blog.jamlegend.com

You've told us that you wanted more plays and we have now made that possible. Choose from the following options here:

http://www.jamlegend.com/playmore

Ask For Plays From Your Friends

Psst... this option isn't limited to your country, so you can ask that distant cousin of yours in Luxembourg to give you some plays.

Get Free Plays By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Just follow the instructions on the few screens and you will be able to get your free plays for the day!

Get Unlimited Plays with VIP

This option is our favorite - you get a whopping 200 plays a day for less than it costs for a Big Mac! Go get some JamCash (http://www.jamlegend.com/jamcash) and choose from a bunch of different options including: paid options, Free Offers, mobile offers, magazine subscriptions, free surveys, and even simple tasks.

Alright enjoy all you cool cats!

When we introduced the country flag badges, the first thing everyone asked for was to see the other users with their same badge.  Well, today we can finally say that country leaderboards have arrived.  At the top of the top players page, you can now select a country to view only users with that country flag either by clicking on the flag or selecting the country name from the dropdown.

It looks like this:

Selecting a country will filter both the active players leaderboard, like so ...

... and the top scores leaderboard:

Also, we found that there was little variation in the top scores leaderboard, with a particular Dream Theater song consistently dominating.  This wasn't an accurate reflection of achievement, because that song was so much longer than any others.  By making the top scores leaderboard only show the top scores on the most recently featured song, there will frequently be new opportunities for more users to earn a place.

Before diving into what’s changed, we first need everyone to understand how some users try to cheat on JamLegend. Cheating takes two main forms: (1) hacking, which means attempting to technologically manipulate JamLegend, or (2) botting, which fakes JamLegend gameplay.  Here’s how we address both.

1. Hacking (e.g. Cheat Engine)

We recently started using a new engine in the main game that was previously only in the JamBox and Showdowns.  The new engine directly helps combat hacking, as some users have known for some time.  Furthermore, hacked scores tend to be easily detectable because of their diversion from the norm.  It is our policy to ban those users found hacking or attempting to hack.

2. Botting

Since botting fakes human behavior, bots are very hard to detect.  We limit daily play to what is humanly possible (even for VIPs), which has disincentivized many botters but not dissuaded them all.  As with hacking, it is our policy to ban users found using bots.  Sometimes, botters admit to the act and, at other times, inhumanly high stats are a clear indication.  In both cases, we ban the accounts.

We investigate all user reports alleging hacking or botting, since all forms of cheating ruin the experience for everyone.  Unfortunately, some users send us intentionally false accusations.  At face value, these are hard to distinguish, so we investigate all claims, which can slow our response to legitimate reports.  The bottom line is this:  Without evidence, we will not ban a user.

OK, let’s move on to what’s new...

Ever since we started JamLegend, some of the most popular suggestions have been multipliers, star power, bonus notes, and other power-ups.  Here are just a few GetSatisfaction threads:

• http://getsatisfaction.com/jamlegend/topics/suggestions_a_lot_of_them
• http://getsatisfaction.com/jamlegend/topics/multiplier_and_star_power_bonus
• http://getsatisfaction.com/jamlegend/topics/bonus_notes

We’ve also received countless e-mails over the years suggesting power-ups and our response was always the same: “We agree! Some day...”  Well, as of this week, we’ve delivered on that promise.  Power-ups are finally here: http://blog.jamlegend.com/jamlegend-power-ups

Since the first introduction of power-ups, we’ve released these additional changes:

Power-up usage is transparent:

For every score on JamLegend, you’ll see what, if any, power-ups were used and, in the future, you’ll even be able to see when!  

Power-ups can be earned by leveling-up:

Each earned power up can be used once per play.  For example, when you reach level 7, you get 1 free Lighting Power per play.  Combine your skill with the strategic use of power-ups to score score your best ever.  For the full list and descriptions, go to http://www.jamlegend.com/power-ups

Found cheaters are excluded from leaderboards:

Previously, banning accounts stopped the cheater, but their scores lived on.  That day has passed; the scores die with the account.

Now, let’s address some of the common concerns:

Power-ups let cheaters take over leaderboards:

The leaderboards have long been dominated by cheaters.  This is a problem that needs fixing, and power-ups help us do that.

Power-ups increase the variability of points on a given track; using a few or a lot, and when you use them, can make a big difference.  This helps us identify hacked or bot scores because we can see when a score was achieved with an unusual number of power-ups.  For example, if a track normally requires 2 Lightning Powers to earn over 200,000 points, and somebody did it without power-ups, then that user likely cheated.  

Being able to more easily identify hacked and bot scores leads to a better leaderboard that highlights real users and real achievements.

Only the rich will get on leaderboards:

Skill is more necessary than ever to earn a place on the leaderboard, because power-ups create an additional skill to learn.  When and how you use a power-up determines its overall effect.  Think of it like Fire Power in Super Mario Bros; sure, you can try to beat the entire game as a little plumber, but everybody can benefit from a few fireballs now and then, and what really matters is when you use them!

Power-ups benefit new users:

New users are actually at a disadvantage, because they do not have the benefit of free power up uses that users of higher level have earned.

Users are leaving because of power-ups:

Many users are leaving not because of power-ups, but because of a daily play limit in their country. Advertisers in those countries were unwilling to support free play. We're upset by the situation too, but some countries simply don't contribute their share and continuing to operate for free in those countries hurts everybody else on JamLegend.  

For those users unable to upgrade to VIP, we recommend playing unofficial songs: http://www.jamlegend.com/jam. You can play normal usage on those songs as if you lived in a country where advertisers are willing to support free official play. You can still play great tracks, attain high scores, and participate in all social interactions on JamLegend.

The staff is greedy:

This accusation is the most hurtful to us.  It costs a lot to run JamLegend.  Think of how much you play, how much you played before the limits, then multiply that by millions of people and a few years.

From the outset of JamLegend, we have had a single goal:  to make JamLegend self-sustainable.  After two and a half years, we’re still not there.  We’ve tried big things and small things, but every day it still costs more to run JamLegend than the money brought in.  That needs to change, or there won’t be a JamLegend for us to build and for you to play and enjoy.  We’re not trying to drive you away from JamLegend.  We don’t want to block your country or restrict your play.  We’re just trying to make sure there is a JamLegend for anybody.

When you buy a power-up, you support JamLegend.  When you become a VIP, you support JamLegend.  We’re literally just guys in small apartment running JamLegend 24/7 with our blood, sweat, and tears.  We’re not evil.  We care enough about JamLegend to continue working for you.  Do you care enough?

Stay tuned... Andrew, Arjun, Ryan, and Rob

The JamLegend team has been hard at work on the most anticipated feature on JamLegend... Power-Ups!

Let's introduce the new hotness:

 

Note Bomb - When used, this little piece of machinery blows up all the notes on the screen and gives you points as if you hit them! Use it when you're surrounded by a horde of notes.

 

Gauge Boost - If you find yourself in the Red because of a tough solo (or your mom interrupted you during an important part of the song), you can get back to Green immediately. It's like a Monster drink for JamLegend!

 

Lightning Mode - Last, but certainly not least, Lightning Mode doubles your current multiplier for 20 seconds!

25		Mountain Men by Crash Kings Piano driven rock with a funky rhythm section. Like Ben Folds, but angrier.
24		The Sprinter by Armada Fans of Wilco, Spoon and Smashing Pumpkins will like this driving indie rock classic.
23		Bass Song byJoseph Patrick Moore   Jazz bassist soothes us with his funky solo jams..
22		Fire by Ketura Aggressive indie rock with a hint of electronica.
21		The Ticking Clock (Miss Understood) by Submission Red Another awesome track from "The rock band with the fun, crazy, black chick singer."
20		It's Only Paper Feat. Jack Johnson by Ozomatli Jack Johnson and Ozomatli prove money isn't the root of all evil, "It's Only Paper."
19		Lay Me Down by The Dirty Heads Sublime fans will love this sublime summer jam.
18		Bullet Wearing Trademark Clothes by Juke Kartel When the producer for Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains describes the band as "one of the best rock bans to come out in a long time," you should play their song.
17		Cruel Intentions by Age of Evil The perfect blend of Old-School and New-School metal.
16		Where We Belong by Thriving Ivory Alt rock supported by lush cinematic orchestration.
15		I Stand by Honor By August This band made it on our Top 25 last year, and they don't fail to disappoint this year- enjoy another masterpiece!.
14		After You Close Your Eyes by The Ultrasounds  Forward thinking indie rock for fans of The Strokes and Elliott Smith.
13		So Obvious by Runner Runner Talented group of pop punk musicians from bands like Rufio and Don't Look Down also make awesome emo rock.
12		Crazyman by Jaded Sun Maybe it's the harmonica, but this song makes you want to drive down a lonesome road.
11		Beethoven: Fur Elise by Piano Classics Beethoven is still surprisingly popular 250 years after his death.
10		Louder Than Words by Celldweller Industrial Electronica that has shared a stage with Three Doors Down, Mindless Self Indulgence, and Godhead.
09		Girl by Say Okay If Owl City and Blink 182 had a child... and then that child became talented... it would probably sound like this.
08		Turn It On by Default  Like Nickelback without the monotony, you'll get pumped with this song
07		Escapegoat (feat. Victor Smolski) by The Claymore Like Stratovarius and Nightwish, these guys own melodic, speedy power metal.
06		Home by UnSun If you're a fan of Evanescence, you'll love this band that mixes light, dark, and bittersweet.
05		Tragedy by Brandon Slavinski This track was featured in Hollister's Spring 2010 playlist.
04		Left of Center by Serj Tankian From the lead singer of System of a Down, an exploration in sound from his album Imperfect Harmonies.
03		Nightmare by Avenged Sevefold If there is a quintessential metal band, Avenged Sevenfold is it.
02		That's What I'm Here For by Jason Castro Contestant on American Idol and the only artist here with a dedicated parade in his honor.
01		Last, the top song of 2010... weighing it in at around 3M plays... from one of the most desired in entertainment...  Click here to play the #1 song on JamLegend.

Black Tide come out of the gate with all guns blazing. Their Interscope Records debut, Light from Above, is a loaded salvo of fret-burning, hyper-charged riffs. The Florida quartet churns out fist-pumping, fast-paced metallic anthems with no remorse. Their sound channels the forefathers of heavy metal, but with a dose of 21st century attitude. Cuts like "Shockwave," "Warriors of Time" and "Show Me The Way" pack enough explosive energy to ignite any crowd. Drummer Steven Spence lays down a propulsive percussive backdrop for Zakk Sandler's volatile bass lines. Meanwhile, guitarist Austin Diaz rips mean leads across the rhythmic battlefield, picking each note with an unmatched fury. At the eye of the storm is vocalist and guitarist Gabriel Garcia. Leading the charge, his voice carries hooks to Hell and back, while he scorches his strings. He fires off every chorus with conviction and charisma.

Gabrial formed Black Tide along with Zakk in 2003. Steven joined the ranks in 2006, and after an incendiary performance at that year's Florida Music Festival, Interscope signed the band. Black Tide recorded their debut, Light from Above, at Groovemaster Studios, with Johnny K (Disturbred, Staind). Johnny K has since garnered the venerable “Producer Of The Year” 2008 Grammy-nomination for his recent body of work including Black Tide’s album.

Upon completion of Light From Above, the four lads hit the road on OZZfest 2007's main stage alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Lamb of God and Static-X. Immediately, they began to build a buzz because of their no-holds barred approach to infectious, arena-ready heavy metal.

Zakk sums up the band's sound: "Black Tide sounds like four pissed off teenagers who listen to too much good music. When we come together, we make something special. We love Iron Maiden, Pantera, Metallica and Guns 'N' Roses, but we don't try to be anything we're not. We just get up on stage and do what we love."

Leading up to album release on March 18, 2008 release, the band toured with the likes of Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for My Valentine and All That Remains. Garnering instant acclaim, Light From Above sent a "shockwave" of its own through the scene. Rolling Stone named Black Tide one of the “Best Rookies of 2008” and “Metal’s New Teen Titans,” Spin tapped them as one of the “Next Big Things,” while Revolver featured them as a “Band To Watch” and included them on the cover of the August 2008 Mayhem issue, and Kerrang! proclaimed them “Best International Newcomer.” The band followed its release with a main stage appearance on the inaugural Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival alongside Slipknot and Disturbed. The tour was a massive success, and inspired them to start composing new songs.

"We've grown up and changed," Gabriel elaborates. "The new material sounds different, but fans are going to like it. We try to write epic songs. We learned from watching all of the bands we've toured with. The next record's definitely going to be a lot more musical. The songs are more intense and complicated for guitar players. We want to feel it just as much as we want the fans to feel it."

Steven describes an important moment for the band internationally. "One real milestone for us was when we played Download Festival 2008. It's such a prestigious rock event, and we had the honor of playing on the main stage. It was insane." The band left a big impression on the Donnington crowd, solidifying their presence overseas. Steven continues, "We want to build a hardcore fan base that grows with us. We want to make strong, powerful meaningful music that affects people. Fans can rely on us to be consistent. This is what we're here to do, and there's no time for complaining. People would kill to be where we're at. We just appreciate it."

After Download, the band added guitarist Austin Diaz to the fold, and he's been the perfect fret foil for Gabriel. "Austin is awesome. He learned all of our songs in two days, before the first date of Mayhem. We played the show, and he killed it. On Mayhem, Austin and I started coming up with riff and song ideas for the next album," Gabriel says. About joining the band and composing new tunes, Austin excitedly exclaims, "This band stands out, and I am honored to join. It's a breath of fresh air for heavy metal, and it's going to keep escalating. The music that we've been writing is really technical, but it's still Black Tide."

In the end, Black Tide are ready for anything. Gabriel comments, "The band is so united now. We've never been together like this before. Black Tide's stronger than ever." That strength will only lead to bigger and better things. Zakk concludes, "The kids want more, and I want more out of us everyday. We're like that arena rock band who just hasn't made it to the arenas, yet." It's only a matter of time until they do.