Wal-Mart Doesn't Like to Rock

[lost]

It looks like retailers are starting to push back against the constant stream of new peripherals being released for music games. Word comes from the MTV Multiplayer (http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/) blog that Wal-mart specifically is tired of the new gadgets, almost knocking back a new title because of it.

When XS Games decided to make “PopStar Guitar” for Wii, they intended to make a full-fledged guitar peripheral for it, a PR rep told me during a demo last week.

But retail pushed back. They weren’t willing to stock yet another large plastic instrument.

XS Games went another route and produced a small add-on easily grafted onto the already existing Wiimote.

When XS Games sat down to demo “PopStar Guitar” to Wal-Mart, for example, one of the executives spent ten minutes explaining the problem of every single publisher coming out with a new, big controller. He let out a sigh of satisfaction when the Wiimote add-on was then shown. (A GameStop rep addressed the same issue of instrument-controller clutter with Multiplayer last month.)


More information right here. (http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/10/21/fewer-new-music-peripherals/)

Could this be the start of cross-title instrument support if publishers start to get complaints from their main stockists?

[mkelehan]

Could this be the start of cross-title instrument support if publishers start to get complaints from their main stockists?

No, because it's already started. Starting with the first Rock Band, all instruments are compatible with all games. Hell, Rock Revolution doesn't even have its own guitar; you just use whatever one you got with your other guitar game of choice.

[mkelehan]

Add: Starting with Rock Band on the 360, and starting with GH: Aerosmith on the other systems.

[lost]

I guess I phrased it wrong. Do we think that a "standard" set of instruments might be released.

[Inane Gamer]

I don't agree with Walfart but I gotta admit that I feel a bit guilty about the amount of plastic I will have contributed to the environment when I've left this mortal coil.

OK, I've been through 7 guitars and one set of drums already. Plus the improved instruments sure to come out eventually that we'll be forced to upgrade too. Equals a guilt mountan of plastic.

I blame the games! They are too good! Curse you plastic instruments!

[mkelehan]

I guess I phrased it wrong. Do we think that a "standard" set of instruments might be released.

Since compatibility is universal, there's a de facto standard. There's no reason to release another set of instruments when any given set works with any given game.

[revelation]

Can't blame them. Takes up above-average warehouse space, takes up above-average retail space, and what do you do if the fad dies, or Clone #232132193 wants to release their game?

I managed to find out that GHWT's instruments are (allegedly) compatible with RB 1 and RB2 2 (on the 360 at least), and vice versa.

No reason they can't all get along now if they want to keep selling this stuff.

[Krytie]

has anyone tried rock revolution yet...im pretty sure im going to pick it up but wnated to see if anyone else had played it yet...dont really trust reviews, plus i think their drum peripheral looks pretty cool...