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Rock Band - Battle of the Bands
This judging system is meant to keep contests open to all skill levels and song choices, and still keep the event fair and competitive. A bands’ Final Score will always consist of a Game Score, based off of the percentage and skill level of each player, and a Stage Presence Score, based off of each band member’s movements and antics on stage. Here is how it will be calculated:
Game Score
Each band members’ final percentage will be averaged together to acquire a score that should be close to 100. Skill level bonus points will be added to each performer’s final percentage before averaging together.
The bonus points are as follows: Easy +0, Medium +3, Hard +6, Expert +9 as well as a 0-6 bonus points based off of the songs difficulty rating which is noted in the menu screen (6 is for the devil horns difficulty).
Sometimes the game score will average above 100 points, but this is ok since the Game Score will be averaged together with the Stage Presence Score in the end.
Stage Presence Score
Each band member will be judged a total possible 25 points each, for their movements and antics on stage, totaling a max possible 100 points for the whole band. 20 of these points (32 if “Gold Starred”) are decided by the bands in game Star Earnings (max 5 stars each with 8 points each being awarded for a “Gold Star” performance).
The number of judges will vary depending on the venue but the judge / judges will not be allowed to participate in the “Battle of the Bands” in order to prevent a biased score. As mentioned before, this Stage Presence Score will be averaged together with the Game Score to get a Final Score.
Final Score Example:
Game Score:
Song difficulty - 4
Vocals – 90% on Medium + song difficulty = 97 points
Guitar – 96% on Expert + song difficulty = 109 points
Drums – 90% on Easy + song difficulty = 94 points
Bass – 88% on Hard + song difficulty = 98 points
All 4 members averaged together for the final Game Score = 99.5
Stage Presence Score:
* All scores given below include a 4 star band performance *
Bass - 20 (up strummed the whole song and scissor kicked twice)
Guitar - 12 (stood still the whole time and bobbed his head)
Drums - 22 (flailed wildly, clicked sticks together during kick pedal only parts, and twirled sticks between notes)
Vocals - 23 (Rarely looked at the screen, hi fived crowed members, great facial expression and body movement)
All 4 members added together for the final Stage Presence Score = 77
Game Score and Stage Presence Score averaged together for the Final Score= 86.25
*See the Judging Score Card to calculate your own example*
Sometimes the band will be required to put together a 2 song set list at which time the 2 song performances will be averaged together for 1 final score. This depends on time constraints and number of bands in a tournament.
Although the Stage Presence Score will always be subjective to the judge / judges, here are a few hints at what the judges will be looking for during a bands performance in each category.
Vocals:
-Rock Star Look: Hair, clothes, makeup, etc… The look doesn’t necessarily have to be crazy, but a theme amongst the band members is what we are looking for. Props such as special mic stands also factor into this score.
-Stage Movement: The singer can move around the most so do it! Look away from the screen (know the song by heart), use your real voice instead of the game vocals and move around the stage.
-Crowd Interaction: Work the crowd. You are the front man/woman so act like it. Give shout outs during “over drive” moments.
-Band Unison – Interact with the other band members. Do stage moves together, sing into the same mic, etc…
Guitar / Bass:
-Rock Star Look: Hair, clothes, makeup, etc… The look doesn’t necessarily have to be crazy, but a theme amongst the band members is what we are looking for. Props such as guitar facades (modded guitars are not allowed) also factor into this score.
-Stage Movement: Movement on stage (power slides, scissor kicks, behind the head…etc…). Occasional “no looks” from the screen. Interact with the other band members and move around the stage. Up strums only (bass), use of solo fret buttons (guitar).
-Crowd Interaction: Work the crowd. Play to them, not the TV screen!
-Band Unison – Interact with the other band members. Do stage moves together, back up singing during the chorus.
Drums:
-Rock Star Look: Hair, clothes, makeup, etc… The look doesn’t necessarily have to be crazy, but a theme amongst the band members is what we are looking for. Props such as special drumsticks, kick drum facades (modded drums are not allowed) also factor into this score.
-Stage Movement: This is hardest for the drummer. If you can move or stand up, do it! Cymbal usage (instead of the regular pads) and occasional “no looks” from the screen also factor into this score. Interact with other band members when possible.
-Crowd Interaction: Work the crowd. Play to them, not the TV screen! Drum fills during “over drive” moments will also factor into this score.
-Band Unison – Interact with the other band members. Do stage moves together, back up singing during the chorus.
In the event of the game being paused or shut off by a band member during the performance, leaving the Game Score unusable, then only the Stage Presence Score will be used for the Final Score with a 20-point deduction (5 points per band member). I highly recommend not doing this!
Good luck at the next “Battle of the Bands” event!!
