Clutter alert: Ridiculous Rock Band add-on
I warned about Rock Band clutter last year and Erin provided a possible solution to keeping Rock Band accessories in order, but neither of us could have foreseen such an incredibly ridiculous add-on to the Rock Band “experience.” The new add-ons for Rock Band 2 are a smoke machine and a strobe light. The Stage Kit from Performance Designed Products (PDP) is $99. The release date is November 2008, which makes it perfect timing to clutter up your holiday season!
I’m not exactly sure what the Stage Kit will do for improving your game play (won’t it decrease visibility of the TV screen?), but it may increase your need to hire a Rock Band roadie. The roadie could carry all your Rock Band peripherals along with your new Stage Kit. He or she could even set up your Premium Drum Set.
Check out Crave for more information and a cringe inducing video for the Stage Kit.
20 comments posted
Posted by Peter (a different one) - 10/23/2008
Yes – you’re right, we’ll now need a Rock Band roadie – more clutter!
Posted by becoming minimalist - 10/23/2008
i heard yesterday that the average game player is now in his/her 30s. it’s interesting to see what the industry continues to come up with now that the average player has more and more disposable income.
Posted by Rue - 10/23/2008
Agreed with @becoming minimalist.
The sheer amount of things, and increasing ridiculousness of them, that video games are coming up with is crazy! Who needs strobe lights and a smoke machine? That’s something you MIGHT need if you’re playing a REAL gig, not some stupid video game gig…sigh.
Posted by Bluegrass Rules - 10/23/2008
Rock Band itself is clutter.
Posted by Tiko|Peace-Joy-Love - 10/23/2008
OMG…this IS ridiculous! But, it will make a great gag gift for my friend, a GROWN woman who secretly LOVES rockband. LOL…;-)
Posted by John of Indiana - 10/23/2008
Probably doesn’t take up as much room as Pipe Organ Hero III, the John Wanamaker Grand Court Edition…
Me, I’ll stick with Kazoo Hero…
Posted by DaveW - 10/23/2008
@John of Indiana – best laugh I’ve had in weeks…
Are people still not getting the idea that income is not disposable? I’m not against having fun, but the entire concept of “disposable income”, especially on credit, has not only brought America, but the entire world to its knees. /rant
I’m curious – how many Unclutterer readers are also Consumerist readers?
Posted by Brian Dirk - 10/23/2008
Wow. I commented in the previously linked “warning” article. And yet again, I am sickened by the tone of this post.
The products are obviously ridiculous expressions of crass consumerism attempting to target fans of a particular game/hobby: cluttering up the lives of those foolish enough to buy the items. No argument there.
But why does it feel as if fans and owners of these games are being lambasted in the post? Is it possible that someone can be a fan and owner of the game (and other games as well) and ALSO be willing, interested and able to keep the clutter to a minimum?
Is it possible that because one of my hobbies is gaming, that I am ALSO able to stay away from useless crap that doesn’t enhance that hobby?
I think it is. Though, from the tone of your post, I don’t think you believe either scenario is possible.
Posted by Cyrano - 10/23/2008
@Brian Dirk – I’m a gamer, and don’t feel targeted in anyway from this post. I think you’re reading way too into this.
Posted by chrismehigan - 10/23/2008
Clutter alert: Awesome Rock Band add-on
Fixed the headline for you.
Posted by MFP - 10/23/2008
If you don’t play Rock Band, or would not get much additional enjoyment out of these accessories, then they are clutter.
If you do play, and would get a great deal of pleasure out of adding these effects to the experience, and have a reasonable way to store them when they are not in use, then they may not be clutter.
I don’t play Rock Band, and if I did I probably would not want these things, so for me they would be clutter. But I don’t presume to make that call for anyone else.
I think uncluttering can be a valuable practice or anyone, but I don’t have much patience for the judgmental approach that crops up so often in the “uncluttering movement.” Like sweeping declarations that a given item IS ridiculous clutter, or fervent crusades against “unitaskers.”
It seems to me that whether an item is clutter depends on the following analysis: Does the item give more value, in usefulness or enjoyment, than it takes up in time, space and attention? If it does, then it is not clutter. If it does not, then seriously consider getting rid of it.
I’m sure that many things in my home would be considered clutter by someone with different interests. And plenty of things in their homes would seem like clutter to me. And that’s great.
Uncluttering should be a practice, not a dogma.
Posted by supersocco - 10/23/2008
I would never own it, but I am glad my friends do. I love to see their RockBand/Clutter pile up. Guilt-free playing for me.
Posted by IAmSpinalTap - 10/23/2008
There are a growing number of venues–like bars, restaurants and night clubs–hosting Guitar Hero and Rock Band events. This product seems like a really good fit for those types of applications.
Why would you automatically assume this is specifically targeted at home consumers? Also, it was announced nearly a year ago… so, grats for old news.
Posted by Andy - 10/23/2008
You mean… ridiculously awesome, right? Right?
Posted by Karen - 10/24/2008
I find this totally hilarious! We bought a smoke machine about a year and a half ago for an independent film we were working on. If we ever play Rock Band we will have our own smoke machine. It’s great at Halloween!
Posted by k - 10/24/2008
We have Rock Band AND Rock Band 2. We’ve got enough space between the couch and the wall (in front of the subwoofer) to reasonably hide the 2 guitar controllers and store the drums. The microphone and most of the wires live in a plastic diaper wipes box near the guitars. Now if I can convince my husband that these things don’t need to be connected and out in the open, ready to play, every single day…
Posted by Kellye - 10/24/2008
I’m starting to think I should give this game a try. People obviously take it VERY seriously if it needs its own strobe light and fog machine. Wow.
Posted by Kevin - 10/25/2008
It’s only with a product like this that you can rock hard enough in order to turn all the other clutter in your life into cars or money or jelly or something. It’s suprising how many people don’t know the true magical power of rocking.
Posted by Gordon - 12/23/2008
Hi. Good news.
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