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Rock Band 2 rocking on 360 in Sept. - PS3, PS2, Wii 'later in the year'
While IGN simply reports that Rock Band 2 is "set to ship for Xbox 360 this September and PS3 later in the year," the AP says it will be "available for Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 as well as Nintendo's Wii later in the year." While the two at least agree about the "later in the year" detail, neither answer our biggest question about this arrangement: Is this presumably brief period of Xbox 360-exclusivity a business arrangement – as it was for Rock Band in Europe earlier this year – or simply a development reality?Sure we've got other questions – like will the PS2 and Wii releases be similar to the watered-down experiences currently available – but with Guitar Hero IV coming out for Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, and PC in late October, details on the nature of the timed exclusive seem paramount. We've asked the hard-rocking folks at Harmonix to let us in on the nature of the arrangement.
Rock Band 2 is official and it's coming this year
IGN has released an interview with Dan Teasdale, Lead Designer at Harmonix, in which they discuss the evolution of the band-based gaming platform Rock Band. The sequel, Rock Band 2, will be available stateside sometime this year (the Xbox 360 version has a September release date). The interview reveals a lot of tasty info about the game and reiterates to us why Harmonix is the king of rhythm-based gaming.There's a whole lot of interesting stuff to read about, but the most exciting has to be the fact that Rock Band 1 and 2 DLC will be completely compatible with both games. "As far as Harmonix is concerned, there's no difference between "Rock Band 1 DLC" and "Rock Band 2 DLC" – we're just releasing awesome songs every week onto the Rock Band platform." Are you listening, Activision?Rock Band 2 will obviously have some advancements over the original, including new and improved features and instruments. Teasdale also teases about an amazing lineup of songs, with announcements to be made in the near future. Check out the full interview for more info about your new favorite rhythm game.As for you European PS3 owners, still waiting for Rock Band 1 ... Try not to cry.
Wake Up! Rock Band 2 hitting this September [Update]
Update: Apologizes, the early hours seem to have hit us. Rock Band 2 is scheduled to release on the Xbox 360 this September with a PS3 release later in the year. Other platforms have not been confirmed at the time of the press release.Are you sitting down? Today MTV, Harmonix and EA surprised no one by confirming suspicion that Rock Band 2 was in the works. Yes, the worst-kept secret of sequels since Microsoft announced Halo 3 is scheduled to hit this September on the Xbox 360 PS3 and other yet-to-be named platforms. In an interview with IGN, Harmonix lead designer Dan Teasdale spilled some carefully worded beans on the sequel. Most importantly Harmonix confirmed all Rock Band downloadable content will also work in Rock Band 2 and Teasdale also teased that new features are planned "that let you play your DLC in different ways." Teasdale also states that new downloadable content will be released for the Rock Band platform when Rock Band 2 is released, meaning you can download all DLC and play on either version. Also, the dreaded profile switching issue in the original is being examined and corrected for a more streamlined experience. While Teasdale also confirms new instruments are in development for Rock Band 2 they are only receiving more reliable and cosmetic changes, meaning your old Rock Band sets will still work as well. While Teasdale doesn't confirm some of the questions posed to him, he does tease at the possibility of and online World Tour and multiple users on vocals instruments. Jump in for a look at the new Stratocaster guitar as well as the top ten bands Teasdale hinted might make it onto the Rock Band 2 retail disc.
Surprise! Rock Band 2 announced
One of gaming's worst-kept secrets is now official: Rock Band 2 is coming. IGN has the scoop and an interview with lead designer Dan Teasdale, who reveals that all the current and future DLC will be compatible with both versions of Rock Band, as well as the same instrument controllers.While details were scarce, Teasdale said to expect improvements for band and character customization as well as the navigation system and Band World Tour. Citing the current issues with random set lists, Teasdale said, "Nobody wants to play Green Grass and High Tides in their first random set list." Visually, the few images seen show the game has changed very little from its predecessor (and yes, it turns out the box art from a leaked survey was accurate).As for what songs to expect, Teasdale said, "we've also secured what I can easily say is the best set list I've ever seen in a music game." He provided no examples, although we wonder if The Beatles fall onto that list. Rock Band 2 is set to debut at E3 next month.
E3 Rock Band invite resembles Rock Band 2 concept cover
When a few lucky members of Joystiq got their invites to the Rock Band Bash, to be held during E3, the image seemed oddly familiar ... where had we seen that before? Y'know, it strongly resembles one of the designs revealed in a marketing survey asking questions about Rock Band 2 (a copy of which we've placed after the break).Compare: The drummer, vocalist and bass player are nearly identical while the original image's guitarist has been swapped out for a female, balancing the male/female ratio for this potential RB2 cover (compared to Rock Band's all-male cover). Could it simply be leftover marketing art or a subtle tease of what's to come?
Rock Band 2 to feature Turbonegro, Funcom announces
Yeah, you read that right: Funcom, the creators of the Age of Conan MMO. The Norway-based studio has name-dropped "Rock Band II," despite there being no official word of the sequel from the folks who develop, publish and distribute the Rock Band franchise. Joining the ranks of two consumer surveys and a Bo Diddley obituary as unofficial bearers of Rock Band 2 news is Funcom's press release for the Age of Conan soundtrack, which proudly touts fellow Norwegian deathpunk rockers Turbonegro (or "Turboneger" as they're known around Oslo) as feature acts on the disc, who, oh by the way, are also in "the game Rock Band II."And did you hear? Bad Religion has also been linked to the Rock Band sequel. Guitarist-songwriter Brett Gurewitz hit his Twitter watchers with this message last month: "Seven meetings and four executive decisions later, back at Sound City putting the finishing touches on 'Sorrow' for Rock Band 2."[Via Shacknews]
Rock Band 2 to feature the late Bo Diddley's guitar
Rock and Roll legend Bo Diddley passed away from heart failure Monday at the age of 79. Widely acknowledged as the forefather of the mid-century rock revolution, Diddley was a musical genius, responsible for inspiring numerous other rock gods of his era. In one obituary for Diddley, it was announced that his recognizable "cigar-box shaped" guitar would be featured in the "impending" Rock Band 2. Unfortunately, we imagine they're talking about an unlockable guitar actually inside the game, and not about any kind of bundled peripheral.Whether Harmonix planned for this to be a tribute to the blues luminary is unclear -- regardless, we'll be chomping at the bit to get Diddley's rectangular axe into the hands of our imaginary six-string virtuosos whenever the sequel to our third-best game of 2007 hits store shelves.
Survey asks for opinions on Rock Band 2 art
Considering its success, Rock Band 2 shouldn't come as a surprise. An anonymous tipster sent Joystiq a few conceptual images used in a survey about a potential sequel to Harmonix's peripheral party game. Previous surveys revealed Rock Band 2 may feature an enhanced World Tour mode, with the ability to record music videos and hire staff members. Battle of the Bands and drum trainer modes are also rumored to be included in a sequel.While nothing concrete has been confirmed by Harmonix, these early leaks seem quite plausible. We're hoping that, unlike Guitar Hero, DLC from the original Rock Band can be safely played in any future iterations of the franchise. If not, we're certain there's going to be a lot of angry rockers out there.
Survey spills the beans on Rock Band 2
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Survey_reveals_Rock_Band_2_concept_box_art'; Wii owners haven't even gotten their hands on the completely gimped Wii version of Rock Band yet and here we are, already talking about a sequel. According to a survey sent out by Listen Research, two pieces of concept art were shown, confirming the game is on the way (as if the money made wasn't confirmation enough). We have the image above, and the image that is available over at Joystiq.It's likely to be headed to the Wii, meaning that it is also going to the PS2 because that's the version we'd likely get. Anyone excited? Anybody care?%Gallery-19119%
Potential Rock Band 2 box art, meet the candidates
Thanks to an X3F loyalist, we just received two supposed Rock Band 2 box art mockups that EA is shopping around as part of some sort of survey to gather input on the sequel. According to our tipster, the Rock Band 2 survey only listed the two box art mocks ups that you see above and simply asked which was more appealing between the two. We're going with the blue one, because we like the lead guitarists' hair. Oh, and nice work on that Rock Band logo's "2".[Thanks, sambob117]
Survey reveals Rock Band 2 concept box art
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Survey_reveals_Rock_Band_2_concept_box_art'; Joystiq has obtained two scans from an anonymous tipster that reveal a new survey conducted by Listen Research for Rock Band 2. (If you recall, Listen Research conducted a different, more detail-oriented Rock Band 2 survey last month.) Participants were shown two different box art concepts and asked the following: Indicate which of the two covers below would attract you more if you were shopping for a new game in a store. Indicate which game box cover you believe is a better fit with the description of the game. If anyone asks, our vote is for the the game box cover shown above. We've placed the description and second game box cover after the break.
Survey hints at new Rock Band 2 additions
Team Joystiq has learned through a few anonymous tips that EA with the help of Listen Research are conducting surveys for Rock Band 2. And with any pre-release video game survey, we get some insight to where the dev team is headed.The survey questions are said to target various topics including Rock Band 2 pricing, how many expansions one would be willing to buy and the likelihood of purchasing Rock Band over a game like Guitar Hero IV. But most noteworthy is rumor that some of the surveys mention certain feature additions including the World Tour being online with a music video creator and the ability to hire a staff. Also, a Battle of the Bands mode is mentioned where players go head to head against other rival bands in daily or weekly battles. Finally, some surveys are rumored to talk about a new drum trainer mode being added to the sequel, something we really, really, really need.
Survey says: Rock Band 2 headed Wii-ward
Rock Band is a sore subject among Wii owners, since we'll be getting the gimped version of the game. Even so, that won't stop a Rock Band 2 from landing on Nintendo's console. At least, that's what a recent survey conducted by Listen Research for EA hints at, which has been asking gamers some questions about the pending sequel.Most of the things that EA wants to know have to do with the player's likelihood of purchasing things. The survey includes (paraphrased) questions like: Would you buy the Special Edition set for Rock Band 2 (i.e., the version that includes all the instruments)? And: How many Rock Band Track Packs for the Wii would you purchase within six months? The inquiry we found to be the most interesting, though, asked whether consumers would be more inclined to buy Rock Band or Guitar Hero, which will also utilize multiple instruments soon.While some people may be more invested in one franchise over the other (depending on which game and instruments they already own), we think that gaining the loyalty of Wii owners is relatively simple. Easily enough, the company who issues the least broken game for Nintendo's console will win this guitar and drums arms race on the Wii.
Survey hints at Rock Band 2 with online world tour, drum trainer
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Survey_hints_at_Rock_Band_2_with_online_world_tour'; We've received a handful of anonymous tips indicating that Electronic Arts is conducting surveys (surprise!) for Rock Band 2. From what we've seen, the survey is being conducted by Listen Research for EA. The survey breaks down as follows: The sequel will be full featured and will represent a jump similar to that from Guitar Hero I to GHII, or GHII to GHIII. Separate questions ask the likelihood of purchasing Rock Band 2 Special Edition (i.e. the full instrument package) for $199, $169 and $149, respectively. All current Rock Band consoles (PS3, PS2, Xbox 360 and Wii) are mentioned. There are questions concerning Rock Band Track Pack: Volume 1 and how many expansion packs you are expecting to purchase in the next six months. The survey asks likelihood of purchasing Rock Band over a multi-instrument version of Guitar Hero. EA reportedly provided details on the new features for Rock Band 2 in some of the surveys, but we haven't been able to confirm this. New additions to World Tour mode are said to include online play, the recording of music videos and hiring of staff members. Other new features include Battle of the Bands, competing against other bands in daily and weekly battles, setting challenges to progress through your band's discography in increasingly harder setlists, as well as a drum trainer mode.We've requested comment from MTV, Electronic Arts and Harmonix.[Thanks to Andre and everyone else who sent this in!]
