I got the opportunity to both play the upcoming Harmonix motion-controlled rhythm game, Fantasia: Music Evolved, at Disney’s E3 booth, as well as talk to some Harmonix employees and obtain more information on the game.
The demo I played, which was running the Xbox One version of the game, had a surprisingly long list of tracks to choose from. I ended up going with “Feel Good, Inc.” by the Gorillaz, since it’s a personal favorite. While song selection can be handled with the controller, gameplay itself is entirely gesture-based via the Kinect sensor. Players have to move their arms to swipe in specified directions or punch forward to the beat of each song, all folowing timed onscreen prompts like most other rhythm games.
Each song will contain within it three unique remixes, which can be switched between at specific prompt points. Other sections will also enable you...
The demo I played, which was running the Xbox One version of the game, had a surprisingly long list of tracks to choose from. I ended up going with “Feel Good, Inc.” by the Gorillaz, since it’s a personal favorite. While song selection can be handled with the controller, gameplay itself is entirely gesture-based via the Kinect sensor. Players have to move their arms to swipe in specified directions or punch forward to the beat of each song, all folowing timed onscreen prompts like most other rhythm games.
Each song will contain within it three unique remixes, which can be switched between at specific prompt points. Other sections will also enable you...
- 6/12/2014
- by John Fleury
- We Got This Covered
If there’s one studio in the video games industry you wouldn’t attribute to the first-person shooter genre, it’s Harmonix. The American developer, which is perhaps best known for lucrative franchises such as Rock Band and Dance Central, has its esteemed roots in the musical formula. Nevertheless, the company recently unveiled Chroma: a free-to-play, arena-based shooter exclusive to PC platforms.
What gives Chroma its unique, harmonious twist, though, is its rhythmic gameplay. Set within a futuristic arena, players are required to shoot, jump and activate various in-game mechanics in time with a beat. And though the experimental title retains the tropes of many Fps titles — including distinct classes, time-based challenges and primary and secondary weapons — Harmonix’s latest is a hybrid of two very different genres.
“We want to make sure that shooter players can come in, even if they’re not musical, and actually play the game...
What gives Chroma its unique, harmonious twist, though, is its rhythmic gameplay. Set within a futuristic arena, players are required to shoot, jump and activate various in-game mechanics in time with a beat. And though the experimental title retains the tropes of many Fps titles — including distinct classes, time-based challenges and primary and secondary weapons — Harmonix’s latest is a hybrid of two very different genres.
“We want to make sure that shooter players can come in, even if they’re not musical, and actually play the game...
- 2/18/2014
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
According to a recent job listing, Harmonix is going to branch out from the music/dance genre when the next generation of consoles are released, and get into something slightly more violent than accidentally smacking your Dance Central 2 partner in the face.
We don’t know any of the specific details of the game that Harmonix is working on, but whatever it is the studio thinks it will require the expertise of a “Combat Designer”. The job description, posted on Gamasutra, reads:
“Harmonix seeks a Combat Designer to create real-time, single-player combat experiences for a brand new IP on next-generation hardware. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute creatively to the studio and work on a project that is unlike anything Harmonix has ever done before.”
The listing also mentions that the new employee will be responsible for creating a combat system that has “variety and depth” and a “robust...
We don’t know any of the specific details of the game that Harmonix is working on, but whatever it is the studio thinks it will require the expertise of a “Combat Designer”. The job description, posted on Gamasutra, reads:
“Harmonix seeks a Combat Designer to create real-time, single-player combat experiences for a brand new IP on next-generation hardware. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute creatively to the studio and work on a project that is unlike anything Harmonix has ever done before.”
The listing also mentions that the new employee will be responsible for creating a combat system that has “variety and depth” and a “robust...
- 8/22/2012
- by Justin Alderman
- We Got This Covered
Harmonix, the developers behind both the Dance Central and the Rock Band series, has revealed that they have several completely new games currently in the works. In a recent episode of the company’s official podcast, communications director John Drake hinted at several major projects besides Dance Central 3 and Rock Band Blitz.
The secret projects will not be related to any of the previous games or franchises established by Harmonix, Drake said.
“It’s not a previous game. It’s not Led Zeppelin Rock Band. This isn’t – I’m not talking about Rock Band 4. I’m not talking about the next Dance Central game. I’m talking about new, crazy stuff.”
It was also revealed that these titles may not all be strictly music/rhythm games, which has been the company’s standard genre for years:
“Some of them are music games, some of them are not full-on rhythm action games.
The secret projects will not be related to any of the previous games or franchises established by Harmonix, Drake said.
“It’s not a previous game. It’s not Led Zeppelin Rock Band. This isn’t – I’m not talking about Rock Band 4. I’m not talking about the next Dance Central game. I’m talking about new, crazy stuff.”
It was also revealed that these titles may not all be strictly music/rhythm games, which has been the company’s standard genre for years:
“Some of them are music games, some of them are not full-on rhythm action games.
- 6/16/2012
- by John Fleury
- We Got This Covered
Actress Reese Witherspoon's mother Mary Elizabeth Witherspoon, known as "Betty," has filed a petition of annulment in a Nashville, Tenn. court in hopes of wiping out her husband John Drake Witherspoon's recent second marriage to Tricianne Taylor, for fear that Taylor is taking advantage of his mental state, reports the AP.
Betty and John have been separated since 1996 but remain legally married and in fact recently attended daughter Reese's wedding together. Betty's filing alleges that Taylor has tried to take out loans as Mrs. John Witherspoon, has had him sign a new will and drives a vehicle without permission from a family corporation run by Reese.
The filing says that Betty loves her husband and does not want a divorce. It also says she fears he's suffering from early onset dementia and that she found out about his recent second marriage from a wedding announcement that appeared in newspaper The Tennessean.
Betty and John have been separated since 1996 but remain legally married and in fact recently attended daughter Reese's wedding together. Betty's filing alleges that Taylor has tried to take out loans as Mrs. John Witherspoon, has had him sign a new will and drives a vehicle without permission from a family corporation run by Reese.
The filing says that Betty loves her husband and does not want a divorce. It also says she fears he's suffering from early onset dementia and that she found out about his recent second marriage from a wedding announcement that appeared in newspaper The Tennessean.
- 5/11/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Nashville, Tenn. -- Actress Reese Witherspoon's mother has filed a petition of annulment to wipe out her husband's recent second marriage.
Mary Elizabeth Witherspoon says in court documents filed May 8 in Nashville that her husband John Drake Witherspoon has taken a second wife who may be taking advantage of his mental condition.
The couple has been separated since 1996, but remains married and still attends family functions together, including their daughter's March 2011 marriage.
The filing alleges John Witherspoon's new wife Tricianne Taylor has tried to take out loans as Mrs. John Witherspoon, lives in his condo, has had him sign a new will and drives a vehicle without permission from a family corporation run by Reese Witherspoon.
Mary Elizabeth Witherspoon, a 63-year-old nurse at Vanderbilt University hospital and a retired Tennessee State professor, says she "loves her husband and does not want a divorce" after 42 years of marriage to the 70-year-old otolaryngologist.
Mary Elizabeth Witherspoon says in court documents filed May 8 in Nashville that her husband John Drake Witherspoon has taken a second wife who may be taking advantage of his mental condition.
The couple has been separated since 1996, but remains married and still attends family functions together, including their daughter's March 2011 marriage.
The filing alleges John Witherspoon's new wife Tricianne Taylor has tried to take out loans as Mrs. John Witherspoon, lives in his condo, has had him sign a new will and drives a vehicle without permission from a family corporation run by Reese Witherspoon.
Mary Elizabeth Witherspoon, a 63-year-old nurse at Vanderbilt University hospital and a retired Tennessee State professor, says she "loves her husband and does not want a divorce" after 42 years of marriage to the 70-year-old otolaryngologist.
- 5/10/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Harmonix has become an independent studio. The Rock Band and Dance Central developer was put on sale by owner Viacom last month following poor sales of Rock Band 3. It has emerged that Harmonix raised an undisclosed amount of capital to buy its own independence. "We're happy to confirm the news today that the sale of the company is complete. We appreciate all of your support, comments and warm wishes in the preceding few weeks," said community manager John Drake. "Viacom and MTV Networks have been an amazing home for us over the past four years. It's where we (more)...
- 12/24/2010
- by By Matthew Reynolds
- Digital Spy
On September 28th, A&E Home Entertainment put out the colossal and awesome complete collection of episodes from the Secret Agent aka Danger Man series, starring Patrick McGoohan. To honor this release, JustPressPlay is giving away the DVD set to one lucky reader.
He always fights fair. He rarely carries a gun. And he never falls into bed with the girl. He’s John Drake, a spy like no other, who set the standard for all the international spies who came after him. It was 1965 when American audiences first welcomed handsome secret agent Drake (McGoohan), a top operative for Britain's M9 Intelligence Agency, into their homes on the unique CBS spy series known as Secret Agent. Now, Drake’s entire crime-solving career – all 86 episodes of the fan-favorite British spy TV series – are available in an updated, 18-dvd, sleek double thin-pak collector’s edition definitive set. This thing is epic. So how do you win?...
He always fights fair. He rarely carries a gun. And he never falls into bed with the girl. He’s John Drake, a spy like no other, who set the standard for all the international spies who came after him. It was 1965 when American audiences first welcomed handsome secret agent Drake (McGoohan), a top operative for Britain's M9 Intelligence Agency, into their homes on the unique CBS spy series known as Secret Agent. Now, Drake’s entire crime-solving career – all 86 episodes of the fan-favorite British spy TV series – are available in an updated, 18-dvd, sleek double thin-pak collector’s edition definitive set. This thing is epic. So how do you win?...
- 10/4/2010
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
DVD Playhouse September 2010
By
Allen Gardner
The Girl Who Played With Fire (Music Box Films) Follow up to the hit The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo finds Lisabeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) and Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) joining forces once again as Blomkvist is about to break a story on Sweden’s sex trade, which leads unexpectedly to a dark secret from Elizabeth’s past. Starts off well, then quickly nose-dives into sensationalism and downright silliness, with a pair of villains who are straight out of a Roger Moore-era James Bond film. A real letdown for those of us who felt Dragon Tattoo had finally breathed life into the cinema’s long-stagnant genre of the thriller. Bonuses: English language track; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
The Killer Inside Me (IFC Films) Michael Winterbottom’s adaptation of Jim Thompson’s classic, and notorious, novel about the psychotic mind of a small town sheriff (Casey Affleck,...
By
Allen Gardner
The Girl Who Played With Fire (Music Box Films) Follow up to the hit The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo finds Lisabeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) and Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) joining forces once again as Blomkvist is about to break a story on Sweden’s sex trade, which leads unexpectedly to a dark secret from Elizabeth’s past. Starts off well, then quickly nose-dives into sensationalism and downright silliness, with a pair of villains who are straight out of a Roger Moore-era James Bond film. A real letdown for those of us who felt Dragon Tattoo had finally breathed life into the cinema’s long-stagnant genre of the thriller. Bonuses: English language track; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
The Killer Inside Me (IFC Films) Michael Winterbottom’s adaptation of Jim Thompson’s classic, and notorious, novel about the psychotic mind of a small town sheriff (Casey Affleck,...
- 9/25/2010
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Harmonix is looking to make Rock Band 3 a game-changer. New details about the upcoming release have been discovered today and I am more excited about this game than ever.
USA Today has confirmed the 25-key Midi compatible keyboard unit that will be added as a new instrument to rock out with… in Rock Band 3. Players will need to strike notes and chords, marked to specific keys on the screen.
The in-game display only shows approximately 3/5th of the keys at a time but indicators on the track help forecast when the song is about to shift to higher or lower octaves – in order to allow the full keyboard range to be used.
The keyboard itself has been a long running rumor – finally coming to fruition. The addition of the instrument makes the game even more complete and provides gamers with another challenge. I guess I need to get my fingers...
USA Today has confirmed the 25-key Midi compatible keyboard unit that will be added as a new instrument to rock out with… in Rock Band 3. Players will need to strike notes and chords, marked to specific keys on the screen.
The in-game display only shows approximately 3/5th of the keys at a time but indicators on the track help forecast when the song is about to shift to higher or lower octaves – in order to allow the full keyboard range to be used.
The keyboard itself has been a long running rumor – finally coming to fruition. The addition of the instrument makes the game even more complete and provides gamers with another challenge. I guess I need to get my fingers...
- 6/10/2010
- by Robert Bratcher
- GameRant
Harmonix has defended claims that music games such as Rock Band are a distraction from playing real musical instruments. According to Cvg, Harmonix's John Drake said that artists who criticised the game’s influence had a "narrow perspective of things". "I think they're missing the point. I think that they don't understand why it's a phenomenon. From my perspective, anything that gets kids interested in music and gets kids playing music in their house that isn't an MP3 they stole off the internet (more)...
- 8/31/2009
- by By Liam Martin
- Digital Spy
Harmonix has revealed that The Beatles' solo projects will not be featured in its upcoming Rock Band game based on the iconic musicians. According to studio exec John Drake, there will be no tracks from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr's side-projects included in the title, but they may be added as Dlc at a later date. "The design team really focused on The Beatles: Rock Band being about the four guys," he told Joystiq. "It's about the lives and times of these four individuals playing together and the joy that came from the music they made. "So you won't see session players, you won't see the families because it was hard to (more)...
- 8/15/2009
- by By Mark Langshaw
- Digital Spy
Harmonix and MTV Games showed off “The Beatles: Rock Band” in MTV’s Times Square headquarters yesterday, and we thought it would make for a good opportunity to ask about the the oft-rumored, basically-confirmed-but-not-quite release of “Green Day: Rock Band.”
Watch John Drake, a spokesman for Harmonix, deftly dodge the question, but it’s pretty obvious that we’ll be hearing about the game very soon.
In case you’re outside the Us and can’t watch the video, here’s the breakdown:
John Drake, Harmonix: We have some really great artists that we’re working on a lot of fronts for “Rock Band” in the future and we’re going to be talking more about that coming soon.
MTV Multiplayer: So nothing to say about “Green Day: Rock Band”?
John Drake: No, but Green Day’s really, really great! Wouldn’t you love to see Green Day...
Watch John Drake, a spokesman for Harmonix, deftly dodge the question, but it’s pretty obvious that we’ll be hearing about the game very soon.
In case you’re outside the Us and can’t watch the video, here’s the breakdown:
John Drake, Harmonix: We have some really great artists that we’re working on a lot of fronts for “Rock Band” in the future and we’re going to be talking more about that coming soon.
MTV Multiplayer: So nothing to say about “Green Day: Rock Band”?
John Drake: No, but Green Day’s really, really great! Wouldn’t you love to see Green Day...
- 6/10/2009
- by Russ Frushtick
- MTV Multiplayer
From MTV News: After a huge showing at E3, “The Beatles: Rock Band” came to MTV’s headquarters in Times Square, letting employees check out the hotly anticipated rhythm game first-hand. John Drake, a spokesman for Harmonix (the developer behind “Rock Band”) was on-hand to share the goods on the game.
” ‘The Beatles: Rock Band’ has 45 songs from the Beatles catalog and lets you enjoy all the great ‘Rock Band’ gameplay you’ve come to love from ‘Rock Band’ and ‘Rock Band 2,’ with the great songs of the Beatles,” Drake said. “We’ve also added three-part vocal harmony and some really, really amazing visuals.”
Click here to read the rest of the article!
” ‘The Beatles: Rock Band’ has 45 songs from the Beatles catalog and lets you enjoy all the great ‘Rock Band’ gameplay you’ve come to love from ‘Rock Band’ and ‘Rock Band 2,’ with the great songs of the Beatles,” Drake said. “We’ve also added three-part vocal harmony and some really, really amazing visuals.”
Click here to read the rest of the article!
- 6/9/2009
- by Russ Frushtick
- MTV Multiplayer
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