Cloud 9 Games, Inc. announced today that their Heavenly Harmony Music Expansion Pack #3 – Contemporary Christian is now available in retail stores. The expansion pack works with their Heavenly Harmony Christian Karaoke game.
The new expansion pack includes songs from artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder Band, Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant, Avalon, ZoeGirl, Nicole Nordeman, tobyMac, Newsboys, Stacie Orrico and Shawn McDonald.
(Question: I’m pretty sure ZoeGirl isn’t even a group any more and it’s been a while since Stacie Orrico or Nicole Nordeman released new music. And does anyone else think it’s odd to include Jeremy Camp or tobyMac on a CCM pack? Sure, we can rock out to Jeremy Camp and then go play … Amy Grant?)
One of the things that I find really disappointing is to see an artist like Shawn McDonald pegged as CCM on a game like this. Sure, he’s a Christian and an artist. But the song they’ve included, “Gravity,” is absolutely incredible and would be fantastic on a mainstream game. If you haven’t checked out Shawn McDonald, stop what you’re doing and to listen.
In September, Digital Praise released their Christian version of Guitar Hero, Guitar Praise. And not to be outdone, Cloud 9 is getting ready to release “the world’s first Christian rock band game,” JAMpak.
JAMpak will offer a free downloadable expansion pack for Heavenly Harmony Gold that allows up to four singers, one guitarist and one drummer to sing and play along with top Christian artists “for the most exciting, immersive game-play ever offered in a Christian-themed product!”
Regular readers of this blog will know that I know nothing about playing Rock Band or Guitar Hero (and question whether we need to add more products to our parallel Christian universe), so I rely on my techie readers (like Alex) to chime in with details about what works, what doesn’t, what is fun, what stinks. For example, I have no idea if JAMpak will require the purchase of pseudo guitars and drums, or if you can use Rock Band stuff. So if you guys know anything about any of these games, please please please feel free to chime in, share your experiences and tell us what you think about these new products.
Heavenly Harmony Music Expansion Pack #3 – Contemporary Christian is available $24.95 (USD) and is designed for Windows personal computers (Vista, XP, 2000).
RELATED POSTS
Shawn McDonald’s Roots Remixed – But Why?
Christian interactive Guitar Praise game debuts this fall – is that a good thing?
What’s your dream Guitar Hero Christian song list?
Cloud Nine releases Christian karaoke
MTV chimes in on new Christian Guitar Hero, Digital Praise’s Guitar Praise
Franktown Rocks is fun for kids (and grownups)
Chapman family suffers tragic loss
Chapman family appears in People, links to Larry King and GMA interviewsChristian music trivia July 23, 2008
posted November 4, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Can you use 2 guitars? lead and bass
posted November 16, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Sorry, Paul. You can only use one player guitar, one player drums. They will add two guitar support later.
posted November 18, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Played it on Sunday. Looks like they are moving in the right direction.
posted December 22, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Hey guys,
I absolutely hate to say this, but the Heavenly Harmony Gold graphics look like a cheap knockoff of Guitar Hero’s (see link).
Chances of me buying this game? Next to none.
-Alex
posted December 22, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Alex, thank you SO much for sharing your thoughts! I’ve depended on your input, LOL. I know some people have liked the game, but some haven’t, and your feedback is always helpful.
Thanks a bunch!!
Joanne
host of the GS blog
posted January 1, 2009 at 12:18 pm
JamPak will work with Rock Band/Guitar Hero 4 equipment, by the way.
posted January 1, 2009 at 12:31 pm
That’s a good thing, right? So you can use Christian music on the Rock Band/Guitar Hero equipment? I’ll have to make a note of that in a post.
Thanks, Alex!
Joanne
host of the GS blog
posted January 21, 2009 at 11:36 am
From what I understand, only the instruments from RB/GH for the Xbox360 and PS3 will work with this – meaning owners of the Wii version of either game (such as myself) are out of luck.
What I want to know is why no one is developing a Christian song pack for RB or GH. Why do we need a separate game? I’m sure Harmonix wouldn’t be interested in producing it, but won’t they allow third-party song packs?
posted January 21, 2009 at 2:04 pm
That’s a question I’ve been asking all along. I’ll bet that once the mainstream industry sees how much money they can make, they’ll come up with a Christian music pack.
Joanne
host of the GS blog