music & sound
Harmonix: Air Drums Totally Suck
Posted by Luke Plunkett at 1:40 PM on July 25, 2008
Nintendo seem to think that air drumming is a good idea. After all, it was the highlight of their Wii Music presentation last week. Harmonix, though, Harmonix beg to differ. And we like to think Harmonix know a thing or two about music games. Company boss Alex Rigopulos:
...in the early days of the Wii when it was first announced, we contemplated using the Wiimote for a drumming interface. We backed away from it because we found that the tactile element of actually hitting a surface when you're drumming is a fairly critical part to the visceral feel of actually playing drums. So when you're air drumming, it was a critical element you're missing in the experience. So that's one of the reasons we backed away from it and decided to build a custom drum peripheral.
Plus, you know. When you're drumming against a drum, you're a lot less likely to make a complete arse of yourself.
Interview: Alex Rigopulos on Rock Band 2, Competing with Guitar Hero and Evolving the Music Genre [GameDaily]

Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Forklift
Posted 3:27 PM 25/7/08
@y2julio: I thought he was just playing the air drums. Terribly.
Forklift
okenny :)
Posted 3:23 PM 25/7/08
@MattB: As for fun, I doubt you've played enough Wii Music to argue that.
okenny :)
okenny :)
Posted 3:21 PM 25/7/08
@MattB: Well your argument only works you can successfully argue that flailing a Theremin is equivalent of playing music.
MUSIC: The tones or sounds employed, occurring in single line (melody) or multiple lines(harmony), and sounded or to be sounded by one or more voices or instruments, or both. [[dictionary.reference.com]]
okenny :)
Nicevillin
Posted 3:10 PM 25/7/08
@lonesn1per:
ahh a true next gen pokemon would make me happy.
or pokemon ala eye of judgement
Nicevillin
lonesn1per
Posted 3:02 PM 25/7/08
i honestly think the wii died awhile ago....
i camped out for it and i wish i didnt but i did...
when i saw the presser i was embarrassed for them, they looked like a bunch of special kids on a cable access show.
A MESSEGE TO NINTENDO....sell your IP's
lonesn1per
Mit
Posted 3:02 PM 25/7/08
@lilkao: So good.
Mit
MattB
Posted 3:02 PM 25/7/08
@okenny :): Where exactly is the innovation or fun? If I wanted to play music by waving my hands I'd just go buy a Theremin (invented in 1919).
Actually I own a Theremin already, but my point stands.
MattB
MattB
Posted 2:57 PM 25/7/08
@Altersparck: A small price to pay.
MattB
Gospel X
Posted 2:57 PM 25/7/08
To be fair, anyone "playing music" with plastic instruments looks like an ass. People who think they look cool while doing so actually look like complete asses. Just so you know.
Gospel X
okenny :)
Posted 2:55 PM 25/7/08
I don't know why people are being so down on this. So it didn't demo well and it might still be rough but I think this is not only innovative and pushing things forward but manages to do it in a way that's nowhere near as pretentious as "Ultimate Band" or what ever that god-awful broken game is called.
Why are we gamers so insecure of the casuals... you have your Rockbands and Guitar Heros so why hate on something with a much lower barrier of entry. You all sound like those dicks who say "go play a real guitar" as you so quickly forget that your playing a fucking piece of plastic and mocking someone else for looking "goofy".
okenny :)
Altersparck
Posted 2:47 PM 25/7/08
@MattB: If you do, Reggie will punch you in the face. And then Cammie will eat your face off.
Altersparck
MattB
Posted 2:41 PM 25/7/08
Can we start saying the emperor has no clothes yet?
MattB
Thorn
Posted 2:41 PM 25/7/08
Wouldn't air drumming also be really bad for your wrists? Bouncing your sticks off skins (or pads) puts far less stress on your wrists than if you're snapping them in the air.
Thorn
2NinjasTapedTogether
Posted 2:40 PM 25/7/08
I like the music playing in Raving Rabbids 2... but I wouldn't want to play a game that is entirely centered around that concept. *hint hint Nintendo*
2NinjasTapedTogether
Mike918
Posted 2:34 PM 25/7/08
@Reule: A drummer friend of mine hits me on the head and i do the drum sounds...so yeah i know what you mean.
Mike918
Thorax
Posted 2:22 PM 25/7/08
I think it's also been proven that Wii music is a poor mans music game, or as I see it, the "Wii sports model" applied to a music title, and then with the game aspect violently ripped out. So all you're left with is a $50 beefed up tech demo.
And if that sounds a little too harsh, keep in mind I love my Wii. I also love motion controls, I think they are a great way to completely pull you into a game. The only problem is there are so many things that can be done with the Wii Remote, and Nintendo has no interest in even attempting to experiment with them.
Thorax
bigdude209
Posted 2:21 PM 25/7/08
@alfredofroylan:
You're right, everything about it is horrible.
The air drumming, the hair , and especially those ugly ass toes on the balance board. Yeah, all of it was a damn shame.
bigdude209
Roto13
Posted 2:19 PM 25/7/08
"Plus, you know. When you're drumming against a drum, you're a lot less likely to make a complete arse of yourself."
Really? Cause flailing at the toy Rock Band drums doesn't look any cooler than rocking out on that tiny plastic guitar.
Roto13
RyuriTatsujin
Posted 2:16 PM 25/7/08
I would love to see people playing this Wii Music.
Remember those Air Guitar contests they hold?!
Well with Wii Music its like having your very own retarded Air Band contests held in your very own KITCHEN!
Don't stop there! Take vids and upload it to youtube!!
RyuriTatsujin
Altersparck
Posted 2:15 PM 25/7/08
@Lukatoll: The game might appeal to casual players, alpha moms, and that crucial public douchebaggery demographic that Nintendo seems to be fervently seeking.
But seriously, though... We should leave the Wiitards be. They can have their Wii Music, but shame and scorn should be heaped upon them for not buying Rock Band instead!
Altersparck
625thrash_part_DEUX
Posted 2:14 PM 25/7/08
lol, I had no idea people really took their make believe music playing this seriously.
625thrash_part_DEUX
ahmeng
Posted 2:12 PM 25/7/08
If you're healthy, you should be outdoor often. Being gaming "otaku & geeks" already bad enough while Wii is the ULTIMATE "otaku & geeks" maker of grannies....they just won't let you out in the sun playing. Which is worst?? Hardcore gamers or Wii gamers?
ahmeng
alfredofroylan
Posted 2:11 PM 25/7/08
That picture is going to give me nightmares.
alfredofroylan
Lukatoll
Posted 2:10 PM 25/7/08
Whoever buys Wii music should be in epic shame
Lukatoll
KM91
Posted 2:07 PM 25/7/08
Come on, it's not that bad. Plus, you've made him cry.
KM91
-Bass4TheFace-
Posted 2:07 PM 25/7/08
The thing that kills me is that Nintendo couldn't splurge on a famous drummer. Granted, it may not be the message they want to send, seeing as to how they shoot for accessibility with their products. Seriously, imagine like Neil Peart tearing it up on Wii Music. Then again I doubt the Wii has the processing power to replicate his kit.
-Bass4TheFace-
BossVersion1
Posted 2:00 PM 25/7/08
@eastshore4: Oops! I knew I should have said hitting things to make sounds that make music. lol Good one.
BossVersion1
Wolfers
Posted 1:58 PM 25/7/08
@Arsenicberyllium: Yep, that's the problem I have with everything on the Wii. Still fun, just awkward.
Wolfers
Noshino
Posted 1:58 PM 25/7/08
@TheLegendof_Erick:
+ Watch video
Noshino
Lingxor
Posted 1:55 PM 25/7/08
+ Watch video
Lingxor
The Question
Posted 1:54 PM 25/7/08
That picture is amazing, so much emotion...
The Question
TheLegendof_Erick
Posted 1:53 PM 25/7/08
@I Think We're Property: some of us make air guitar look better then awesome
TheLegendof_Erick
eastshore4
Posted 1:52 PM 25/7/08
@BossVersion1: If that's true, then chuck norris is like buddy rich and neil pert rolled into one. It's still funny baby!
eastshore4
I Think We're Property
Posted 1:51 PM 25/7/08
The difference between air guitar and air drums is that while you do one, you look like a dork, but its still kinda amusing; and while you do the other you look like a dork having a seizure.
The difference is subtle, but quite key.
I Think We're Property
austintatious
Posted 1:50 PM 25/7/08
I want to say a general "Well Said" to both Luke and Alex. It's continually disturbing me that Wii Music exists, let alone that the press conference happened, but apparently it did.
I'm glad, however, that I have people (such as all of you) to embrace such a pitiful tragedy.
austintatious
lilkao
Posted 1:50 PM 25/7/08
+ Watch video
lilkao
.endejas.
Posted 1:50 PM 25/7/08
I'm in complete and utter agreement.
.endejas.
Reule
Posted 1:50 PM 25/7/08
I'd have to agree. While air drumming may impress the ladies with not just your imagination but one's incredible ability to fan out small brush fires. It's just not enjoyable.
If I'm going to drum, I want to hit something. Anything. Let it be a desk or someone's head. It's the feeling not just the sound.
Reule
Milkzhakes
Posted 1:50 PM 25/7/08
@art_zombie: just by looking at the presentation i think it fair to say zero
Milkzhakes
art_zombie
Posted 1:48 PM 25/7/08
Makes you wonder how many musicians were involved in creating Wii music...
art_zombie
y2julio
Posted 1:47 PM 25/7/08
When I saw Nintendo's Wii music presentation, I thought that dude was having a seizure or something lol
y2julio
wild homes loves you but chooses darkness!
Posted 1:47 PM 25/7/08
You're trying to imply Harmonx know better than Nintendo do? BLASPHEMY! But seriously, I wonder if Nintendo are redesigning Wii Music after see what a disaster that presser turned out to be. Man, that was just painful. If Miyamoto hadn't been in on the whole design thing, I'd feel bad for such an awesome dude being made to look like such an immense ass on stage. I think Wii Music actually ruined the Super Mario Bros. theme song. And that takes some work.
wild homes loves you but chooses darkness!
cookiesareafriend
Posted 1:47 PM 25/7/08
Ah the wii... certainly it's one of the best Gamecubes i've ever seen.
How long will people keep buying it? Likely as soon as people stopped buying beanie babies!
cookiesareafriend
Nicevillin
Posted 1:46 PM 25/7/08
aww man, i was actually hoping for a producer to say those exact words
Nicevillin
Arsenicberyllium
Posted 1:46 PM 25/7/08
Well...duh.
Isn't that kind of a problem inherent with almost every Wii game though?
No force feedback.
It's especially true for drums, but it holds for swords, bowling, tennis, guns, fishing, everything,etc...
Arsenicberyllium
boy78
Posted 1:45 PM 25/7/08
LMAO!
boy78
BossVersion1
Posted 1:44 PM 25/7/08
Exactly. Drumming is all about hitting something.
BossVersion1
Amazon_Chris
Posted 1:44 PM 25/7/08
I can't help but laugh at that picture. The dude looks high.
Amazon_Chris
NeoAkira
Posted 3:44 PM 25/7/08
@cookiesareafriend:
Lol. Trolls and their "fad" arguments.
NeoAkira
MidnightScott17
Posted 3:41 PM 25/7/08
yay for Wii Music bashing, as much I hate to say it, but I'm a Nintendo fanboy and think Wii Music loses the point of music games to be honest. Oh look at me I'm pretending to play a music with a remote aren't I cool :S
MidnightScott17
resvrgam
Posted 3:36 PM 25/7/08
Clearly the bid for 'Music Game Market Dominance' boils down to Rock Band or Guitar Hero.... everything else is just embarassing to watch.
Konami's dismal showing of "Rock Revolution" at E3 was 'awkward' at best and Nintendo's foray into this realm is looking equally lame.
With all the other amazing game ideas being shelved to make production room for this crap, it makes me question why these developers/publishers are willingly throwing away their investments on these entries into a competition for our wallets they'll never win.
resvrgam
Terance!
Posted 3:34 PM 25/7/08
He sucks at air drums AND failed on the Happening :(
Terance!
Madriker
Posted 3:33 PM 25/7/08
Man, M. Night Shyamalan's not doin' too great. First his movie ratings, now this...
Air drumming is something I expected coming from the Wii. Even in theory it's a horrible concept. Personally, as a musician, I'm not digging it at all.
Madriker
Jestersage
Posted 3:32 PM 25/7/08
@lonesn1per: Too bad for every smart man, there are 50 dumb soccer mom... and if they equate hardcore to gore (and I don't mean Al Gore), then we can guarantee there will be even more Wii.
Jestersage
Punkateer
Posted 4:15 PM 25/7/08
@lilkao: WOW thank you for that. through that I found this..I never actually saw the presser, just read about how bad it was in the NYT.
+ Watch video
Punkateer
ParadoxControl
Posted 4:44 PM 25/7/08
I almost feel bad for that guy... I mean, haha, ok no I don't.
ParadoxControl
lonesn1per
Posted 4:39 PM 25/7/08
@Jestersage:
maybe get rid of the soccer moms and old people and the wii will go away?
lonesn1per
miniboss1232
Posted 4:36 PM 25/7/08
Plus, they can charge more for a peripheral than they can just the game.
miniboss1232
Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc
Posted 4:36 PM 25/7/08
Alex Rigopulos: "We contemplated using the Wiimote for a drumming interface, but it was easier to just port the PS2 version."
Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc
interstate78
Posted 4:30 PM 25/7/08
@MattB: ''can we start saying the emperor has no clothes yet?''
I was going to say Comment of the Year but then I realized, we shall not speak of the Emperor in such manner!
interstate78
BrainCraters
Posted 4:29 PM 25/7/08
It's obvious nearly everyone here has actually played Wii Music. So, everybody, how does it play? Is it any good?
BrainCraters
Punkateer
Posted 4:21 PM 25/7/08
@Lingxor: damnit!
Punkateer
silentbob343
Posted 5:00 PM 25/7/08
I think the sax playing was a million times worse, but that's just me.
silentbob343
Ryumeka
Posted 6:00 PM 25/7/08
@BrainCraters: Are you trying to say that because we haven't played it, it could still be good?
Did you watch the briefing?
Ryumeka
sofiabudapest
Posted 6:33 PM 25/7/08
I loved the super mario song at the end. It was all about dancing and having fun. Wow!
sofiabudapest
excaliburps
Posted 7:13 PM 25/7/08
Why is M. Night crying? Because he was forced to make an ass of himself onstage or is it because his latest movie was deemed lackluster? I kid!
Though the Harmonix guys are correct. Air drumming and actually hitting something with the "drumsticks" are completely different things. I imagine the ones hitting actual drums are less tiring.
excaliburps
Bluetribal
Posted 7:24 PM 25/7/08
Anyone with a brain will prefere drumming on actual PADS over air drumming, but because Harmonix said it now it's something special and news worthy.
Bluetribal
superaktieboy
Posted 8:25 PM 25/7/08
meh, exactly what i thought when i saw nin's E3.. and i don't mean it just for drums :S, also flute and all (most of the instruments)
superaktieboy
SylvyLombax
Posted 8:51 PM 25/7/08
Yup. Couldn't agree more with Harmonix. Would take visible fake drums over invisible fake drums any day. I don't have a powerful enough imagination to fill in the blanks. Plus, thrashing around in the living room with 2 Wiimotes does look a bit umm... off to anyone watching you play.
SylvyLombax
Serdur
Posted 8:49 PM 25/7/08
Please keep using this picture for anything that is Nintendo E3 08 related.
Of course, you may keep using IWATA's red eyes pic from time to time too.
Serdur
SG_Mahonay
Posted 8:41 PM 25/7/08
That picture never fails to make me laugh. Nintendo spares no one's sense of pride.
SG_Mahonay
Charbax
Posted 9:14 PM 25/7/08
Rock Band totally sucks.
Anyone that thinks that a game following rhythm instructions on the screen is fun must be totally dumb.
All Harmonix want is to sell more expensive accessories to dumb people.
Charbax
Foffity
Posted 9:37 PM 25/7/08
wtf
Foffity
Foffity
Posted 9:36 PM 25/7/08
@Charbax: you fail.
Seriously, h@Charbax: w Nintendo ever thought that part of the presentation would look anything other than completely fucking stupid is beyond me.
Foffity
Dalren
Posted 9:32 PM 25/7/08
@Charbax: I hope that was Sarcasm.
Dalren
Strangelove
Posted 10:07 PM 25/7/08
@Charbax:
Oh, man, do you need to be banned. You're saying that Rock Band sucks, but in your other post gush about Wii Music? Don't you see any irony here? Is it any coincidence the vast majority of gamers thought flailing around with the Wiimote to Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star is fucking LAME compared to playing, oh I don't know, Enter Sandman?
Strangelove
Mattz
Posted 10:23 PM 25/7/08
@Charbax: I think we've found Konami employee ¬_¬
Mattz
MikeA
Posted 10:17 PM 25/7/08
HAH talk about calling the kettle black.
MikeA
StevenRafael
Posted 10:10 PM 25/7/08
Quit feeding the troll.
StevenRafael
obonicus
Posted 10:36 PM 25/7/08
People who play fake instruments shouldn't throw stones. This is like the Brunching Shuttlecocks chart:
People who play Rock Band [think they're cooler than] people who play Guitar Hero [think they're cooler than] people who play Wii Music [think they're cooler than] people who airdrum.
obonicus
janine
Posted 11:45 PM 25/7/08
@obonicus: Seconded. I sentence all of you to a lifetime of hauling my gear (my amps really heavy).
I've been playing rhythm games or games with some sort of rhythmic aspect for YEARS going back to ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron.
Nintendo had one of my favorite rhythm games of all time in the form of Donkey Konga. Unlike Guitar Hero, where 1-2 buttons stand in as a riff, there's a real musical aspect to Donkey Kong: 1 clap=1 clap. That may be true for the drumming part of Rock Band also. My NYC apartment is too small for me to find out. FYI, the real musicians I know only go for SingStar, Donkey Konga, Amplitude, and Frequency.
That's a roundabout way of saying 2 things: 1) make more Donkey Kongas 2) it's really lame to spend that much time going on about rhythm games if you don't know how to play War pigs in real life.
janine
TheTog
Posted 12:59 AM 26/7/08
I bet nintendo adds a helmet next to their ever expanding controller. after that I but it is another cord with the express purpose of strangling stray cats.
TheTog
fuchikoma
Posted 12:49 AM 26/7/08
But guys... air drums are totally rad!
+ Watch video
Ok, I take it back.
fuchikoma
bluSCALE4
Posted 4:50 PM 25/7/08
Just put down a pillow in front of you and bite on that... I mean beat...
bluSCALE4
Altima NEO
Posted 2:21 AM 26/7/08
Dude, Air Drums = EPIC WIN
the internet doesn't lie
+ Watch video
wait... did I just contradict myself???
Altima NEO
Nate128
Posted 3:04 AM 26/7/08
@janine: I beg to differ on Donkey Konga. I've been playing music my whole life and and the game just felt off to me. It seemed like many notes were oddly-placed and didn't even follow the song's rhythm.
Also, I found that the Bongos (while constructed well) just weren't that great at picking up your hits unless you really pounded on them; precise timing was absolutely crucial (especially the clapping notes) so your hands got mighty sore. Speaking of clapping, how many times did the bongos pick up claps thanks to other noises in the room (yes, I know, you can change the mic sensitivity).
And that track listing? "Top 40" forgettables from 1999 and nursery rhymes, sign me up. Playing the Itsy Bitsy Spider was never before so compelling.
Nate128
Enigma_20XX
Posted 3:59 AM 26/7/08
Like you expected the competition to say anything else...
Enigma_20XX
AntiZERØ
Posted 4:37 AM 26/7/08
it had to be said. and core games...
"don't buy this for your family, m'kay?"
AntiZERØ
zgreenwell
Posted 5:14 AM 26/7/08
You guys are all wrong. This will be an incredibly popular game with the majority of Wii owners. My family would love to get their hands on it.
zgreenwell
MattB
Posted 10:46 AM 26/7/08
@okenny :): Indeed. I have not played any Wii music. I'm sure there are very few that have so this is probably all speculation. I am inclined to trust Harmonix's evaluation of the concept though.
MattB
man in gauze is king ramses II, silly.
Posted 12:06 PM 26/7/08
@zgreenwell:
Yes, because of the opinion of your family, an all 90 of us who like to actually play instruments and fell like we're doing more than just trying to kill flies or what have you, are wrong.
man in gauze is king ramses II, silly.
Darkbeat
Posted 2:59 AM 27/7/08
+ Watch video
Darkbeat
`
Posted 4:41 PM 27/7/08
Drumming is about hitting something, your plasma TV.
`
victorydiv
Posted 9:52 PM 25/7/08
@Charbax:
Friends:
Charbax has no friends.
...but, he seems to have the basic test for intelligence all figured out.....if you buy a game he doesn't like....you're totally dumb! pfft!
victorydiv