Show Me the Money: Warner Music Group Talks Bigger Guitar Hero and Rock Band Payout
by Justin Arnold on August 7, 2008
It was only a matter of time.
As the popularity of rhythm games continues to gain purchase in the pocketbooks of gamers worldwide, Warner Music is of the opinion that the publishers are getting away with robbery.
Executive Edgar Bronfman explained that Activision and MTV, developers of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, respectively, will eventually have to pay more for the licenses for the songs from their catalogue.
“The amount being paid to the music industry, even though their games are entirely dependent on the content we own and control, is far too small.” Bronfman said to Yinka Adegoke of Reuters.
Bronfman’s opinion comes as little surprise considering the losses posted by the music industry as file sharing continues to eat into their profits despite vigorous prosecution of offenders by the RIAA.
Link: www.reuters.com
Konami Rock Band Suit: Harmonix Responds Calling Claim Bassless, errr “Baseless”
by Chad Lakkis on July 11, 2008

We reported yesterday that Konami had filed a suit against the makes of Rock Band, claiming that Harmonix, MTV, and parent company Viacom, violated patents filed by Konami dating back to 2002 and 2003.
Today, Harmoix swung back at Konami, as a company spokesperson stated:
“Konami’s actions are extremely surprising. Unfortunately, successful products such as Rock Band can often become targets for baseless litigation … We have substantial defenses to this claim and intend to vigorously defend it.”
I smell a corporate rock off in the making! An epic battle, to be fought with plastic guitars and scaucer shaped drum kits! Extra points go to the first executive from either side that grows their hair out and adopts a “nothing but full body spandex will do” clothing policy.
Source: Game|Life
Wii Fit Girl Shakes Her Ass For MTV’s TRL
by Dylan Duarte on June 18, 2008

The Wii Fit Girl video has been around for a while now and has brought in millions of viewers, thanks in no small part to MTV’s Total Request Live. Lauren Bernat, the Wii Fit Girl herself, and her marketing boyfriend, Giovanny Gutierrez, showed up on the show this week to discuss their now infamous video. Hit the jump to watch the clip and read Ripten’s thoughts. Read more…
Capcom Admits Ebay Sales Factor Into Which Classics Are Given New Life
by Chad Lakkis on June 13, 2008

In a recent interview with MTV’s gaming blog Multiplayer, Capcom’s Associate Producer, John Diamonon, confesses that while many things factor into their decision making process concerning which classic games to rehash via outlets such as XBA, one measuring stick the company openly admits to using are the frequency and closing bid prices for the original versions on Ebay. Read more…
New Rock Band Accessories Courtesy of Mad Catz
by Dylan Duarte on January 4, 2008

MTV has struck a deal with Mad Catz, a popular manufacturer of videogame accessories, to allow the company to start producing Rock Band peripherals. Read more…






