At GDC, Dan Teasdale, a Senior Designer at Harmonix, posted a slide during his speach that seemed to indicate that a "Lego" Rock Band product was in the works. [more info] A press release this past Tuesday from Lego gaming franchise owner, Warner Bros. Interactive, confirmed the game. Lego Rock Band is currently scheduled for realease this holiday season.
Source: RockBand.Com [ more info ]

I'm a fan of the Lego series of games and I'm a huge fan of Rock Band. But, my IP whoring senses started tingling as soon as I read about Lego Rock Band slide earlier this month. I also started trying to imagine how the hell a minifig with no fingers could play a guitar. It's a video game though. If Super Mario Bros. has taught me anything, it is to suspend disbelief.

A lot of gamers seem to have drawn a line in the sand between Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Purists tend to see the wash of GH titles as milking the franchise. Thus far RB hasn't suffered the same criticism. Then this news dropped and I started seeing a good bit of negativity start to crop up. I'm not blameless here. The purist in me would like to see Harmonix focus on DLC rather than new titles, especially cross promotional titles such as this. I'm a bit of a hypocrit though as I'm really looking forward to Beatles Rock Band. Anything to get to play Beatles songs I guess.

But let's not mistake the intent here. Lego Rock Band isn't being developed for the plastic guitar hardcore. Like most Lego titles, it's being directed more at younger gamers. For that reason (and the fact that I love both Lego and Rock Band) I'm going to give this bit of cross promoting, franchise milking, license whoring a pass and admit that I'll probably give the game a go.

I've always enjoyed the Lego games. I felt they were of good quality and quite entertaining.

Well you guys are more generous than I am. Perhaps it was just part of my upbringing, but I never played with my legos pretending that they were rock stars, it was always more action oriented. That's why star wars, indiana jones and batman all worked well as lego games.

It might be amusing in some ways. I mean, who knows, maybe your hand pops off if you hit too many wrong notes or something. While that would be funny, I doubt it'd be worth the purchase price. I'm also a bit hesitant if their targeting the market that young, what kinds of songs are on it? Barney? Sesame Street?

Ohh... I like ialaman's idea!


Could we get a "Rock Band: Barney" released!!! Please! PLEEEEASE!

I haven't given a xmas gift worthy of being disowned from my sisters' families in years!
(Last time I think it was 'preggers barbie'.)

It's been so boring the last few xmas times, they've stopped cringing before I hand out the presents. Gotten complacent. We just can't have that, now can we?

I will get it but only if the instruments are made (or made to look like they are made) of Lego.

Even a couple of pips on strategic points so I can "build" on my guitar would go a long way.

Lego games have always been fun, but this might be pushing it a little...

I wonder if we'll be able to mix and match avatars. Stephen Tyler's lips with Shakira's hips!

As a fan of Rock Band (didn't really care for GH, go fig), I'd buy this just so I could bridge the age gap with my son. If, in fact, they're targeting a much younger demographic.

He's only 3 1/2 years old right now, so his game playing is limited to Disney Toddler titles and Go Diego Go. This would be something my whole family could play.

I've both alpha tested and later did tech support for the lego games. And they all make me wanna cry. Or smash my computer. Or both.

As an engineering major, I never outgrew my legos. Some things are just fun, useful, and great for bridging generation gaps (im 11 years older than my hyperactive cousin, but he loves legos and we get along just fine as a result). Like Woody said, I'm guessing it will be aimed at a younger demographic like the rest of the games. I'm just hoping when it comes out, Lego releases a bunch of band minifigures. When the cynicism of the adults gets to me at family functions, it's nice to have some common ground with the little kids and avoided becoming comepletely jaded just a bit longer.

The family-focused version of the game will allow you to customize your "minifigure avatars" along with your road crew and managers. The kid-friendly song list hasn't been fully disclosed, but we know it'll include:

* Blur: "Song 2"
* Carl Douglas: "Kung Fu Fighting"
* Europe: "The Final Countdown"
* Good Charlotte: "Boys and Girls"
* Pink: "So What"



Source: Joystiq [ more info ]