Rock Band golden

Harmonix finishes up work on the retail disc for its first post-Guitar Hero game, shifts focus to downloadable content.

Before any album can go platinum, it has to first go gold. Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that their maiden collaboration, Rock Band for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, has "gone gold," or entered final production and manufacturing on its way to meeting its scheduled November 20 release date.

Arriving in stores just before Thanksgiving, the instrument-driven rhythm game will be available on its own for $59.99, or as part of a special-edition bundle that includes a guitar, drums, and microphone for $169.99. The Xbox 360 version of the bundle will come with a wired guitar and a USB hub, while the PS3 edition includes a wireless guitar that will also work with the forthcoming PlayStation 2 version of Rock Band (set for release December 18). Individual instruments and a wireless Xbox 360 guitar will be made available sometime after the game's release, though controllers for the rival Guitar Hero franchise will also work with the game.

While going gold is usually the end of the development team's heavy lifting, Harmonix has promised weekly additions to the Rock Band setlist in the form of downloadable content. Among the confirmed offerings are The Who's Who's Next and 18 tracks from The Grateful Dead.

For more on Rock Band, check out GameSpot's latest preview.

90 Comments

  • garcia_jx

    Posted Nov 13, 2007 2:12 am PT

    I wonder if this game is gonna be better than GH3. The guitar looks better in this game. I hope is not just a complete rip off of GH3.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Nov 7, 2007 2:38 am PT

    TImstuff - I would think that 360 and ps3 owners would miss such games like re umbrella chronicles, metroid prime 3, mario galaxy - and monster hunter 3 (etc).
    I feel more sorry for a 360 or ps3 owner who want what the 360 or ps3 has - both of those consoles are pretty much the same, but get different exclusives. Besides, you can have a 360 or ps3 and still have money left over to buy the wii because its pretty cheap.

  • BRICKTOWN_BEAST

    Posted Nov 6, 2007 5:36 pm PT

    Dude I cant wait for this downloadable stuff to come out. Once they get the ball rolling bands will join and theres gonna be so much ****

  • Timstuff

    Posted Nov 6, 2007 10:56 am PT

    I feel mighty sorry for all those Nintendo fanboys who think they can get by this gen without a PS3 or Xbox 360. They're missing out on like 90% of this gen's hottest games just because they picked such an underpowered system with no multiplatform support.

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Nov 6, 2007 10:34 am PT

    well I never got guitar hero but did like it when I tried it, should hopefully be a good game

  • jcloverboy

    Posted Nov 6, 2007 8:11 am PT

    this game should be great.

    One issue I have is the lack of songs it has initially in comparison to Guitar Hero. I hate the idea that I will HAVE to download The Who tracks (tracks that were announced long ago). I'm definitely getting them but we're going to be bled dry once EA is done with us.

  • thestickman

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 8:26 pm PT

    Can't wait for this game... Just 2 more weeks! Already have a bit of money set aside for it and by the time its out I'll have it all taken care of to pick it up on Day 1. I could care less if the guitar is wireless on the 360 version because the main thing I'm getting the game for is the drums anyways, and its not like my room is so big that I have to worry about the cord not reaching far enough anyways. Plus its nice to not have to worry about replacing batteries every week. I do enough of that just for my Wii remote! XD

  • DanzigThrall

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 6:52 pm PT

    thats some nice DLC to start off what i think will be some good albums
    i hope that they have the rest of the Number of the beast album for iron maiden and rest of the destroyer album from KISS

  • Zacek1000

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 6:50 pm PT

    I played this game two week ago and it's much better than Guitar Hero III. You can see it on my page on gamespot.

  • 4quarters

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 6:15 pm PT

    Don't complain to Harmonix about cords for 360, complain to Microsoft for expensive wireless technology that adds $10.00 to each peripheral.....that's $30.00 to charge if it's wireless!!! The 360 GH3 was $10.00 more and it sucks!!!! So either go PS3 for $169.99 or IF 360 was wireless it would be $199.99 and everyone would complain!!

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 6:13 pm PT

    I can't control myself right now....
    must have game

  • Super-Mario-Fan

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 6:03 pm PT

    MTV games is going to regret not releasing this onto the Wii...

  • jaredcrazy3232

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 5:24 pm PT

    ooooo this is going to be fun... my friends and i are pitching in some money and i call the drums.

  • solideagle13

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 5:23 pm PT

    thank you star fox

  • starfoxmcleoud

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 5:09 pm PT

    I don't get what everyone is b1tching about with wireless! Is everyone too lazy to plug in a cord? Most real guitars and mics aren't wireless. Singers hold onto the cord so they don't have it pull the mic out of their mic hand while they sing and walk. Guitarists pull the plug behind the strap before they plug it into the guitar so it doesn't come out as they walk around. Drummers, the only cord they have to worry about is the one that's attatched to the mic pointed at their kick drum. If anything, 360 owners get more of a garage band experience without the amplifiers compared to the sony ones. Is everyone really that dependent on wireless stuff? If you want to be that childish and complain that it's not "next gen" just 'cause there's a wire and a plug attatched to it, go to toys r us and check out the infant section!

  • solideagle13

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 4:57 pm PT

    yah the thing about not buying the guitar is there is new effects only available on the fender.

  • GrimGravy

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 3:59 pm PT

    glad i will have wireless on my PS3, and i was gonna buy it on 360... oh well

  • ramsboy39

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 3:41 pm PT

    damn!
    for ps3, u have to use some box that need 3 aa batteries to go wireless (must attatch to usb port)
    harmonix says they havent figured out bluetooth yet.
    saw this information a couple days ago on ign, they have a picture of it.
    this sucks!

  • Username289

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 3:17 pm PT

    I don't see the problem in why they can't just release the wireless 360 on instead of waiting but I will just stick with my wireless GH3 one. I'll get the drums once there sold seperate.

  • MACMALLEON

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 3:08 pm PT

    I got it pre ordered. No reason to keep GH3 Game. Keep the Guitar if you have it but RB will be a much better product!

  • connell66

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 3:05 pm PT

    Yesiree, this'll be the best rythm-focused game ever!

  • Sandro909

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 3:01 pm PT

    I think I'm going to get the standalone game seeing as I already have a GH guitar. I can also just sing with my 360 headset. I'll probably get the drums alone when they come out next year. Anyway, can't wait to play In Bloom and Enter Sandman!

  • ThickFreak

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 2:50 pm PT

    Will it ever come out on Wii?

  • ChickenHounk911

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 2:49 pm PT

    The track list for this game left me wanting more, especially compared to GHIII's list. I agree with the spelling on posts and other websites. I am not a spelling bee king or anything but I can't tell you guys how many times I have seen the word "to" used instead of the proper "too". If I had a dollar each time, I could reserve 3 box sets of this and still have cash left over for the tequila and the margarita mix. So, I have posted this before, but I feel I must especially now that the holidays are upon us.... This game + ALL the peripherals + 3 friends + tequila = One Heck of a PARTY! I am to excited!!! (sarcasm)

  • Toastman923

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 2:37 pm PT

    the whole wired 360 guitar deters me from buying this immediately

  • xcollector

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 2:28 pm PT

    I don't think Rock Band and Guitar Hero are really competing with each other. Its not like PS3 VS 360, though thats what it seems like.

    Rock Band will be best for people who want to sing/play together and Guitar Hero will be best for solo play.

    So it comes down to if you want 4 player multi-player all the time or just single player with an occasional 2 player battle.

  • Jaioxung

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 2:18 pm PT

    There is quite a bit of overlap in the set lists for RB and GH3. I'm going with Rock Band since it offers an expanded experience. I love GH but RB seems like its taking it to the next level. My wife might even want to play now seeing as all she would have to do is sing.

  • homegrownvandal

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 2:08 pm PT

    A little dissapointed that there are the same songs in this as there were in gh3, still be fun to play them with mic and drums though.

  • cecx

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 2:06 pm PT

    Going to be a great christmas present for people to buy.

  • lamprey263

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 2:06 pm PT

    The only thing I see hurting the future success of Rockband is that if sequels are made and you have to spend another $170 for peripherals. If those same peripherals can be used when buying the $60 sequel, then I see this game really becoming a big competitor against Guitar Hero III, which would be nice since it'd mean each developer would try to outdue the other by making the games better and better with each sequel.

  • orionthescorpio

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:57 pm PT

    To Zennious,

    Your welcome. Perhaps you have made a few more people more "informed" about the terminology.

    To 4esth:

    Very true about the grammar in most blogs and/or comment areas. It's kind of funny how people complain about others speaking another language in this country, when it's those people who can't even speak or write the English language correctly themselves.

    PS> Perhaps it does not matter if Guitar Hero is better THAN Rockband, but instead play them both THEN decide.

  • DarkS2K

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:55 pm PT

    360 is wired? Hmm, i may just get the game and drums then. Screw the "pack"

  • DonutTrooper

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:50 pm PT

    I haven't bought GH III or RB, but I'm going to see how the reviews go for both of the games. If one is more widely wanted than the other, I'll get it. This is a lot of money to get both games, and for now, only one will live.

    If you like it, buy it. If you don't like it, then let me ask: What do you accomplish by speaking negatively against a game?

  • the_one_finn

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:43 pm PT

    seems alot of posters are out of the loop..

    "No...I think GH 3 is cooler. Man, respect the classics, Rock Band is an EA games, EA kills everything. Rock Band will proly be rushed and killed by EA, meanwhile, activision's guitar hero 3 was a hit!" - Masterchief725

    err. facts are right BUT Rock Band was developed by Harmonix, the same development as GH1 and 2 while Guitar Hero 3 was NOT developed by this group, EA is purely the distributor in this case.

    also, someone else had the question of 'no bass included'... tryin not to blare out the word 'NOOB', but anyone who's played GH2 and/or 3 knows the guitar also acts as the bass, so to have bass in the (rock) band WITH a guitar, you'll have to have two controllers (which wont be much of a problem cuz i figure most who are getting Rock Band will already extra controllers from the GH series.)

  • bocephus_01

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:39 pm PT

    buddy I tell you what

  • Zennious

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:32 pm PT

    @ Orionthescorpio

    I love rubbing salt on the wound for someone who doesn't think before they type. Even though this is an online community and I will never meet him/her in real life, I hope they realize the error in their ways and learn something new. Thank you for the compliment.

    @ Dan77UK

    Hey man it's called ROCK BAND not Guitar Man. They point of the game is to play the drums and sing and be a rock band. Yea I don't think you should buy this game if all you want to do is play the guitar with it.

  • Dan777UK

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:32 pm PT

    pretty stupid... now I wont buy the game until they sell the guitar by itself... I don't want a frickin microphone and drums!

  • 4esth

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:31 pm PT

    "ocdog45 this is much better then rock band"

    Ok, I can't take this anymore. I'm tired of reading horrible grammar on here so here is a quick lesson for ocdog45 and others that use THEN instead of THAN and vice versa. It is VERY easy, THEN is used in sentences where there is order i.e. I grabbed a gun, then shot you. Than is comparative i.e. I am smarter than you, obviously. Hope that helps.

    Now while I can help with that grammar, maybe you can help us understand what the hell your post meant. THIS, meaning the topic of this page IS rock band. So you're saying Rock Band is better than Rock Band?

  • -SiiLeNCE-

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:31 pm PT

    they better keep their promise on those weeky dlc additions. after they lied about the massive dlc for gh2 they better not screw up this one too.

  • carljohnson3456

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:29 pm PT

    Guitar Hero 3 for me please.

  • Np_Pro

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:29 pm PT

    Come on Wii!!!!!!!!!

  • orionthescorpio

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:29 pm PT

    To Zennious:

    Excellent explantion. I too know what "Golden" is. I love how you even worked in a Star Wars reference for Anakin1092, CLASSIC!

  • thatguy0130

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:28 pm PT

    Complain about the 360 being wired but atleast it works with your Guitar Hero games, the freakin' PS3 "Wireless" Guitar Hero guitar isn't backwards compatible, so we still have to break out the old controllers and PS2 if we want to play the old Guitar Hero games. Talk about cheapskates.

  • okassar

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:20 pm PT

    Ya,way to attract 360 owners,make the guitar cheapskate wired!!!!That really sucks,especially after the low number of OK songs,like downloadable content for money will make us any more happy....I'm all for Guitar Hero III.

  • TeamTrucker

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:16 pm PT

    Cool to hear that they seem to be on schedule, hopefully the european release will be earlier than expected. Not that it's likely to happen, I just hope it will. And when it's finally released, I'm rocking out with my friends the entire weekend. Rock n' roll!

  • ocdog45 posted Nov 5, 2007 1:13 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ocdog45

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:13 pm PT (hide)

    this is much better then rock band

  • budsaq

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:13 pm PT

    i play drums in real life and am in a REAL rock band
    it looks fun...
    but im happy with Guitar Hero.

  • Tseng

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:03 pm PT

    So excited. I already have my band formed. Totally having a Rock Band party.

  • smashbro64

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:02 pm PT

    LMAO! Anakin!

  • 4esth

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 1:02 pm PT

    I have the bundle reserved since my Gamestop is doing a midnight launch. I'm also enjoying GH 3 right now. As a huge music fan, both of these games appeal to me.

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