[Morrigoon]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Preachy response alert:

I don't have Rock Band, but I have Stage Play. Each person gets a "script" or "part," and you can swap. You can play an entire game or just set it to go level by level or "scene" by "scene." There's also a "solitaire" or "monologue" setting for when you're alone. It's quite a challenge to make your on-screen character perform realistically. You get a real sense of how hard it is for professional actors to give realistic performances in movies like Shrek. If you buy Stage Play, don't get the kid's version, because those omit the "coed dressing room" and "cast party" levels.

My other favorite game is "Dinner Party." Each controller represents a guest. The difficulty levels are determined by the topic of conversation, and the tone of the party you wish to maintain. For example, a non-controversial topic and a genial atmosphere are pretty easy, but that level gets boring pretty quickly. The toughest, of course, is to navigate a controversial topic while maintaining good will and mutual respect. I haven't mastered it yet.

Anyway, I've always liked video games as much as the next guy, at least in bars, and I'm sure Rock Band is fun. Nonetheless, it's a bit of a head scratcher. Playing music isn't like being an astronaut or a Norse warrior. Any adult who wants to act like they're playing an instrument should probably just go take music lessons.

The way you wrote this up totally put a smile on my face. Which is quite an achievement for a curmudgeonly post. So well done