mtv-games
Latest
Rock Band gets Kiss, B-52's and Faith No More
This week's Rock Band DLC was just announced over on the official Rock Band forums and we're proud to say that this week we are swimming in DLC waters that are 100% pure master track goodness. A big w00t to that. This week's DLC will be offered a la carte, be priced at 160 Microsoft points per song and include "Roam" by the B-52's, "We Care A Lot" by Faith No More and "Calling Dr. Love" by Kiss. The new DLC should be available for purchase off the XBLM early tomorrow morning when all the true Rock Band night owls will be frantically downloading the new songs. So, until then, watch the bouncing baby in the embedded "We Care A Lot" music video. It reeks of the 80's.
OXM reveals Rock Band's March DLC lineup
The ScoreHero forums are abuzz this morning with the revealing of March's Rock Band downloadable content in March's issue of OXM. The list of DLC looks to be quite official, outlining all four weeks of DLC and mentioning whether or not they'll be packed together. And you'll be happy to know that March will not let us down. Rock Band will be getting a Nine Inch Nails track pack featuring the master of "The Perfect Drug" (we just had to embed the music video above), some "Shooting Star" by Bad Company, "Message in a Bottle" by Police, "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd and "Fuel" by Metallica. March will be sounding great! Take a looksy at the complete list of Rock Band's March DLC after the break and gush over the musical goodness. Now, all we need is February's list of DLC and we'd be prepared to rock out for the next few months.[Via MEGATONik]
Gamers begin receiving free game for Rock Band instrument delay
Matthew Taylor, one of our favorite X3F readers, just sent photographic proof that EA has finally begun shipping the free games they promised those who experienced a delay early on in the Rock Band instrument replacement fiasco. And, as you can see above, Mr. Taylor chose skate as his apology gift. So, if you were lucky enough to be offered a free EA game for your instrument replacement troubles, then make sure to check the mailbox today. New video game goodness may be waiting for you.
Rock Band gets Pumpkins, Rush and Coheed DLC
Today, Rock Band brings us yet another set of musical track goodness in an effort to keep that smile on our faces while taking over the world one downloadable track at a time. And this week's Rock Band DLC is packing the Smashing Pumpkins' "Siva" as well as cover tracks that were made famous by Coheed and Cambria and Rush. Each track is 160 Microsoft points and, unlike previously thought, are not part of any package deal. It's a pick and choose week. So, pick and choose your way to break to get details on today's Rock Band DLC.
Rock Band instruments pursuing solo careers February 12th
In a bit of shocking news today, two members of the Rock Band instruments set (drums, guitar) have declared that come February 12th, they're going solo. Citing "creative differences," and the original bundled guitar's inability to "clean up its act," the two solo pieces will be on their own and available for $79.99 and $59.99, respectively. This should come as good tidings for players who've had trouble getting a bass into the mix (PlayStation 3 gamers), or those who've wanted to rock the drum vs. drum match-ups. No word on whether the microphone will join the fray and walk out on the trio, though rumor has it a number of labels are ready with offers.
Standalone Rock Band instruments get dated
Rockers who forwent the big Rock Band boxed bundle will be happy to know that today, Harmonix confirmed release dates for a few standalone Rock Band peripherals including a wireless Stratocaster that everyone has been eagerly anticipating. The standalone drum set will be available February 12th in the U.S. and retail for $90 $80, while the wireless Stratocaster guitar will hit retailers April 1st for $60. 360 fanboys will also be happy to know that pricing for the PS3 and 360 Rock Band peripherals are the same. Also, Harmonix didn't confirm if or when the Rock Band microphone would be available as a standalone peripheral or mention any details about the pretty light and fog bundle. Cuz, you know, we're super excited for the officially licensed Rock Band fog.
Video: Expert 'Next to You' Rock Band drumming
Whenever we spot a video that showcases superior gaming skills we go through a predictable set of emotions. We begin our video watching by being very skeptical and unimpressed. Then, we slowly begin quirking our heads with interest. Third, our eyes get big, our jaw drops to the floor and we're simply amazed at the spectacle. We then watch the video again in its entirety in total disbelief. Finally, we walk away angry, full of angst and jealousy. And that's the exact set of emotions we went through after watching the video above.Behold GurnKiller's expert Rock Band drumming to The Police's "Next to You". It's five gold starred, 100% perfect (though, he does hit a few extra notes that mess up the multiplier) and is 100% amazing. It also makes us feel so inferior.[Via Digg]
Rock Band takes comfort with Oasis DLC
As foretold by Xbox.com, this week's Rock Band downloadable content flew in by jet from the UK and is prepped and ready to be purchased by DLC enthusiasts. Oasis makes its Rock Band debut with an all new "Oasis Track Pack" featuring three songs from those shaggy haired Brits including "Don't Look Back in Anger", "Live Forever" and "Wonderwall". And, as always, if you suffer from Oasis commitment issues, you can purchase each track separately for the standard 160 Microsoft point price tag. Get all the details of detailed'ness on the new Oasis Rock Band DLC after the break. Gallagher FTW!
Sam's Club offers Rock Band for $150
While Rock Band is undeniably one of the best party games available, there's also no denying that it's one of the most expensive. Standing at a wallet-thinning price of 180 smackers, it's not the easiest purchase to make. Thankfully, discount merchant Sam's Club looks to remedy at least some of that pain by offering the Rock Band Special Edition (which includes the game, guitar, drums, and microphone) for $149.66, a full thirty dollars off the retail price. Keep in mind you must be a member of Sam's Club to take advantage of this offer, but it's a substantial savings. If you're a member (or you know someone who is), you could do a lot worse.[Thanks, Chaim Cohen]
Rock Band wows with 2.5 million song downloads
MTV Games is out trumpeting its own horn today by telling anyone who's willing to listen that, to date, Rock Band has sold over 2.5 million songs as downloadable content. 2.5 million! That's huge! MTV Games even admitted that the rate at which Rock Band DLC has been gobbled up thus far has exceeded their initial predictions and further proves that video games are quite the viable option for the music industry to generate revenue. So, we're sure you want to know which songs have been downloaded the most. MTV Games says that the three song Metallica Track Pack has sold the most with Foreigner's "Juke Box Hero" being the most downloaded single.Congrats to Rock Band on its stellar DLC success as we say keep it coming. You have a winning formula when you offer music DLC that is affordable, master recordings and consistently released. Rock it Rock Band!
Rock Band: Come get Sweet Blink Monkee DLC
Hot off of the Rock Band downloadable content grill and onto the XBLM are the three brand new tracks we told you about yesterday. Tracks from Sweet, The Monkees and Blink 182 to be exact. Each song will cost you 160 Microsoft points with only Blink 182 being a master track. Take a looksy after the break to get a detailed breakdown of today' Rock Band downloadable content and continue your love affair with the game's downloadable content. Oh, and have a super enjoyable time rockin' out to some Sweet Blink Monkee!
Rock Band gets Blink 182, Sweet and The Monkees
Just as expected, Harmonix dev man hmxsean posted over at the official Rock Band forums this week's Rock Band downloadable content and again, we're getting three tracks. Available tomorrow, January 15th for 160 Microsoft points each will be cover songs of Sweet's "Action" and The Monkees' "Last Train to Clarksville" as well as the master track of Blink 182's "All the Small Things". Not too shabby of a list this week, but we're still eagerly awaiting the promised complete album DLC. Where are the albums Harmonix? Where they at?[Thanks, steveL88]
Rock Band Stage Kit: Lights and smoke for $99
Ever play Rock Band and think to yourself, "self, wouldn't Rock Band be so much more enjoyable if I were to experience the lights and smoke of a real concert?" No? Well, us either, but Harmonix did and that's why they're releasing the Rock Band Stage Kit later this June.The folks over at Gamestop posted a picture (since removed) and pre-order listing (still up) for the Rock Band Stage Kit which promises an "interactive light and smoke stage show" to rock out to. The Stage Kit has a pre-order release date for June 23rd and will command a premium (deep breath) $99 price tag. Ouch! Will gamers flock to a $99 Rock Band smoke machine and disco ball? Possibly. Although, personally, we'd have to see this Stage Kit in action first. One thing we can say is that our Rock Band parties we hold every Friday night would be much more enjoyable with a strobe or two and some random smoke. Just saying.[Via Joystiq]
XBLM Roundup: The Club demo & Rock Band DLC
This morning, both The Club demo and new Rock Band downloadable tracks released to the XBLM as foreshadowed and expected. And just as we mentioned earlier, The Club demo is a limited release that is not available for download in North America, Germany or Asia, but everyone other Live region will be able to play the 1.36GB demo. Also, the new Rock Band DLC, which includes three songs from Iron Maiden, Stone Temple Pilots and The Hives, are now available for 160 points each. We posted details about the Rock Band DLC after the break, so feel free to check that out if you're feeling clickity clicky.That should wrap up all the major new XBLM downloads for the day and should keep you busy if you either live outside of North America or if you have Rock Band. If not ... well, just go download an XBLA trial or something. Move along now.
Rock Band Tue: Iron Maiden, STP and Hives DLC
Mr. Rock Band DLC himself, hmxsean announced this week's Rock Band content and we're loving it. We're loving it not only because we're getting a cover of Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast" and master tracks of The Hives' "Die, All Right!" and Stone Temple Pilots' "Interstate Love Song" all priced at 160 points each. But we're also loving it because Harmonix is actually following through with their weekly content promise. Every week we've been getting new Rock Band downloadable content (which usually gets announced on Monday) and every week we have something to look forward to. Even if one week's DLC offerings are dull, we know there's always next Tuesday. And that, friends, rocks!
Mad Catz working on Rock Band peripherals
Mad Catz has announced that the company is creating a suite of new instruments for Rock Band. The products will be officially licensed by MTV Games to work with the game, so have no fear about compatibility issues. Specifically, the company will be creating wired and wireless bass guitars, a wired microphone, and drums with "professional wooden drum sticks." Also mentioned alongside the instruments is the somewhat more ambiguous phrase "other products." We imagine things like instrument skins and the like, but it's possible other products could include other things like effects pedals and whatnot. Peculiarly, the press release specifically identifies the guitars as bass guitars. We're not sure exactly what that means, perhaps the guitars will ship without the extra solo buttons found on the official guitar? Whatever the case, the Mad Catz peripherals should hit the market in the first half of 2008.Oh, and it's probably safe to assume the guitars won't work with Guitar Hero III.
Mad Catz signs on to make Rock Band instruments, accessories
While Activision and Harmonix bicker over the real reason there's still some lingering incompatibility between the two, Mad Catz has inked a multi-year licensing agreement with MTV Networks to "produce and distribute game peripherals and other products" for Rock Band. Reportedly, the third-party peripheral maker has secured the rights to "manufacture, market and sell game accessories, including both wired and wireless bass guitars, a drum percussion set bundled with professional quality wooden drum sticks, and a wired microphone." All in all, we're stoked to see another player entering the Rock Band hardware game, so here's to hoping Mad Catz won't ship out any faulty axes and frail drum pedals during "the first half of 2008."
Mad Catz to make Rock Band instruments
With the absolute flood of third-party guitars for the Guitar Hero series, it's not that surprising that accessory-makers are jumping on the Rock Band-wagon, too. Well, at least one is. Mad Catz today announced a "multi-year licensing agreement" with MTV Games to produce "both wired and wireless bass guitars, a drum percussion set bundled with professional quality wooden drum sticks, and a wired microphone."While having extra options for drum kits and microphones is nice, the addition of officially licensed, wireless, third-party guitars will be welcome news to PS3 owners tired of not being able to use their Guitar Hero III guitars with Rock Band and Xbox 360 owners tired of tripping over wires -- not to mention general Rock Band owners tired of replacing their broken bundled guitars. The instruments will be available in the "first half of 2008," according to the release.While the release specifically addresses Rock Band instruments, it also leaves the door open for other applicable "game accessories." We personally can't wait for the inevitable pyrotechnics launcher that goes off every time you nail a tough solo. Just, er, be careful with it, OK?
EA: Still no Rock Band for Wii announcement
Although an eventual release of Rock Band for the Wii has been teased since as early as April, Electronic Arts told GamePro this week, "We have not announced any plans for a Wii version at this time." Don't read too much into that, however, as all it says is there's been no announcement yet, as if we need to be reminded a press release hasn't been sent out. We doubt it's something we'd overlook, although our spam filters at Joystiq HQ aren't perfect.What we really want to know is what's taking Harmonix so long to announce a Wii version. A last-gen PlayStation 2 version is already available (although it lacks online and world tour mode) and competitor Activision Blizzard managed to figure out a solution for DLC with Guitar Hero III for Wii. Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos already said back in April that "We will, at some time, bring Rock Band to every [important] platform." Given the Wii's continued success in hardware sales, it's surprising that EA won't just admit to a Wii version in the works. And if they're really not planning to release a Wii iteration, then we fear the business reps have spent too much time "immersing themselves" in Grateful Dead jam sessions.
OXM getting exclusive Rock Band DLC
Official Xbox Magazine got its grubby little hands on 3 exclusive tracks for Rock Band. The tracks will be offered on the disc bundled with the February issue of the magazine, set to be in subscribers hands "soon" and available on store shelves January 15th. The three tracks to be included are: "Sprøde" by Freezepop "Rock Rebellion" by Bang Camaro "Shake" by Count Zero (warning: Myspace link) It's definitely an interesting collection of tracks. The article on OXM Online doesn't mention whether or not these are master tracks, but given that the Freezepop and Bang Camaro tracks available with the retail version are master tracks, we're betting these are too.[Via Evil Avatar]
