Rock Band show coming to Cedar Fair parks this summer

Interesting concept...it's basically karaoke without the singer. I wonder if the appropriate part will drop out if the on-stage guest can't keep up.

Me thinks we'll see a set list suitable for Lego Rock Band than any of the other titles (ie - we're not going to see "Hair of the Dog" or "Aqualung" on stage)

Yeah, I play Rock Band :)

meh

Why don't people who spend all that time becoming an expert at Rock Band just learn how to really play guitar? I guarantee they would meet more girls that way.

It would seem like this is a way to keep from having to hire real musicians to back up the ten thousand singers they have on stage. I guess they figure they can have fake ones pretending to play for free to a soundtrack that probably wont drop out when they mess up anyway. That's not entertainment. What would be entertainment is if you give all the wannabes real instruments and see what happens.

^That's because it's a "fantasy" game. A lot of people fantasize about being rock stars just like the NASCAR gamers fantasize about being Dale Earnhart. A lot of snowboard gamers fantasize about being Sean White. A lot of us fantasize about being as good as Tony Hawk on skateboards. Chances are, most of the population will never be as skilled and talented in these things. Heck, I fantasize about being a murdering thug in Grand Theft Auto. That doesn't mean I am going to do it for real ;)

Sure, it's nothing like the real things but it's the "fantasy" element that what makes it fun. I LOVE Rock Band and Guitar Hero, although I haven't played in a while (PS2 died.) I also play a little "real" guitar.

I don't understand why people try to compare Rock Band/Guitar Hero to people who can actually sing or play real guitar/bass/drums. It's two different worlds. :) Both of those worlds are fun to watch in different ways. Sure, I would MUCH rather see Motley Crue live than see a bunch of people play their songs on Rock Band/Guitar Hero.

Since I haven't played in a while and I am stuck on "medium" anyway, I am not going to compete. I know too many people who are 100 times better (and faster) than I am on Rock Band/Guitar Hero. :) It should be fun to watch, though!

-Tina

Tina got in before me and basically wrote what I wrote so I deleted that portion...

D the Great said:
It would seem like this is a way to keep from having to hire real musicians to back up the ten thousand singers they have on stage. I guess they figure they can have fake ones pretending to play for free to a soundtrack that probably wont drop out when they mess up anyway.

I think you're missing the point.

You were reading my mind, Eightdot. Or maybe I was reading yours? ;)

-Tina

I love Rock Band, and I can play a real guitar also, D. I have the same kind of concern that you speak of, but not every kid and their family members are able to play guitar. That's one reason Rock band is so popular, because you don't have to be a musician to feel like you are a rock star.

I'm all for real instruments and real musical talent, but the Rock Band video game is a perfect alternative to all the hard work and hassle of being in a real band...

You have to find some like-minded musicians, buy instruments and a decent PA system, find a place to practice that wont disturb anyone, write or learn some songs, record a CD, market yourself to find fans, and then seek out a venue that may suit your style of music. Only then can you experience what Rock Band simulates. Each step that I typed here are just the basics. As some of us know, there's really a lot more to it than that.

As for this show, It's an interesting idea, but who goes to a theme park to watch people play video games anyways? I wouldn't like the show, but I can see the appeal.

LostKause said:
I love Rock Band, and I can play a real guitar also...

And how are the girls? ;)

Six flags has had this as a game in chicago, for a few years now.

Mamoosh said:

And how are the girls? ;)

Annoying, most of the time. ;)

I've seen Karaoke/DDR station at a couple of Six Flags parks the past few years. I was always amazed at how many people were waiting in line to do it (rather than ride a ride).

^ Ah, but if they didn't those lines would be even longer!

LostKause said: Annoying, most of the time. ;)

That's a mean thing to say about Carrie! ;)

I've never understood why people who can play real guitar get so hostile toward this stupid game. I mean, dancers didn't get annoyed with DDR players. I don't think anyone is under the illusion that kids playing Guitar Hero think they're just as good as real guitar players.

ApolloAndy said:
I've seen Karaoke/DDR station at a couple of Six Flags parks the past few years. I was always amazed at how many people were waiting in line to do it (rather than ride a ride).

Yep, especially since half these people have it at home anyways. Why pay parking, admission and food costs to do the same thing you could at home? I felt the same way when Kennywood put a basketball game in the middle of the park. It amazes me that people shell out the cash to sit in a fence for hours and play it... Meanwhile it really is no different than a public park basketball court.

ShiveringTim said:

Me thinks we'll see a set list suitable for Lego Rock Band than any of the other titles (ie - we're not going to see "Hair of the Dog" or "Aqualung" on stage)

You're saying Aqualung isn't appropriate for parks? The opening lines just scream amusement park to me... I hope that doesn't make me demented..

Mamoosh said:

LostKause said: Annoying, most of the time. ;)

That's a mean thing to say about Carrie! ;)

I think that Carrie is the furthest thing from being an annoying groupie / stalker of someone like me, who has mostly played at small, local clubs for the last 20 years. Carrie would probably be one of the level-headed fans, who are fun to be around.

I kind of had a hard time getting used to the controller when Guitar Hero first came out. I kept wanting to play power chords. :p

It's a good thing for Wonderland to have this show specifically. While Signed, Sealed, Delivered won awards at Cedar Point, here in Toronto it was basically a flop. The singing and dancing revue style shows just don't seem to cut it here. This is a huge step in the right direction, and anything that creates audience involvement is already more fun to watch!

It won awards at CP? I thought it was pretty terrible.

crazy horse said:
Six flags has had this as a game in chicago, for a few years now.

Dorney had Guitar Hero for a few months last season. At $5 a try and having to get 100% to win a prize, not many people played. I think I remember seeing a picture at a booth at SF that you needed 85% to win a prize at easy, medium and hard and 98% at expert which seems a lot more reasonable.

Bill2 said:

ApolloAndy said:
I've seen Karaoke/DDR station at a couple of Six Flags parks the past few years. I was always amazed at how many people were waiting in line to do it (rather than ride a ride).

Yep, especially since half these people have it at home anyways. Why pay parking, admission and food costs to do the same thing you could at home? I felt the same way when Kennywood put a basketball game in the middle of the park. It amazes me that people shell out the cash to sit in a fence for hours and play it... Meanwhile it really is no different than a public park basketball court.

For DDR, it is always more fun to play with a crowd watching than at home (not to mention if it is an arcade machine, the pads are way better than at home). Around 2002 - 2003 when DDR was just starting to get popular in the US, at parks and especially on the boardwalk it always seems like there was a crowd of people watching.

Sure Rock Band 'seems super popular'. It just recently came to light though that Rock Band has lost more money than it has made. Viacom is demanding that bonuses paid out to Hamonix be paid back.

This is a game franchise losing money (I find this hard to believe myself) but the "other guys" have over saturated the market.

It's not surprising they attempt to recoup some loses via licensing arrangements such as this.

http://kotaku.com/5470128/back-pay-is-hell-viacom-wants-refund-from-harmonix

People only have so much room for plastic instruments.

If only Activision could push Blizzard to get Starcraft II to market and stop pushing Guitar Hero 2010. :)