| Rocksmith | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Ubisoft San Francisco |
| Publisher(s) | Ubisoft |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 |
| Release date(s) | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Microsoft Windows |
| Genre(s) | Music video game |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: T |
Rocksmith is a music video game produced by Ubisoft, based on the technology in Guitar Rising.[2] The game's main focus is the unique feature that allows players to plug in virtually any electric guitar and play.[3] In North America, it is available on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms, with a Windows release scheduled for May 31, 2012.
Contents |
Rocksmith includes the "Hercules" adapter that connects the standard 6.35 mm (1⁄4 in) 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, a guitar, strap, and 2 picks is also available for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360[4]
As of the day of release, the full list of songs is available on Rocksmith's website.[5]
Radiohead's Bodysnatchers and Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird are 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) |
|---|---|
| "Ricochet" | Brian Adam McCune |
| "Boss" | Chris Lee |
| "Space Ostrich" | Disonaur |
| "Jules" | Seth Chapla |
| "The Star Spangled Banner" | Seth Chapla |
| "Six AM Salvation" | Versus Them |
Rocksmith features a "Guitarcade" with mini-games to help players improve their skills:[8]
Technique Challenge highlights specific techniques and even portions of tracks a player may be struggling with. For the technique, the game shows a video highlighting a proper technique and then challenges the player to repeat it on the guitar. The player can also select specific portions of songs and practice them at a slower pace before moving back into full speed.
Amp Mode essentially turns the respective platform into a custom 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 a song however you may activate any one of your three "custom sounds" to be used. On Playstation 3 the Triangle, Circle, and Square change to custom amps, and Cross defaults to that song's original tone. On Xbox it would be X,Y,B, and A respectively.
Rocksmith has been released to 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."[9] 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."[10] 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."[11] Jordan Mallory of Joystiq, however, gave the game a mediocre review, stating that "...the reality of the situation is that Rocksmith fails as both an educational platform and as a rhythm title, despite its groundbreaking technological foundations.", giving the game 2.5/5.[12]
A DLC store is in place that features a growing range of songs as well as future additions such as pedals and support for electric bass.
| Song | Artist(s) | Pack | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Free Bird" | Lynyrd Skynyrd | Rock Hits 1 | Nov. 1, 2011 |
| "Bodysnatchers" | Radiohead | Rock Hits 1 | Nov. 1, 2011 |
| "Tighten Up" | The Black Keys | Rock Hits 1 | Nov. 1, 2011 |
| "Smoke on the Water" | Deep Purple | Rock Hits 1970s | Nov. 15, 2011 |
| "More than a Feeling" | Boston | Rock Hits 1970s | Nov. 15, 2011 |
| "Jessica" | The Allman Brothers Band | Rock Hits 1970s | Nov. 15, 2011 |
| "Cousins" | Vampire Weekend | Rock Hits 2 | Nov. 29, 2011 |
| "20th Century Boy" | T. Rex | Rock Hits 2 | Nov. 29, 2011 |
| "I Hate Everything About You" | Three Days Grace | Rock Hits 2 | Nov. 29, 2011 |
| "Symphony of Destruction" | Megadeth | Megadeth Song Pack | Dec. 13, 2011 |
| "Hangar 18" | Megadeth | Megadeth Song Pack | Dec. 13, 2011 |
| "Public Enemy No. 1" | Megadeth | Megadeth Song Pack | Dec. 13, 2011 |
| "Carol of the Bells" | Seth Chapla | (Complimentary) Holiday Pack 2011 | Dec. 20, 2011 |
| "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" | Brian Adam McCune | (Complimentary) Holiday Pack 2011 | Dec. 20, 2011 |
| "We Three Kings" | Versus Them | (Complimentary) Holiday Pack 2011 | Dec. 20, 2011 |
| “Just Got To Be” | The Black Keys | The Black Keys (Singles)*xbl only | Dec. 27, 2011 |
| “Mind Eraser” | The Black Keys | The Black Keys (Singles) *xbl only | Dec. 27, 2011 |
| “Gold On The Ceiling” | The Black Keys | The Black Keys (Singles) *xbl only | Dec. 27, 2011 |
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.[13][14]