Survey hints at Rock Band 2 with online world tour, drum trainer

by Ross Miller { May 15th 2008 at 2:00PM }

We've received a handful of anonymous tips indicating that Electronic Arts is conducting surveys (surprise!) for Rock Band 2. From what we've seen, the survey is being conducted by Listen Research for EA. The survey breaks down as follows:

The sequel will be full featured and will represent a jump similar to that from Guitar Hero I to GHII, or GHII to GHIII.
Separate questions ask the likelihood of purchasing Rock Band 2 Special Edition (i.e. the full instrument package) for $199, $169 and $149, respectively. All current Rock Band consoles (PS3, PS2, Xbox 360 and Wii) are mentioned.
There are questions concerning Rock Band Track Pack: Volume 1 and how many expansion packs you are expecting to purchase in the next six months.
The survey asks likelihood of purchasing Rock Band over a multi-instrument version of Guitar Hero.

EA reportedly provided details on the new features for Rock Band 2 in some of the surveys, but we haven't been able to confirm this. New additions to World Tour mode are said to include online play, the recording of music videos and hiring of staff members. Other new features include Battle of the Bands, competing against other bands in daily and weekly battles, setting challenges to progress through your band's discography in increasingly harder setlists, as well as a drum trainer mode.

We've requested comment from MTV, Electronic Arts and Harmonix.

[Thanks to Andre and everyone else who sent this in!]

Tags: breakingnews, drum-traner, ea, electronic-arts, guitar-hero, harmonix, mtv, mtv-games, rock-band, rock-band-2

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ May 15th 2008 2:05PM

already? Wasn't this game supposed to last for years?

copa @ May 15th 2008 2:16PM

According to other reports, the survey specifies a 2009 release date.

A two-year life span for Rock Band 1 (with an expansion disc this holiday) makes sense to me.

Tiptup300 @ May 15th 2008 3:23PM

GHII to GHIII?

You mean it will suckass?

NoHitHair @ May 15th 2008 5:46PM

So... They're planning on doing the necessary and obvious next step for Rock Band 2 which is to include an actual string guitar instead of cheap plastic buttons, right?

Right?

PojoMofo @ May 15th 2008 2:09PM

I dont agree with this at all. the greedy bastards should just keep feeding us the music!

yyr @ May 15th 2008 2:50PM

A yearly retail release is NECESSARY for the series to compete with Guitar Hero in the long run.

As you know, GH4 is going multi-instrument this year. I'm speculating that most people will only buy one drum kit. If GH4 is released uncontested, most potential new customers will buy the brand new game vs. the year-old game, and the fact that "Guitar Hero" is such an established brand doesn't help Harmonix either. Plus, with a year of extra dev time, we can likely expect GH4 to have a set of features that equals or beats the original Rock Band. That is why RB2 must come out on or before GH4's date.

Features like online Band World Tour, ability to import old DLC*, Battle of the Bands setups, a fresh new songlist, etc. are all ways Rock Band 2 can deliver an experience that will continue to be better than Guitar Hero. If those features were going to be implemented as DLC, we'd have seen them by now.

I eagerly await the announcement of RB2 for the holiday season this year.

* this should theoretically be possible, the way the Music Store and EA's servers are set up, despite the fact that 360 games can't access other games' DLC folders...if their servers keep a record of tracks you purchased, and the RB1 and RB2 Music Stores share information, users could re-download purchased tracks into the new game, right?

E.J. @ May 15th 2008 6:07PM

@yyr
"most potential new customers will buy the brand new game vs. the year-old game"

You may be right in a way, but most people will buy something that is of value to them. Assuming Rock Band getting a price drop because of its age, or a repackaging with additional songs, money-minded consumers will go with Rock Band.

"and the fact that "Guitar Hero" is such an established brand doesn't help Harmonix either."

But the fact that it's established as "Guitar Hero" will have people assuming it's only guitar, and not the multi-instrument game Activision wants people to think. If they want Guitar Hero IV to be successful as "superior" to Rock Band, they need to rebrand it like change the title.

Don't be so quick to underestimate the "Rock Band" brand. Casual gamers love it in parties, in bars, or in simple get-togethers. Heck, my nieces and nephews play together with their folks.

Cmo4Ever @ May 15th 2008 2:15PM

If, IF, this is compatible with the existing instruments, and I don't have to buy a new set of them, then I welcome a new game. It could have some new versions of the instruments, fine, but I dont wanna buy it again. As long as it's like GH3, where a GH2 controller works fine, I'll just buy the game itself.

However IF it requires buying all new instruments, and it's already this close (I assume they want it to go against GH4 this year), then that is a load of crap. If that's the case, it sounds like EA's normal buisness model really. Hopefully the first option is the way this will go however, otherwise I'm just gonna start abstaining from both games, MUSIC not Hardware!

Nate @ May 15th 2008 2:17PM

Calm down guys, it's a survey, not a press release. For all we know, they'll put out a rock band 2 bundle and make the upgrades to the main game available as DLC, or maybe just use RB2 as a replacement to RB1 and allow you to keep/upgrade all your current DLC, unlocks, etc.

äsdf @ May 15th 2008 2:17PM

Everyone shits on Activision for milking Guitar Hero, but have we all forgotten who's publishing Rock Band?

Neither is better than the other in my opinion.

copa @ May 15th 2008 2:51PM

MTV Games is publishing Rock Band, and recently they have shown a higher commitment to creativity, while Activision has shown a higher commitment to producing sequels to their top-selling franchises by any means necessary.

Saneless @ May 15th 2008 4:25PM

Activision ignored everything that made EA bad and added a few new things to the mix.

EA is a lot better than they used to be, and Activision has made it very easy to be better than them.

J.Goodwin @ May 15th 2008 2:17PM

RB2 had better be backward compatible with the instruments AND the tracks that I've been paying for as DLC.

LeadBoxx @ May 15th 2008 2:23PM

Hell yes the songs we buy now should be available in the next one! And the instruments should work as well. Wireless drums would be nice though!

Saneless @ May 15th 2008 4:24PM

Absolutely. I'm not buying a single DLC if the next game won't support RB1's DL content.

CRiThIt @ Jun 22nd 2008 5:12PM

I was glad when I heard that only the guitars were wireless for the Wii version... I don't wanna have to buy a dozen batteries every week.

tbone @ May 15th 2008 2:22PM

Don't give me more instruments. I'm fine with them.

GIVE US MORE SONGS. really.

Ronshatmycarl @ May 15th 2008 2:39PM

I wouldn't mind new instruments. THe guitar is crap, and I have already had to get a new mike and drum set. Better peripherals would be OK as long as we can still use old ones too.

I agree bakcompat for songs is a must.

Viridium @ May 15th 2008 3:07PM

You wouldn't mind new instruments, Ronshatmycarl?

WTF, next thing you know there's going to be the zither, didgeridoo, and harpsichord addons.

It's ROCK Band. You might be able to make a case for a keyboard based instrument, but what else do you want?

bearxor @ May 15th 2008 2:25PM

There is some mis-information in these comments.

Remember, Rock Band is published by MTV Games and distributed by EA Distribution.

hed @ May 15th 2008 2:36PM

I think the online store with all the songs will still be available for rock band 2 when it hits from what i'm hearing from a buddy who works with them, so no worries yes they will feed us more songs for years just they will release a updated rock band with more modes and features also

enjoy
J

Burritoclock @ May 15th 2008 2:40PM

Why the hell is everyone freaking out? What is making you all think the controllers will not be compatible? The track record is 100% compatibility with previous versions, with a new version optional, why would this one be different??

Raitei @ May 15th 2008 2:45PM

how can you have a track record after having released only one game?

Burritoclock @ May 15th 2008 3:42PM

does this really have to be explained to you? Really? Guitar Hero I and II were made under a Harmonix/Red Octane partnership, Guitar Hero I instruments were compatible with II, the companys split, Red Octane is still involved with Guitar Hero and guess what, all the previous guitars were compatible with part three which was developed by Never soft. Harmonix went on to make rockband, rockband is compatible with all the previous instruments as well (on 360 anyway the exceptions were because of Activision) so there is your track record, it is very long. There is absolutly no reason to assume that Rock Band 1 instruments will not work for Rock Band 2.

Will @ May 15th 2008 2:43PM

"The sequel will be full featured and will represent a jump similar to that from Guitar Hero I to GHII, or GHII to GHIII."

So Rock band 2 will represent a steady decline in Quality?

wes @ May 15th 2008 3:15PM

Ehh yeah I think they should take the GH2 - GH3 jump off there..

Gh2 was MUCH better then 1 though.

Kizzle @ May 15th 2008 2:53PM

Awesome, can't wait. The main reason I'm excited for this is because EA/HMX will almost certainly make all DLC and instruments released now compatible with the follow-up game. I seriously doubt there will be anything requiring you to buy a "bundle" rather than just the standalone game. Sure, there will probably be a benefit to "buying again"...maybe wireless instruments, better construction on them, whatever...but it won't be required.

Bring it ASAP. I want online band world tour.

Odog4ever @ May 15th 2008 2:56PM

After seeing how easy it was for you guys to jump to conclusions after hearing about this RB2 survey. I'm going to throw a couple of my own in there:

-It's coming out around holiday '09

-A constant stream of DLC will be released for RB1 before and after the launch of RB2. I think that as long as you have a "Rock Band" game any "Rock Band DLC" will be backwards compatible and accessible.

-The new instrument bundle will be all wireless instruments

-All of the RB1 instruments will be backwards compatible

-You will be able to create one persistent character that can play all instruments.

-GH4 will try to incorporate as many of the leaked RB2 features as they can but they will be rushed and not polished.

Wow, that was easy!

666annhilation666 @ Jul 7th 2008 7:06PM

Rock Band 2 is coming out 10/30/2008, according to gamestop. Guitar hero world tour only comes out 4 days before it. Even though theyre both coming out at nearly the same time, Guitar hero world tour has shown much more to impress everybody than rock band 2 has. A touch pad? A 6 piece velocity sensitive drum kit with cymbals? Band vs Band mode? Wireless drumset and guitar? Create a guitar, character, logo, drumset, mic mode? Ability to switch from one difficulty to another without starting a new career? Ability to change instruments without starting a new career? Biggest main setlist of all disc based rhythm games? Create a song mode? Bass career? Quieter and bouncier drum pads? Rock band 2 has high hopes of they think they can beat this. Guitar hero world tour doesnt need to rush and try to beat rock band 2 in their leaked features, This as itself is one hell of game to compete with rock band 2. I hate activision and neversoft too, but I have to admit, Harmonix is going to have their ass handed to them on a silver platter.

finnith @ May 15th 2008 2:58PM

Sounds good

Alzheimers @ May 15th 2008 3:20PM

I really hope they fix the whole "Bandleader" mechanic that really screwed up the first RB.

If I want to play solo drums, I have to start a new band because all the work I put into the band with the Guitar-playing bandleader suddenly doesn't carry over?

WTF.

yyr @ May 15th 2008 4:10PM

It is necessary to have a band leader. The game needs to know where to save the band's data. Which player's profile is it saved under? That's why a leader is necessary.

It can't just save a copy to everyone's profile, because if two people play, then two other people play, the band profiles will be out of sync.

Like it or not, they picked the best way to implement it. At least, I can't think of a better one.

KeenCommander @ May 15th 2008 3:58PM

If they up the difficulty to GH levels, I might actually be in on this rather than get GH4. That is, if this is even true - but I highly suspect it is.

shoeshine @ May 15th 2008 3:58PM

I notice that there doesn't seem to be word of a bass solo tour. Damnit, Harmonix. Quit hating on us bass players.

Lekko @ May 15th 2008 4:13PM

Dear Rock Band developers:

-when one of your stupid band mates accidentally hits pause during a song, give us a little lead-in or something before jumping back into the song, please.

gk128 @ May 15th 2008 4:49PM

Just because they are asking about the next game now does not mean it's coming out soon. It just means they are getting feedback as to what the players want to see and what they will pay. Doesn't sound bad to me at all.

I fully expect Rock Band 2 in Winter '09 though.

Joystick Hero @ May 15th 2008 5:24PM

I know this is highly unlikely, but if Rock Band 2 somehow allowed you to play the entire standard setlist for the first one free of charge for those of us that played through it extensively, I would probably have a joygasm.

JohnMazz @ May 15th 2008 7:03PM

Wow, what an awesome pic! I wonder who made that, he must be the man!

Purple Haze @ May 15th 2008 11:15PM

I sure hope the jump is better than the fall from guitar hero II to guitar hero III.

flanked @ May 19th 2008 10:26AM

Reading the article points out that new features to appear in Rock Band 2 are value added, rather than game changing. If they're smart, they'll figure out a way to make DLC backwards compatible for all iterations of Rock Band.

I seriously doubt that EA or Harmonix/MTV is interested in splintering their market further by releasing non-backwards compatible instruments. We might see new features on new instruments, but they will have basic functionality on both games.

This survey sounds more like marketing research than developers deciding what to put in the game. They just want to make sure they're bullet list out shines Guitar Hero 4's come Holiday '08.

AJJJ @ May 21st 2008 6:42AM

first they do research then they come up with an idea then they make a product then they test it then they mass produce it thats the way it works in a business so i dont think it will be coming out soon

Dusty @ May 23rd 2008 8:12PM

Do any of you even like the game? Reading through this website, it sounds like nothing but complaints. I'm fine with everything about the game. They could improve a few things, like having a bass tour but what more do you want?

Samee @ May 28th 2008 11:41AM

When is Rock Band world tour coming out because it sounds really good

AJ @ May 28th 2008 5:59PM

Wow am I seriously the only one who thinks GH3 was better than 2? I played 2 the other day and it was boring and sensitive as fuck. I beat both games on expert, and I would have to say I had more fun beating GH3 on expert. People shouldn't hate on neversoft for buying the series.

Billybob @ Jun 4th 2008 1:06AM

I agree. GH2 was exactly the same as GH1 aside from the multiplayer aspect. So in my mind there was no GH1 to GH2 gap because they played the same way with different songs. GH3 was almost completely redone with it releasing to multiple consols, being able to play with others online, harder songs, and the ability to download new songs whenever you want. I would take GH3 over 1 or 2 anyday.

TJB @ Jun 9th 2008 4:58PM

i totally agree GH2 was annoying as f**k i bet i could fc every song on it if the timing period wasnt like 1/4 of a second, and GH3 has way better setlist, i have to say GH3 is a lot more fun especially online play and even though people say rock band is easier than GH it still has an anooying timing slot its 3/4 of a second ffs and solos are sometimes impossible to fc if you dont have a fender

Kevin @ Jun 24th 2008 11:19AM

Do you guys think that Rock Band 2 (on Wii) will compatible with Rock Band 1's instruments? Cause let me tell you, I am NOT paying for a whole nother set of instruments. It takes up too much space, and way too much money.

Jason @ Jul 1st 2008 11:32AM

RB2 has been announced with the following features:
*universal dlc will work with both RB2 & RB1
*New sturdier perphs to be released but old perphs will be compatiable
*new working of band world tour and more online features
*360 version first in Sept. other platforms later in the year
*over eighty songs with the initial launch From top artists all master recordings (full set list to be revealed at E3)
*new genres including country, R&B, and hiphop
More info to come when E3 hits in July!