RockBand Mods.net

The press releases from Harmonix are starting to pour in now, with one of the first being that Rock Band will be launching in seven additional European countries later this month.  On July 24th, Xbox 360 gamers in  Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg will have a chance to see what everyone’s been raving about first hand as it’s finally launched in those countries.

Rock Band on other platforms will be released at an unannounced later date.  For the complete press release, hit hte jump. Read More…

When we posted about the announcement of Rock Band 2, we mentioned that the Xbox 360 version of Rock Band 2 would be available in Europe in September as well as North America.  Well, it appears that there may have been some miscommunication on EA’s part. Read More…

Well, Harmonix has finally let the cat out of the bag.  In case you had any doubts, Rock Band 2 is real and it’s coming alot sooner than most expected.  That’s if you have a 360.  The Xbox 360 version of Rock Band 2 will be hitting store shelves in September while all other platforms (read PS3, Wii, PS2) will be available later in the year.

One of the most asked questions when it comes to a Rock Band sequel is whether or not the DLC from the original Rock Band will be compatible with RB2, and the answer is YES!  Rock Band 2 will be the first game ever to offer cross game DLC compatibility on both the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.  Another good piece of info for our Xbox 360 friends across the pond comes from VG247, as EA confirmed that Rock Band 2 will also be released in Europe in September for the 360.

The folks at IGN have a nice interview with Harmonix Lead Designer, Dan Teasdale, about much of the new features of Rock Band 2 and why anyone that has the original Rock Band should upgrade to the latest incarnation since the current and future DLC will work for both games. Dan also sheds a little bit of light on the new hardware, such as the new, and I must admit beautiful, guitar pictured below.

 We’ll keep you posted as more information starts to trickle out, so keep coming back for updates.  Otherwise, you can check out the official press release below:

The Ultimate Music Game Is Back For An Encore
Harmonix, MTV Games and Electronic Arts Unleash Rock Band™2

Entire Rock Band Downloadable Content Music Catalog Compatible with
Rock Band 2

More Music, Online Modes, Features Than Ever Before With New and Improved Drum and Guitar Peripherals

Rock Band Online Music Store Passes 15 Million Paid Downloads

Rock Band 2 Makes Exclusive Debut on Xbox 360 This September

Cambridge, Mass. – June 30, 2008 – Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company in the world, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), are taking the groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games to the next level this September with the release of Rock Band 2. With the original providing millions of players a new way to interact with the music and artists they love, Rock Band 2 is the next evolution of the franchise that redefined the standard for music games.

Rock Band is the groundbreaking platform that allows music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before - challenging players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune while learning to master lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals.

Rock Band 2 builds upon its foundation as the first music game to introduce co-operative band gameplay, multiple instruments, a robust online multiplayer experience, an unrivaled offering of downloadable content and raises the bar by delivering an entirely new level of depth, connectivity, authenticity and features including:

- 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.
And much more.

“As successful as the original Rock Band continues to be, we’ve now had the benefit of the last eight months to listen to our fans’ requests and to build upon that foundation,” said Alex Rigopulos, co-founder and CEO of Harmonix. “Rock Band 2 is a second-generation band game that will elevate the music game experience to the next level.”

Rock Band 2 will make its debut on Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this September and have an exclusive launch window in North America. Rock Band 2 will be available for additional platforms later this year.

“We expect Rock Band 2 to continue to drive an amazing social music experience on Xbox 360, said David Hufford, senior director, Xbox Product Management for the Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft. “We look forward to supporting Rock Band 2 on Xbox 360 as gamers continue to download hundreds of new music tracks from Xbox LIVE so they and their friends can perform the rock music they love most.

More details regarding features and music for Rock Band 2 will be revealed at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit. Rock Band, the first installment in the franchise, garnered more than 40 awards including Game Critics Award: Best of Show E3 2007.

In addition, Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 15 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007. With more than 200 tracks available to date via download purchase (complete list of tracks at http://www.rockband.com/dlc), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band 2 is rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, mild suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

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About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 150 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 300 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

About MTV Games
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.

About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit: www.harmonixmusic.com .

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS Freestyle TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

© 2008 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., a MTV Networks company. Rock Band and Rock Band 2 developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc All other marks are the property of their respective owners. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Microsoft, Xbox. Xbox 360 and Xbox Live are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

If you’re looking for a Rock Band themed time waster, well Harmonix has just what you want with the release of “My Rock Band” on facebook.  The facebook application will allow you to compete with your friends and set your high score in the band audition minigame.

The mini-game requires you to invite three friends before you can start to play, and the gameplay is nothing like Rock Band at all, but what did you expect for a free flash based game?  The gameplay mainly consists of clicking on various Rock Band icons as they appear to increase your score.

Designed to promote the European release of Rock Band, you can add the app to your facebook profile by using the following links:

English:  My Rock Band Facebook Application
French:  My Rock Band Facebook Application

Let the “Hysteria” begin as all nine of the European release bonus tracks are now available to download from the Rock Band in-game store.  The full set list, which I’m sure will aMuse quite a few people is below:

• “Beetlebum” - Blur (cover)
• “Hier Kommt Alex” - Die Toten Hosen (master)
• “Countdown to Insanity” - H-BlockX (master)
• “Perfekte Welle” - Juli (master)
• “Manu Chao” - Les Wampas (master)
• “Hysteria” - Muse (master)
• “Rock N Roll Star” - Oasis (master)
• “New Wave” - Pleymo (master)
• “Monsoon” - Tokio Hotel (master)

All Tracks are available for the standard fare of 160 MSP / $1.99 USD

According to sources at EA, contacted by videogamer.com, the European version of Rock Band will be exclusive to the Xbox 360 for three months.  The release for the Wii, PS2, and PS3 is scheduled for August 29th as opposed to the 360’s release date of May 23rd.  When EA announced the European release date for the Xbox 360 version they mentioned that the PS2, PS3, and Wii versions would be released “later in the Summer”, however, it now appears that they actually meant “the end of Summer”. Read More…

While European Xbox 360 owners may be rejoicing that Rock Band’s release date has been revealed, the harsh reality of the price will destroy all the “happy happy joy joy” feelings that remain. Read More…

As unreal as it may sound, EA and Harmonix have officially announced that Rock Band for the Xbox 360 will be released in Europe on May 23rd.  The release will include all 58 tracks from the North American release as well as nine European-centric bonus tracks.  The complete North American DLC library will also be available for download on May 27th.

It appears that European PS3, PS2, and Wii owners are still getting shafted as they will have to wait until “Summer” to get their Rock On.

The complete press release is below:

Read More…