Rock Band creator launches music-driven pet sim BeatNiks

By Danny Cowan Published November 10, 2015

BeatNiks Official Trailer - Meet the BeatNiks!

Rock Band and Guitar Hero creator Harmonix taps the mobile market for its latest release, leveraging its experience in the rhythm genre for a new music-driven virtual pet simulation titled BeatNiks for iOS and Android devices.

The free-to-play BeatNiks grants players in-game bonuses and outfits based on tracks in their mobile device’s music library, putting a uniquely personalized spin on the classic Tamagotchi formula.

BeatNiks begins with players designing and customizing their in-game pet from a variety of available presets and body types. From there, players interact with their pet on a daily basis, alternating between affection, play, and cleanup as situations demand.

Throughout the course of the game, a player’s BeatNik will evolve and grow new body parts based on interaction and unlockable items that can be earned either through gameplay or via in-app purchases. Clothing and accessories determine a BeatNik’s personality, and its home can also be customized with appropriate rockstar furnishings.

BeatNiks also boasts a collection of minigames, ranging from a Doodle Jump-like platformer to rhythm games that recall Harmonix’s efforts on consoles. Minigames award in-game currency and items, giving players an incentive to return on a daily basis to collect new rewards.

Developer Harmonix has branched out into new creative directions after the rhythm genre reached its peak in popularity several years back. The studio released its first shoot-’em-up, A City Sleeps, in 2014, merging arcade-styled gameplay with musical elements that determine the player’s rate of fire, among other key mechanics.

Recently, Harmonix released the Wii Sports-like Beat Sports for the fourth-generation Apple TV microconsole. The package features a series of sports-themed minigames that incorporate unique rhythm-driven mechanics, including unique takes on tennis, volleyball, and golf.

BeatNiks is available as a free download via the iTunes App Store and Google Play.

Topics

Contributor

Danny’s passion for video games was ignited upon his first encounter with Nintendo’s Duck Hunt, and years later, he still…

Gaming

Ubisoft confirms Assassin’s Creed remakes are in the works

Basim perched on a ledge overlooking Baghdad

In a company interview with CEO Yves Guillemot posted on the Ubisoft website Thursday, the executive reveals that there are remakes of Assassin's Creed games in the works, although he doesn't specify which ones.

"Players can be excited about some remakes, which will allow us to revisit some of the games we've created in the past and modernize them," he says, implying that it could pertain to games made before Odyssey. "There are worlds in some of our older Assassin's Creed games that are still extremely rich."

Gaming

Surfaced patent shows what an Xbox streaming console would’ve looked like

An Xbox Series X sits next to both Series S models.

There have been a few Xbox devices that have never come to fruition, one of which was Keystone, a prototype for an affordable game streaming device you could hook up to your TV or monitor. Thanks to a surfaced patent, we've gotten an even closer look at what it would've potentially looked like.

The patent, first spotted by Windows Central, gives us a more complete view of the device. We've previously seen the Keystone in the flesh. Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer is known for hiding teases and interesting collectibles on the shelf in his office. In a 2022 X (formerly Twitter) post congratulating Bethesda on Fallout's 25th anniversary, you can see a small white device on the top shelf that's actually a Keystone prototype. Xbox told Digital Trends that it was a version of the device made before it decided to "refocus our efforts on a new approach.”

Gaming

Wordle Today: Wordle answer and hints for June 28

Someone playing Wordle on a smartphone.

We have the solution to Wordle on June 28, as well as some helpful hints to help you figure out the answer yourself, right here. We've placed the answer at the bottom of the page, so we don't ruin the surprise before you've had a chance to work through the clues. So let's dive in, starting with a reminder of yesterday's answer.
Yesterday's Wordle answer
Let's start by first reminding ourselves of yesterday's Wordle answer for those new to the game or who don't play it daily, which was "ORDER." So we can say that the Wordle answer today definitely isn't that. Now, with that in mind, perhaps take another stab at it using one of these Wordle starting words and circle back if you have no luck.
Hints for today's Wordle
Still can't figure it out? We have today's Wordle answer right here, below. But first, one more thing: Let's take a look at three hints that could help you find the solution, without giving it away, so there's no need to feel guilty about keeping your streak alive -- you put in some work, after all! Or just keep scrolling for the answer.

Today’s Wordle includes the letter D.
Today’s Wordle uses two vowels.
Today's Wordle can refer to a large number of animals, particularly livestock like cattle or sheep, that are moving together in a group.