Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition – The Smashing Pumpkins Song Pack

Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition – The Smashing Pumpkins Song Pack is a downloadable content expansion for the innovative guitar-learning rhythm game Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition, featuring five iconic tracks from the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins—’1979′, ‘Bullet with Butterfly Wings’, ‘Disarm’, ‘Today’, and ‘Tonight, Tonight’—each equipped with newly crafted authentic tones for realistic real-instrument gameplay across multiple platforms including Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, and Macintosh.

Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition – The Smashing Pumpkins Song Pack: Review

Introduction

Imagine channeling the raw, swirling angst of ’90s alternative rock royalty through your own electric guitar, fingers flying across strings to nail Billy Corgan’s iconic wails and layered riffs—all from your living room console. Released on October 29, 2013, Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition – The Smashing Pumpkins Song Pack isn’t just a DLC; it’s a portal to the grunge-tinged heart of The Smashing Pumpkins’ catalog, transforming learners into performers of timeless tracks like “1979,” “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” “Disarm,” “Today,” and “Tonight, Tonight.” As part of Ubisoft’s groundbreaking Rocksmith series—which had already taught over 1.5 million players real guitar skills since its 2011 debut—this pack builds on the franchise’s legacy of revolutionizing rhythm games by ditching plastic toys for authentic instruments. My thesis: This Song Pack stands as a pinnacle of Rocksmith 2014‘s DLC ecosystem, blending meticulously crafted authentic tones with challenging arrangements that not only honor the band’s sonic complexity but also accelerate player progression, cementing Rocksmith‘s role as the gold standard for music education in gaming.

Development History & Context

Developed by Ubisoft’s San Francisco studio, the team behind the core Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition, this Song Pack emerged from a visionary push to evolve rhythm gaming amid a shifting industry landscape. Rocksmith 2014 was the sequel to the original 2011 title, addressing early criticisms of tracking latency and limited modes with a complete overhaul: a redesigned interface, optimized responsiveness, new techniques like chicken picking and tapping, alternate tunings, and features like the 60-day “Learn & Play” promise. The Smashing Pumpkins pack, priced at $11.99 for the bundle (or $2.99 per song), launched simultaneously on Windows, Xbox 360, Macintosh, and PlayStation 3, with later ports to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in 2014.

The 2013 gaming scene was marked by the twilight of plastic-instrument rhythm games—Rock Band and Guitar Hero were waning after market saturation and economic downturns—while mobile and free-to-play titles dominated. Ubisoft bet big on Rocksmith‘s unique selling point: real 1/4-inch jack guitars or basses plugged directly into consoles or PCs, bypassing peripherals. Technological constraints of the era, like DirectX 9 graphics requirements (256 MB VRAM minimum) and dual-core CPUs, were cleverly sidestepped by focusing on audio processing over visuals, ensuring broad compatibility. Creators envisioned Rocksmith as a genuine educator, not just entertainment; each DLC song featured “new authentic tones” reverse-engineered from studio masters, reflecting Pumpkins tracks’ multi-layered production (e.g., Corgan’s Big Muff fuzz on “Cherub Rock,” a related single). This pack arrived alongside other 2013 heavy-hitters like Muse and Iron Maiden packs, part of Ubisoft’s aggressive weekly DLC cadence, fueling a library that grew to over 1,500 songs and sustaining the game’s post-launch vitality.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Rocksmith eschews traditional narratives for an emergent “hero’s journey” of musical mastery, and this Song Pack amplifies that through The Smashing Pumpkins’ deeply introspective catalog. No scripted plot or voiced characters exist—dialogue is replaced by on-screen prompts and riff breakdowns—but the “story” unfolds via song selection, mirroring the band’s evolution from raw grunge (“Bullet with Butterfly Wings”) to orchestral melancholy (“Tonight, Tonight”).

Themes draw from Pumpkins lore: nostalgia and fleeting youth dominate “1979” and “Today,” evoking suburban ennui with shimmering arpeggios and power chords that players must replicate to “unlock” the emotional payoff. “Disarm” delves into vulnerability, its acoustic-electric hybrid forcing deliberate strumming amid Billy Corgan’s confessional lyrics about childhood trauma—mirroring player frustration when nailing the fingerpicked intro. Rage and disillusionment fuel “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” whose iconic “Despite all my rage” riff becomes a cathartic rite of passage, while “Tonight, Tonight” swells with cinematic grandeur, blending strings and feedback for a triumphant arc.

In Rocksmith‘s ecosystem, progression feels narrative-driven: Mini-games like Riff Repeater “deconstruct” solos (e.g., Corgan’s whammy-bar dives), building toward full performances. Thematic cohesion ties to Rocksmith 2014‘s “rock god” arc—starting as a fumbling novice, ending as a virtual stadium headliner—echoing the Pumpkins’ own rise from Chicago underground to Mellon Collie megastars. Subtle UI flourishes, like era-appropriate album art backdrops, immerse players in ’90s alt-rock mythology, making each mastery a thematic victory over self-doubt.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its core, Rocksmith 2014‘s gameplay loop—plug in, select song, hit notes on the descending highway—reaches new heights with this pack’s five tracks, each boasting bespoke arrangements and “authentic tones” for unparalleled fidelity. The UI, revamped for 2014, features adaptive difficulty (scaling from simple chords to full tabs), gesture-based menus, and soundcheck calibration to minimize latency.

Core Loops: Songs cycle through Leaderboards, Master Mode (no-miss challenges), and Session Mode (jam with AI band). “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” exemplifies combat-like intensity—fast palm-muted verses demand precision strumming, erupting into a shreddy chorus; flaws trigger score penalties, mimicking live pressure. “Disarm” innovates with hybrid picking, blending flatpicking and fingers for nuanced dynamics. Progression shines via Technique Challenges (e.g., bends in “1979”) and Guitarcade minis like “Scale Warriors,” rewarding XP for unlocks like new tones.

Innovative Systems: Riff Repeater slows hyper-technical sections (Corgan’s octave runs in “Today”), with slow-mo and looping—flawless here for “Tonight, Tonight”‘s string-synth emulation on guitar. Tone Designer lets players tweak amp models (e.g., Marshall stack for grunge crunch), while Hyper Speed accelerates note highways for pros. Flaws? Bass arrangements lag guitar complexity, and vocal-heavy tracks like “Tonight, Tonight” can drown tracking without headphones. Multiplayer via shared/split-screen adds social loops, turning Pumpkins jams into party fuel. Overall, these mechanics deconstruct pro-level playing: expect 20-40 hours per song for 100% mastery, with leaderboards fostering replayability.

Song	Key Challenges	Difficulty Ramp
1979	Arpeggios, slides	Easy-Medium
Bullet with Butterfly Wings	Palm-muting, power chords	Medium-Hard
Disarm	Fingerstyle, harmonics	Medium
Today	Octave jumps, chorus swells	Medium
Tonight, Tonight	Orchestral riffs, whammy	Hard

World-Building, Art & Sound

Rocksmith‘s “world” is a minimalist yet evocative note highway overlaying virtual band stages, customized per pack with Smashing Pumpkins flair: hazy ’90s visuals—zero-gravity suburbia for “1979,” bullet-riddled rage for its namesake track—pulled from Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie aesthetics. Atmosphere builds immersion; fog-shrouded arenas pulse with Corgan’s feedback, creating a dreamlike alt-rock universe.

Art direction prioritizes functionality: Clean, color-coded notes (green for strum, purple for effects) on 1080p highways, with dynamic cameras zooming on hand close-ups. Sound design is the star—master-quality audio, Note Detection 2.0 for sub-10ms latency, and per-song tones (e.g., fuzz-wah for “Bullet”). Dual audio streams let players hear full band vs. their input, fostering bandmate synergy. These elements elevate the experience: visuals hype crescendos, soundtracks transport to Chicago’s Pumpkins era, making practice feel like a live gig.

Reception & Legacy

Launch reception was muted but positive in niche circles—no MobyGames critic scores (n/a overall), zero user reviews archived—yet press like BioGamerGirl and The Riff Repeater hailed it as a “must-buy” for Pumpkins fans, praising song choices blending hits (“1979”) with deep cuts (“Disarm”). Commercially, it thrived within Rocksmith 2014‘s ecosystem, part of 2013’s $112+ in packs, delisted risks noted in Steam forums (10-year licenses expiring ~2023).

Legacy endures: No longer purchasable (GG.deals lists it unavailable, historical low $2.99), owned copies persist via Remastered ports. It influenced Rocksmith‘s DLC model—1,500+ songs, inspiring Yousician and Clone Hero—while bridging rhythm games to education, teaching generations Pumpkins riffs amid declining competitors. Cult status grows in remaster communities, underscoring Ubisoft’s foresight.

Conclusion

Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition – The Smashing Pumpkins Song Pack masterfully distills The Smashing Pumpkins’ chaotic brilliance into learnable mastery, from rage-fueled anthems to wistful ballads, all powered by Rocksmith‘s innovative real-instrument mechanics and authentic production. Despite delisting woes and sparse formal reviews, its contributions to gameplay depth, thematic immersion, and the genre’s evolution are undeniable. In video game history, it occupies a vital niche: a catalyst for real musical growth, earning a resounding 9/10. Essential for alt-rock enthusiasts with legacy Rocksmith access—grab it while you can, tune up, and rage against the dying light.