No DLC for Rock Band Wii, millions of voices cry out in terror

[Tek7]

No downloadable content or online features for the Wii version of Rock Band? Looks that way.

Just got more details from the PR team behind “Rock Band” about today’s newly announced Wii version of the game.

Basically, expect the feature set of the PS2 version, but with five added songs. No online, no downloadable content… at least not yet. Sounds like that could change in the future.

Here’s the official to my questions, from a “Rock Band” spokesperson:

“In response to your questions, ‘Rock Band’ for the Wii will have functionality similar to the PS2 version. There will be no DLC available, but the Wii version will have the five additional songs on the game disc. This version was also co-developed by Pi Studios [and Harmonix].

“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.”

Translation: Nintendo won't give us a decent online SDK to work with and Rock Band Wii's already going to print its own money, so we're not going to bother coding an online feature for the game.

It's still up in the air, but considering how weak (read: nearly nonexistent) the Wii's online game features have been so far, I'm still planning to save up for a 360.

Here's hoping Microsoft fixes the 360's hardware issues before Namco releases SoulCalibur IV.

Source: Wii ‘Rock Band’ Won’t Have Online Or DLC, Will Have Five Exclusive Songs

 

[Shagz]

Guitar Hero III for the Wii has DLC, doesn't it?

 

[Tek7]

Guitar Hero III for the Wii has DLC, doesn't it?

Not yet, no, but Activision claims DLC will be added to the Wii version by the end of Q1 2008.

Activision hasn't put an exact date on the new downloadable content for the Wii, but has indicated that it will be available in Q1 of 2008. More importantly, the new stereo-capable game discs which are to be sent out will be completely free of charge.

No details have been released about how the new content will be made available and how players will access it, but Activision is said to be working very closely with Nintendo on the matter.

Source: Wii Guitar Hero 3 getting DLC, fixed sound

 

[DanR12]

The Wii has so much potential, but it seems Nintendo is constantly limiting it. I'm still planning on getting Rock Band for the 360 if I get that economic stimulus check the feds are handing out. I mean when you can play "Still Alive" from Portal, who wouldn't want in?

 

[Tek7]

Re-post from the Rock Band thread in the Xbox Live Chapter Forum:

???

Whats the point of buying it then?

Most of the songs on Rock Band get old after playing them a while, and DLing new ones rock (bahahah pun).

I don't see why they would do that...

Because they know that uninformed consumers won't know the difference between the Xbox 360/Playstation 3 version and the Wii version. Legions of people will still buy Rock Band for the Wii.

I would guess that it costs far less to port a PS2 game to the Wii (thus the reason we're seeing so many crappy ports for the Wii), which means that they increase their profit margins.

Trouble is, they're essentially slapping Wii owners in the face. Considering the install base for the Wii is larger than any other next-gen console, that doesn't seem like a very smart thing to do. Informed consumers will refuse to buy the title and instead go out and purchase a 360 or PS3 instead. Sure, there may be more Wii consoles sold and set up in homes, but how many are being actively played?

If Wii owners are not buying new games, then Nintendo receives less in licensing fees. I would think Nintendo would step up, tell companies to stop releasing shovelware and PS2 ports, and work with Rock Band's developers to match the gameplay experience of the 360 and PS3 versions.

Unfortunately, both Nintendo (by refusing to further develop the online features of the Wii and, as ever, showing reluctance to work with third party developers) and Rock Band's developers are being short-sighted--and it's Wii owners that take the hit. True, the companies' profit margins may increase in the short-term, but they're going to alienate informed consumers and their hardcore player base. Casual gamers aren't as likely to purchase according to brand loyalty, meaning most Wii owners will turn on Nintendo without a second thought the moment another company releases an improved console in the same vein.

By refusing to develop the Wii's online features, Nintendo is essentially telling the hardcore gamers, "You are not important to our financial success." Considering how the Wii is the first console in 20-plus years to break the streak of each Nintendo console selling fewer units than the last, this sort of arrogance seems unwarranted. At best, Nintendo is showing corporate short-term memory loss. At worst, their arrogance is going to eventually overturn the success they've enjoyed with the Wii and allow a competitor to win the next battle in the console wars.

 

[DanR12]

I would imagine it's more Nintendo blocking the DLC than the game developers. I don't remember the number, but I remember reading that there has been a LARGE number of songs downloaded for Rock Band on 360 and PS3. That's some serious dough for the developers of the game. So I can't see them blocking this.

And Nintendo does need to step up their game. They're really not helping the hardcore crowd. Still no voice? Come on! That should be a given I would think. I think the Wii's a great system, but I'm glad I have my 360 sitting next to it. And if I had to get rid of one, the Wii would be out the door.