"Rock Band saved our marriage"

By Rob Fahey Published 28 May, 2008

Heart-warming tale from a gaming widow.

It's a scenario that will be familiar to many Eurogamer readers. Normal videogames are small enough to conceal in a jacket, but when you arrive home with a new console or peripheral, let alone a box the size of Rock Band's instrument pack, there's no escaping the interrogation.

The pursed lips as you tell her what price it was, the eye-rolling when you explain what it's for, the strong implication that your brain failed to make the leap past puberty when the rest of you did - it's on these foundations that gamers build their relationships (except when they find other gamers and live happily ever after, of course).

Take hope, then, in the salutary tale that appeared on Salon this week - wherein a "gaming widow" at the end of her tether with her Xbox 360 obsessed husband is introduced to the joys of Rock Band, finds her calling as a virtual drummer, rediscovers her youth and then goes off to have sex. (With her husband, before you ask.)

It's a nice little story, even if by the end of the first page you're a bit worried that the writer is about to start boiling bunny rabbits - but why are we linking it here, you may ask?

We're linking it here as a public service, friends. We know there are some of you eyeing the likes of Rock Band jealously, but certain that it'll never pass muster with your partner. Perhaps a little bit of judicious lunchtime reading is in order for them?

Pass it on. You never know, come Friday evening your better half could also be your bandmate.

Picture of Rob.

About Rob Fahey

Read more articles from Rob by visiting the Rob Fahey archive page.

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Comments (36) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • miiiguel #1 4 years ago

    PS3 might save cancer and shit, but try to beat this!

  • Zomoniac #2 4 years ago

    And if you wanted to, and there's nothing left to do, let's start a band...

    /Amy MacDonald


    Me and wor lass have been playing it together a bit. Still have to satisfy myself though.

  • CannonAnBall #3 4 years ago

    I like how the husband used his wife cos he had no mates to call on.

  • SteveB #4 4 years ago

    Viral marketing ?

  • edje #5 4 years ago

    Journos: there is a difference between jealousy and envy. Look it up.

  • reality_cheque #6 4 years ago

    You need 2 incomes to be able to afford the fucking thing :(

  • Laika #7 4 years ago

    Aw[link url=http://www.]http://www.[/link]

  • MikeP #8 4 years ago

    I would suspect this is a paid-for piece of online PR for Rockband. The chances of this crap being a real-life story are very small.

  • mischief #9 4 years ago

    Is my marriage worth saving at £130?
    hmm...
    no, it's still overpriced.

  • Blackthorned #10 4 years ago

    It's cheaper than a divorce.

  • mingster #11 4 years ago

    PR shenanigans... don't believe a word of it.

  • penhalion #12 4 years ago

    I like how the husband used his wife cos he had no mates to call on.

    Sadly I think there are many Johnny No-Mates out there who have a complete rock band kit and are solo'ing on the drums on xbox live. I suspect there are also a lot of people who have played this once or twice with their mates and then can't seem to get their mates to come over anymore. Leaving them with a living room full of plastic instruments and mates who call them muppet behind their backs.

  • Stu #13 4 years ago

    My girlfriend loves it. Hope it lasts!

  • rudedudejude #14 4 years ago

    "It's cheaper than a divorce."

    Oh no it isn't!! (bar court fees)

    http://ww w.divorce-online.co.uk/services...
    Edited by 1 at 28/05/08 @ 11:28

  • chrisjm #15 4 years ago

    'My girlfriend loves it. Hope it lasts! '

    rockband or the gf?
    i would assume she is built better than that guitar!

  • Rizzle #16 4 years ago

    > except when they find other gamers and live happily ever after, of course

    My Princess is in another castle. *sniff*

  • sanctusmortis #17 4 years ago

    Heh. My wife's always been a gamer - borrowed my Dreamcast to get through her A Levels, finished all the Halos with her co-op, and yes, we play Rock Band together. In fact, her best mate and fella ALSO play, so we have a full band!

    This sort of thing's hardly new; it's just gaming's big enough an industry now for it to be news.

  • McBradders #18 4 years ago

    I've been playing this with my girlfriend since release, the co-op aspect beats the shit out of Guitar Hero and I don't have to suffer the embarassment of her kicking my ass at it anymore.

    WORTH THE MONEY.


    To me anyway.

  • mischief #19 4 years ago

    The last time I got my Doris to play a videogame with me was when we played Bishi Bashi Special on the PS1 together god knows how many years ago. Since then she has been fairly scathing about any games that don't involve boards and dice.
    You can imagine my excitement when BBS resurfaced on PSN recently. I had hoped it might spark some kind of romantic nostalgia and gaming interest in her as well. When I suggested we might like to relive the happy moments from years ago she told me I had wasted my 3 quid.
    I don't hold out much hope for Rock Band offering any kind of marital support in this house.

  • RexRunti #20 4 years ago

    Must try this. I have rock band already (it's awesome) just need a marriage to save now... probably should start by getting a girlfriend though.

  • optimusprym8 #21 4 years ago

    I was happy with GHIII controllers and Rock Band Solus just for more music tracks. It was the missus who insisted we get the drumkit as well... which we now do and we both beat it out regularly ;)

  • jebus #22 4 years ago

    I thought that EG was better than this - giving free exposure to obvious viral marketing tactics.
    Come on EG - tut tut.

  • KreyAtiv #23 4 years ago

    He'll find her hogging it when he comes home trying to get 100% on the songs. LOL
    Or break up when she's always trying to sing HIS songs. LOL.

  • nufcfan123 #24 4 years ago

    i play this with my girlfriend, its very pick up and play, anyone can do it

  • strange_powers #25 4 years ago

    Just play Guitar Hero, give her your old DK Bongos and tell her she's helping. She'll never know.

  • MrChaz #26 4 years ago

    My missus refused to play guitar hero after being boo-d off stage on her first go. She is more than happy singing as I wail away on drums which is nice because it's pretty much the only game she'll play.

  • Gaol #27 4 years ago

    What is it with the English obsession of treating spouses like mothers and seeking approval for purchases. Its your money, if they don't like it they can fuck off.

    Or better yet, get the hoovering done.

  • Penguinzoot #28 4 years ago

    What is it with the English obsession of treating spouses like mothers and seeking approval for purchases. Its your money, if they don't like it they can fuck off.

    I glolled at that one :D

  • spammage #29 4 years ago

    Approval for purchases isn't an "english obscession" once you are married your money becomes "our money" and her money known as "my money"

    It is a tricky trade off between hex life and sex life, sometimes it's not easy balancing the 2 together. GT5 Prologue and GTA IV were a little too close together for domestic harmony, Rockband would be a box of toys too far.......

  • Nithron #30 4 years ago

    I think that's kinda the point. She's okay with keeping her money for herself but you need permission to spend yours. Y'know... Hence treating her like a mother. I'm guessing you're english(or from the UK at any rate), so that's where the "english obsession" thing comes from.
    Edited by 1 at 28/05/08 @ 13:33

  • Gaol #31 4 years ago

    @spammage

    I'm already married mate. She doesn't comment on me buying videogames any more than I comment on her buying dozens of pairs of shoes. Neither has an impact on bedroom gymnastics.

  • Lemming81 #32 4 years ago

    "Like Guitar Hero for people with social skills" What a cunt. He wouldn't even let her have a go or co-op?

  • ducksmuggler #33 4 years ago

    fuck this , due to rock band im about to get a divorse ..

    its only been out 5 days and the pissing wife wont get off my xbox i want to get playing some gta or cod 4

    if she dont stop ill be getting my white vest out and start drinking steller
    Edited by 1 at 28/05/08 @ 14:01

  • zozart #34 4 years ago

    My girlfriend never did like Guitar Hero, and though she tried the drums on Rock Band she got too frustrated and gave up. Back to Sims for her, I guess.

  • indotoonster #35 4 years ago

    My wife is not a gamer beyond the casual PopCap BejeweledLuxorZuma-ish stuff, but I can happily say I didn't have to sneak the huge Rock Band box past her... even better, it was the trojan horse that led to the purchase of the PS3 -- now *that* was some feat, given we already have a 360 :-)

    In any case, she's been having some great fun on the drums, so add another one to the growing list of plastic peripheral-induced matrimonial bliss testimonials!

  • Ravenuk #36 3 years ago

    nah - divorce is cheap now - diy divorce