Rock Band Facebook App Announced, Includes New Request Functionality
Harmonix officially announced this morning in the latest podcast that a new Facebook app is now available for players and fans to search for available music on the Rock Band platform, and possibly more importantly, to request music that is not yet available! The app offers a more robust approach to requesting music than the traditional manner. Additional request functionality allows users to request specific artists, and allocate points to emphasize the significance of each request. The tool will also allow users to see what artists have been heavily requested in the given week, and which artists have been most requested since the creation of the app.
This app will not replace the web tool, but will compliment it, and with the ability to see what music other people have requested, I would much rather push people towards using this app in the future. I helped Harmonix beta test this app from a fan perspective a few weeks ago, and I look forward to seeing some of the feedback from myself and everyone else become incorporated into the app in the future.
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Finally I will know how many other people want GG Allin’a family friendly classic “Watch Me Kill” in Rock Band 3
Finally, my friends can see how much I love the Backstreet Boys.
Dein Bär Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 2:27 am
Other platforms (iOS &c.) would be great, as I avoid FB like the plague.
Nice to hear HMX asks for requests.
Dein Bär Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 2:31 am
Hm.. that reply was supposed to show up elsewhere – an iPad/Safari issue?
Well, I guess this puts to rest my fears that RB DLC is going away after January. HMX’s dedication to its fanbase really is mind-blowing sometimes.
Croq Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Well, they’re obviously still making money off of the DLC they offer. Otherwise, we’d see it go away or get less frequent. I know there’s rarely a week that goes by where I don’t buy at least a couple of tracks, and usually quite a bit more.
Regarding going away in January, I wasn’t worried. They had at least a few times said that they were continuing RB DLC for the foreseeable future.
Oh good, another way to request songs that HMX can ignore
.
RandydG Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Yeah right? Ive been getting the run around from HMX for a year now over a stupid export code.
RockBandAide Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
A year?! Damn. Typically export codes are EA’s issue (or WB if it was LEGO:RB).
RandydG Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 4:31 am
Yeah, it was somewhat resolved at first a year ago, i jumped through all the loops, and nothing. I got shut down by WB 2 times. I was about to give up, i contacted HMXhenry about it, and he pointed me in another direction. WB once again gave me shit. Said that they are not responsible for used games.
This is what i sent:
I received Lego Rock Band as a gift for my birthday last year, it was a used copy and it didnt have an export code. How can i get an export code without having to purchase a new game? Im playing on PS3. I have spoken to people at HMX and they sent me to you.
This is what i got back:
Hello Randyd,
We are sorry, but only new copies of LEGO Rock Band are eligible for export codes. Also, we do not provide support for used copies. If you purchase a new copy of LEGO Rock Band it should come with an export code.
Kinda sucks, been pretty patient, but im just about done. Maybe ill just get a new copy for christmas.
HMXhenry Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Yeah, we don’t generally handle export codes internally and nearly all of our support tickets are resolved in 48 hours. Hit me up on the forums or shoot an email to support@rockband.com to explain the situation and we’ll do what we can to sort you out.
RandydG Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 4:32 am
Thanks buddy, ill give it one more shot.
RandydG Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 4:35 am
Sorry, it wasnt HMX that gave me the run around, you guys have been pointing me in the right direction, WB just apparently dosent give 2 shits. I mean, its not like im getting anyting for free.
bass.exe21 Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 6:32 am
Yeah, I gave up with GD:RB’s export as it took them 3 months to notify me that Region 3 buyers can’t export even though its mentioned in the manual.
Not that that stopped me from filling out a wishlist. Asobi Seksu, My Bloody Valentine, The Joy Formidable, moar Lush. Fingers crossed!
Matt B Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Oh man the Joy Formidable would be awesome. Mine includes them and Two Door Cinema Club, Mumford & Sons, MGMT, and Adele.
Just filled out a wishlist. Twisted Sister, Tesla, Extreme, Dokken, Queensryche, Scorpions, Europe, Hardcore Superstar, George Michael, Skid Row.
This is cool, but too bad it took so long for it to come out. Could have used this a few years ago when the game was a bit more popular, but i guess better late then never.
I love that MUSE already has the top spot
my votes were
3 POINTS Crush 40
2 POINTS The Airborne Toxic Event
2 POINTS hellogoodbye
1 POINT Florence + the Machine
1 POINT Mumford & Sons
1 POINT Muse
Kolma Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
I like the job Harmonix does already with older songs, but I would like some much needed newer songs
Jason R. Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Yeah, as soon as I filled out my wishlist, I was like ‘how long before Muse tops this list?’
This is alright. What I’d really like to see is an app (not game) for mobile devices, or even a mobile theme for RB’s website.
Very nice. This sort of begs the question…will people request more music from artists already in Rock Band or will they request artists that have no songs yet?
Personally I am grateful if even one song exists for an artist so I plan to use my wishlist to request artists that are not yet represented in the Rock Band catalog.
I am very surprised to see Nightwish in the top 10, even if it’s temporary. I really enjoy their music, but are they that popular or is this just a fluke and/or vocal minority?
Some artists I would like to see:
Jim Croce
Genesis
George Harrison
Bruce Springsteen
The Living End
The Moody Blues
Electric Light Orchestra
Sublime
Beckett Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Curious about the Nightwish thing too, I’ve been a fan for a long time and am intrigued to see whether this is a temporary thing or if they have enough popularity to sustain a high spot.
RickC Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
If Amberian Dawn can become one of the biggest selling artists on RBN based on this-as-close-as-you-can-get-to-Nightwish-in-Rock-Band, I would think Nightwish themselves would sell really well.
Only problem is most of those people want Tarja era Nightwish and I do not see that happening because of the very bitter, very public breakup between Tarja and the band.
As far as Anette-era stuff, I would happily take “Amaranth” or the new “Storytime” single in Rock Band. “Ghost Love Score” would be my top Nightwish pick if they could somehow get Tarja-era stuff. That is one of my favorite songs ever.
Plutarch Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Ghost Love Score is an amazing, mindblowing song…..
…but I don’t know how well it would translate. There’s a lot of downtime for random symphonic stuff. I’d still get it, though!
Toad3000 Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Oh, here I thought Amberian Dawn became one of the biggest selling artists on RBN because their songs accounted for 26% of all those available.
The only Nightwish song I want is Wishmaster. And obviously, only because I want to sing the alternate Fishmaster lyrics. Since that’s old Nightwish, I doubt it’ll ever happen. Boo.
LoopyChew Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 3:22 am
Well, since none of the songs were written by Tarja, there’s always the possibility of re-records, right?
Numskull Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 4:07 am
I am not the least bit surprised about the high demand for Nightwish. Their thread in the Ultimate Setlist forum is huge and their absence from the Rock Band platform grows more conspicuous all the time.
Well, they DID say they were working on something to incorporate how people are connecting with their games now…
I’ll have to check it out. If nothing else, it sounds like it’s a more transparent way of requesting songs/artists…?
Black Sabbath
1 point Bad Brains (classic hardcore & reggae)
1 point Butthole Surfers (Strange noise rock)
1 point Black Flag (Original and best hardcore band)
1 point Circle Jerks (Great hardcore band)
1 point Metallica (over requested but I am a fan)
1 point Sepultura (Not even one song by these guys, they are good)
1 point Descendents (original pop-punk band but also hardcore)
1 point Anthrax (would be nice to get more from these guys)
1 point Minutemen (A challenge on all instruments… Jackass theme for the win)
Vampire-Jekyll Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 12:01 am
I’d get a kick out of it if they released ‘Double Nickels on the Dime’ as full album DLC.
Vampire-Jekyll Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 12:06 am
Also, I think I would die laughing if we got the Descendents song ‘I Like Food’ and nothing else.
Toothball Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 8:11 am
Hah Sepultura. Good luck to your vocalist.
Well I already don’t like it. I can’t vote for my most wanted artist, “Weird Al” Yankovic. Sigh. Another way of HMX laughing in my face about the idea.
HMXhenry Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Hey, you’ve got my support 100% for Weird Al. I’ve asked Web if we have any control over the artist database and will make sure Mr. Yankovic gets added if possible.
Scott Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
*GASP* If he gets added I’m putting all my votes on him. I knew someone at HMX had to like him, considering the humor of the company as a whole. I’m won’t repeat myself on why I think he’s perfect material for Rock Band as I’ve written an extensive thread on the subject. It’s here if you’d like to read it (if you haven’t already) http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210644&page=1
Jerec Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Weird Al would be great party fun.
Ben Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
I love Weird Al.
I figure they won’t give us his Parodies, but some of his original songs, perhaps?
All I have to make up for it is Jonathan Coulton, Tenacious D, and Spinal Tap.
Spies Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Thanks HMXhenry and please let us know when Weird Al is added to the database! I can certainly see using all my votes for Weird Al too. I do find it odd that the database has other Yankovics in it but not Al. Perhaps the quotes normally around “Weird” prevents him from showing up in the database or perhaps its just a conspiracy
Rockox Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 9:10 am
I thought the quotes around Weird made it a problem too. I tried every variation I could think of, and nothing worked.
On a similar note, Queensryche won’t show up unless you put the umlaut over the “y”. Even typing in Queens didn’t get me anywhere.
As huge Muse fan i put 10 points in Muse, i will be totally in love with Rock Band if they put more Muse songs on Rock Band.
Nice application though, just hope it works.
I LOVE the Nightwish support on there. Their new album has come out and now is the time, dammit! I gave them 5 points, and used the rest for Iron Maiden (moar), Sonata Arctica (moar), Blind Guardian, Porcupine Tree and Within Temptation.
Did I hear Muse?
Oh no, we’re gonna have a Muse pack, then.
Oh, get that out of the way, make room for more requests. It would be great if this system works better.
Went with artists not already in the game:
Celtic Frost
Therion
Rainbow (Dio-era, of course)
Fates Warning
Genghis Tron
Voivod
Summoning
Mercyful Fate
Candlemass (Messiah era, of course)
Dark Tranquillity
Surprised we have never gotten Rainbow. We have Blackmore (via “Smoke On the Water”) and Dio (via “Rainbow In the Dark”) right on the RB3 disc. I want the band with Dio *and* Blackmore!
Speaking of Dio, has any artist ever had a better 7-album span than Ronnie James Dio from the mid-70s to mid-80s:
Rainbow – Rainbow
Rainbow – Rising
Rainbow – Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll
Black Sabbath – Heaven and Hell
Black Sabbath – Mob Rules
Dio – Holy Diver
Dio – Last In Line
I think only Maiden’s 7-album run from their debut to Seventh Son Of a Seventh Son is better.
Chaotyx Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 12:50 am
Dark Tranquillity. Yes. Damn, I hafta go edit my list now. lol
Rockox Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 9:13 am
I often marvel at how amazing that first stretch of albums was for Iron Maiden.
Big ups for Celtic Frost, Rainbow and Fates Warning.
RickC Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
“The Usurper” by Celtic Frost would be killer. One of the great guitar riffs of all time. 26 years later and it still has to be one of the most monstrous guitar sounds caught on record. “Dawn Of Meggido” would be cool, too – another huge riff plus those bizarre kettle drums and french horns!
Here’s what I came up with:
+3 Muse
+2 Motion City Soundtrack
+2 Primus
+1 Television
+1 Tool
+1 Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
As someone who proudly shuns “all that crap” but who is very vocal about getting certain artists in RB, it looks like I’ll have to hold my nose and become a Facebook user (shudder), at least for now.
This is a fantastic idea
Just shows that Rock Band is going from strength to strength!
I hope they add more points soon, 10 seems a little restrictive…
And i also see the current top 10 staying that way…
Craig Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 9:04 am
At least increase the limit of points allocated to you, but limit how many points you can put on a specific artist
crashb648 Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 9:51 am
Yea, thats a better idea!
Whizzer Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
I agree with this idea too. I can’t even get all the bands I want in the game, and bands I want more of. I’m short at least three points and I would also like to prioritize a few of them with another point. 20 seems much more reasonable to me, perhaps with a maximum of 5 per artist.
crashb648 Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 4:45 am
Sorted then. At the moment I have 5 for Bad Company, and 1 for 4 other bands. 10 is just too little…
I guess I will keep using the webpage request form as I don’t use Facebook. But if I did, and the choices were available, my list would be (for new artists)
Arctic Monkeys
Bloc Party
The Verve
Editors
Powderfinger
And for existing artists (wanting more dlc from them)
Metric
The Killers
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Radiohead
Snow Patrol
I loaded up the app and laughed so hard. I knew people would vote muse to the top of the list… No problem with that, just highly anticipated
+3 Reel Big Fish
+2 The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
+2 Streetlight Manifesto
+1 Mad Caddies
+1 Mustard Plug
+1 The Planet Smashers
Ska needs way more love than its getting on Rock Band, and I frankly have been waiting on pins and needles for a nice juicy pack of Ska songs since that one IGN interview for Rock Band 2 way bay in ’08. Before you yell at me for some sort of ignorance, yes I have The Slackers RBN track, some of the No Doubt, and the one MMB song in RB2 is nice, but I feel that it’s lacking in some of my favorite songs/artists. Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are ska bands practically BUILT for Rock Band. What’s a guy gotta do? I even talked to Aaron Barrett, lead singer of Reel Big Fish, if he would be in Rock Band before he played a show at the Power Plant in Baltimore in June, and he said “Keep requesting us.” What more can I do to get you guys to put them on?!
Vampire-Jekyll Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
I would love to get some Streetlight Manifesto and Reel Big Fish. However with only 10 points to spend they didn’t make the cut.
Rockox Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 9:15 am
Good call, man. Reel Big Fish rules. I think I’ll bump one of my 10 and give them some love.
Andre Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 9:44 am
Excellent, man! (from another thread, here I am checking your link)
Reel Big Fish’s live version of BEER would be AWESOME!
I put 10 points in Nickelback. Trololo
But srsly, Ayreon and Fear Factory. Neat little app, I’m curious to see how it does.
My list…
Fall Out Boy – 2
Tyler, the Creator – 2
Justin Timberlake – 2
Maroon 5 – 1
Calvin Harris – 1
Patrick Stump – 1
OutKast – 1
Electric Light Orchestra – 5
Priestess – 3
Pilot – 1
Primus – 1
None of them will ever happen. Except maybe Pilot.
The Beef Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Excuse me, none of them will ever happen (again) in the case of Primus.
2 points – Tool
2 points – Florence + the Machine
2 points – Le Butcherettes
2 points – Queens of the Stone Age
1 point – Eagles of Death Metal
1 point – Them Crooked Vultures
I really didn’t want to vote for Tool, but I saw they were already up there at number 2. They’re my favorite band and all, but I know they’ll never be in a Rock Band game unless they get the treatment they want (which Guitar Hero had given them). I would love it if Harmonix did such a thing, but my morbid side just says: Nope, never going to happen again.
Florence was just a logical choice. It’s just all-around good music and just damn popular. I haven’t been able to nerd out over the instrumentation, but I adore her voice. The only thing is the chart mapping would be way out there. If Harmonix could chart Gaga to all instruments, they can manage mapping this band. Guitar might be mapped for non-guitar instruments in some instances. Keys would get some love, I’m sure. Drums in some instances would get some love. No idea what bass would do, maybe any cello parts like in Green Day’s Good Riddance.
Le Butcherettes is there for indie love as well as (hopefully) being a band Josh Homme consciously likes and had hand-picked to open for QOTSA. Plus, there’s keys!
As for the other three, come on. Tell me anything Josh Homme touches doesn’t turn into gold.
my list…
+3 Muse
+3 Two Door Cinema Club
+2 The Killers
+1 The Black Keys
+1 Delphic
Joe Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Two Door Cinema Club FTW (I charted Undercover Martyn for RBN2 so I could play it)
2 POINTS Dave Matthews Band
2 POINTS The Beach Boys
1 POINT Vampire Weekend
1 POINT U2
1 POINT Matchbox Twenty
1 POINT John Mayer
1 POINT The Killers
1 POINT Travis
10 Points for Phish.
Eh, too bad I said goodbye to FB (and useless Twitter) for good a few weeks ago. Ain’t going back unless I HAD to for something.