Rock Band Survey Hints At Sequel, New Pricing

Reader "shroom" wrote to us recently to let us know that he'd taken part in an online survey that asked his opinion on a number of Rock Band related topics, including questions that hinted at new pricing structure possibilities for the current release and a "full featured sequel." Describing Rock Band 2 as "similar to full featured sequels you see released by other big video game franchises, such as Need for Speed, Devil May Cry, Final Fantasy" adding new capabilities on par with a "Guitar Hero to Guitar Hero II" iteration, the survey simply asks how interested one would be in purchasing Rock Band 2.

That couldn't be more devoid of details, sadly. More interesting is the survey's data gathering on alternate pricing schemes, indicating that EA and MTV Games may be looking at giving you more Rock Band for your buck.

Off Topic Kotaku Survey: Revenge of Sales

You know, we run these surveys from time to time, with yours truly forced to do the Sales department's evil bidding. I'm just a henchman, a lackey, the ectomorphic Odd Job to my Auric Goldfingers in sales. Or maybe I'm the powerless Thunder to my David Lo Pan's at Gawker HQ. Whatever the analogy, the whip-holders have fired up the survey machine once more. This time, it's personal... and very comprehensive. Appropriately, the prize has been upped to a whopping $300 worth of AmEx gift card. It's a bit of time investment, but we'll definitely appreciate it as we enjoy our food, shelter and clothing for the foreseeable future. The rules are here. Survey says!

American Game Developers Make $73,600 (On Average)

Game Developer magazine has just published the results of their annual Game Developer Salary Survey. Their findings? The average American developer salary—excluding people like part time testers and richie rich studio heads—was $73,600 in 2007. That's up scant $284 from 2006. Other findings of note include:

• 18% of producers are women (that's high for the industry)
• Business/Marketing personnel made most, averaging $101,848/year
• QA testers made the least, averaging $39,063/year

But there are lots more fun facts and figures in the release after the jump. So enjoy! (Our apologies if you make less than average. It's time to ask for that raise. Just make sure to print the report on company paper.)

Sony Wants To Know Why You're Hacking Your PSP

The engineers at Sony can't be too thrilled with fighting the constant battle against PSP hackers, issuing firmware updates that "strengthen security" in a futile attempt to curb piracy and homebrew applications. Going by a recent survey commissioned by Sony Computer Entertainment, passed on to us by a reader who was asked to take part, the company seems to be looking into the reasons why PSP owners are opening up their portables.

Sony reps call the survey a part of "ongoing PSP consumer research", attempting to learn more about the size of the PSP hacking population and the mentality behind the behavior. Questions like "Do you know of anyone who has "hacked," or modified, transferred and customized their PSP firmware and software?" were included elsewhere in the poll.

We're following up with Sony to learn more about its research.

It's Another Kotaku Survey Giveaway!

It's Kotaku Travel Survey Time! (...The Hell?)

About 63 percent of the U.S. population play video games, and a majority of them see game playing as a way to alleviate stress and to help them unwind, according to a new study conducted by the NPD Group.

The report is based on online survey responses from 5,039 members of NPD's online consumer panel conducted from Oct. 11 to Oct. 18.

Of those who game, 30 percent said they are spending more time gaming this year than last year while another 30 percent or so said they are spending less time and nearly 40 percent say they are spending about the same amount of time. The heaviest gamers in the survey were 18 to 34.

"The new type of game experiences brought to the market over the past several years are succeeding in reaching a broader audience. The challenge for the industry is that consumers are a fickle group, and with the great variety of options pulling at their limited free time, they're going to be easily distracted unless something really compels them to stay with gaming," said Anita Frazier, industry analyst, The NPD Group. "To reach these less involved consumers, the industry has to work even harder, but doing so can produce great rewards."

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