something i found impressive as even well known reporters were.
I can understand it may have been difficult to for Ben to actually play and explore the game. Before writing the article, he should have done some research on the Game and looked at the 100′s of videos, and read some insightful articles from people who have spent time playing the game.
This comment by Ben is what bothered me the most.
“In my opinion, this is not nearly as simple a game as its Predecessors, Rockband, and Guitar Hero, With Rocksmith you need to know how to play a real guitar. For an average gamer, and musically inept person like me, this game looks way too difficult. This game is more suited to someone who knows the basics of guitar playing, or someone who is good at guitar and wants to learn some new songs.”
I think this was a fair review of the game. One question I asked Ben about the product was if he thought the game would be geared to younger users, in the 8-year-old to 12-year-old range and he felt it would be too difficult. The game, as the review says, is for a more experienced gamer. From what he saw at the event, including some of the musicians who had difficulty with the game, it may be frustrating for those who are thinking the game is just like Guitar Hero.
I am sure you want your market to be pleased with your product, Andrew. A fair review shows all sides of a product. This game, from my understanding, is a great one, but it’s not as easy as some of the others on the market. That is a selling feature. It’s not for everyone but a more elite crowd who wants a challenge that they are not getting from other games.