Rock-Band-3
Latest
Rock Band survey hints at modern console sequel
Following the recent release of the series' first new DLC in nearly two years, it appears that Harmonix might be gearing up for a new entry in its Rock Band series, if an online survey is anything to go by. "Hello friends! You should fill out this important Rock Band survey," reads a tweet from the official Rock Band Twitter account. "Sharing the link is encouraged. DO IT NOW!" The link attached to that message leads to a three-page survey regarding your history with the Rock Band series to date. It's pretty typical stuff - What Rock Band game did you play most?, Which console do you use to play Rock Band?, etc. - but the third page is where things get interesting.
Rock Band DLC silence broken by Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters
It's been nearly two years since hit rhythm game series Rock Band last saw new downloadable music, but now it appears that developer Harmonix is tuning up for an encore. Come January 13, both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 Rock Band games will have access to three new songs: "R U Mine?" from the Arctic Monkeys, "Shepherd of Fire" from Avenged Sevenfold and the Foo Fighters' "Something From Nothing." Regardless of platform, each of these tracks will feature a $2 price tag. Whether this is an unexpected one-off DLC offer or if it might signal a return to regular Rock Band music releases is currently unknown. Harmonix makes no mention of its future DLC plans, and so far our attempts to reach the studio for more information have gone unanswered. [Image: Warner Bros.]
Harmonix announces closure of moribund Rock Band Network
Despite a nearly half-decade-long run, developer Harmonix has made the decision to shutter the Rock Band Network, effective immediately. As a showcase for Rock Band Network authors to share their music with potential fans, the Rock Band Network eventually grew to include 2,121 downloadable songs. When you include the Rock Band Network alongside the series' official DLC tunes, the total Rock Band series tracklist comes to a staggering 4,221 songs. Despite its impressive utility, in the end the Rock Band Network was laid low by mounting technical problems. "Some of those problems were server side here at Harmonix, while others were entirely outside of our control," reads the developer's official announcement. "At this point, with Harmonix resources devoted to several other titles in development, we're no longer able to operate RBN with the kind of consistency that it deserves." Edit: This article initially stated that the Rock Band Network allowed users to upload their own tracks. It has since been altered. [Image: Harmonix]
Viacom loses appeal against paying Harmonix hundreds of millions
The long and winding road of Viacom owing former Harmonix owners hundreds of million of dollars may finally be at an end. The Hollywood Reporter notes that the Delaware Supreme Court agreed with prior arbitration and rulings that Viacom owes $299 million with interest to the owners of the company at the time of Viacom's Harmonix acquisition in 2006 (which it would sell in 2010). The legal dispute started getting heavy in late 2010, shortly after Viacom announced its intentions to sell the developer, when the former Harmonix owners sued the conglomerate for performance pay they were owed. Viacom attempted a counter-suit, but by the end of 2011 it was decided by an arbitrator that Viacom would need to pay. Harmonix's law firm estimates the payout, including another dispute with the company, totals some $533 million. Viacom has not released a statement and Harmonix had no comment on the ruling.
Harmonix sites attacked, go down for the weekend
Harmonix notified registered users of RockBand.com and DanceCentral.com that its servers will be down for the weekend due to an apparent attack from an outside source. The developer disabled passwords for all Harmonix site accounts as a precautionary measure, and will require users to reset their passwords when the sites are live again.The email sent to Harmonix site users noted that "at this time, we have not found that any of our users' information has been published or misused. None of our sites maintain any credit card information, social security numbers, or financial account numbers for any of our users."The person behind the attack on Harmonix's sites might not have been a fan of Don McLean, the "American Pie" artist featured in the final piece of weekly Rock Band DLC.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Rock Band Weekly and the day the music died
A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that Rock Band Weekly used to make us smile. After 281 consecutive weeks, beginning in November of 2007, the impressively regular Rock Band updates conclude this week with Don McLean's "American Pie."In the final tally, the Rock Band music catalog includes 1,400 artists and over 4,000 tracks, with more than 130 million songs sold. Bye, bye, RBW. We'll miss you. Now, what does Harmonix have up its sleeve for the next generation?
Bye Bye, Miss Rock Band: Last ever weekly DLC song is 'American Pie'
The very last weekly downloadable Rock Band song is to be, very fittingly, Don McLean's "American Pie." As Polygon reports, Harmonix revealed the news at its PAX East party last night. The song will be included in the final Rock Band update on April 2.Not only is American Pie one of those timelessly brilliant songs, but it's full of lyrics that cutely mark the end of what's been a mammoth run of over 275 weeks and 4000 added songs for Rock Band DLC. We can still remember how all that music used to make us smile, and now we wait for the day the music dies.
Rock Band Weekly: Kool & the Gang, Shinedown, Tears for Fears
The Rock Band Blitz transfer campaign concludes next week on the Rock Band music store, shortly before all DLC updates finish April 2. One final reminder that Rock Band Blitz is $15 and all 25 tracks are compatible with Rock Band.
Rock Band Weekly: Oingo Boingo, Toto
Although we all know Danny Elfman now as a prolific movie soundtrack composer – and as the singing voice of Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas – once upon a time he headed a band called Oingo Boingo, which gave us the memorable "Weird Science."
Rock Band Weekly: All-American Rejects, Blink-182, Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Rock Band Blitz transfer shakeout continues as the Rock Band music store makes its way to the final update on April 2. Rock Band Blitz is $15 and all 25 tracks are compatible with Rock Band.
Rock Band Weekly: The Flys, Queensryche, Staind
After years of writing Rock Band Weekly, we're coming close to its conclusion, with the DLC announcements for April 2 the end of the line. 275 consecutive weeks (over five years) is an impressive run and Harmonix deserves much respect for pulling it off.
Rock Band weekly DLC lowers the curtain April 2
The final weekly DLC release for Rock Band will be issued on April 2, Harmonix announced today. Due to other ongoing projects at the studio, production on Rock Band DLC has slowed in recent months. Up until April 2, Harmonix will release weekly DLC per usual.Harmonix has been issuing Rock Band DLC songs for over 275 consecutive weeks, which comes to over five years of consistent weekly releases. The Rock Band DLC catalog includes over 4,000 supplemental tracks, spanning all Rock Band games and the Rock Band Network.
Rock Band Weekly: Barenaked Ladies, Collective Soul, Fall Out Boy
The Rock Band Blitz tracks keep flowing over to the Rock Band music store, with next week's individual tracks featuring Barenaked Ladies, Collective Soul and Fall Out Boy. Refresher: All 25 tracks from the $15 Rock Band Blitz are compatible with Rock Band.
Mad Catz sale includes FightSticks, Rock Band gear and more
If you've been in the market for an arcade stick, cheap wired controller or guitar with hundreds and hundreds of buttons on it, now may be the time to slap down some digitally represented dollar bills.Mad Catz has applied 37 to 69-percent discounts on a wide range of its peripheral offerings, dropping its branded SoulCalibur 5 and Street Fighter X Tekken FightSticks down to $100 a pop, its SFXT FightPads down to $20 and various Rock Band 3 instrument bundles to over half off. You can also snag a PS3 version of the limited edition EVO 2012 FightStick for $100, in addition to discounted WWE All Stars sticks/pads and Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII flight stick packs.Sadly, the sale does not include the Sanrio FightStick, which is still both $160 and the cutest ever.
Rock Band Weekly: Soft Cell, REO Speedwagon and more
On February 12, Rock Band will add another eclectic mix of songs to its massive DLC set list, highlights of which include REO Speedwagon's "Keep on Loving You" and the intoxicating '80s cover of "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell.
Rock Band Weekly: Iron Maiden, Queen, Great White, Avenged Sevenfold
As was the case a couple weeks back, every new track available for the Rock Band music store next week is a song off Harmonix's Rock Band Blitz. Reminder: All 25 tracks from the $15 Rock Band Blitz are compatible with Rock Band with purchase.
Rock Band Weekly: Aerosmith
Some legendary Aerosmith tracks will be available next week on the Rock Band music store. "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion," both off the band's 1976 album Toys in the Attic, are joined by some other classics and two tracks from the band's 2012 album.
Rock Band Weekly: Kelly Clarkson, Living Colour, Quiet Riot, Soundgarden
Every new track available next week on the Rock Band music store is a song off Harmonix's Rock Band Blitz. As a reminder, all 25 tracks on Rock Band Blitz are available for Rock Band with purchase. Also, Blitz is pretty fun for $15 and uses the Rock Band songs you already own.
Rock Band Weekly: Rick Springfield
Here's one to ponder: Jessie is regularly a female name. Jesse is the male spelling. With that established, Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" takes on a different context, especially with a couple pronoun tweaks that we're sure Rock Band won't mind vocalists altering.
Rock Band Weekly: Foster the People, Foo Fighters, Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera
Two of last year's endlessly replayed tracks on American Top 40 radio come to the Rock Band music store next week. The ubiquitous "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People and "Moves Like Jagger" from Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera are ready to hit the Rock Band circuit for 2013. All tracks were available on Rock Band Blitz.
