As many people who partake in Internet money-making sites will know, there’s an invitation-only survey site called u.talk.back which sprung up some time ago. Companies and sponsors of the site send surveys to user demographics (after they’ve invited them to register, of course) to get feedback on things they’re working on or planning for the future, and the survey takers are rewarded with gift cards or certificates. Last month, hints of Rock Band 2 started leaking from people partaking in the surveys. This time, the surveys have offered a bit more possible info, as the subject was Rock Band 2 vs Guitar Hero World Tour, and which one the responder would rather purchase.
Thanks to forum member (and survey taker extraordinaire) Dan Xanadu, we have the full text of the survey below. Go ahead and read, then decide for yourself which one sounds better. (And if you’re one of those people who like proof, you can find various screenshots of the dozen plus he sent from the survey at the end.)
"Guitar Hero
In this new Guitar Hero game, join up with your bandmates to form the ultimate super group and rock your way to the top. Shred on lead, rhythm, or bass guitar (three options on one guitar controller), rip on drums, or belt it out on the mic as you rock together on the greatest classic, modern, alternative, pop, and metal hits. 85 songs by artists including Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Korn, System of a Down, Ozzy Osbourne, Interpol, Muse, Tool (at least three songs and a dedicated venue), and dozens more come together to form the coolest set list ever. You can even play as your favorite rock star, choosing from characters like Sting, Ozzy Osbourne, Ted Nugent, Billy Corgan, Jimi Hendrix, Travis Barker, Hayley Williams, and Zak Wylde. If none of these are your style, then you can create your own character, including character construction, instrument creation, band logos, and album covers. Then take it to a whole new level by jumping into a fully-integrated recording studio to lay down, upload, and share custom tracks online – for virtually unlimited rock. This game features the most authentic instrument peripherals on the market including an all-new wireless guitar controller with the first-ever touch-sensitive neck slide, dedicated Star Power button, and ability to palm-mute. Also, the new killer wireless drums have ultra-quiet pressure-sensitive pads, raised cymbals, and are easy to set up and take down. Or, use the microphone to become the ultimate frontman. This new Guitar Hero game lets you rock together and rock for all.
Expected Rating: T-Teen – Suitable for those ages 13 and over
Rock Band 2
The highly anticipated Rock Band 2 lets you and your friends play as a virtual 4-person band, in person or online, to rock out to a huge list of 120 of the biggest rock anthems from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. You’ll be able to play songs from gods of rock like AC/DC and many, many others. Featuring an improved set of drums, one rocking guitar, and frontman-ready microphone, Rock Band 2 will be a full-featured sequel, true to the original but including tons of improvements to ensure that you can take your rock stardom to the next level. You’ll have the ability to develop and personalize artwork and apparel in the game, which you can then order as actual merchandise to be mailed to you. Instruments, character creation, and online play will also be improved from the original Rock Band for an ultimate full-band experience.
Expected Rating: T-Teen – Suitable for those ages 13 and over"
Along with the descriptions, there was a question asking if he would be willing to pay a certain price for each game (for Guitar Hero, it was $199, while Rock Band 2 was $169) and then which of the two he would prefer to get if he had to choose. Like many likely would choose these days, his answer was Rock Band 2. Upon selecting Rock Band 2, he was given another question, asking him to select his reason(s) he chose Rock Band 2 over World Tour.
"The new Rock Band will have songs from AC/DC, and I’m a fan of that band
Rock Band sounds like it will be a better game for the price
I have heard better things about the new Rock Band than I have about the new Guitar Hero
I trust MTV to create a better music/rhythm game than Activision
I do not like the idea of the touch-sensitive guitar in the new Guitar Hero, and instead prefer a guitar with buttons
I like the create-your-own real merchandise feature in Rock Band
I enjoyed the previous version of Rock Band more than the previous version of Guitar Hero
The new Rock Band will probably have better songs than the new Guitar Hero
I prefer to buy just the new Guitar Hero software without the full-band bundle and use Rock Band peripherals (drums, microphone, etc.) to play instead
The new Rock Band will have more songs to choose from than the new Guitar Hero
The new Rock Band will have better downloadable content (new songs, etc.) than the new Guitar Hero
I already have drum, guitar, and microphone peripherals from Rock Band, and don’t want to buy another set to play the new Guitar Hero
I am loyal to Rock Band and plan to buy it instead of Guitar Hero
I like that downloadable content from the previous Rock Band will be compatible with the new Rock Band
I trust the developers of Rock Band to create a better full-band game than the developers of Guitar Hero , because they have created a full-band game before
None of the above"
So there you have it. If this survey is something legit (ie from Activision or EA and not someone with a lot of free time), there’s some nice new info to dig through. It appears Rock Band 2 is being worked on (which rumors have stated), and that DLC from Rock Band will work with it. There’s also some nice names being dropped for both games, and a few more tidbits here and there.
Come Monday when people are at work again, I’ll update you with Activision and EA’s response (which I’m already guessing will be a lot of silence or no-comments). In the meantime, what do you guys think? Which would you choose based on this information?
