Harmonix forms Rock Band

New game from Guitar Hero maker to feature guitar, drum, microphone peripherals, master recordings from major labels; game due on PS3, 360 later this year.

Nobody has rocked the game industry quite like Harmonix Music Systems. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based game company is focused squarely on music and rhythm games, and it has churned out Guitar Hero, one of the most popular new franchises of any genre, with the aid of publisher RedOctane.

The band broke up somewhat abruptly at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo when RedOctane, which owned the rights to the Guitar Hero name, was purchased by Activision for $100 million. A few months later, Harmonix was bought outright by MTV Networks, and at GDC 2007, EA announced that it would be distributing the next Harmonix-made game through its EA Partners program.

While it was known that the Guitar Hero franchise would live on through Activision-owned Neversoft, Harmonix has kept the volume down on its next project...until now.

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Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos explains Rock Band in his own words.

Harmonix, MTV Networks, and Electronic Arts today officially announced Rock Band. The music-based game will do Guitar Hero two better by featuring guitar, drum, and microphone peripherals, proving rock and roll requires more than just someone who can handle the axe. Rock Band is scheduled to be available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this holiday season.

Like Guitar Hero, Rock Band will feature licensed music. Thanks largely in part to its new relationship with MTV, Harmonix was able to wrangle multitrack master recordings from the catalogs of some of the biggest record labels in the business. On board to offer access to their portfolios are EMI Music Publishing, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Hollywood Records, and Warner Chappell Music. It is currently unknown how much from each music publisher will be available to Harmonix, but the emphasis going forward will be to work with the artists themselves.

Little is known about the gameplay at this time, but online interaction will be vital to the experience. Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos told GameSpot, "In addition to the music that ships with the game, we have very big plans for building out a huge library of online expansion content." Rigopulos also said that some content will "very likely" be free.

Cowbell players need not apply.

As for the controllers, the guitar peripheral will control the bass and lead guitar portions, a microphone will be used for vocals, and a drum peripheral will provide the beats. Rigopulos says the drum is "a really impressive piece of hardware. I'm a drummer myself, so we weren't going to settle for anything less than something that felt like a real instrument." Harmonix is still working out the details of how the peripherals will ship.

When asked if wannabe rock stars would be able to go online and seek out other musicians to play with, Rigopulos excitedly said, "Absolutely. The whole experience is actually about reaching out to other people and forming a band together and that collaborative experience...to form a band and rise from obscurity to fame."

The team behind Rock Band sees the project as more than just a simple game; they see it as a new platform for experiencing music. "We're at the very front of what will be a major transformation in music entertainment," said Rigopulos. "I really believe that four or five years from now, this kind of active participation in music making is going to be how people expect to experience the music that they love. Rock Band is a huge first step in that direction, but the sky's the limit in terms of the span of genres we eventually intend to reach with this."

For more on Rock Band, read GameSpot's Q&A with Rigopulos and EA Partners vice president David DeMartini.

255 Comments

  • eljono

    Posted Jun 19, 2007 11:15 am PT

    HAHAHA awsome replies to this thread. one person is "EA Sucks but MTV is pretty cool" and the next poster sys" Well I think itll be good bc of EA but MTV sucks"

    Seriously , EA is a **** huge corp. b/c they own. Madden nuked all other football games and other games followed suit. Don't hate on them just becuz they throw money at smaller companies. Personnally I dont give a rat's ass who does what..I think the idea is frikking kick ass and I can't wait to drink a few cold ones and rock out with some people.

  • NDegree

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 1:49 pm PT

    Men I love there idea & I think this game will rock. "I Wanna Rock"

  • bob7577

    Posted May 29, 2007 9:20 pm PT

    UGGGGHHHH!!!! this game sounded pretty freakin sweet until i found out that EA was producing it, Harmonix can make a great game, MTV maybe, but EA is just gonna throw yet another potentially great game down the freakin toilet, way to freakin go EA!

  • Sw1tched

    Posted May 9, 2007 4:24 pm PT

    How are they going to do the drums? hmmm i play drums....this is gonna be bad i think

  • gtrfreak182

    Posted May 9, 2007 1:18 pm PT

    Well..the idea is cool and I know EA will find a way to make this amazing, but I do have my doubts:

    1. EA is an amazing company but MTV sucks and I can't imagine them working together
    2. Being a drummer myself I really don't think they can emulate a drum set as well as a guitar it will probably be really pathetic or ridiculously overpriced
    3. After using songs like Free Bird in the Guitar Hero games I can't imagine that they come up with a descent song list without repeating songs seen in the past

    I know either way I'm going to wind up buying this or Guitar Hero III so I hope this comes out good either way I'm still going to be rocking in my band. ECS for life

  • nguvu

    Posted May 9, 2007 9:37 am PT

    I think this will be pretty sweet...they have the resources to pull this off. Can't wait.

  • lovermanxxx

    Posted May 9, 2007 12:17 am PT

    i wanna bang a drum!!!!!

  • Hoxist

    Posted May 8, 2007 6:33 pm PT

    Mixed feelings about this. I LOVE the GH series, but MTV could really mess this up. Sweet idea, and I'd probabaly buy it no matter what the price...but it all depends on the songlist. If MTV messes it up...DEATH.

  • ParasiteArtist

    Posted May 8, 2007 7:02 am PT

    This seems exciting. Of course you know it is going to cost way too much money. I hope EA doesn't get too much of their grubby mitts on the game though. Seems too early to tell if this game will be good; I hope it is. Let's see what happens in the next few months with this.

  • Bonzeemer

    Posted May 8, 2007 6:04 am PT

    Guess what? I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell!

  • worldind913

    Posted May 8, 2007 4:41 am PT

    not Guitar Hero wannabe, its made by Harmonix, the people who brought us the orginal Guitar Hero, I say it will be better, like GH but with story and stuff behind it

  • worldind913

    Posted May 8, 2007 4:38 am PT

    not Guitar Hero wannabe, its made by Harmonix, the people who brought us the orginal Guitar Hero, I say it will be better, like GH but with story and stuff behind it

  • MichaeltheCM

    Posted May 7, 2007 9:12 pm PT

    Guitar Hero wannabe

  • Jsen

    Posted May 1, 2007 9:17 pm PT

    well, it definitely wont tank, but its not gonna get nearly as high as GH3 without PS2 and Wii versions

  • RangerG

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 2:20 pm PT

    OMG EA is in on this! Well another glitchy subpar game here we come. My dislike of EA came from BF2 and 2142, a fun game filled with glitches they can't even fix!

  • R0cketToRussia1

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 2:50 pm PT

    My brother also works at EA and has the full version of the game and he says it is Freaking awesome!!11!!111!1-00-3493=-=3439!!11

    God I hate people who say **** like that.

  • eaglehombre

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 5:01 am PT

    When me and my friends get together with our wives and kids, everybody enjoys watching or playing these music games. Whether we play Guitar Hero or Karaoke Revolution, everybody has a good time as well as being entertained. What's nice is that now my 6 year old daughter or my wife can now sing while I "jam" on the guitar or drums.

    And for those who sarcastically say "play a real instrument" or "form a real band," I say get a life. It's just a game. That's like saying instead of playing Grand Theft Auto, you should be out stealing cars and shooting people. These games never claim that after playing you will gain the skills protrayed in the game.

  • Georgew69

    Posted Apr 17, 2007 9:19 am PT

    WHAT!!!!! I don't have a PS3 or XBox 360. Why don't they release it on PS2 as well. They'll make a bigger profit doing that. I don't wanna buy an XBox 360 or PS3 because I don't have the money. Also I can't be asked to get one

  • MACMALLEON

    Posted Apr 16, 2007 9:46 pm PT

    My Bro Works at EA. He got to play an early build of the game. He said it was FREAKIN AWESOME....Yes you use the Guitar Hero Controller

  • Dill-Man

    Posted Apr 16, 2007 3:01 pm PT

    does anyone know if you can use the guitar hero controller as the guitar so i dont have to be yet another stupid guitar to play this game, not including the drums

  • DrCLos

    Posted Apr 16, 2007 12:56 pm PT

    Can't wait! But with all those peripherals my only big question is... How much?!

  • YoUnG1991

    Posted Apr 16, 2007 10:58 am PT

    This game looks amazing but before getting my mated round 2 play with im gonna try and play all instruments included on my own

  • _Sam_

    Posted Apr 15, 2007 12:40 pm PT

    I should probably play Guitar Hero before I check this one out

  • Chameleon1990

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 7:02 pm PT

    to all the people who say "why don't you just learn how to play a real guitar?", what do you say when you play a game that uses a lightgun, or an FPS?

  • tylert20

    Posted Apr 6, 2007 5:23 am PT

    Don't mind the drum, but screw the mic, this ain't American Idol. Look if video games start making everything, than just form a real band with real instruments, I understand the Guitar part of the video game, am looking foward to the drum, that can be fun, but the microphone addition is retarded.

  • tidyspidey

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 11:48 am PT

    "vf21x bla bla bla!!!

    The guitar hero franchise wasextremely cool but is now over.

    As for this RockBand game, the time has also past. Also, who will bother playing a game with so many pheripherals??? PLEASE!!!!

    Let's get back to real gaming again already!!"

    Yeah, OK vf21x..... you're obviously SO game, you turd wireless controllers and eat memory cards for breakfast, right?

    No-one is impressed by so called "real" or "hardcore" gamers gesturing their prowess and waving their willies in the air for attention.

    If you just don't like the idea of the game, then say so.... don't try and sugar-coat it like only someone with your uber-gaming experience could possibly understand or give a comment worth a heck.

    It's about as impressive as a sheet of lined paper. And just as common.

  • melbourneboy

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 4:43 pm PT

    well if you couldn't this this coming your dog is dead and your white stick is broken! We already have guitar hero (fantastic gameto play smashed thinking your actually musical), as well the singstar franchise and the drum games in arcades. This is just gonna be one big tasty musical package!

  • pmpinoy65

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 1:31 pm PT

    "Why don't you play a real guitar instead". I don't like it when people try to compare it with actual playing music. I've been playing an electric guitar for awhile now and its no comparision. For lack of better words, these plastic controller guitars are toys. They are fun toys to play with. I enjoy playing both my controller and real guitar. You don't have to play a real guitar to enjoy these kinds of music game.

  • aldrenar47

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 11:43 am PT

    If youre going to bother with all that, why not form an actual band?

  • robowarriorx

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 11:19 pm PT

    As per before, yes, I realise it would be April first to be a joke, but considering that GS doesn't update on sundays.....At any rate, I suppose its possible, but I have my doubts. We shall see what comes of this, but as I said before, it sounds to good to be true...

  • rokkuman09

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 4:46 pm PT

    Guitar Hero with drums and other peripherals too? This is going to be awesome, it's like several music rhythm games in one. But I bet it won't be cheap because of all those peripherals, but hey it will be worth it, especially if theres an online mode. So people can be playing different instruments.

  • sacker63

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 9:47 am PT

    This game will be sweet. Unfortunately, this means that instead of just a pitcher injuring himself playing guitar hero (Major league pitcher could not pitch during playoffs cuz he hurt himself playing guitar hero), now the shortstop will be unable to put a glove on because of the calluses (bass), the bit hitter won't be able to grab the bat from the carpal tunnel (drums), and the manager won't be able to tell the players what to do cuz he'll lose his voice (vocals). HAHAHA. Otherwise, this game will kick ass.

  • Chirico_Cuvie

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 9:17 am PT

    It's no big secret that Konami did this before, but they failed to realize it's potential for the foreign market. Guitar Hero has way more soul to it than the bland Guitar Freaks interface, and it's more about western rock than the tracks GF used. I've played GF and it fees unfinished, with a rudimentary interface and bland design. GH is much more fun and is all about the rock. This is just more of the same that uses the ideas that Konami did with its music titles and adding that GH flair that makes it a better product.

  • yourname2323

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 8:59 am PT

    sounds awesome

  • Burning_Cactus

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 8:42 am PT

    personally i think it sounds great, but uh, if guitar hero is like 90 dollars, how much would it be for the mic and drums? does any one know if u can just by the game with just the guitar or somethin like that?

  • ShadoweaverCode

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 8:36 am PT

    Bulldog19892

    "Needs more cowbell."

    I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL

  • ShadoweaverCode

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 8:23 am PT

    Agent_Clancy

    "Hmm, I wonder if you can compose music too"

    That's the same thing I was wondering. Drums, guitars and a karaoke mic? Might be for some, but not for me. To me it's hard to make great music with that setup. Give me a virtual Roland/Korg synthesizer and some virtual turntables and I'm set.

  • ps10n1cX

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 7:42 am PT

    Sounds Diffrent LOL

  • fluffebunnie

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 5:27 am PT

    So can I buy the Neil Peart drumkit add-on for YYZ?

  • packernation31

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 5:09 am PT

    really stupid but it would be cool to drum with the wii -mote....

  • SpruceCaboose

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 4:52 am PT

    The game will cost more than the systems!
    Edit: No April Fools here, unless its a Internet wide one:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Band_%28video_game%29
    http://razorwire.warcry.com/news/view/70170-Harmonix-announces-new-Rock-Band-game-for-PS3-and-360-and-MTV-will-make-it-not-worth-buying
    http://www.techshout.com/gaming/2007/02/rock-band-game-title-for-xbox-360-and-ps3-announcd-by-harmonix-mtv-and-ea-2/
    http://play.tm/wire/cluster/1418397

  • SkyGSN-com

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 4:08 am PT

    it sounds rather interesting, but ...

  • stonerose

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 3:20 am PT

    a guitar, drum and microphone peripheral? i know this game will probably be cool but how much is all that gonna cost in a bundle?

  • greenleaflink

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 2:43 am PT

    god people

    just make a damn band already

  • Khoo1992

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 2:42 am PT

    WOW!!! Let's see whether EA can make this game good

  • GFofgaming

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 2:39 am PT

    Sounds DEVASTING MAN

  • Filaki

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 1:52 am PT

    and what would mtv know of rock? kid rock and creed are NOT rock. i doubt mtv would add anything like alice in chains or black sabbath as in guitar hero 2

  • ketsuatama

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 1:49 am PT

    This will devastate my dad if its a joke! He's already trying to grow his hair long and resurrect his band, the Housewives in Bondage! lol!

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