Rock Band Wii Drumkit pic + interview

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Joystiq asks Harmonix about Rock Band Wii:

Will the Wii version of Rock Band include the Rock Band Store, and downloadable tracks?
When developing Rock Band for the Wii platform, we focused on making the core gameplay experience as solid and enjoyable as possible while tailoring it specifically to the strengths of the platform. The Wii version still contains the robust four-player band experience and all the fun at the core of other versions of Rock Band. However, because the Wii’s online capabilities and potential have yet to be fully realized, we wanted to wait before we explored online functionality for Rock Band to ensure that players get the high-quality of online performance they’ve come to expect.

Will the Wii “bonus songs” be Wii-exclusive, or five songs included on the disc from the Rock Band DLC store?
We’ll announce the songs closer to launch. Stay tuned!

Will the Wii version have missing or crippled features similar to the PS2 experience?
Rock Band for the Wii will have functionality similar to the PS2 version.

If there is character creation, will there be Mii support when creating your Rock Band character?
No, there will be no character creator. When developing Rock Band for the Wii platform, the primary focus was to make the core band gameplay experience as fun and solid for everyone — from the software to the Rock Band Wii drums, wireless Stratocaster guitar controllers and microphone peripheral. In tailoring Rock Band to the strengths of the Wii console, character creator unfortunately didn’t make the cut.

Will Wii’s Rock Band be compatible with Wii’s Guitar Hero III guitar?
Harmonix and MTV Games believe in an open standard philosophy of hardware and game compatibility. We think that there should be interoperability between music instrument controllers across all music games. This is clearly in the best interest of consumers, game developers and console manufacturers and will only help to grow the music game genre as well as inspire innovation and creativity. Third-party developers and publishers are welcome to freely support the Rock Band peripherals in their games. Support for the GHIII guitar peripherals in Rock Band on the Wii was not possible without Activision’s permission. Therefore, any questions regarding lack of compatibility with GHIII hardware should be directed to Activision. [In other words: No. Check out our updated 'Guitar Guide' for complete compatibility details.]

Will each instrument need to be connected to a Wii Remote?
The Harmonix development team considered a lot of options in creating the Rock Band for the Wii instruments. At this time, we felt that sticking with the current peripheral functionality was the best route. [Read: No Wiimotes necessary!]

Any changes to peripherals relative to the PS3/360 versions?
Check out photo for white drums!

Will the bundle include a powered USB hub, like the Xbox 360 release?
The bundle will ship with a USB hub.

Will Rock Band be widescreen, 480p compatible?
Rock Band for Wii audio will be in stereo with Dolby Pro Logic II support at launch. [The game] will also be 480p compatible.

Joystiq

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  • xero

    I’m glad its coming to the Wii, but, c’mon, the other versions came out almost 5 months ago! They could at least have put forth the effort to include a character creator! If it’s a problem of disk size, that’s one thing, but all this “core gameplay experience” crap is just an excuse not to include things from the 360 and ps3 versions. If this is their focus, then that “core band gameplay experience” should be better than the other versions. But will it be? nope.

    And since when does “Wii Owner” mean “One who wants all peripherals to be white”?

    Sorry, but the whole “360 and PS3 get the real versions while the Wii gets the stripped down (or made by an outside company) version” thing kinda makes me angry (Guitar Hero, Rock Band, The Force Unleashed, etc.)

  • taylor

    Part of me just died…

    When will people realise that the Wii isnt a PS2 port machine? That’s the PSP’s job!

  • http://www.xanga.com/relaxing_roth Roth

    I really like how the boxart design matches with the white case and Wii logo. The drum kit itself is neat and it does match the default standard colors of the Wii system: white + silver (stand). Myself, I’d prefer the drumheads to be black, and maybe change the buttons color to gray to match the Wii Remote’s. Owners can still customize it the way they want.

    // Roth

  • http://www.righteousgraphics.com Mack2D2

    I agree full heartedly Taylor… I’m sick and tired of all these half-arsed ports coming to us. Why aren’t more devs realizing the success of truly original and wii exclusive titles such as No More Heroes? I can’t wait for the day that the Wii has the better version of a multiplatform game…

    Seems like a no brainer to me… Wii has more consoles out there… thus a bigger audience… why would you not try to make your game specifically for the wii and then use the 360 and PS3 for the lazy pathetic attempts at a few extra bucks? I understand, graphically it’s easier to dumb it down than dumb it up… but come on! Go for the big bang from th get go… and that’s with the Wii.

    Rant concluded, thank you for your time.

  • Sir Lantis

    Took 5 months to reduce Texture quality so that it runs on the Wii. Then we had to choose between White, VeryWhite, QuiteWhite and WiiWhite (which we finally decided on. BUT actually we decided to put more effort into making the game a wonderful Vii Experience – wait… wasn’t there a W in it?
    You’ll have great oldschool graphics and stuff, like real old true rock. And of course every day high prices. And we will make the next edition better! With integrated wiimotes to ensure total incompatibility with the current controllers.

  • xero

    I’m ok with the non-compatibility with the wii remote so it won’t require you to have 4 of them, but putting them in the guitars like guitar hero would have been nice so that the GH guitars would at least be compatible with the game.

  • Will

    I wish someone would leave the door open for some of us more tech savvy to use the GH remote. Maybe the devs will leave that door open for us ;) I think it is ludicrous that a we are to believe the GH guitar is an $70 peripheral. Whatever happened to bundle minus the price of the game? Wouldn’t that be about $40 if not $50.

  • http://wtf sam cuthers

    the drum kit colours are ok. but only 4 drums! no cymbals! what are they thinking! actual drummer like myself are offended by this retarded attempt to recreate a drum kit. it looks ridiculous. how do they expect a us to play along to a QOTSA age song for example. it is drummed by dave grohl the best drummer of my time. to sum up ridiculous

  • smilesnxtc

    Funny how the cover shows cymbals on the drum set as well :(
    OMG false advertising!

  • http://flutemunchers.tk/ Cameron

    Watch the Rock Band Wii trailer on the Nintendo Channel (On Wii) or YouTube. It plays “Rockaway Beach” and “Dirty Little Secret.” When it shows gameplay, it looks like really nice graphics! But when you see the videos of people actually PLAYING the game, the graphics look TERRIBLE!!! Which one to believe?

    Also to smilesnxtc:
    Umm…Rock Band never said they have cymbals on the drum set. Try “Guitar Hero: World Tour” they have elevated cymbals on the set. *Thumbs Up.*

    They think they can get away with getting in trouble for 5 Month Wait; No DLC (Downloadable Content); No Online Play; No Character Creation; and No World Tour by adding 5 new songs?

    Those five new songs are available as DLC on the 360 and PS3, which makes the Wii version 10 times worse.

    They should at least make the five songs EXCLUSIVE so we at least have something to brag to the 360 and PS3 owners about?

    I suggest “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance.

    I’m getting this Wii version as SOON as it comes out. (June 22nd) whether or not it has all that stripped features. Hopefully, (As They Said) Rock Band 2 for the Wii will have the full experience.

    (And even though I’m not a PS2 fan, I hope they get the full version in Rock Band 2 as well.)

    PS2 and Wii have a lot of potential. Why can’t they see that?

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  • Stacey

    Will the PS2 instruments work with the Wii if I just buy the game?

  • Rekks

    this sucks you dont get to create your own character

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