Gamertell

So the Rock Band 2 E3 press release is an explosion of revolutionary information on the Xbox 360 version of the game. There’s so much, that its hard to know where to begin. Of course there will also be new locations, challenges, performances, staff, character creation options and over 100 tracks. But there’s even more good stuff coming.

The most important feature announced is that almost all Rock Band music can be imported to Rock Band 2. The downloadable content (dlc) will be able to be imported, as will almost all of the tracks from the original Rock Band disc.

Click through for the on-disc tracklist…

There will also be a lot more interaction among players. There will be two kinds of online modes - local and global, to allow players to interact. Also many modes go online, like World Tour Mode. The Battle of the Bands mode will feature Harmonix contests that users around the world can compete in all at once online.

MORE »

Konami is credited for being on the front lines of musical rhythm games. It has produced hits including the DanceDanceRevolution Series and the guitar-based title Guitar Freaks. Konami is hoping to take back its throne when it releases Rock Revolution later this year to compete with Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2. Much like the members of a real-world rock band, there’s little love between game companies when it comes to music. Case in point: Konami is suing developer Harmonix over the instrument designs used in Rock Band.

According to Bloomberg, Konami is claiming Harmonix violated several of its patents from…

MORE »

Shocking no one - and exciting a few people - was today’s announcement that Rock Band 2 is on it’s way - and coming quite soon. Harmonix announced that the new game will arrive on the Xbox 360 this September (and other platforms later in the year), and will include a plethora of new songs, new online modes, and full compatibility with all previously downloaded Rock Band tracks.

The press release outlines some of the new features:

“Backwards compatibility with Rock Band downloadable music content. All previously purchased tracks will immediately load into your Rock Band 2 song list. No need to re-purchase or re-download.
The biggest and most diverse soundtrack ever featuring some of rock’s most prolific acts, comprised entirely of master recordings.
Major new and dynamic online modes that will connect the entire Rock Band community in more ways than ever before both locally and globally.
More variety of instrument choices than ever before with new and improved drum and guitar peripherals, enhanced functionality and innovative new designs - all fully compatible with the original Rock Band instruments.”

I’m thrilled that they’re keeping the fans happy by making all the previous dlc compatible, but what about the basic Rock Band setlist - is that included as well? Either way, it’s cool that this is coming so soon - for the 360 at least. I’m willing to bet the other versions (perhaps even a Wii version?) will be available for the Christmas season madness.

Read [IGN]

The Rock Band tour continues on, as Harmonix, MTV Games and Q Entertainment have announced that the three companies will be putting together Rock Band: Japan. As we all know, Rock Band was first created and released for North American audiences in November, 2007, and was then released in Europe in May, 2008 and Australia in September, 2008. Now a Japanese version of the game is being developed.

The official press release states that the original Rock Band will be completely localized and reworked for Rock Band: Japan. The details aren’t available yet, and no track list has been announced, but the game will feature Japanese performers and music. Hopefully there will be tracks from Gackt, X Japan and/or L’arc~en~Ciel.

MORE »

For those of you still playing Rock Band, Harmonix has announced that The Cars’ 1978 album will be available for download for the PS3 (May 29, 2008) and Xbox 360 (May 27, 2008).

Each downloadable song will set you back $1.99 or $14.99 for all nine tunes in the Playstation Network or 160 and 1200 Microsoft Points, respectively, through Xbox Live.

The album, simply titled The Cars, includes nine songs…

MORE »

Rock Band has got 1.5 million PS3, Xbox 360 and PS2 owners off their seats and forced them to shed all their shyness. Very soon, Wii gamers can also join in the fun as the Wii version of Rock Band is scheduled for a June 22, 2008, release.

The game’s developer, Harmonix, announced…

MORE »

It seems the two towers in the cash-soaked world of rock ‘n’ roll games can’t just enjoy the good times. But at least it’s not hot enough between Rock Band developer Harmonix and Guitar Hero III publisher Activision to lug these monsters of metal into court - yet.

Harmonix has sued Activision for royalties from its old game franchise, but the suit has been withdrawn so that the two can settle something out of court, Variety reports.

How did all this come about? Well, let me tell you a tale…

MORE »

Good news for wannabe drummers - Harmonix has just announced that stand alone Rock Band drum kit bundles have shipped to US and Canadian retailers. The peripherals come with a copy of the game, and carry an MSRP of $79.99. The new package is available for the existing Rock Band platforms (PS2, PS3 and Xbox 360). According to the press release, drummers can participate in all of the usual Rock Band goodness, including local or online play, versus, score duel, and tug-o-war modes, and the company assured that the drum-only title will work with all DLC tracks.

Otherwise, Rock Band is available as stand alone software, or in the full bundle (which includes the game itself, a guitar controller, mic, and drum kit).

So, this is good news and all, but how about a guitar or mic only package? Or the Wii version of the game?

Read [GameSpy]

Those interested in developing the next big thing for the music gaming genre need look no further than the Guitar Hero series for a lesson in monumental success. According to GameDaily, the series has already raked in over $1 billion for the series publisher, Activision, and in a record time of 26 months. The series has sold more than 14 million copies in North America since the release of the original Guitar Hero title in fall of 2005.

MORE »

Even the mainstream media is caught up in the Rock Band phenomenon, as USA Today has just posted a story about the popular music title and its successful sales in DLC. According to the report, 2.5 million songs have been downloaded since the game’s release eight weeks ago. The piece cites the weekly updates of downloadable songs (available on PSN and Xbla) as one of the game’s most revolutionary aspects and lists the top ten artists.

The illustrious top sellers, from the post:

MORE »