My high scores are 26502 for Into Infinity on Amateur and 23176 on Professional. Shouldn’t be to hard to beat my score, or show me up on the Guitar vs Piano level.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Have a good weekend!

For what it’s worth, Rock Band and Guitar Hero are a blast – especially with a few buddies and a few drinks. Anyone can get some dorm cred by pulling out a pair of Guitar Hero axes at the end of the night. But these games are insanely popular… to the point that I wonder how they are affecting the real music industry?

Everyday after work, my friend John would come home to play Guitar Hero until his fingers hurt. He got crazy good at the game. We would joke that if he spent that time playing guitar for REAL, then maybe he could become a REAL rock star. But there may be truth behind the humor. Playing games and listening to music is great, but devoting your time to mastering fake instruments seems sort of ridiculous. After all, the games are not really a means for creation. You play other artists’ music, and you either get the note right or get the note wrong. There is no variation or style involved. There are song editors, but you are still pretty limited as far as tools and exposure.

Playing music in video games isn’t a new phenomenon by any means. The concept has been in use in Japanese arcades for the past 20 years. I recall Samba De Amigo, a 1999 Dreamcast title that included plastic maracas for shakin’ to the beat. These new games are different, though. Getting your song in Guitar Hero means exposure to millions of teenagers who will potentially seek out more of your stuff.

At the end of the day, I don’t care. People that are inspired by the sensation of being a fake guitarist may go out and learn to play for real. And, there will probably be the people who pick up guitar and expect it to be as simple as colored notes. Either way, anything that can push Rock into the popular spotlight in place of the top 40 crap can’t be that bad. Thoughts?

The game is planned for a 2009 holiday release and has been described as a “journey” through the band’s albums. There aren’t many details yet except that the game will not be a part of the Rock Band series but a standalone game. However, rumor has it that you will still be using Rock Band instruments as controllers.

Harmonix has also stated that there will be more to the game than just playing through the music. My guess as to what this means is as good as yours. Perhaps you will play through the Beatles’ fictional worlds, such as Pepperland, taking out baddies with your guitar skills along the way? That would be a trip!

Paul McCartney, bassist and co-founder of the Beatles, commented on the project, “[the game] is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of the Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out.”

Audiosurf is a driving game where you control a spaceship/racecar thing. But instead of driving on race tracks, you drive on music tracks. Clever, eh? The best part about the game, however, is that you can play on any music from your computer. And I mean anything! The game will render a completely original track for the song you choose based on the songs properties.

Audiosurfing on Through Fire and Flames video

As you can see, the tracks mimic the music itself. There are two basic objectives: 1 is to collect all colored notes. 2 is to avoid all of the walls. The game is available for demo on Steam (which is a must-have for any PC gamer).

You can crack/hack/unlock the Audiosurf demo with an easy patch available here. The password for the archive is www.digitalpowered.info . However, if you like the full game enough then I really recommend purchasing an authentic copy or donating to Audiosurf.

Have fun!

The Boss Dr Rhythm drum machine (flash version)

For your entertainment and/or musical inquiry.

Play guitar on your iPhone

You can download Pocketguitar for the iPhone and iPod touch on ModMyiFone.com.

Guitar Hero III will be released for the PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii, so you’ll be able to rock out no matter what gear you’ve got.

This time around, the default guitars will be none other than the Gibson Les Paul and Kramer model. In addition, players will experience an incredible number of newly added features and explosive content including a new multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a bevy of exclusive unlockable content and authentic rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status.

Music in GHIII will include…
Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones)
Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins)
Sabotage (by Beastie Boys)
The Metal (by Tenacious D) Awesome!
My Name Is Jonas (by Weezer)
Knights Of Cydonia (by Muse) A personal favorite!
Rock And Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss)
School’s Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper)
Slow Ride (as made famous by Fog Hat)
Cult Of Personality (by Living Colour)
Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)

Activision will also include a wireless guitar controller with the game – something that fans have been asking for for ages. The exclusive Gibson guitars will include innovative features such as removable faceplates that will allow fans to later personalize their guitars and make it their own, and a new button color design that will be integrated for an even greater authentic feel and rock experience. Gibson Guitar’s Les Paul model will be the battle axe of choice, and an industry standard for all rock gods on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 system, and Wii. After much anticipation, PlayStation 2 system fans will also be receiving a new exclusive shape as well, the classic Kramer guitar, also a Gibson brand, popularized by hard rockers and known for its body design, pickups, electronics, and construction for furious finger fretting.

Keep an eye out for this one next fall!