It’s either a brilliant marketing move or a mind-blowing public-relations disaster on the scale of the Edsel or New Coke. This December, two high-profile brands will merge with the planned release of LEGO Rock Band. The video game is being developed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games, in conjunction with the LEGO Group, Harmonix and MTV Games.
“LEGO Rock Band combines two compelling properties and creates an experience that family members of all ages will enjoy playing together as a group,” said Tom Stone, managing director of TT Games. “Harmonix and MTV Games are the world experts in music game play, and we’re genuinely thrilled to bring the unique and humor-filled LEGO experience to their Rock Band universe.”
Initially, the game will be released for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii video-game consoles. A Nintendo DS version will be released soon after. LEGO Rock Band will use existing Rock Band controllers and will be compatible with other music controllers as well.
Broad Creative Appeal
According to company reports, players will be able to build their own rock-band members on-screen, along with a host of other game characters, including roadies, managers, crews, entourage and presumably groupies. In addition, avid LEGO fans can build their own custom music stages with both terrestrial and extra-terrestrial backdrops.
Although she agrees the combination is somewhat unusual, Zippy Aima, a digital-media analyst at ABI Research, thinks the game could be a success.
“It might do well both with the older Rock Band fans as well as kids,” Aima said. “Since the game will let players/gamers create the LEGO (Rock Band) based on their imagination, it might click with that segment of the audience who are Rock Band fans. Kids, on the other hand, who are exposed to playing with video games might also find it exciting to play…