NEWS:

This is probably the biggest and best move seen in the music industry. The video game obviously cannot be ignored and with the Rock Band Network this is going to be the Xbox Live for the music industry. The ability for record labels to use videogames now as an all out promotional tool is simply genius and that combination is very familiar hence the (HipHopGamer) Brand Name. The music game genre has come along way and with this announcement from MTV games this genre has become unlimited and full of success. The next move should allow for independent artist to join the fun and get discovered with this project and from there both industries will see a full fusion.

The music industry has been in a slump seriously but the gaming industry continues to rise. Rock Band Network will easily save the day because the adoption of these record labels utilizing gaming as a launch pad for their music artists, will put them in the light of a new audience. New audience New Money New Fans New Success Rock Band is incredible

MTV Games and Harmonix Empower Artists and Labels to Get Their Music in
the Game with the Rock Band Network

The Rock Band Network Gives Artists and Record Labels Tools to Author,
Promote and Sell Music for Download via the Rock Band Platform

CAMBRIDGE, MA and NEW YORK, NY – July 17, 2009 – Harmonix Music
Systems and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA,
VIA.B), today announced the Rock Band Network, a ground-breaking initiative
that gives musicians and record labels the ability to author their own
original recordings into gameplay files and sell their music as playable
Rock Band tracks through the newly-created Rock Band Network Music Store.
The introduction of the Rock Band Network marks a fundamental shift in the
exposure music games can give emerging and established artists through
innovative technologies that will open new revenue streams and promotional
avenues.

“Our goal with Rock Band has always been to go beyond making music games
and create a true music platform,” said Alex Rigopulos, CEO and co-founder
of Harmonix. “With the Rock Band Network, we’ve evolved the platform to its
next logical step, giving players access to an incredible amount of new
music by putting the professional tools we use in the hands of the artists
themselves.”

“The Rock Band Network enables songwriters and musicians – at any stage
of their careers – to create their own paths through the interactive
music realm,” said Paul DeGooyer, Senior Vice President, Electronic Games
and Music, MTV Networks Music Group. “Our download store has been an
extraordinary success, and it’s exciting for us to provide access to our
platform through this uniquely elegant solution.”

The Rock Band Network will launch as an open beta in late August 2009 in
the U.S. and provide a sophisticated toolset, with detailed documentation
on how bands can begin the process of authoring songs into Rock Band
gameplay files. Authors will be able to submit tracks for playtesting and
peer review via a specialized Web site, [http://creators.rockband.com/]
Creators.RockBand.com. Potential publishers will need a membership to
Microsoft’s XNA Creators Club Online in order to test and publish game
content. The service will only be available to those who purchase a premium
membership to Microsoft’s XNA Creators Club Online, which can be
purchased for four months at $49.99 or for a year at $99.99.

“The proven strength and stability of Microsoft’s game development
tools, technologies and services allowed Harmonix to focus on making an
easy-to-use experience for authors without needing to reinvent the
wheel,” said Dave Mitchell, product unit manager, XNA publishing
platform. “Rock Band Network is a model example of integration with XNA
Creators Club Online.”

Once tracks are approved, they will be transferred to the Rock Band
Network Store, an in-game music marketplace where millions of Rock Band
fans will be able to demo samples of the songs for free before they
purchase. Songs will debut exclusively on Xbox 360 for 30 days. Artists
featured in the store will be able to choose from multiple pricing tiers
for individual tracks and will be compensated via a simple payment system
that provides automated accounting and regular royalty payments.

Tracks for the Rock Band Network will be made available later in the fall
on the Xbox 360^® video game entertainment system from Microsoft. Stand
out tracks will follow on the PLAYSTATION^®3 computer entertainment system
and Wii^™ console. Joining the more than 750 tracks available to date,
the Rock Band Network Store will greatly increase the amount of music
available through the Rock Band music platform and further confirm MTV
Games and Harmonix’s position as the leading provider of downloadable
content for music-based video games.

This Fall is looking to be filled with quite possibly one of the best two-three month lineup in gaming history. With titles like Modern Warfare 2, Bioshock 2, Uncharted 2, Assassin’s Creed 2, Halo 3: ODST, and more coming out in such a short amount of time expect a lot of other games to be passed over from the end of Summer till the end of Winter. Most likely the games mentioned above will take up the major headlines, but like every year there is always a Dead Space or Uncharted who slips through the cracks of major buzz and turns out to be one of the better games of a generation.

With this years E3 right around the corner, it’s easy to focus all attention just on the heavy hitters, but there are also some other games that may slip under gamers radars that shouldn’t. These games have just as much potential as any, and looks to be the sleeper contenders for ‘Game of the Show’ at this years E3.

Star Wars: The Old Republic
System: PC
Release Date: Possibly Late 2009/Most Likely 2010

The original KOTOR is considered by many to be one of the best games of all-time. People have been patiently waiting for BioWare to continue the franchise, but instead of getting a single player experience on consoles, instead Bioware announces a MMO for the PC only. This blew some wind out of ‘The Old Republics’ sails, but it shouldn’t have because the current project is looking great.

Only a few details and trailers have been revealed about the game, but so far all signs point to another hit from BioWare. This game could easily sneak in and win Game of the Show because when it comes to RPG’s no one compares to BioWare.

Mafia 2
System: 360, PC, PS3
Release Date: Fall 2009

The original Mafia on PC was a great game, and this game looks to continue the game in right direction. While Godfather II, garnished pedestrian reviews from reviewers and fans alike, this game looks to change the trend in open world mob games.

The game looks absolutely great with graphics that surpass most open world games including GTA IV. For those of us, who enjoyed the realistic experience that was touched on in GTA IV then this game may be the game for you. Unlike the mindless fun in Saint’s Row II this game looks to have a great story, fun missions, and great chracter development.

Splinter Cell: Conviction
System: PC, 360
Release Date: Christmas 2009

Everyone is wondering what Microsoft has up their sleeve at e3 this year when it comes to exclusives, and while Halo 3: ODST and Alan Wake are getting a lot of buzz that doesn’t mean we should forget about Splinter Cell.

Everything that has been shown to the public up to this point has looked great, and Sam Fisher looks to have another hit up his sleeve. The guys at Ubisoft want to revamp the series, so this game could bring up a lot of buzz at E3. Looks to be a potential sleeper hit in Microsoft’s corner.

The Saboteur
System: 360, PS3, PC
Release Date: Fall 2009

Nearly every game set in World War II Europe involves you being a one man solider set out to save your platoon or replay some of the biggest battles in the war’s history. Well in the Saboteur, you fight against Nazi’s and travel around Paris, but you are no solider, but instead are a complete badass.

The player will be able to explore both Paris and it’s countryside in the hopes of avenging the deaths of his friends. The game uses a similar technique seen in the most recent Prince of Persia when it comes to color. When the area is occupied by enemies it is black and white, and once you save the area it is filled with color.

The game looks to be coming along nicely, and could find a very nice niche in the market for those wanting an artistic World War II expierence that is different from the norm.

The Beatles: Rock Band
System: 360, PS3, Wii
Release Date: September 9th, 2009

When music games became big with Guitar Hero people couldn’t get enough of it. Now in 2009, people have way too much of it. With almost 2-3 new Guitar Hero’s a year, and Rock Band it’s time for the music genre to get a facelift, and the Beatles game hopes to do that. This game isn’t supposed to be like any music game, and while details at the moment are scarce, the hype around this game is great.

Play as quite possibly the greatest rock band ever, and with some fresh gameplay expierences and you got a mega hit on your hands. People may be mum on this game because of the oversaturation of Rock Band’s/Guitar Hero’s but this game looks to be different.

When you first get a new game, first impressions are everything. If the game doesn’t impress early on then many gamers won’t continue on till the end. Many developers suck gamers in with a great cinematic opening. Something to get the gamer excited about what is yet to come. These openings are made to set the mood, and can be the beginning of something great.

Over the next two days, we will be listing the Top 10 Video Game Opening Cinematics in gaming history. Some of the main factors in the making the list is the strength of emotions it conveys, the quality of music, how much it sucks you into the game, and the quality of visuals for the time.

Today is the bottom half of the list, Numbers 10-6….

10.

Rock Band

Who wouldn’t want to rock after seeing this? The CG graphics are solid, but the best part is the music. The song Highway Star by Deep Purple is the perfect theme song for a game like Rock Band. The guy standing on the hood of the car rocking out is completely badass. This is easily the best use of a rock song in a opening trailer, and is just completely badass.

9.

Metal Gear Solid 2

This opening was amazing for the time. This was seeing Solid Snake in details that gamers have never seen before. The music made the gamer feel like they were in for some serious shit. Snake is a badass jumping off the George Washington bridge in his invisible camo. Come on who didn’t want to play this game after seeing this?

8.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Most Zelda games have great openings, but Twilight Princess gets the edge because of the graphic superiority over the past versions, and slightly better cinematics than those used in the past. The music is epic. The gamer feels like they are an epic warrior about to go on the adventure of their life. The opening gives you a great taste on whats yet to come in the game.

7.

Infinite Undiscovery

While the game wasn’t a classic this opening cinematic was amazing. Three warriors fighting an evil villain with Square Enix’s great CG graphics. It actually intrigues you to see what the story has in store. Music is solid, but what makes this special are the battle sequences and the beautiful graphics. The ability to create an intriguing world in 5 mins is amazing.

6.

Chrono Cross

This Playstation 1 game is considered by many to be one of Squaresoft’s finest games. The opening was great for the time. The music was composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, who in the past worked on the soundtracks for Chrono Trigger and other Squaresoft games. The song reflects the mood of the game great, and back in the day a cinematic like this was ahead of it’s time. Truly fantastic.

…

Well, thats #10-6. Tune in tomorrow for the Top 5 Opening Cinematics in Video Game History.

Post your personal Top 10 lists below in the comment section, so we can all compare lists and personal preferences.