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June 01, 2008

The Future of Gaming Arrives

Being a kind of big deal here on the Internet, yours truly gets the scoop on a whole host of things, whether it be insider information, first-rate scoops, or a generous offer from the Crown Prince of Namibia. But today tops them all, as I've been granted access to a memo that won't go out until later this month, a memo that just might change the very face of gaming as we know it.

Without further ado, I give you the world-premiere look at the press release for Harmonix's next great gaming franchise, Soft Rock Band.

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CAMBRIDGE, MA – June 20 2008 – Harmonix, developer of the blockbuster Guitar Hero™ franchise as well as Rock Band, and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced Soft Rock Band, an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with mellow music like never before. Soft Rock Band will allow gamers to perform music from the world’s biggest soft rock artists in order to live every music fan's dream of standing on stage with some of the world's calmest rock gods. Soft Rock Band will span all genres of this seemingly limitless genre and includes many of the master recordings from the songs you tried to forget, but couldn't, no matter how freakin' hard you try.

The leading musical artists - Christopher Cross, Air Supply, Bread, Captain and Tenille - have agreed to supply master recordings by their artists for use in the game. Kenny Loggins, citing "nothing really better to do," has also agreed to re-record his classic ballad, "Meet Me Halfway," specifically for the release of Soft Rock Band. If you like pina coladas and/or getting caught in the rain, this game is for you.

"Soft Rock Band is Harmonix’s most ambitious project to date, and it will take wimpy music gameplay to an entirely new level. VH1 Classic and the artists, many of whom grateful for any semblance of a royalty check, has given us the freedom and the resources to make the most laid-back musical experience ever crafted for gamers.”

“Our vision for Soft Rock Band is to completely change the way people interact with and enjoy the music they listen to in order to combat insomnia,” added Jeff Yapp, EVP, MTV Program Enterprises.

“Soft Rock Band is a bold step forward in allowing gamers and music fans to tenderly and inoffensively experience music,” said David DeMartini, vice president and general manager of EA Partners. “Instead of the cliched 'Overdrive' meter, players can enter the 'MellowZone'. Unlockables instruments include such as mandolin, keytar, even chamber quartet. In the most emotionally sensitive boss ballads ever conceived, players will face off against titans such as Gordon Lightfoot, Michael Bolton, and Anne Murray. If you'll excuse me, I now I have to smash a toaster into my skull in an attempt to forget I ever had to work on this game.”

Below's a partial list of songs you sorta kinda can maybe rock out to in this game:

All this and more when Soft Rock Band ships (in a special, limited-edition, shag-carpetted lined box) this Fall!

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Well, I'm sold. How about you?

Posted by Ryan McGee at June 1, 2008 06:52 PM

Comments

i've heard rumors of "Fiddle Hero" but it may have limited release down here in NASCAR land...

Posted by: mri at June 2, 2008 09:19 AM

Does it come with a razor so you can slit your own wrists as the finale?

Posted by: Jeanna at June 2, 2008 11:26 AM

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