If Rock Band VR's classic mode is about the pursuit of a note-perfect studio recording, Rock Band VR's performance mode, illustrated in the above gameplay video, represents the creative freedom of a live concert where no two performances sound exactly the same.

ROCK BAND VR

AUDIO LEAD
HARMONIX (2017) / OCULUS RIFT

Discipline lead, gameplay/audio design, music composition, sound design, 3D spatialization, song/game mix, level design and gameplay creation/authoring, FMOD Studio implementation, engine implementation/scripting. Audio support provided by SkewSound (Chris Wilson and Nick Kallman).

Rock Band VR features brand new gameplay that sets it apart from previous iterations of the franchise, being built from the ground up for virtual reality. The new gameplay was made possible thanks to a prototype Steve spearheaded early in development, allowing for a more performance based experience. The guitar is now your guitar, and you are playing your own track over songs you love. This system of improvised guitar simulation was awarded patent US 20160343362 A1.

From the announcement: "Oculus and Harmonix are excited to announce that Rock Band™ is coming to the Rift in 2016! This brand new made-for-VR game inspired by the original Rock Band™, from developer Harmonix, places you on a virtual stage living out the ultimate rock and roll fantasy, only for the Oculus Rift."

PRESS
SOUND ON SOUND - “Steve Pardo: Creating Rock Band VR”
THE VERGE
PC WORLD
VENTURE BEAT

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