Like the theme park and city genres before it. Indie developers are looking to rejuvenate the 5 Fret Rhythm game genre.

Two studios popped up late last fall, boasting being comprised of talent that worked on previous Rockband and Guitar hero games. The games: Sound System and Stage Tour. Neither of them showing anything of substance early on. Both boasting Fall 26 releases.

Over the last several months Stage Tour has pushed tons of information including new guitar controllers and a 90 song setlist with master tracks and console releases! Sound System announced 3 indie artists and boasts an in game song track editor.

Stage tour will play more like Rockband and Guitar hero games. Sound system will look more like Clone Hero. Stage tour will be 40 dollars for the game, Sound system will be 30. Stage Tour Instruments will set you back 120 to 280 dollars (pending on bundle). You can use your own instruments if you have them with either game.

Sound system is now being pushed as a platform for smaller artists to get noticed . I think they have abandoned any hope for known licensed artists. They hint you can upload any song you like and make your own tracks but you can’t share them within game.

Understanding Clone Hero, YARG and many Guitar Hero mods allow you do the same right now for free. YARG constantly highlights new small artists in their game.

Do you see any value in this model ? Paying for a PC only game where you actively look for new bands you never heard of ?

To me it sounds like sound system will be dead on arrival.

Author Note: Red Octane Games(Stage Tour) is owned by Embracer Group. They are by no means small but still no EA or Activision.

https://youtu.be/xU-qK6FyUoM?is=BY0fjbsu3eC6tSCC

https://youtu.be/L1CkciMhjAM?is=rNGoKWg8TmZqgopw

Curious your thoughts …

How many of you (if anyone) would love an open world driving game. One with 100s of detailed cars from cockpit in and out. Where the only purpose is to cruise around. No story, no championship just driving for the joy of it. You could see in detail both classic and modern cars.

Would this be pointless to you ? Would this just get boring to you ?

Personally I love just staring at car photos online of new cars released. And I think it be pure joy just to hop into a game and enjoy them virtually while cruising a scenic landscape.

Just curious if anyone else thinks this sounds like a good idea …

New Xbox & AI CEO announced via Twitter ( not calling it x) the new “hybrid” console that will play Xbox and PC games.

In other words you know just a PC. Thus far it seems the system will use the exact same Xbox desktop experience as the “rog ally”.

While we all saw it coming and there isn’t much surprise. This to me says Xbox is dead as a platform.

It’s going to be expensive, it’s going to have Windows. It’s going to have co-pilot it’s going to have the same pop ups.

At least we get an Ally ROG desktop at most a Surface Gaming Desktop. Either honestly is a terrible idea. There will be most affordable options not tied to windows there will be mode powerful options at the same price. Even if you like the idea of going all in PC gaming this won’t be your best option.

If you want to stay a console gamer you’re going to have to switch teams …

RIP Xbox.

There is no truer adage to me than nothings is perfect. And when it comes to anything related to Discord it’s no different.

Discord itself to me has been an issue for years. Its use of data collection, the obsession of companies trying to buy it all were concerning. For me the latest age verification just further reinforces my beliefs. That being said the majority of users who ignored all this and kept going, really nothing would change. Most people I know use Discord lightly and aren’t in large chats that use hentai gifs. I still would tell anyone who would listen to get out of dodge. But if you never cared about data usage then you’re probably not going to start now.

For all the alternatives out there truth is, none are really anywhere near perfect. Matrix and most of its clients while encrypted don’t offer true jump in /jump out game chat. More a kin to Skype really. Foss Discord implementations like Spacebar are to all over the place and for me are not really functional. Stoat while probably my favorite is still really small and not holding up to the stress of the user influx. And of course it’s missing “discord features” and the new kid Fluxer while appealing is still to new and it’s monetization model a little to concerning. 300 bucks as a backer for unproven project ? And of course with the exception of Matrix none of the other projects currently offer encryption.

Truth is no option really is ideal. Truth is all the options have some pretty serious flaws. And truth is getting your large swaths of friends to move might be close to impossible.

So if you are looking to move please do some digging. Ask people who use the apps their opinions. Try to as a group of friends chose to make a move.

And the final truth is it’s a really good thing we finally have some options. No matter the flaws having competition brings innovation.

I hope this posts helps clear up some things for people who might be confused or concerned.