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Can Fortnite bring back plastic guitars?

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Can Fortnite bring back plastic guitars?

As a long-time enthusiast of rhythm games, I find myself captivated by the recent resurgence of this genre, particularly with Fortnite Festival. Growing up with Guitar Hero and Rock Band, those games were more than just video games to me; they were a gateway to a world of music and camaraderie. The nostalgia hit hard when I discovered Fortnite Festival – the thrill of shredding through “Through The Fire And Flames” again, this time with my friends who had been lured into the world of Fortnite, was truly a moment to cherish.

Imagining a moment of nostalgia, you might recall the days when Rock Band’s plastic accessories were scattered across countless living rooms, belonging to gamers with exceptional timing skills. Instead of joining Fortnite Festival and spending a couple of dollars to follow Selena Gomez’ ‘Single Soon’, you possess a vast collection of songs from Rock Band. However, hearing Peter Griffin lip-syncing the latest hits just doesn’t compare. Moreover, you still have the old consoles that can run Rock Band 4, Harmonix’s final significant rhythm game before being acquired by Epic Games. The issue is, you’ve discarded all those fake instruments long ago.

Currently, you’ve got a couple of options. It seems unlikely that you’ll opt for buying a new controller as they’re scarce and pricey, even more so than a PS5. One choice is to spend a considerable amount on a tested-used Rock Band guitar from eBay, comforted by the assurance that it functions. Another option is to roll the dice and invest less in an untested guitar, but you’ll still likely pay over a hundred dollars for a game you already possess. Both paths involve acquiring old equipment, increasing the likelihood of repairs. Although the essential components aren’t costly, they’re not widely produced either. The limited number of DIY shops selling Rock Band guitar parts and modifications are probably out of stock. Plus, there’s the inconvenience of disassembling your controller, and the potential need to learn soldering skills.

Can Fortnite bring back plastic guitars?

Check out our special issue TopMob FM, a week of stories about all the places where music and games connect — retrospectives, interviews, and much more.

As a lifelong gamer who grew up with the original Rock Band and its sequels, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia when I think about the game’s continued existence on modern platforms like the Xbox Series X. Despite the closure of online storefronts like the Xbox 360 marketplace and the delisting of digital-only expansions, the active modding community that maps its own custom songs has kept Rock Band 4 alive for new players.

To this very moment, numerous individuals continue to engage with “Rock Band 4”. The exact figure isn’t known, but it’s significantly lower compared to the peak of its legendary status. However, you can still find a few active online gaming groups at any point in time. Judging from recent Reddit discussions, it appears that new players are consistently seeking fellow musicians for regular gameplay. More recently, the launch of PDP’s Riffmaster – one of the rare guitar controllers introduced in the last ten years – may have increased the pool of active players.

As Billy Brisebois, the head of global brand and product marketing at PDP, explains, the development of this peripheral took more than a year. During this period, PDP sought opinions from players who were still enjoying Rock Band 4. Since Turtle Beach purchased the company earlier this year, there was uncertainty about the success of the controller. However, what was certain was the dedication of the Rock Band 4 community. Notably, PDP had also launched the only other guitar controller in the last decade, a wireless peripheral now priced over $400 in stores.

In early 2023, Epic Games contacted PDP with advance notice of their upcoming release for Fortnite’s Music Mode, known as the Fortnite Festival. With a massive audience, it’s clear why this is significant. However, the market has been saturated in the past due to the success of games similar to Rock Band, which is one reason we haven’t seen Rock Band 5 for a while. Previous years saw an abundance of music-focused games, from a Beatles-themed Rock Band game to a Guitar Hero title centered on Metallica. Given Fortnite’s strong connection to music culture, it wasn’t certain that the new mode would be welcomed by fans.

“Maclean Marshall, Turtle Beach’s senior PR director, said to TopMob that it was more like a wish or expectation.”

“Fingers crossed, your hope is gonna pay off.”

It’s surprising to learn that the Riffmaster, priced at $129, often sells out swiftly upon release due to high demand. Some players express their enthusiasm by purchasing multiple units, apparently thrilled to have found an affordable and improved option. Notably, this controller is collapsible, making it compact for easy storage or transportation during moves or downsizing.

PDP predicts that the demand will stay robust throughout the year, even though it’s not just Rock Band 4 players fueling this trend. Many fans, as reported by TopMob, are switching between Fortnite Festival and Rock Band 4, particularly since they have a new, upgraded controller in hand.

For several years, various innovative rhythm games like “Beat Saber” and “Melatonin” have emerged, yet none have reached the popularity or party game level of Rock Band or Guitar Hero. Fortnite Festival, a feature allowing players to assume different musical roles within a band, could be the closest equivalent we currently possess. This is partly due to the fact that the core game is freely accessible to play. While individual songs can be purchased, the game also provides a selection of songs for everyone weekly at no cost. (Purchasing a song enables players to participate in “jams”, where they can blend parts of a tune to create remixes with friends.) This pricing system has resulted in a vast player base. The mode debuted in December with around 600,000 simultaneous players. Although the Fortnite season is winding down and that number has decreased significantly, it’s still immense compared to the user base persisting with Rock Band 4. Additionally, the mode continues to be supported by Harmonix, the studio responsible for creating Rock Band.

Miguel Moran, a dedicated rhythm game enthusiast, shared with TopMob that the Fortnite Festival was an unexpectedly enjoyable experience for him. “It reminded me of waking up my secret agent character in a fun way,” he said. Many of his friends have now joined Fortnite for its regular battle royale mode and the grind for the battle-pass, but getting them to participate in a quick Festival session was even more thrilling. “Showing off my expert level Guitar Hero skills and having that muscle memory bring back memories of playing ‘Through The Fire And Flames’ as a kid was an exciting moment,” he added, “Just like when my mom would walk in on me playing and exclaim, ‘We need to get you a real guitar!'”

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but see the potential for Fortnite to spark another music game revolution with its solid foundations. However, it’s not just about having slick dance moves, thrilling concerts, and the proven Harmonix team behind it – even with Riffmaster on board, success isn’t guaranteed. Investing in the Fortnite Festival ecosystem is essentially taking a risk.

“Indie Alpaca, a gamer, is feeling a bit disappointed. He finds it frustrating that the cost [of songs] has more than doubled compared to the original Rockband DLC prices and there’s no choice to purchase larger packs at a reduced price. Additionally, he mentions that the limited selection of songs has led to repetition, as he’s grown tired of Seven Nation Army, despite his fondness for The White Stripes, because everyone he plays with insists on playing it.”

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in live service games, I can confidently say that these titles, despite their flaws, hold a special place in my heart. The growing pains they often exhibit are an inevitable part of the journey, and I’ve come to learn that patience is key when dealing with them. In fact, it’s during these challenging times that I find myself dusting off my old Rock Band games, reliving the nostalgia, and appreciating the simple joy they bring.

In the year 2024, we’ll still find ourselves utilizing RB3 for its unique features: singing karaoke, accommodating up to seven players, and using personalized tunes, as Indie Alpaca explains. Although Fortnite Festival continually broadens its music library, the focus tends to be on contemporary tracks or widely popular songs from the past.

“Customs also means quicker access to newer or niche songs that wouldn’t make it into Rock Band.”

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2024-08-05 18:19

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