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Video Games, Celebrities

White Stripes Frontman Jack White Says 'Guitar Hero' Is 'Depressing'

White Stripes Frontman Jack White Calls Guitar Hero 'Depressing'Music-related video games like 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' can mean an awful lot of things to an awful lot of people, but to musicians, they seem to just be, well, insulting. Noel Gallagher, lead singer of the former super-band Oasis, made his feelings on the subject very well known earlier this year, and now Jack White is sharing a similar sentiment.

White is the front man and guitar player of the White Stripes, a band consisting only of himself and his drummer Meg, but he currently devotes more time to leading his other bands, the Raconteurs and the Dead Weather. In various incarnations, his music appears multiple times in 'Guitar Hero 5.' But, he doesn't have to like it.

According to NME, White opined the following on Friday at a Los Angeles press conference: "It's depressing to have a label come and tell you that ['Guitar Hero'] is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music."

"Depressing" isn't quite how we'd describe it, as we've certainly learned a lot more about the tunes we love after playing through them in a game (even if we're only playing a third of the notes and are off-rhythm at that). This all stands as proof, it seems, that even rock stars can be Luddites. [From: NME, via: Joystiq]

Video Games

'LEGO Rock Band' Hitting Shelves Holiday 2009



Proving once and for all that two totally unrelated franchises can be rolled into one gooey ball of profitable deliciousness, 'LEGO Rock Band' is a go. Set to launch this Holiday season on any console with a pulse -- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and DS -- the game is a joint effort by TT Games, LEGO, MTV and Harmonix, the original creator of 'Rock Band.' Unsurprisingly, the games will make use of all the 'Rock Band' peripherals currently cluttering a host of homes around the world.

In addition to letting players customize their LEGO rockers and road crew, the game is said to be rather "family friendly." We're guessing that means the game doesn't feature any songs referring to pelvic thrusting or whipped cream. At present, Blur's "Song 2," Carl Douglas's "Kung Fu Fighting," Europe's "The Final Countdown," Good Charlotte's "Boys and Girls," and Pink's "So What" have all been confirmed for the game, which should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect from the final version (i.e. kid-friendly, potentially-annoying-for-parents fare).

We can only hope that one of these block-rockin' controllers will be available in conjunction. [From: Joystiq]

Video Games

Beatles 'Rock Band' Bundle Will Boast Custom Bass and Drums


Not really surprising to hear, but exciting none the less... according to a teaser email sent out to people on The Beatles: Rock Band mailing list -- the special edition bundle will include a custom branded Höfner bass and Ludwig drums. The e-mail also mentions other "custom" content, which we are hoping will be either a Rickenbacker guitar like the one Lennon often used or a gigantic Harrison-esque moustache / beard combo. We're just going to have to wait it out together guys -- it's not expected until September 9th -- so let's chill and enjoy the video after the break.

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Video Games

Ottoman Stores Your 'Rock Band' Guitars and Drums



The 'Rock Band' franchise of video games does indeed rock, but the various paraphernalia, including guitars and a bulky drum kit, can be a burden, especially for those who live in one-bedroom apartments the size of a closet. AK Designs, manufacturers of furniture geared towards gamers, addresses this dilemma with its Rock Box.

The leather, or possibly pleather, ottoman provides enough storage space to house two guitars, a microphone, a kick drum pedal, and the entire drum kit, which can be easily elevated from within the ottoman. The going rate on Amazon is $199.99 for this rec-room roadie, which is, as demonstrated by the lack of availability, a hot commodity for space-challenged rockers who want to kick their feet up and get down at the same time. Or, maybe just for those who'd prefer that their punk-rock friends not know they jam out to Stevie Nicks and "Go Your Own Way." [From: Chip Chick Via: Oh Gizmo!]

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Video Games

'Rock Band' Ticks Off 40 Million Tracks Sold, $1 Billion in Revenue


That's a lot of dollars. Also? A lot of Mötley Crüe. Seriously, people, calm down. As of right now 'Rock Band' has 614 songs on offer, 269 different artists, 11 full albums, more revenue than any other game in 2008, $1 billion total in North American retail sales, 40 million tracks sold, and unhindered wallet access to countless deluded human beings who think they're rock stars.

The Beatles Come to 'Rock Band,' Instruments and All

Do you love The Beatles? Do you love 'Rock Band?' Are you ready to totally lose it? If you said yes, that's good -- because MTV Games and Harmonix have just announced a partnership with Apple Corps, Ltd. to bring the band's music and instruments to the 'Rock Band' universe. According to the PR, the game (which apparently lets you do all kinds of awesome Beatles-related rocking) will also premiere with a set of new hardware "modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career." Right now they've just got a holder page up with a launch date of September 9th, but as soon as we get our eyes on the gear, we'll let you know.

Video Games

Librarians Busted for Playing 'Rock Band' on the Job



In an attempt to attract youngsters, employees of one Nebraska public library recently instituted a gaming workshop, until, that is, constroversy paralyzed the effort.

One local taxpayer caught wind of the Omaha librarians' unorthodox event via the above video, which shows the librarians playing the game 'Rock Band' in what appears to be the library's study room. The librarians had posted the video in hopes of promoting the workshops. Apparently outraged, the whistleblower put a call in to Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley's office. In no time, Foley had launched an investigation.

"It was state employees, on state time, during work hours, playing with and setting up a PlayStation video game system," Foley told Omaha's Action 3 News. We wouldn't imagine he thinks that's a good thing.

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Video Games

Harrah's Casinos to Host 'Rock Band' Competition


If you love blowing money on gambling and playing 'Rock Band,' March is going to be, like, the best month ever.

Casino chain Harrah's is inviting gamers to come and rock (virtually) at 17 of its locations in the US and Canada. The Total Rock, Total Rewards Rock Band Competition is sponsored by MTV Games and begins in March. The weekly competitions will be free to enter. In April, four regional contests will take place, with the best group getting $10,000 and an opening slot at a B-52's show in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Whether the winning group will actually want to open for the B-52's is still up for discussion. [From: Joystiq]

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Video Games, Celebrities

"Playing a Guitar Not a F**king Game," Says Oasis Guitarist


Apparently perturbed by the success of games like 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band,' Oasis's Noel Gallagher recently told Total Guitar magazine that "playing a guitar is not a f**king videogame," CVG reported yesterday.

The lead guitarist and principal songwriter for the seminal Britpop band (and one half of the most hilariously cantankerous pair of British brothers known to man) is not known for his love of tech geekdom, or politeness, for that matter. While he isn't a fan of such games (which he admits he's never played), Gallagher does find them slightly more tolerable than others: "It's better than two goblins trying to f**k a donkey up the arse with a laser beam."

We'd hate to hear what Liam -- Gallagher brother and Oasis singer -- would have to say about karaoke. [From: CVG]

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Video Games

Have 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' Peaked?




According to Electronic Entertainment Design and Research's "November 2008 Retail Sales Preview" report, the popularity of Guitar Hero is peaking. Predicting a sales decline of more than 50 percent from 'Guitar Hero 3' to 'World Tour' this month (and following a decline of 60 percent in October), it's expected that the game will begin a slow but steady decline in the months and years ahead.

"It is pretty clear that the series has already reached its peak among the mass-market audience," Jesse Divnich, director of analyst services for the firm, told Joystiq. He went go on to say that he doesn't believe this to be the end of 'Guitar Hero' or 'Rock Band,' and that they're "here to stay," and that they expects the franchises to continue for the next 10 years.

What's next? Are we going to start playing real instruments? Our money is on getting computers to play the games for us. Now, resume the faux rocking. [From: Joystiq]

Video Games, Holiday Gift Guide 2008

'Rock Band' and 'Guitar Hero' Players Drawn to Real Instruments, Study Finds



A recent survey conducted by retail giant Guitar Center found that the games 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' are encouraging players to pick up and learn how to play real instruments, reports Game Daily.

According to the survey of 7,000 gamers, 67 percent of those who do not play an instrument plan to learn and 72 percent of those who already play an instrument play more frequently due to the game.

According to Norman Hajjar, the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Guitar Center, the appeal and success of these games spring from their foundations in reality. "Most video games sell fantasy, but 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' are selling a dream that can be realized," he told Game Daily.

While we do enjoy playing these games, we cannot pretend that they are anything but utterly fantastical takes on what it's like to play in a band. Now, when 'Rock Band' features levels that tests players' abilities to live off fast food, sleep on floors, scrape together rent money, haggle with club owners and circumvent homefolks' questions about getting a real job, then we'll sign off on it. Maybe these starry-eyed gamers would fare better playing for love offerings than bar percentages. [From: Game Daily]

Video Games

'Rock Band' Creators Receive $300+ Million Bonus


You don't need to be Guitar Hero to make some money. Take, for instance, Electronic Arts' 'Rock Band' -- a game made by original 'Guitar Hero' creators, Harmonix Music Systems. According to Viacom's (parent of Harmonix's owner, MTV Networks) Securities and Exchanges filing, the Boston-based developer will be receiving a $300+ million dollar bonus. $150 million was already paid last quarter, and the remaining amount will be paid in early '09.

Is this insanity? Not really. Just do the math. A full 'Rock Band' set costs close to $200.00, and the game sold 7 million copies last year. Add in roughly 26 million downloaded -- and paid for -- songs, and you're talking numbers with lots and lots of zeroes. With 'Rock Band 2' out already, and an upcoming Beatles game on the way, Harmonix doesn't seem to be letting the pedal off the metal.

It's great to see Harmonix get their payday after years and years of consistently putting out quality music games, even before it was all the rage. We've been big fans since the Frequency and Amplitude days, and always appreciate when quality gets recognized.

Little known fact: A few years ago we had a noteworthy run in with Harmonix employee and 'Guitar Hero 2' producer, Daniel Sussman. Really. [From: Silicon Alley Insider]

Computers, Video Games, iPod

'Rock Band' to Feature Beatles Songs -- Take That, Steve Jobs!

'Rock Band' Scores Beatles Songs. Take that Steve Jobs!After years of negotiations, rumors, and quite probably begging, the Beatles catalog will finally be available for digital download -- but not on iTunes, and we're sure Steve Jobs is none too happy (despite numerous teaser announcements and rumors, the Beatles still aren't on Apple's online music store, or anywhere else online, for that matter).

So if not Apple with its iTunes Store, then who's the lucky distributor? Amazon? Napster? Actually, they've all been upstaged by 'Rock Band' makers Harmonix and MTV. That's right, a video game has succeeded where Apple's army of lawyers and messianic father figure couldn't.

MTV will have access to the entire back catalog of the biggest (and arguably best) band ever for the creation of a Beatles play-along game that will stand separate from its already established 'Rock Band' series. Details such as pricing, release date (all that's been announced is 2009), and exactly what songs will be included will have to wait for another day -- today's news was merely a victory lap.

Activision, Steve Jobs, you just got served. [From: Wall Street Journal]

Video Games

'Rock Band' and 'Guitar Hero' -- For Girls



Girls can, like, totally rock now, but they've had to use boy-aimed guitar peripherals when playing games like 'Rock Band.' Thankfully, PDP has teamed up with Radio Disney mainstays Aly & AJ to create some seriously rockin' game controllers for the PlayStation2 and Wii. Due out mid-October and priced at a rockin' $69.99, tweenage 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' fans can choose either the rockin' pink Strat-looking guitar with red skull and crossbones motif, or the totally rockin' pink heart-shaped guitar with purple zebra print. Check out the rockin' video after the break. And rock on!

[Via Video Games Blogger]

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Video Games

Peak's Starpex Wooden Guitar Controller Gets the Hands-On Treatment


While there's likely nothing that will convince most folks of the merits of a full-size, $180 wooden guitar controller, those still on the fence about this particular piece of excess may be interested to know that the good people of PS3 Fanboy recently got their hands on one, and they've now offered up some initial impressions.

As you might expect, they found it to definitely be a hefty device, but far from an unwieldy one, with the buttons as familiar as even and the strum bar in particular a significant improvement over other 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' guitars. Peak also doesn't look to have cut any corners when it comes to the little details, with even the strap made of a thick fabric that makes it more comfortable to wear. [From: PS3 Fanboy]

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Weirdest Techie Heists and Scams

    Elderly Amish Man Caught on Film With Prostitute, Blackmailed
    When a 75-year-old Amish widower slept with a prostitute, he -- we feel certain -- felt pretty bad about it the next morning. As if that guilt weren't enough for the old man, the prostitute and her boyfriend demanded $67,000 from him, claiming that they had filmed the scene with wall-mounted cameras and would upload the recording to the Internet. The pair was later arrested and, we can only imagine, the Amish man abhorred technology more than ever.

     

    Bank Robber Gets Away With the Help of Craiglist
    In October, a bank robber -- wearing a safety vest, blue shirt, face mask and goggles -- eluded police with the help of Craiglist. Just outside the bank, while the robbery was in progress, stood a group of men who were responding to a Craiglist day labor opportunity. As the advertisement required, they were all wearing safety vests, blue shirts, face masks and goggles.

     

    Nude New Zealander Arrested After Responding to Fake Sexy Text Message
    Late in 2007, a Wellington, New Zealand man received a racy text message from two anonymous "ladies," giving him only an address and a request that he show up naked. Well, he indeed showed up naked... at the home of one appalled, unsuspecting New Zealander. Both the nude Romeo and the sadistic texter were arrested, though neither were prosecuted.

     

    Fake Craiglist Ad Costs Man Most of What He Owns
    Last Spring, a post appeared on an Oregon Craigslist board stating that the owner of a specific house was leaving all of his worldly possessions (still in said house) to whoever wanted them. When homeowner Robert Salisbury rushed home -- on a tip from a woman suspicious about the offer of a free horse -- he found his house being ransacked by 30 strangers. We suggest he take that horse and collect some vengeance Clint Eastwood-style.

     

    17-Year-Old Jailed for Stealing Virtual 'Furniture'
    When a 17-year-old Dutch boy hacked into several accounts on the Second Life-style site 'Habbo' in 2007, the the law got involved. The boy was discovered to have stolen $5,800 worth of virtual furniture and knick-knacks. Apparently, crime -- whether actual or virtual -- does not pay.

     

    Phishers Going After Your Phones in New 'Vishing' Trend
    Over the past year, sneaky spammers have begun to forsake the worn-out territory of e-mail in favor of cell phones' fertile frontier. The result? "Vishing." Get it? Voice mail phishing. It might be more ominous if it didn't sound like a James Bond villain saying, "Wishing."

     

    Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
    Around Halloween of last year, a truckload of thieves drove into -- that's right, into -- a Pennsylvania Mexican restaurant, where they -- apparently uninterested in the cash register -- stole a mid-grade 47-inch HDTV and fled the scene. We've all heard about how this generation is lacking in ambition, but this generation's thieves, too?

     

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