MTV Rock Band "Network"

cedomination

MTV To Launch New Track Upload Program For 'Rock Band'

Most recording artists would love to have their music available on MTV Networks' "Rock Band" videogame. But MTV's Harmonix unit, the developer of "Rock Band," simply hasn't had the time or staff to program the vast number of songs it would like to include in the game.

That's about to change. Later this year, MTV plans to launch a groundbreaking initiative called the Rock Band Network that will enable any artist-unsigned emerging act, indie cult fave or major-label superstar-to submit songs for possible inclusion in the game.

The Rock Band Network recently started a closed beta trial, which MTV expects to expand to a public beta test in August. The company hopes to open the Rock Band Network store before year's end. Songs available through the new store, which will remain separate from the existing "Rock Band" store, will be initially available for download to users of Microsoft's Xbox 360 game console. MTV expects to eventually make the popular tracks available for use on the Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii game systems.

"We've figured out how to make it so anybody who owns and controls masters and publishing can put music into ["Rock Band"] at their own pace," says MTV Games senior VP of electronic games and music Paul DeGooyer. "We're talking about a set of serious professional tools to allow people on the front line of writing and recording songs to completely control their destiny with respect to interactive products and then giving them direct access to the download store."

Rather than deal with Harmonix directly, artists and labels will submit songs to a community of Harmonix-trained freelance game developers who will prepare the tracks for "Rock Band." Additionally, labels can either hire trained developers or school their existing employees to do the work in-house.

Songs submitted through this process must then be reviewed by other developers to check for playability, inappropriate lyrics, copyright infringement and so on. Harmonix will post approved tracks to an in-game download store separate from its existing "Rock Band" store where creators can set their own price (50 cents to $3 per song) and receive 30% of any resulting sales. Gamers will also be able to demo 30-second samples of each track.

Although originally designed to give indie and unsigned artists a way to sell music through the game, MTV quickly realized the Rock Band Network could be used to clear the bottleneck for major-label content as well. While the Harmonix team has grown from fewer than 10 programmers to a few dozen since MTV acquired the videogame developer in 2006, the company can only add about 10 new songs per week to sell through the "Rock Band" store. The same team has also been handling the development work for the upcoming "The Beatles: Rock Band," due in September.

"Once we flip on the infrastructure, we can go from a few dozen people capable of doing this work to hundreds of people or more," Harmonix founder/CEO Alex Rigopulos says. "We can ramp up by a factor of 10 or more the rate of production of content."

So far, Harmonix developers have made about 700 songs available to download and play on the game. Those titles have sold a combined 50 million downloads through the game, demonstrating an ability to drive sales that has other artists and labels itching to have their music included.

Sub Pop Records head of A&R Tony Kiewel says the label is expecting to submit songs from its upcoming fall releases as well as its bigger releases from the past two years.

"It's very exciting news to us," Kiewel says. "It's important to participate in every possible revenue stream available. Whatever gets your music heard helps your overall awareness and ability to sell records and downloads."

Artists could use the Rock Band Network to upload their entire discography to the game or release an album through the game day-and-date with a new CD release or the start of a tour.

"If there's a really great song we love, we'd promote that, because that helps everybody," DeGooyer says. "We're also able to see what's selling well. If stuff has some heat on it, we may pick up on it . . . If Judas Priest decided to put their whole catalog in the Rock Band Network, we would promote the heck out of that."

calex71

Loved the judas priest bit at the end

I'm a bit concerned that the quality of the charts might suffer as a result of this though.

D4RK ONION

I say this all right, I was just on my way to post it here I think it's a great way for people to get their music out there. As for suffering charts, that is a possibility, but on the other hand, it does say you'll get to demo them, plus youtube always helps to make a good decision.

calex71

I kind take back what i said about the charts, was thinking that might be good to have some fresh hands loose on them.

Was playing power of equality by the chillies in RB2 last night that I just downloaded, and there are patterns in that and other DLC that you just dont see in the main games.

See here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlcHOdpuDZs
he's right repetitive but hella fun to play.

Corholio

http://www.nme.com/news/the-shins/49302

Bit of a confusing article though. It says that the makers will allow bands to put their songs on the game and charge fror them, but further down it says that all users of the game will be able to upload their own songs from today (January 19th)

Something like this was always bound to happen though and opens up the game so much more.

D4RK ONION

Merged threads

Videos of this are starting to filter through on youtube, it's looking very impressive and I've seen some incredibly difficult songs too, which will be good for some of us

This could be the GH killer as it were

calex71

It sure as hell beats the GH tunes rubbish

Did you see some of the pricing in the youtube videos ? Has to be the fact it's still in beta now way i'd pay 240 points for a track by a band known or unknown.

Let's just hope this monster stays away

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRzBMCGjYo4

This really does open up to a lot of new songs but I want RB3 already

calex71

This just in .......... http://www.rockgamerstudios.com/2010/01/19/bang-camaro-brings-the-revolution-to-rock-band-network/

Ah hell's yes!!!!!!!

FISTS UP! ROCKGAMER STUDIOS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH BANG CAMARO TO PUBLISH THEIR MUSIC ON ROCK BAND NETWORK

For the uninitiated, Bang Camaro, a hard rock group out of Boston founded by guitarists Bryn Bennett and Alex Necoechea, has become popular for their unique definition of a “band”. With a dozen or so vocalists headbanging onstage — producing one of the best arena rock sounds you’ll ever hear live — “army” is probably a better description. The group was catapulted to the national spotlight in 2006 when their song “Push Push (Lady Lightning)” was included as a bonus track on the Harmonix-developed Guitar Hero II.

Since then, Bang Camaro has amassed a huge following, and they have continued to support music games by including their singles “Pleasure (Pleasure),” “Rock Rebellion” and “Night Lies” in the Rock Band platform.

For those of you who have always wanted to play “Push Push (Lady Lightning)” in full band format, you’re in luck! “PP (LL)” is among the first four tracks announced for Rock Band Network, along with “Swallow the Razor,” “Blood Red Rock,” and their popular single “Revolution,” which has been featured in blockbuster video games such as Madden NFL ‘10 and The Sims 3.

If you want to stay up to date on the latest Bang Camaro news, you can visit their website at http://www.bangcamaro.com/ or check out their MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/bangcamaro

D4RK ONION

I would pay anything to play PP (LL) full band. This is awesome news!

calex71

D4RK ONION wrote: »

I would pay anything to play PP (LL) full band. This is awesome news!

Get ready to cough up so Onion I have my points ready

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/rock-band-network-beta-begins-today

Harmonix has confirmed today's opening of the Rock Band Network beta - the service that will allow anyone to create, share and even sell their own songs for the game.

This will only be available on Xbox 360 to begin with as Microsoft has been a key partner in realising the service. However, PS3 support is part of the larger plan.

The announcement comes by way of a Wall Street Journal report, a date in which was later confirmed by a Harmonix member of staff.

The Rock Band website will therefore be offline between 5pm and 10pm GMT. Once the service reappears you'll need to create a new user profile for the Network or merge your existing details with it. And Harmonix notes that there may be some teething problems, so be patient.

"[Today's] update marks the beginning of open beta. Throughout the last few months, I've been continually impressed with all of your participation and cooperation. I deeply appreciate your patience, humour, intelligence and effort," wrote Harmonix developer "HMXMister_Game".

"I know that you will welcome all the new members with the same helpful attitude that has gotten us thus far. I've said this before, but I'll say it again: you guys should be proud of the community you have built.

"Thank you. Tomorrow is a brand new day."

Harmonix hopes unsigned bands will share and sell music on the Rock Band Network. But there are hurdles to overcome, such as a complicated preparation procedure for each song.

Outsourcing this task to specialists will cost, and with songs priced between $0.99 and $2.99, a band must be confident of sales to take the plunge. For those reasons, the Rock Band Network may be dominated by established acts and bands to begin with.

Sub Pop, a US music label, will offer 25 artists including the Shins, Flight of the Conchords and Mudhoney. Sub Pop was Nirvana's label once upon a time.

"At $3 a piece nobody's looking to Rock Band as a discovery tool," Tony Kiewel, Sub Pop bigwig, predicted to the Wall Street Journal. "That's not going to happen."

Give it a try. Let us know what you think.

check www.rockband.com oooooooooooooooo this is kind of exciting now lol

calex71

Fcukin' YES !!!!!!! I want this NOW !!!!! Edit according to the band theses are not the final charts

Banjo

The little blurb thing under the menu that updates when you log in said "you know about Rock Band Network already, right?" the other day so either Harmonix are total koch teasing bastards or the Wii is getting some sort cut down access to these tunes too.. Score!

calex71

It just went live to all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New update when you load the game, go to the music store and select RBN music store. Spoiler in case you dont want the surprise ruined

push push lady lightning for a bargin 80 points

Info: http://www.rockband.com/news/rbn-music-store-goes-live

Edit: Looks like I wont work yet for EU just sits on the the loading screen , I was able to get a few songs using my US account and points

Edit Edit: Get this !!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80245410869/?p=1&of=6&pid=80000165-0000-4000-8000-000045410869&bt=0&sb=1&did=80000165-0000-4000-8000-000045410869

Edit Edit Edit: According to the twitter EU access will be sorted in hours rather than days I want the Flogging Molly tracks!!!!!

Edit x4 : :eek: playable previews!!!!!!!!!!!

D4RK ONION

God damn it, I wants my Bang Camaro NAO!

calex71

Update: Not holding breath for us getting this anytime soon.

Seems it's MS and not Harmonics' problem. It's only available to XNA regions which the UK are and we are not (licensing issues was the reason stated for that last year) :mad: In other words countries that got the indie games thing last year. And I'm out of US points now

D4RK ONION

This is balls! A travesty! :mad:

calex71

I know, when the Indie games thing was launched and XNA I was like meh indie games at a premium price they can keep it. Then no lastfm, and again I was ah I can live with it. I was all to do with licensing rubbish or something. Gas thing is you can actually develop and publish XNA content from here , just not buy any :mad:

Greyjoy

i was gutted when I read that Ireland wasn't on the list of countries for the RBN launch. I ended up creating a UK xbox silver profile and buying some tracks through that instead. It's a long-winded process but the tracks show up in RB2 on my default irish profile.

D4RK ONION

Ah good thinking. I'll give that a shot. Thanks

calex71

Uk account will work well and easier to deal with points for it as our card should work on them accounts. As I said got Bang Camaro and it's brillo BUT be sure to check the demo feature before buying anything else.

I played demo's for about 10 songs so far , and my feeling towards them is mixed indeed. Some play well enough others the charting just feels off "Requiem for a Dying Song" by Flogging Molly just felt off on guitar, just cant put my finger on it. Guess some of the songs just dont feel like rock band I know the demo is only the 1st minute of the song but it was enough to put me off buying the few tracks I wanted.

Love to hear what you guys think or if I am just imagining things here. I really think my initial fears about this whole thing regards the charting and quality could be true in that the charting could be hit or miss, I know Bang Camaro got theirs done by the pro's but not sure about the others.

Not The Real Scarecrow

Followed your lead calex and set up the uk account. Fair play to ya as I would never have thought of doing it. Having issues getting th epoints as couldn't set up credit card payements on live as credit card from ireland, so was just wondering if the cards for the points you get in ireland will work on the uk account. I got a card a few years back from amazon but as it was a uk one it wouldn't register on my irish account but looking around online I think this has changed.
Once again thanks for the advice, and all the updates you put up on the dlc thread.

D4RK ONION

We pride ourselves on Calex, a sterling member of our tiny community! 3 cheers for ol' Calex!

calex71

I feel so loved


I am 99% sure there is no difference between IE and UK re: points cards, but i buy mine online and have the code emailed to me instandly. No going out in the rain to a shop for me

Live-codes.com is one I use. @ Meatwad I would avoid putting a credit card near the xbox as most of the time M$ will fleece you , 59.99 for 12 month sub vs€33 form online sellers!!!!!!!

Anyway all of these sites selling points only differentiate EU vs US so i'm sure they will work with a UK account. Havent checked the store in the last week so must see if there is anything new worth trying out. Demo feature is a real nice touch as I said

@ Onion you should add Bang Camero on facebook if you use it, they are really getting into RBN , last I saw they were having a vote as to what song was to be next up on RBN

Fhiacha

Hey I'm having a bit of trouble, how do you create a uk account?

calex71

Fhiacha wrote: »

Hey I'm having a bit of trouble, how do you create a uk account?

1st Create a windows live account, UK also!!!! Then sign out of your account on the xbox and create a new one. Go through the steps it will ask the usual stuff , best use accurate-ish info so you can remember it, obviously lie about country, if it asks for a post code use nw18tq.

In my case I used same Gamer Tag and put UK and US at the end for both accounts.

calex71

Ok not sure whether to put this here or in the DLC thread, guess here is better for now, until we have legit access to RBN and as much as I wanted to not buy many more songs and try to keep everything on one account this list looks like it will make that impossible for me. I mean come on who in their right mind wouldn't get Bodies by Drowning Pool :eek:

/Grumbles and goes to buy more points for UK account

Week #2 (3/12-3/18)

A Day to Remember - I'm Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?
All That Remains - Days Without
Band of Skulls - I Know What I Am
Circus Circus - First We Feast, Then We Felony
The Clicks - Dirty King
Clutch - The Mob Goes Wild
Clutch - 50,000 Unstoppable Watts
Demon Hunter - Collapsing
Drowning Pool - Bodies
Flight of the Conchords - Business Time
Hyro da Hero - Dirty South Rock
Joe Sibol - Hot Sexy Girls
megawolf - My Favorite New Disaster
Midnight Riders - Midnight Ride
Midnight Riders - One Bad Man
MxPx - One Step Further
Oliver Pride - Nothing There
Sea Wolf - You're A Wolf
Seether - Remedy
Solarcade - Rise
Stewart - Dance With Me
The Stills - Being Here
Texas in July - Elements
Third Eye Blind - Semi-Charmed Life '09
Unearth - We Are Not Anonymous

D4RK ONION

Flight of the concordes, that's pretty class! Need to set up this British account!

Fhiacha

Cheers dude, worked a treat, now I'm off to play some Flogging Molly.

calex71

2 songs up there now with a 0 price beside them ie FREE

Go to top 50 and new releases.

Not sure what they are like as there seems to be an issue with RB servers at the moment. Keeps kicking me out of the store when I try to buy anything, and play games with others.