We don’t suffer a cultural malaise due to ‘immediate gratification’ and its ill effects. Rather immediate gratification syndrome is a symptom of our culture because the youth, who are not a part of institutional power (largely because they don’t wish to follow the lead of the clearly inept), suffer because the people who are a part of the power-structure (in all its manifestations—and there is little anymore not beholden to indiscriminate power, and this is, obviously, due in large part to capitalist greed) really do think that they are something special, something better, somehow more deserving, and this repression of talent leads our youth to endeavors such as video games where it is the talent and the skill of the player that matters most.
Tag Archives: videogames
The Beatles vs. Rock Band
Those rumors of the Beatles getting their music in Rock Band? False. But not entirely off the mark, according to a report from Billboard:
MTV Networks and Harmonix — the game developer behind the popular “Rock Band” franchise — together with the Beatles’ Apple Corps Ltd., are developing an entirely new interactive music game based solely and exclusively on the entire Beatles catalog.
The game, which does not yet have a title or release date, will not be part of the “Rock Band” franchise, but will be based on the same platform.
Not entirely sure what that means. But I’m guessing Harmonix and Apple aren’t entirely sure either. Here’s what they’re saying:
• The music will come from master recordings of the Beatles’ U.K. releases, but will not be remixed or remastered.
• It will include “new types of interactive gameplay” associated with the Beatles’ imagery in addition to its music.
• Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, and Olivia Harrison are “involved in the vision and creative direction.”
• Giles Martin will serve as music producer.
• Don’t expect it before Thanksgiving, 2009.
Guitar (Anti-) Hero
I like to have a good time. I like parties and I like to talk to my friends on those rare occasions when we all actually get together in real life (as opposed to this virtual world we seem to be falling into deeper and deeper). So, it is with great anticipation that I approach the Annual Winterfest in Brutus, Michigan that has become the de facto GLONO retreat every February. It’s a chance for me to get some snowboarding in and to debate everything from the latest Oasis album to Hillary’s implosion with people for whom I hold the highest respect and regard.
This year, however, saw the return of an unwelcome guest. A rude scourge who interrupts conversation and monopolizes the stereo. I am talking about the ever growing intrusion of Guitar Hero/Rock Band on what should be an otherwise perfectly good time.
Emo Game: I’m All Smart Like That
A Glorious Noise interview with the creator of the Emo Game.
By Derek Phillips
Sure, they got a rep for nerd glasses, perfectly messed hair and being sensitive and in touch with their feelings, but Emo kids have a darker side. Graphic designer, Jason Oda, created the Emo Game for those twisted bastards to live out their more violent tendencies and save their Emo heroes. Why? Because he hates Steven Tyler, of course. Glorious Noise caught up with Oda to discuss the Emo Game, crying, and selling out.
Pac-Man Fever?
Inspired by the discussion on the GLONO bulletin boards, we asked frequent poster Joshua Rogers to take a deeper look at music in video games in this GLONO Feature article. – ed.
The inspiration for Glorious Noise is how rock and roll can change your life. I’ve been given an opportunity to describe how rock and roll has changed video games, and thusly the lives of those of us who partake of them regularly (read: chronically).
In the world of video games, music was once little more than a series of notes to add a little style to the title. Aside from the chunky tones of a rumbling engine or the classic sine-wave sound of a laser blast, the processors didn’t have the capacity to produce remotely moving music. Well, the technology has changed as much as the cultures that use it, and gamers are finally treated to playing with music that is truly part of an immersive gaming experience.
Weezer Fight!
Weezer Fight – a very silly Shockwave game.
To quote an old Rush song, “You don’t get something for nothing”
Today the New York Times* has a great article about Microsoft’s Xbox, and how Bill Gates basically screwed a bunch of bands to use their music in titles for the new video game console. The short version of the story is this. Microsoft gave a lot of small-time bands on indie labels an offer some of them apparently couldn’t refuse: Either give us your music for free or we’ll just get some other music from somebody else and you’ll lose out on a great “promotional” opportunity. Read the article and debate the merits of giving away creative work under the guise of promotion, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned as an artist, it’s that you don’t work for free, especially not for a corporation.
*If you have to read a daily newspaper, you might as well read the Times. Though it’s as suspect as any big media outlet, the hacks there seem to publish a better fishwrap than most anyone else on earth. And it’s free online if you register. And if that link to the article above doesn’t work, don’t blame me; because of the registration process for the Times Web site, it might not. If you can’t get it to work, register and search for the article, “For Musicians, Microsoft’s Xbox Is No Jackpot”. Or just go buy a Dead Tree Edition.