According to Joystiq a Harmonix representative has refuted reports that Rock Band 2 owners will be able to download every track that shipped with its predecessor as free DLC. IGN, the original source of the information, has reportedly retracted the statements made by Nate Ahearn. I was unable to access the retraction as it requires an Insider membership.
Though the Harmonix representative seemed adamant that no such DLC would be available, he/she could simply be protecting sensitive information. Obviously, Harmonix and MTV Games would like to sell a few more copies of Rock Band before the sequel hits the Xbox 360 in September. Offering the entire set list as free DLC would completely crush any hopes of additional revenue.
Also, the comments from IGN, as they appeared on Joystiq, did not say the original Rock Band set list would not become DLC at some point. They simply said the comments were made by someone who hoped such content would be available.
These types of rumors will continue to pop up until the game’s September release for the Xbox 360. Hopefully, Harmonix will clear up some of the confusion when they debut Rock Band 2 at E3 next week.
Alright, with the bad news out of the way, it’s time for some good news.
Kotaku, the popular game blog, has received some new information on Rock Band 2 straight from the folks at Harmonix. The fact sheet is full of interesting tidbits, but you only care about the most important stuff.
Harmonix has gone to great lengths to improve the Rock Band experience. In addition to improved peripherals, Rock Band 2 will also feature improved online functionality. Chief among these improvements is the ability to take World Tour mode online.
This was something that was inexplicably absent from the original Rock Band. Playing World Tour mode locally with friends was a blast. However, what if you didn’t have any friends? Sure, you could go solo, but we all know that it’s much more fun to play with actual people (even if those people are strangers). This expansion on the popular formula is sure to please fans of the series, as well as newcomers who plan to burst their Rock Band cherry by purchasing the sequel.
What else does Harmonix have in store for gamers?
Rock Band 2 will also feature a new Battle of the Bands mode. Think your pseudo band is the king of the mountain? Now is your chance to prove it.
Is little Billy from down the street getting cocky? Challenge him and the rest of the “Pokemon Trainers” to an epic battle of plastic instruments. Don’t want to see his ugly mug? You don’t have to. Battle of the Bands will be playable online and locally. However, don’t lose. You will never hear the end of it.
If you don’t feel like challenging annoying little kids to an epic battle of plastic instruments, search for opposing groups online.
I understand that Battle of the Bands might not be your cup of tea. If that is the case, you can always rock out to your favorite songs in quickplay mode. Owners of the original game might remember the arduous task of selecting tracks one at a time. After finishing one song, you were prompted to select another song to play. Harmonix has rectified this annoyance by allowing gamers to create their own set lists in Rock Band 2.
In this, the era of iPods, custom playlists seem like a no-brainer. I don’t mind navigating menus every once in a while, but having to do it after every song interrupts the experience. Thus, the feeling of performing in front of a live audience is diminished. This was a problem that was also present in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
Harmonix also revealed that the game will ship with over 80 songs (I’m hoping for a billion) and confirmed a number of tunes previously revealed on an episode of X-Play.
Cheap Trick “Hello There”
Dream Theater “Panic Attack ”
Elvis Costello “Pump it Up”
Foo Fighters “Everlong”
Journey “Anyway You Want It”
Motörhead “Ace of Spades”
The Muffs “Kids in America”
Red Hot Chili Peppers “Give it Away”
System of a Down “Chop Suey”
The Who “Pinball Wizard”
Are you fully satiated yet? I hope not, because we will be bringing you the latest news as it becomes available.
Source: Kotaku & SarcasticGamer.com
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1 comment:
Keep up the good work.
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