MTV, EA reunite on Rock Band 2

Publishers getting the band back together exclusively for the Xbox 360 in September; arrives on other platforms later in the year.

There's nothing quite so rock and roll as a reunion tour, a fact underlined by today's announcement of Rock Band 2, which will see MTV Games and Harmonix once again team up with Electronic Arts to put toy instruments and games on shelves across the nation.

However, unlike last year's series debut, Rock Band 2 will be very selective about which shelves it appears on. The game will debut on the Xbox 360 in September, and after a North American "exclusive launch window," it will find its way to additional unspecified platforms by year's end.

With this year's installment of Activision's rival rocker Guitar Hero going head-to-head with the full four-piece band concept, Rock Band 2 is making a few upgrades of its own. First and foremost among the details revealed today is that the sequel will be backward compatible with the original Rock Band's downloadable content, with no need to repurchase or redownload it to the system. That makes for a sizeable potential Rock Band 2 library right off the bat, given that the Rock Band music store currently has more than 200 songs available, which have garnered some 15 million paid downloads since the game launched in November.

Furthermore, Harmonix will be offering "new and improved" drum and guitar controllers with new features and designs, "all fully compatible with original Rock Band instruments." The game's tracklist will consist entirely of master recordings, and Harmonix is also promising new online modes with a greater emphasis on the Rock Band community's social aspects.

More details about Rock Band 2 will be made public at this year's E3 Media & Business Summit.

295 Comments

  • Bnd13007

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 11:30 am PT

    I'm wanthin to get guitar hero world tour just because of the ability to download songs other people make for free, i like rock band but i just think i'm going to rent the game or burn it

  • DemBoys46290

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 6:46 pm PT

    a like the fact that all the dlc and the original rock band songs go on to the new game automatically

  • DragoXM

    Posted Jul 20, 2008 1:47 pm PT

    Rock Band Is a rip off. Bringing out 2 is a big mistake as Guitar Hero IV is gonna beat them both down. Also they have lost money and fans due to taking ages to releace the game in the UK on PS3, PS2, Wii. Guitar Hero IV is coming out in October so you might as well get that because Rock Band is taking their time and will be old the time it reaches other consoles.

  • emiller

    Posted Jul 8, 2008 2:51 pm PT

    This is ASS ... it might be ok to start out and stay as an exclusive title ... but to build a fan base on a platorm and then ignore them to get a little extra marketing PR from Microsoft is not right

  • omgthatwasnice

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 6:01 pm PT

    I will probable buy the game only, or get a drum-game pack(if they have one.) The drums i have now are crappy and dont pick up any rolls that i try to do. You have to pretty much tap the damn pad with the sticks for it to work. I'm relieved that my downloaded songs are get to transfer over. In the end though i see World Tour coming out with the best game because they got to see Rock Band and now get to improve on every little thing Rock Band could've done better. Lets hope that RB2 will have better bounce on their drums and have less noise resonate from the pads when you hit them.

  • BrolyLSSJ3

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 5:36 pm PT

    PS2/Wii versions will get screwed again i bet if it hast atleast Character Customization ill be happy screw the rest of the stuff'

  • Skreb-Masters

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 9:19 am PT

    Depending on whether the World Tour kit is compatible and/or better, I'll snap the game up no problem. It's ace that you don't have to re-download stuff for Rock Band 2. Guitar Hero should take the hint.

  • christ4ever9889

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 8:07 am PT

    right now for me it's screw rock band, I have a wii and might be getting a PS3 pretty quick here and rock band for wii came out way delayed and was filled with crap, a dollar says that rock band 2 will come with no downloadable content and a crappy version for wii/PS2 and it will come with 55 songs thinking that's an improvement, guitar hero world tour comes with 85 songs (last time I checked) even more realistic drums, two new guitars, and a mic all for the same price rock band was. To tell the truth harmonix has really dissapointed me, when rock band came out I thought it was the greatest thing ever and if they decided to keep alot of the good stuff from the 360/PS3 version I may have gotten it (until I heard of world tour) so harmonix has dissapointed me with the garbage they are giving us, to think I always thought that harmonix was always going to be the best music game developer in cost, hardware, everything, but I think activision is going to steal the show.

  • Kingofgamez

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 5:08 am PT

    great, now i have to wait until i find out what the drums look like on here. too bad im spending so much time waiting on what is best, and no time playing because im too busy waiting. And no, i dont have enough money to buy all of them unfortunately. ill probably just end up sticking with rock band, though i like the GHWT songwriting and drum set.

  • thesand212

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:36 pm PT

    I just don't want to buy a new controller

  • BobbyDigitalPS3

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 6:18 pm PT

    Rock band is SO much better than Guitar Hero

  • BrushedMetal

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 11:12 pm PT

    Yay! i dont have to switch between RB1 and RB2 to play all of the songs I bought hell yes

  • Somebody89

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 6:36 pm PT

    now im going to wait to see if this is better than world tour if it isn't then ill go with GH

  • Icey_YaDig

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 2:56 pm PT

    Dang, they better make RB2 compatible with their old instruments, following through on their statement. AND compatible with GH (although we all know that's never happening...)

  • Tremblay343

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 2:16 pm PT

    Now that i've had some time to decide whether or not im getting GH:WT or RB2...i still don't know. I mean GH:WT does have some amazing new stuff coming to it, but RB has all my DLC (not that much though) and my drums. Then again will RB make you buy a new drum kit to compete with GH? It's all still up in the air...but right now im leaning towards GH:WT, just because of the new drums and song creation. I can always find room in my closet for the old drums...

    EDIT: Also i only have a PS3/Wii, so it'll be awhile until i can get RB2 anyways. I know you other PS3/wii owners feel screwed. But that just makes me want to get GH:WT even more.

  • dewd4

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 12:52 pm PT

    Well its going to have better guitar and drums so that makes the price for RB 2 about £200 this time around......oh and dont forget they probably wont include the game again so thats an extra £40. Forget it Harmonix, after the rubbish you threw us uk gamers with rb one then you can forget about rb2. GH:WT at least wont pull this pathetic stunt.

  • MilkBunny

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 11:04 am PT

    you aint missing out. I only looked at this cause im bored

  • razgriz_101

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 9:37 am PT

    in europe the PS3 version of rock band aint out till august.and rock band 2 the next month in america hold on one friggin minute why have they held it back so much in europe and then pour even more salt in the wound by releasing RB2 in the September in America.
    this one puts the whole brawl delay in europe to shame really and shows that as usual we get cast aside.

  • deadstarr

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 5:13 am PT

    In europe we've only had Rock Band for a few weeks/months.
    Why bring this out so soon? Guitar Hero 4 breathing down their necks, probably.

  • sean_ph

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 3:38 am PT

    this news is worthless to me. there isnt even a RockBand for Asian 360 gamers yet and they come up with this. EA/Harmonix aint getting my money. GH World Tour FTW

  • pillispiggy24

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 11:08 pm PT

    At Gamer434:

    It's not coming out exclusively for 360, it's just coming out on 360 first, with PS3, PS2, and Wii coming out shortly after.

  • Gamer434 posted Jul 1, 2008 10:51 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Gamer434

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 10:51 pm PT (hide)

    i only have a ps3 and its coming out on only the 360??? WTF im so mad u know what i hope rock band 2 sucks so i can laugh so hard at the fall of rock band and and the rise of guitar hero

  • bullsfan769

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 9:47 pm PT

    hmm remindds me of the transition of guitar hero 1-3, nothing really changed, just more songs and rock band 2 sounds more like an upgrade than a sequal

  • bradly_2795

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 9:32 pm PT

    Rockband 2 is shaping up to be a good game. Even if it's just for the fact they aren't making us buy a new set of instruments and that all DLC is going to be BC with the games. Now, what is GHWT going to bring to the table.

  • onthe_dl

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 9:24 pm PT

    even though i sold my ps3 and have a 360 that's so dumb, let it be on all the consoles.

  • NanoElite666

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 9:02 pm PT

    Being backwards compatible with the DLC from the last game is going to be a big plus for this game.

    But I'm wondering why they aren't going for multiplatform release right off the bat...

  • reader456

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 8:50 pm PT

    i hope they don't change the timing window. it keeps me from getting lazy.
    i already know i am going to love this game, i just wish they would throw in a double bass pedal on the drums and a clip for the mic on the guitar so i didn't have to use my crappy headset.

  • MetalHead48

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 7:53 pm PT

    THEY BETTER FIX THE TIMING WINDOW. ITS TOO DAMN TIGHT.

  • DbleBassDrummer

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 7:48 pm PT

    Hey, I'm just glad I don't have to buy any new hardware.

  • mickwounds

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 7:47 pm PT

    and we havent even got rock band 1 in australia yet. what a joke.
    good thing i imported.

  • pete_merlin

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 7:27 pm PT

    wow so you want people to buy yet another drum set? F off please

  • NRIAgent

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 7:14 pm PT

    well sure it's compatible with Rock Band 1 DLC... but does it have the setlist too? I mean it's great to be able to play my DLC on Rock Band 2 but I want to know if I still have to swap out disks to play Highway Star and Vaseline.

  • RatchetV1

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 6:47 pm PT

    ...so 360 gets it first? wtf? that better mean the other versions get more time for improvement; otherwise im actually really annoyed. GH:WT is sounding more promising to fans releasing it for every sytem at the SAME TIME.

  • jcloverboy

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 6:31 pm PT

    expecting a huge announcement at E3...The Beatles or Zeppelin. It's coming....BOOK IT!!!

  • -SPECTER-MIKE

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 6:26 pm PT

    I hope you can create your own music

  • Corvan

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 5:52 pm PT

    Haven't even played the first rock band yet heh..

  • thetravman

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 5:32 pm PT

    GH and Rock Band. There is no difference anymore. GH is not even GH anymore with it's 4 instrument set. It's a pathetic way to try compare to Rock Band.

  • KingSigy

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 5:12 pm PT

    I heard in the IGN interview that Band World Tour would be online, but you can never quote IGN for anything.

  • polsci1503

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 5:08 pm PT

    Please add the ability to have bands online, so we don't have to have everyone in the same room.

  • LuffyUzumaki

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 4:37 pm PT

    360 owns

  • Jeeesh

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 3:52 pm PT

    SWEET! The announcement of backwards compatible DLC is HUGE and makes me feel better about the stupid amount of money I've spent on DLC so far. A whole disc full of master tracks is exciting. If they add online play to the World Tour mode this will be a great sequel.

  • keyser27

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 3:27 pm PT

    I'll at least buy the disk even if I use the RB1 stuff. You figure they will have at least 50 songs on there, and the Disk will prob be $50... that's cheaper than DLC plus you'll get the new features. Sold.

  • Jedi_Master1121

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 2:52 pm PT

    People need to stop crying about Rockband. All i hear is Rockband's DLC songs suck * sold over 3 Million* Too Easy, Green Tides,Blacked, For Justice For All , Afterlife, Im sorry for guitar players that have no life but to hit 10,000 notes in one song but i dont look forward to breaking my fingers in a song thats INSANE. If you are looking for that play that crappy GH 3 and GH. Rockband Will win the war because they are teamed with MTV which means they will get more classic rock bands than GH will ever get a chance to come out with it. And the songs on Rockband are CHEAPER than GH as well. Who ever likes hitting 10,000 songs to say OH IM BETTER THAN YOU grow up and get some women or guys or whoever makes ya happy. Get off the games because i would not enjoy hurting my fingers over ANY game even Rockband its not worth that. GAMEPLAY AND FUN was how it was back in the day and now its just some contest !

  • Jedi_Master1121

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 2:46 pm PT

    YES!! Shove that GH. Im getting Rockband 2 When It Comes Out. All the money I had Saved Up For GH 4 is going towards Rockband. New GOOD songs is all i have to hear becuase im impressed with 90 percent of Rockband's songs. And insurements is the only thing i worry about. I hope Rockband comes out with symbols 2 and 4 drum circles that would make GH look more crappy and fake. GO ROCKBAND!!!

  • enix165

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 2:37 pm PT

    WHAT? 360 exclusive? Aw, ripoff...looks like I'll have to deal with playing GH4...and just hope it doesn't have crappy songs and those weird Star Power lights like in GH3...

  • Leo104

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 2:25 pm PT

    Here is a smart thing they should do also. Why don't they just make all of the instruments available separate? Didn't they say they would eventually do that with Rock Band 1? Because I'd just buy the new drum kit and use my other plastic guitars....mhmm money sucking bastards package everything in one so you haaaaaaaaaaave to buy the whole thing...tisk..tisk.

  • dark_spawn627

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 1:29 pm PT

    @MSG-Deathscythe

    Quiet

    Anywho, I'm a little worried. I was planning on selling my RB for GHIV for 2 reasons. The tracklist (nor counting DLC) on GHIV seem a lot better then that of RB. Also the drums (and I guess the touch bar) are, personally, looking (and hhopefully feels) a lot better than that of RB.

    I'd have to see te tracklist and the "new and improved" guitar and drums to have my mind set on a game. Right now it's GHIV but we'll see what happens after E3.

  • MSG-Deathscythe posted Jul 1, 2008 12:48 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 12:48 pm PT (hide)

    i can't stand the sensation of drumming on pots and pots anymore. sell your rb and get gh4. thanks for the timed exclusivity, the decision is made easier for ps3 and wii owners. i guess harmonix feels the need to release it earlier for rrod360 to compensate for that consoles time in the repair shop. sad

  • Adel4 posted Jul 1, 2008 11:48 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Adel4

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 11:48 am PT (hide)

    Will somebody answer this question please. Will rock band 2 be the watered down version again like the first or will they make it right?

  • DaClint91

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 11:28 am PT

    At least I don't HAVE to buy a new drum set now, unlike GH4 and Konami's new game.....

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