Rock Band 2 rocking on 360 in Sept. - PS3, PS2, Wii 'later in the year'

by Christopher Grant { Jun 30th 2008 at 10:57AM }

While IGN simply reports that Rock Band 2 is "set to ship for Xbox 360 this September and PS3 later in the year," the AP says it will be "available for Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 as well as Nintendo's Wii later in the year." While the two at least agree about the "later in the year" detail, neither answer our biggest question about this arrangement: Is this presumably brief period of Xbox 360-exclusivity a business arrangement – as it was for Rock Band in Europe earlier this year – or simply a development reality?

Sure we've got other questions – like will the PS2 and Wii releases be similar to the watered-down experiences currently available – but with Guitar Hero IV coming out for Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, and PC in late October, details on the nature of the timed exclusive seem paramount. We've asked the hard-rocking folks at Harmonix to let us in on the nature of the arrangement.

Tags: Harmonix, MTV-Games, Rock-Band-2

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

MariosInferno @ Jun 30th 2008 11:06AM

For someone that passed on RB1, Guitar Hero:WT looks a bit more interesting than RB2.

GH:WT appears to be taking the drums and guitar to the next level...

I'll probably check them both out, but right now...advantage GH:WT.

that guy @ Jun 30th 2008 11:11AM

I'm in the exact same boat as you. At this point, the edge goes to GH4.

Rhandos @ Jun 30th 2008 11:17AM

So, tell me again, where at Activision do you work?

Moorio - XBL: peacebyanymeans @ Jun 30th 2008 11:18AM

Well then, if I were you, I'd sure as hell hope that the DLC on GH:WT will work in GH:WT2.

samfish @ Jun 30th 2008 11:26AM

GH3 DLC is going to work with GH:WT, so I don't see why it wouldn't work with GH:WT II.

...too many acronyms. lol.

Brian @ Jun 30th 2008 11:27AM

How are you able to compare the two. Wait until they reveal the changes and upgrades before shouting out.

PLUS, RB2 will have over 300 songs already available for DLC before the game releases to GH:WT having 0

It's all about the music and RB will have much more of it.

copa @ Jun 30th 2008 11:27AM

Let's see how the new version of the Rock Band drums look before we decide whose got the better hardware.

More to the point, Harmonix's position has always been to support compatibility with all instruments. Even if you like Red Octane's drums better, you'll likely be able to use them with Rock Band 2.

When Rock Band 2 launches, you'll have an existing catalog of hundreds of songs to round out your disc content. With GH:WT, you'll get... whatever's on the disc.

I'm very surprised that anyone would find GH:WT the more exciting option, but I have to admit that the Guitar Hero brand (that Harmonix created) is very powerful.

copa @ Jun 30th 2008 11:28AM

"GH3 DLC is going to work with GH:WT"

Nope.

Woz @ Jun 30th 2008 11:33AM

felixlighter @ Jun 30th 2008 11:29AM

I wish EA and Harmonix wouldn't look at Rock Band as a typical game that necessitates a sequel but rather a client released on multiple platforms for accessing their library of downloadable songs. Update the client if there are features you would like to add, no need to release a completely new game.

Wouldn't it be great if one of these music games eventually had a library that could rival itunes? I know it's just a pipe dream.

niindre @ Jun 30th 2008 11:32AM

Hard to really say for sure at this point about the 'instruments' since Harmonix has yet to show the RB2 gear.

I'd be SHOCKED if RB2 didn't match or exceed the offerings on drums/guitar that GH:WT has. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if they added a 1 octave keyboard, that would rule.

Boffo the Sock @ Jun 30th 2008 11:35AM

@felixlighter

"Update the client if there are features you would like to add, no need to release a completely new game."

What if they wanted to do several GB worth of updates? Would you rather download and keep all that info on your HDD, or would you rather have it stored on a disc?

MariosInferno @ Jun 30th 2008 11:38AM

"I'd be SHOCKED if RB2 didn't match or exceed the offerings on drums/guitar that GH:WT has."

The guitar showed on IGN, marked as the new RB guitar, looks the same to me. Prettier, but looks functionally identical.

felixlighter @ Jun 30th 2008 11:43AM

@Boffo the Sock
Personally, I would rather store the songs on my hard drive, unless Rock Band 2 will allow me to play the games that were included on the first Rock Band disc along with all the songs I downloaded. I just want to have access to my entire library of Rock Band songs without swapping discs.

I do understand where your coming from though. I personally have an Elite and hard drive space isn't an issue for me but I know it would be a serious problem for those with the smaller drive.

Joel @ Jun 30th 2008 11:45AM

@Brian

Actually technically you can make your own tracks on guitar hero world tour. So in reality gh wt is not zero it is infinite.

Matt B @ Jun 30th 2008 12:06PM

Yeah, absolutely- especially for use Wii owners where Harmonix screwed the pooched. We see who is really innovating and who really cares about Wii owners, and its not Harmonix.

jsn @ Jun 30th 2008 12:13PM

"I'd be SHOCKED if RB2 didn't match or exceed the offerings on drums/guitar that GH:WT has. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if they added a 1 octave keyboard, that would rule."

Expect the drums to be exactly like what they are now, only better. Better rebound, better noise reduction, and more importantly, better quality.

Though I expect we'll hear about deals with peripheral makers (madcatzj, etc) to fully support the game with a variety of 3rd party, "rock band approved" controllers. So if someone wants to get the game, but would prefer to buy other controllers, they can.

I prefer the layout of the RB drums over what I've seen from GHWT. I don't care for dedicated cymbals because then that's all they can ever be.

oh and a keyboard, no way.

samfish @ Jun 30th 2008 1:04PM

""GH3 DLC is going to work with GH:WT"

"Nope."

Yep.
http://www.aeropause.com/2008/06/guitar-hero-world-tour-supports-ghiii-dlc/

Lars @ Jun 30th 2008 1:24PM

I wouldn't say GH:WT drums "take it to the next level." I mean yeah, they've got one more drum and the cymbals are slightly raised, but they've got flaws too. The kick pedal is going to be a major PITA for GH:WT.

And anyways, both sets still fail due to lack of second foot pedal for Hi-Hat or Double-Bass.

copa @ Jun 30th 2008 1:33PM

You're reaching, samfish. You're linking to a site that is cribbing off of an unsourced Kotaku source.

IGN has an on-the-record interview, and they were told that GH3 DLC will not work with World Tour. Sorry.

elmersglue @ Jun 30th 2008 1:44PM

It's not ALL about the music people, it's also about the gameplay, and if GHWT can make that better, then great! Stop being Rock Band loyalists

giantenemycrab @ Jun 30th 2008 3:19PM

Of course GH:WT has the edge, have we even heard any details about RB2 other than DLC and new guitar? Seriously, at least wait until we get game play footage.

ChooChooCharlie @ Jun 30th 2008 4:12PM

"You're reaching, samfish. You're linking to a site that is cribbing off of an unsourced Kotaku source."

Agreed.

Also, even IF the GH3 songs are compatible with GH:WT, they will almost assuredly be guitar/bass tracks only, since Activision/Neversoft would have to patch or maybe even remake that DLC to add the drum and vox sections - something that I very much doubt they will do.

Eric @ Jun 30th 2008 11:14AM

Really? Hmmm as long as Downloadable content can be used i will enjoy this.

Boffo the Sock @ Jun 30th 2008 11:15AM

Then you'll enjoy this.

Boffo the Sock @ Jun 30th 2008 11:14AM

Forget about timed exclusive details. I want to know if the new peripherals will be available for individual purchase at launch.

Monkeys Suck @ Jun 30th 2008 11:17AM

Wonder if, when they eventually release the Wii/PS2 version, if the track discs that are supposed to be released in July will work with this as well. Or maybe they'll follow GH:WT and give downloadable content for Wii. And maybe the online play, give world tour...

Man, PS2 and Wii got jipped.

aristokrat @ Jun 30th 2008 11:45AM

It's not Harmonix's fault that the Wii has no storage. You knew what you were getting into when you bought a system with 512 MB of storage, you geek and/or otaku.

Matt B @ Jun 30th 2008 12:08PM

aristokrat-

Actually it has nothing to do with no storage. The SD slot can support up to 2GB, and Harmonix could have easily wrote support for an external USB HD. In either case, it doesn't seem to be affecting Activision, as they will support DLC. So its completely Harmonix's fault for gimping the Wii version.

Monkeys Suck @ Jun 30th 2008 12:28PM

Really, aristokrat, really?

You really want to go there? GH:WT is claiming DC, most likely with SD support. Why couldn't Harmonix do it? Why couldn't Harmonix add online play when GH3 did it? I'm sorry, but that's unacceptable.

Go take your snobbish attitude somewhere else (unless the comment was a joke, in which case I really suck at picking up sarcasm).

fco. @ Jun 30th 2008 1:25PM

Maybe the reason behind the delay is that after GH:WT's anouncement they realized they had more work to do?

Anyway, Rock Band 2 better comes with some very cool features if they want Wii owners to wait those extra months for them.

Mr Khan @ Jun 30th 2008 3:04PM

Even beyond the no DLC thing, the features cut from the Wii/PS2 version were unacceptable, considering that the systems use the same kind of disc that 360 does

It was laziness on their part. Harmonix's overall void of effort (considering they didn't even make those versions anyway), is what has many Wii fans at least, clamoring for GH:WT, and rightfully so

aristokrat @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:05PM

I was hoping the "geek and/or otaku" part would be a tip-off, but alas. As I own a Wii, I too knew what I was getting into with no storage. I just don't expect all the same features from a Wii game as I do from an Xbox game. I blame Nintendo for selling at profit when they could've spent a little more on a hard drive or slightly HD-capable graphics (720p at least, as the similarly specced Xbox1 could do). At profit now means there production costs are going to be like $10 by the end of the Wii's life, so they'd better reinvest a crap ton of that money to make their next console capable of more than just waggle (or maybe make a decent internet service).

I think Nintendo Europe's marketing director really showed us behind the curtain with his "inadvertent" comment, that Nintendo has realized they don't need to sell to the "hardcore" gamer, and will make tons of money anyway. I realize the SD card is there, but I'm sure there must be some interesting DRM issues involved to make DLC storage on it work (maybe even to the point of having to be online to "authorize" the tracks). I could see the Wii version of GH:WT having to stream the tracks that you've purchased so as to stop piracy (especially considering the Wii is one of the most heavily pirated consoles around).

Moorio - XBL: peacebyanymeans @ Jun 30th 2008 11:17AM

I'm guessing a deal was made with Microsoft, seeing how it probably isn't too difficult making a sequel to a music game...

copa @ Jun 30th 2008 11:31AM

Also, Harmonix said they had to specifically work with Sony and Microsoft to get their environments to support backward compatibility on DLC.

I'm guessing that Microsoft was able to get a faster turnaround on the software support for this, and Harmonix was unwilling to launch on other platforms without backward compatibility.

Lars @ Jun 30th 2008 1:30PM

Probably an exclusivity deal, EA/Harmonix always jump for those and MS doles out bribes like candy at Halloween.

As long as I can use the same Rock Band instruments then I'm alright with it. Well, I might be pursuaded to buy new ones if they're far better than the old ones, and backwards compatible.

michael j crisp @ Jun 30th 2008 11:18AM

they haven't even showed the drums yet, so how can you say ghwt has taken it to the next level ?

Monkeys Suck @ Jun 30th 2008 11:24AM

They added a cymbal, moved the cymbals to appropriate positions...check the pics on Joystiq, they showed the new guitar and drums for GH:WT.

michael j crisp @ Jun 30th 2008 11:26AM

Oh yeah i saw those they look awesome, but i was talkin about rockband 2 drumsets they haven't showed them yet. sorry for the misunderstanding lol .. but depending on how the rb2 drum set looks is going to factor into which one im getting, and i like how frequent rockband comes out with content, gh is slow..

joeythehobo @ Jun 30th 2008 11:41AM

What do you mean? Of course we can only base our opinions off the data we have. Besides, the GH4 drums are obviously a more natural evolution (ie: the next level), what remains to be seen is if Rock Band will attempt to outdo even those.

mirage @ Jun 30th 2008 12:20PM

I hope they don't change them too much, I invested in RB back in January and I would hope that all of my instruments will continue to be compatible! Bring on RB2!!!

MariosInferno @ Jun 30th 2008 11:27AM

"So, tell me again, where at Activision do you work?"

Not really sure I deserved that...

Boffo the Sock @ Jun 30th 2008 11:29AM

Do you think you are above employment at Activision?

MariosInferno @ Jun 30th 2008 11:41AM

Maybe... ;)

Christian @ Jun 30th 2008 11:28AM

I guess with the increasing market share of the PS3, getting exclusives are starting to be to expensive for Microsoft. So instead they opt for the cheaper version, timed exclusives. Of course as the Xbox360's relative market share continues to decline the price of even those might start being prohibitive going forward.

deaftly @ Jun 30th 2008 11:29AM

As long as the old instruments work im def buying it. Im done buying fake instruments. Hopefully Rock Band 1 DLC will work with 2.

Moorio - XBL: peacebyanymeans @ Jun 30th 2008 11:49AM

Is the bottom of that rock nice? I ask since you seem to love being under there for long periods of time.

Where have you been, they announced RB1 DLC and instruments would work in RB2.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 30th 2008 1:23PM

Well seeing as that news was announced today I believe I don't think you can fault people for not knowing right away...

Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Jun 30th 2008 11:29AM

This slightly annoys me. Why? Several reasons.

1. As hardcore fucked as PS3's version of Rockband was until March (read, spare controllers lacking availability), this seems like a kick in the dick to those of use who suffered while Harmonix and Neversoft were fighting over the use of a cherry scented marker in kindergarten.

2. We don't know where DLC priorities will exist for Rock Band when Rock Band 2 ships. Mainly, we don't know if PS3 fans just get a couple months of nothing while the DLC focus shifts.

3. Since Harmonix disabled the ability to allow the leader to choose songs players didn't buy, the workaround was the lack of DRM on PS3. So when I played online with friends across the nation, we were able to play the same stuff whereas on 360, that wasn't possible.

4. I don't see the reasoning behind the timed exclusive right now. The pressure is on to provide a comparable product on PS3, Wii, and PS2 come GHIV's launch time. Pissing away that window for a bonus seems, well, retarded.

5. I like cheese.