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Keyboards teased for Rock Band 3 in Green Day demo
Dookieheads (that's what Green Day fans are colloquially referred to, right?) who downloaded the two-track Green Day: Rock Band demo from Xbox Live Marketplace today (gold subscribers only) found a little bonus waiting for them when they exited the demo: The teaser image posted above. Alongside the series' four iconic instrument logos is a whole new symbol, which seems to indicate that keyboards (or perhaps ... keytars?) will be added to Rock Band 3. You can check out the demo, which includes the songs "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "Welcome to Paradise," to see the teaser firsthand, and to start imagining all the wonderful implications a Rock Band keyboard might have. [Thanks, Neil] Xbox.com: Add Green Day: Rock Band demo to your Xbox 360 download queue
Two 'Lost' tracks coming soon to Rock Band Network
Harmonix knows that you and your crew of Losties will be looking for something to do on Tuesday nights now that there's no more Lost to watch, and has stepped in to help. Now you'll be able to turn those watch parties into Rock Band parties, as you play along to two songs featured in the show. G4 reports that, in the near future, the Rock Band Network will play host to both "You All Everybody," the hit song from Charlie Pace's band Drive Shaft, and "Dharma Lady," by '70s band and frequent hidden reference Geronimo Jackson. The Rock Band Network status means it'll be released on Xbox 360 first, and then possibly brought to Wii and PS3 later. It's probably a bad idea to use this music to try to introduce someone to the show. These songs are hilarious as in-jokes, but on their own, they're ... well, still hilarious, but not in a good way. [Image: Lostpedia]
MTV admits higher sales of Beatles: Rock Band were expected in Europe
The Beatles: Rock Band may have been a critical success, but it never achieved the levels of commercial success MTV had hoped for in Europe. MTV general manager Scott Guthrie told MCV that a combination of the bad economy and competition contributed to the game's undesirable performance. "We got caught in a few things that happened last year. It was a tough economy; there was a lot of competitive products out there, and I think Beatles probably had softer sales than it would have if some of those things weren't in play," he said. "Overall we were pleased with the sales. I think that we underestimated the competition and they took mind share away from us." This shouldn't be an issue for MTV's next game, Green Day: Rock Band, the company hopes. The competition Guthrie talks about is Guitar Hero 5, which did gangbusters in Europe. But while Guitar Hero 5 was busy selfishly generating cash for Activision, The Beatles: Rock Band managed to generate a lot of cash for charity, so that has to help MTV get through those cold nights. Right?
Rock Band Weekly: Pantera's 'Great Southern Trendkill'
If your unique vocal style mostly consists of blood-curdling screams and primal, scratchy howling, then your ship has finally come in. This week, heavy metal outfit Pantera's album "The Great Southern Trendkill" is added to the Rock Band catalog. You can pick up the whole kit n' caboodle for 1280 ($15.99), or grab each pack piecemeal-style, like you've been able to do since the dawn of time. Click past the jump to see all the tracks included on the album.
Harmonix polls fan site about Japanese rock in Rock Band
There's been no sign of Q Entertainment's localized Japanese version of Rock Band since its announcement in 2008. In fact, the title is unlikely to happen at all, according to Harmonix's John Drake, who told RockBandAide that fans shouldn't expect a standalone Japanese edition of the game. Instead, Harmonix partnered with JRockRevolution to poll that site's users about the Japanese rock bands they'd most like to see added to Rock Band. The GazettE topped the list, followed by Dir en Grey and X Japan (whose "I.V." was included in Rock Band 2's free bonus DLC). J-rock poster boy and ancient vampire Gackt came in at No. 5. Presumably, these bands are being considered for DLC for the existing Rock Band games, which seems like twisting the knife a bit. Imagine if you were in Japan, waiting for Rock Band, and you read that all your favorite songs were going to be downloadable in the American version. [Via Destructoid]
Harmonix polling fan interest in future Rock Band titles
How do you feel about Led Zeppelin getting their own Rock Band title? Maybe you'd be happier with Pink Floyd or The Eagles? Perhaps U2? Yeah, none of those sound particularly enthralling to us either. Thankfully, Harmonix gave us the option to write in our own choice (Flock of Seagulls, duh!) for a possible future artist-specific Rock Band title via a recent poll offered on the developer's forums. Not interested in more one-group/artist RB titles? That's also an option! Harmonix explains the poll as a way to interact with its community and solicit fan response to future titles that are being considered. "With the release of Green Day: Rock Band just a few days away, we wanted to take the opportunity to ask all of you to tell us about which other artists you might want to see as the focus of future artist specific games." As you might imagine, though, the company says it's not planning on making any of these games for sure just yet. "This survey isn't a guarantee that Harmonix is going to make games based on any of these bands, but community feedback is and always has been absolutely invaluable to us in determining our focus within the world of Rock Band as we move forward." We're holding out hope that a group of hardcore Scott Stapp fans aren't secretly plotting to overwhelm the poll with requests for Creed: Rock Band. [Via Blast Magazine]
Green Day: Rock Band more familiar to 'core audience' than The Beatles, MTV Games says
The Beatles are a tough act to follow. And so, several weeks from the release of Green Day: Rock Band, publisher MTV Games has some promoting to do. MTV Games GM Scott Gutherie recently explained the reasoning behind picking the younger, less "classic rock"–oriented band for its next single-act music game following The Beatles: Rock Band. "We were pleased with the performance of Beatles: Rock Band, but we were expecting higher sales," Guthrie said. "Our core audience of 16- to 34-year-old males are much more familiar with Green Day music than The Beatles." Targeting the core gaming audience with a band active during their lifetimes certainly seems like a sensible business move, though it does signal a move away from the kind of market expansion MTV and Harmonix were attempting with Beatles. However, Guthrie's suggestion that "Green Day probably has a much higher awareness than perhaps The Beatles did" seems like a stretch. Everyone knows The Beatles. The clear market advantage that the Green Day game does have is the benefit of being compatible with Rock Band's existing and ever-growing library, as its tracks are exportable (for a fee) to Xbox 360 and PS3 hard drives and playable in the main iterations of the series. Though Guthrie didn't say as much, it's possible Beatles sales suffered because the game was a standalone project, which didn't mesh well with the Rock Band ethos and its core demographic. %Gallery-87997%
Rock Band Weekly: The Grateful Dead to Smithereens
We know, we know! The last thing that should happen when somebody mentions the Grateful Dead -- undeniably one of the most culturally significant bands of the 20th century -- is that our brain immediately goes to delicious ice cream. Sorry, but word association works in magical ways. Grateful Dead to Jerry Garcia to Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia. Full details on next week's Rock Band DLC, featuring the Grateful Dead and The Smithereens, can be found after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Judas Priest's 'British Steel 30th Anniversary'
Clearly, it'd been way too long since we last used our Rob Halford tag here at Joystiq, so it was convenient when Harmonix announced today Judas Priest's "British Steel 30th Anniversary" album as next week's Rock Band DLC. This collection is taken from the 2009 30th anniversary tour when the band played the entirety of its nine-song 1980 thrasher, British Steel, for the first time live. "Breakin' the Law" live? Sold. Hit the break for all the details.
Win $10K, meet Ringo during 2nd annual Rock Band casino competition
Harrah's casinos and MTV games are teaming up for the 2nd Annual "Total Rock, Total Rewards Rock Band Competition." The winners will receive $10,000 and the opportunity to kiss the starry rings of Ringo Starr. The competitions will take place between now and June 13 at "Harrah's Total Rewards Casinos" and 15 additional US locations that host "Rock Band Bar Nights." The top scoring bands from each venue will have an opportunity to compete in the final copetition at Bally's Atlantic City on July 1-2. But wait, there's more: an online competition at Harrahs.com will find one band flying on a private jet to the finale. So, if you think your band stands a chance, get registered.
Xbox Live Marketplace in May: Rocket Knight, Dragon Age DLC and more
You know that dusty piggy bank you've had sitting on the shelf forever? Look, forget the kid's college fund -- she's not going to college for, like, years -- and bust that thing open! There's going to be some solid content on Xbox Live Marketplace this month. In the mood for XBLA games? How does Rocket Knight or Zeno Clash tickle your fancy? Oh, so you want some DLC -- Dragon Age: Origins will have more to offer the tireless adventurer later this month. Want to learn the Secret of Monkey Island? During the week of May 17, the secret will be half-off. See what we mean? Head past the break for more XBLM release highlights for the month provided by Microsoft.
Rock Band Weekly: No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom, Orianthi, Picture Me Broken
Next week's Rock Band DLC adds "the deep cuts" from Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt's 1995 breakthrough album. The singles from that album were actually added to Rock Band way back in December 2008. Those interested in the tracks have the option to buy the full Tragic Kingdom album, just the remaining songs (if they purchased the singles back in the day) or each song individually. Also, as a reminder, PSN updates will change to Tuesday in North America starting next week. So, PS3 owners are now able to pick up their Rock Band DLC on the same day as everyone else. Yay for equality. Check out next week's full list of DLC releases after the break.
Funny or Die introduces us to Seinfeld: Rock Band
Look, we know Funny or Die Team UK's latest gag video, which reveals that the next single-artist iteration of Harmonix's rhythm franchise will be based upon Jerry Seinfeld's prolific sitcom, isn't actually real. We can totally recognize a joke when we see one, especially when said joke is hosted on a website dedicated to the distribution and adjudication of jokes. That being said, though we wouldn't necessarily have much interest in a Rock Band game dedicated to Seinfeld's slap bass-heavy soundtrack, there's no amount of money we wouldn't pay for a Classic Sitcom Theme Songs: Rock Band. Think about it! Golden Girls? Perfect Strangers? WKRP in Cincinnati? Full House? We must have it.
The Beatles: Rock Band value bundle for 360 just $51 on Amazon
Back when The Beatles: Rock Band's Special Value Bundle was first announced, we had some reservations about how much of a "special value" it really was. However, a recent Amazon discount has made its description irrefutable: For just $51.08 (shipping included), you can grab the 360 version of the bundle, which includes a copy of the game and a set of instruments from the original Rock Band. If you can deal with the calamitous clicking and clacking of the series' original drum kit, that's one heck of a deal. There's no telling how long this discount will be offered, or how many copies of the bundle are still available, so prospective mop-toppers should act swiftly. [Via CheapCollegeGamer]
Mad Catz now 'principal peripherals partner' for Rock Band franchise
"Mad Catz" isn't just the best name ever for a fictional group in Rock Band, it's also the new "principal peripherals partner" for the Rock Band franchise, including the upcoming Rock Band 3. The manufacturer now has worldwide rights to produce and distribute Rock Band peripherals. The company previously produced third-party peripherals for Rock Band and Rock Band 2. Mad Catz has confirmed to Joystiq that " As the official partner, accessories included in Rock Band bundles will indeed be produced by Mad Catz." "We are excited to be expanding our relationship with Mad Catz to continue to bring their video game peripheral design and manufacturing expertise to the Rock Band platform," Alex Rigopulos, CEO of Harmonix, said in the announcement. "We look forward to partnering with Mad Catz to continue to innovate and lead the music game genre through the Rock Band franchise." He has reason to be excited -- Viacom, owner of MTV Games and Harmonix, has already expressed its interest in getting away from the business of peripheral production, and now it's found a partner that has experience, and, recently, some clout in the creation of game controllers.
Rock Band Weekly: Busted, Flyleaf, Silverchair
Next week's Rock Band DLC contains three random singles and no track packs. With that said, Harmonix has already prepared for the backlash against this next update. Developer "HMXHenry" has posted a forum note to all the "Chicken Littles out there" that there is "loads more content in the pipeline, tons of awesome RBN tracks that are now coming out on the Xbox 360 AND the PS3." So, don't jump to conclusions, the sky isn't falling people! Check out next week's DLC releases after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Coheed and Cambria, Siouxsie, Supergrass, Violent Femmes
Vocalists, get out your water bottles and start warming up now because a Coheed and Cambria track pack is the highlight of next week's Rock Band DLC. Also, for the first time, The Violent Femmes are available on Rock Band with "American Music." Check out next week's full DLC release list after the break.
Green Day: Rock Band Achievements walk a lonely road
So, you not only want to play Green Day: Rock Band, you want to be the best at playing Green Day: Rock Band? You want some metric by which to measure your Billie Joe-bility against that of your friends and colleagues? MyGamerCard recently got its hands on the list of Achievements for the game -- which will presumably double as the Trophies, though we don't yet know which precious metals each task falls under. Check out the full list of trials posted after the jump!
No DLC for Green Day: Rock Band
We hope that Dookie, American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown are your favorite Green Day albums, because that's all you're getting in Green Day: Rock Band. Speaking to Plastic Axe, Rock Band project lead Chris Foster revealed that Green Day won't receive any DLC beyond the 21st Century Breakdown tracks that are already available on the Rock Band store. According to Foster, Harmonix has crafted "sculpted experiences for every single song" complete with specific animations. Unlike the dreamscapes of The Beatles: Rock Band, the work that's been done on other tracks can't simply be reconfigured for Green Day. As such, Foster said that the team decided instead to focus on rounding out 21st Century Breakdown with the already available tracks, which will feature their own motion capture, assets and bonuses that fully tie into the game. Maybe not the best news, but it's not like the band sings about the boulevard of fulfilled dreams, does it? [Via 1UP]
Full Green Day: Rock Band track list revealed
Over the past few months, we've received a handful of confirmations of tracks appearing in Green Day: Rock Band, but Entertainment Weekly's Music Mix blog just got its hands on the whole kit-n-caboodle. You can find the game's full 47-song track list just past the jump. Looks like we're in for sizable chunks of American Idiot, Dookie and 21st Century Breakdown, with light smatterings of Warning, Nimrod and Insomniac. The songs will be split among three different venues signifying different periods during the band's career. The American Idiot tracks are played at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, where they recorded their live DVD Bullet in a Bible. More than a dozen tracks will be played at the Fox Theater in the band's hometown of Oakland. Finally, songs from Dookie will be played at the "Warehouse" -- a mock-up of the "house parties and squats" at which the band got its start. Also, if you're laughing because we wrote "dookie" and "squats" in the same sentence, then congratulations, you're eleven years old. [Thanks, Jake]
