There Can Only Be One! Music Game That Is!

Months ago, EA Games announced that they were in process of selling "Rock Band" developers Harmonix Music Systems. The announcement was given the very same day that "Rock Band 3" hit store shelves. Ouch! Upon hearing the news, my wife and I had a little discussion.

I stated that in the end, Sony's "SingStar" was going to be the only surviving music video game. Due to the fact of their business model. You see as with other music game developers, they convert licensed music tracks into multiple layers for play on a variety of options from guitar, to drums, to keyboards, to microphones. Then they ship thousands and thousands of these plastic pieces of hardware with the release of a new game and the hardware is "specific" to their "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero" or "DJ Hero" game.

I think Sony has a good, realistic approach with "SingStar" since day one. They created a karaoke game. It ships with two microphones, alongside a track disc and that's it. Additional songs only cost $1.49, include a music video and have only been edited/adapted for vocal singing. It also dosen't hurt that Sony has it's own music label as well. I think "SingStar" is the only music game that continues to make a respectable profit worldwide.

Today, you can add new features to specific songs for .49 cents with guitar (btw, you can use any kind of video game guitar controller you like) or dance capabilities with the PlayStation Eye. These features were just recently implemented and priced accordingly. So, "SingStar" evolved very slowly with the industry. It also has unique features to itself such as dance and the ability to video record your performance and take photos. There is also a unique "SingStar Community" you can access through the PS3 and watch other performances and rate them.

Here we are today, and it looks like my prediction was true. Activision has just announced it is permanently placing it's "Guitar Hero" and "DJ Hero" franchises on hold and has shut down the development studios in charge of them.

"SingStar" never had the flash of a "Rock Band Beetles" or a "Guitar Hero 5". However, it has longevity thanks to it's development.

Look at me. All Nostradamus.