Power Gig: Rise of the SixString Uses “Real” Guitar: Will it Work?

Seven45 Studios has announced that it has signed Eric Clapton, Kid Rock, and the Dave Matthews Band to provide songs for its upcoming game, Power Gig: Rise of the SixString for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Considering that music games had a relatively poor year in 2009, you’d think a company would be nuts to introduce another franchise that competes with Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Seven45 believes it will differentiate its game from the competition through the use of realistic peripherals.

The guitar is the most interesting accessory for Power Gig. It can be used in the game and played as a real guitar offline. Seven45’s press release quoted Dave Matthews Band as saying:

We think Power Gig is a much needed and much welcomed game because, unlike any others before it, it puts a real guitar into the hands of aspiring musicians, and we hope it inspires our fans and others to start playing even when they’re not playing the game. We love the thought that fans of ours who’ve never picked up an instrument can now play our music on a real guitar and experience what we love to do day in and day out.

First of all, I’m impressed that the whole band said that. Did they say it in unison? Did they harmonize? Or did they take turns (perhaps switching out every 14 syllables). Secondly, I wonder if using a real guitar as a controller will intimidate some gamers.

Power Gig bundles are currently listed on Amazon for $179.99 and $229.99. What do you guys and dolls think? Is it too pricey? Or is it a good value considering that you’re getting a real guitar? Will Power Gig be able to compete with established franchises that have been rocking for years? Should I try to smash a Power Gig guitar at E3 2010? Let me know!!! (And check out the additional pictures below.)

Author: RPadTV

https://rpad.tv

15 thoughts on “Power Gig: Rise of the SixString Uses “Real” Guitar: Will it Work?”

  2. yes Rpad please try it out. i wouldn't be interested in this but i would be interested in seeing a vid of you rocking out.

  4. @ All

    I saw this demoed at PAX and quite honestly the guitar sounds pretty damn good. This gaming company is out of Boston and they actually got their start by building professional instruments for people so they know how to make a good guitar. I was blown away at the quality of the sound (N8R) the guitar puts out and they were using a pretty shitty and small amp.

    I sent some pics to Rpad from PAX but they all suck lol.

  5. Yeah, I'm waiting for N8's comments. My opinions on this matter would only be valid if the instrument was a jug.

    -M

  6. @ popular demand

    I like the concept and the idea… BUT:

    I think the consumer who buys this is looking at more expense than they bargained for. As in, all the things that go wrong with regular guitars. Broken strings, cracked nuts, loose bridges, faulty wires, etc.

    So, the thought is there, but in the long run I don't see it catching on as intended.

  8. @ Thundercracker

    I might consider it for my son since I can stand there and inform him of all the things that could go wrong.

  9. I think my interest in this would depend heavily on the setlist honestly. While you would certainly get more realism by using an actual guitar (a plus in my opinion), the game would still need to accessible to the general public. Which means the early songs need to be pretty easy even for the layman to pick up, but the later songs on the list need to be challenging enough for folks who actually play guitar and are good at it.

    All that being said, this game could flop for much the same reason as Tony Hawk: Ride. People play games to escape reality and when you put too much reality into a video game w/ a peripheral, it takes out the fun factor. A lot of the fun of the GH and RB games is that you don't have to be any good at a real instrument to feel like a rockstar.

    Although at least in this games case, there shouldn't be a 3 second lag between the peripheral and what you see on the screen like there was w/ Ride.

  10. @nightshade

    you are right, the songs would have to be incredibly easy for the average, idiotic, obese teenager to figure out….im thinking the set list may include every song of the first soundgarden cd….dropped D for the loss

  11. @ Nightshade

    Excellent point. They can't just throw in Eruption or Carry On My Wayward Son like they can in GH.

  13. Another thing I forgot to mention….

    Until you form calluses, this game is gonna hurt peoples fingers. Some kids will waste their parents $180 based on that alone.

  14. Pingback: Power Gig: Rise of the Six String Developer Diary | RPad.TV -- Raymond Padilla & friends talk games and geek culture
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