Rocksmith
 | |
| Developer(s) | Ubisoft San Francisco[2] |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Ubisoft |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 |
| Release | PlayStation 3', Xbox 360'Microsoft Windows |
| Genre(s) | Music video game |
| Mode(s) | |
Rocksmith is a music video game produced by Ubisoft, based on the technology in Guitar Rising.[7] The game's main focus is the unique feature that allows players to plug in virtually any electric guitar and play.[8] In North America, it was released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms in October 2011. Rocksmith was released on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 during September 2012 in Australian[9] and European markets[2][10] and October 2012 in Japan. A Windows version was released on October 16, 2012 after several delays.
A bass expansion adding bass compatibility became available on August 14, 2012. A second release which integrates the bass expansion as well as additional refinements became available on October 16, 2012. [11]
Required hardware
Rocksmith includes the "Hercules" adapter that connects the standard 1⁄4 in (6.35 mm) output jack of a guitar to a USB plug that is compatible with PC, PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. While almost all electric guitars will have the needed jack, some acoustic guitars will need additional hardware, such as a pickup added to be compatible. A bundle that includes the game and adapter, an Epiphone Les Paul Junior guitar, strap, and 2 picks is also available for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows.[12]
Soundtrack
As of the day of release, the full list of songs is available on Rocksmith's website.[13]
Radiohead's "Bodysnatchers" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" were included with pre-orders of the game.
In addition, there are 6 tracks from the developers that are unlockable in the journey mode when double encores are reached in a set:
| Song | Artist(s) | Release year |
|---|---|---|
| "Ricochet" | Brian Adam McCune | 2011 |
| "Boss" | Chris Lee | 2011 |
| "Space Ostrich" | Disonaur | 2011 |
| "Jules" | Seth Chapla | 2011 |
| "The Star Spangled Banner" | Seth Chapla | 2011 |
| "Six AM Salvation" | Versus Them | 2011 |
In-game features
Guitarcade
Rocksmith features a "Guitarcade" with mini-games to help players improve their skills. These games are unlocked through learning each "Technique Challenge":[16]
- Ducks is a game like Galaga that teaches fret placement on the Low "E" string. In this version, the ducks retreat away from the player.
- Super Ducks is similar to Ducks, but uses all six strings, and ducks come toward the player.
- Scale Runner focuses on teaching scale patterns. It is useful for music writers.
- Quick Pick Dash focuses on the tremolo technique, where the player picks a string as fast as possible. An ostrich runs a rainbow raceway quickly collecting points.
- Big Swing Baseball places the player on home plate, ready to swing. The player hits the ball by playing and bending the correct note on the guitar in time with digital beats. *Note: users experiencing lag problems with this game should try an optical audio cable.
- Super Slider is a puzzle game inspired by Nintendo's Dr. Mario. The slide technique is used to succeed here.
- Dawn of the Chordead mixes up chord playing with zombie-killing. Playing the right chord kills the zombies.
- Harmonically Challenged is a "Simon Says" type of game where the player repeats a series of harmonics.
Technique Challenges
The game teaches 12 different Techniques: Sustains, Shifting, Hammer-Ons/Pull-Offs, Slides, Bends, Harmonics, Palm Mutes, Tremolo, Chords, Doublestops, Powerchords, and Barre Chords. Options while learning songs include a preview of technique challenges that will be used during play.
Bass techniques include Two-finger Plucking, Slapping-and-Popping, 5ths and 8ths, and Syncopation in addition to most of the techniques for regular guitar.
Riff Repeater
Using the Riff Repeater option every song may be broken up into Intro, Verses, Solos, and Outros, and learned in one of 3 modes: Free Play, the Leveler, and the Accelerator. Free play will require every note to be played regardless of speed. The Leveler will start at the lowest level attained prior to play, and give the player 30 chances to get it right. Percentages increase until the player has "Mastered" the particular riff. The Accelerator auto detects the player's skill level, and slows down play, gradually increasing speed as the players succeeds in playing all the notes at each speed level. The speed can also be set manually and will remain at that level until the end of the exercise or until the player cancels that option.
Amp Mode
Amp Mode essentially turns the respective platform into a customizable amp, featuring a wide range of pedals and amp settings. The game defaults to proper amp settings during the main gameplay so songs sound as they should, but through Amp Mode settings can be changed to experiment with different sounds. During any song players can activate any one of three mapped "custom tones".
While in the Amp mode players are given three pedal slots in each of the three different positions [Pre / Loop / Post]. Combinations of different pedals and different placements can be used to make unique tones, and these tones can be saved and used later either in the amp mode or mapped to a button and used during gameplay.
The game offers preset "custom tones" based on the songs "qualified" for during game play.
Reception
Rocksmith was released in the US on October 18, 2011 to mostly positive reviews. Curtis Silver of Wired gave the game a 9/10, praising the intuitive nature of the note track and wrote that "Rocksmith is an amazing learning tool for the guitar. The eventual progression of rhythm games was to get to this point, where you are playing real instruments and actually learning how to play, rather than some sort of cartoonish emulation."[17] Ania Kwak of GamingExcellence gave the game a 9.8, stating that "It's rare to find a game that encompasses a teaching tool as effective as Rocksmith, with virtually no negatives to observe, while still being enjoyable to play."[18] Adam Dulge of PlayStation Universe praised the game and gave it an 8.5: "Rocksmith is an absolute must buy for anyone slightly interested in learning how to truly rock."[19] Amy Flower of Gamesblip was very impressed, rating the game 9/10: "Rocksmith’s adaptability to your particular chops kicks arse. If you’ve never touched a geetaw you’ll probably squonk like a Sonic Youth b-side, but patience and dedication brings reward."[20] However, Jordan Mallory of Joystiq gave the game a mediocre 2.5/5 on the day of its release, stating that "...Rocksmith fails as both an educational platform and as a rhythm title, despite its groundbreaking technological foundations."[21]
Downloadable content
DLC Amps and Gear
| Name | Type | Pack | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tone Designer Time Saver | All Standard Pedals | Tone Designer Time Saver Pack | October 18, 2011 |
| SicSicSicS | Distortion Pedal | Heavy Metal – Gear Pack | February 28, 2012 |
| Caverb | Delay Pedal | Heavy Metal – Gear Pack | February 28, 2012 |
| Scooped | Filter Pedal | Heavy Metal – Gear Pack | February 28, 2012 |
| RSMP-12 | High-Gain Amp | Heavy Metal – Gear Pack | February 28, 2012 |
| RSMP-12 4×12 | Cabinet | Heavy Metal – Gear Pack | February 28, 2012 |
Name controversy
When Ubisoft applied for a European trademark on the name "Rocksmith" in March 2011, an official opposition was filed by a band of the same name from Southend, England. The band claims to have been using the name for four years and had it registered for eight.[22][23]
References
- ^ "Release date updates: 'Child of Eden', 'Rocksmith', 'Back to the Future: Ep 2'". The Independent. March 19, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
- ^ a b c "Ubisoft – Rocksmith (Xbox 360)". Ubisoft. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ^ "Ubisoft – Rocksmith (PS3)". Ubisoft. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ^ "Rocksmith shreds down under". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. March 15, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
- ^ "digital spy – 'Rocksmith' PC release date announced". digital spy. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
- ^ "Ubisoft – Rocksmith (PC)". Ubisoft. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ^ "The Dev Team Explains Their Inspiration For The Rocksmith Project". YouTube. 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
- ^ "Rocksmith". Ubisoft. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
- ^ "Rocksmith shreds down under". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. March 15, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
- ^ "Ubisoft – Rocksmith (PS3)". Ubisoft. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ^ "'Rocksmith' is bringin' home the bass on August 14th". TheVerge.com. August 2 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Rocksmith". Ubisoft. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
- ^ "Rocksmith Track List". Ubisoft. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
- ^ "String Theory: Ubisoft Announce Rocksmith". Quintin Smith. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ "Ubisoft's Rocksmith: The Next Guitar Hero?". Craig Hlavaty. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ "PS3/X360 Preview – 'Rocksmith'". Worthplaying. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
- ^ Silver, Curtis (October 18, 2011). "Rocking Out With Rocksmith (Bring Your Own Guitar)". Wired. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
- ^ "Rocksmith Review". GamingExcellence. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ "Rocksmith Review". PlayStation Universe. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ "Gamesblip review - Rocksmith". Gamesblip. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
- ^ "Rocksmith review: Drop-D minus". Joystiq. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
- ^ "Unsigned band fights game corp to keep name". Rock News Desk. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
- ^ "Rocksmith: Ubisoft battles band for game name « GamePron". Gamepron.com. Retrieved 2011-10-18.