Rumor: Rock Band 2 an Xbox 360 exclusive for just one month

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 5th 2008 at 6:00PM }

Let's preface this piece with two points: 1) No official Rock Band 2 release date has been set for any console. 2) No official Rock Band 2 release date has been set for any console. Clear? Let's do this.

MCV reports (via Spong) that "a handful" of North American retailers have listed the release date for Rock Band 2 on PS3 as "November 23rd -- just a month after the October 19th release date." Cutting through several bits of minutia, we don't know where this October release date comes from as Harmonix reconfirmed to us today that the Xbox 360 version releases in September.

We did check with the fine folks at Amazon who said their information comes "directly from the vendor." Meaning that current information has the standalone game of RB2 releasing Sept 14, the "Special Edition" with the instruments is available for both Xbox and PS3 on Oct 19, along with the PS3 standalone version of the game. But, let's be clear, once again: No official Rock Band 2 release date has been set for any console.

Tags: harmonix, mtv-games, rock-band-2

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Duke @ Aug 5th 2008 6:04PM

A month? That clearly does not give us enough to bicker about. C'mon RB2, think of the flame wars you aren't providing.

Badger_badger_badger @ Aug 5th 2008 6:07PM

So what you're saying is... the 360 is better.

Catdogburger @ Aug 5th 2008 6:38PM

No....what their saying is Microsoft is wasting a hell of a lot a money!

WhatIsThatThing @ Aug 5th 2008 6:32PM

Yes, but only for one month. Then they're both equal.

otam @ Aug 5th 2008 6:35PM

No,they're probably saying they have the exclusivity for a month because the 360 has a bigger install base coming out a year earlier over the PS3.

That and Microsoft has a treasure chest of billions to toss around.

I mean,last generation there was a huge gap with the GTA games,so that clearly must mean Sony is better,not that they had the install base.

matt247 @ Aug 5th 2008 6:44PM

Microsoft helped Harmonix with RB2, that's why they got a September exclusive
http://www.videogamer.com/news/17-07-2008-8854.html

Shagittarius @ Aug 5th 2008 7:28PM

The thing I dont get is why bother with an exclusive on this. Wouldn't you think everyone would just go with the version they already had equipment and downloads for? Who would actually switch versions?

I guess maybe its a month window for those who dont own Rock Band to get to pick 360 but it seems like a worse move to piss off the people who are already your fans.

Dunno...the whole thing just sounds incorrect.

Waqman @ Aug 5th 2008 6:07PM

I hope it comes out in November. I'm gonna be too busy having fun with LittleBigPlanet.

Burritoclock @ Aug 5th 2008 6:08PM

Wow, so if I want the new instruments I would have to wait a month to play the game... that sucks, my patience will not last that long, there is no possible way, it just isn't in me...

Anyone that CAN wait a month want to buy a half off copy of Rockband 2 on Oct. 19th...

(if all this is true of course and assuming there aren't standalone instruments.)

KVN @ Aug 5th 2008 6:30PM

Yea and it suck extra hard for me,because my b'day is sep 18th.I was hoping to get the game myself and a mic,my girl buys me the drumset and my mom or someone else buys ,me a guitar.I hope the release everything standalone on the 14th.

thefncrow @ Aug 5th 2008 6:20PM

Guys, this is pretty simple:

Go to RockBand.com. Go to the official store. Pull up Game and Gear section.
Xbox 360 standalone game is listed as shipping September 14.
PS3 and Xbox 360 special edition is listed as shipping October 19.
PS2 and Wii standalone games are listed as November 18, as is the Wii special edition.
PS3 standalone game is listed as November 30.

DanB91 @ Aug 5th 2008 6:52PM

Wow.... so I have to wait 1 month for HMX to rip the game disc out of the special edition and put it on the shelf? I swear HMX is utterly retarded

Chase @ Aug 5th 2008 9:53PM

This of the game-only release as an early birthday present and the bundle release as as... normal... birthday present.

Chase @ Aug 5th 2008 9:53PM

+Think

-This

DanB91 @ Aug 5th 2008 10:50PM

Im talking about the PS3 version lol. For some strange ass reason the bundle is coming out before the actual game. I can understand the 360 thing but not the PS3 issue. HMX is just retarded and are a bunch of PS3 haters

Veras @ Aug 5th 2008 6:24PM

This is a little more truth than rumor. The August 2008 issue of Game Informer has a small bit of information regarding that. It says, and I quote "Short Term Exclusive: A large percentage of folks are going to be fine with hte following news, and a slightly smaller percentage of you are about to start cursing wildly. Rock Band 2 is coming exclusively to Xbox 360. Sort of. Microsoft has arranged for a short window of exclusivity with the title, after which the game will release on all the other expected systems. The game should be out on all consoles before Christmas."

Viridium @ Aug 5th 2008 6:35PM

Sweet, so I can pick it up on Sept 14, transfer my RB1 tracks, and start rocking out!

343 Guilty Fart @ Aug 5th 2008 6:39PM

I still don't see the point of releasing a Rock Band 2 when the original is essentially a platform unto itself. Sure, it's compatible with the original, but that seems to give an even stronger argument for the non-need of a sequel.

TheJetCityFix @ Aug 5th 2008 7:08PM

They are giving us 100 tracks, divide that by $2 a song like DLC, and you've got 50 bucks. Now we have 50 dollars worth of music, and $10 for all the features that come with RB2. That is a freakin' steal, IMO.

Ryan @ Aug 5th 2008 7:54PM

I think this game was needed to throw in all the stuff that would have been too big and expensive for just an update.

RB2 should last for at least all of 2009. When RB3 is released presumably in 2010, they will probably be competing with Guitar Hero VIII: Aerosmith 2 which won't compatible with any other franchise's instruments or previous titles, and Rock Band will have 1K+ songs available for both 1&2.

KEFIOX @ Aug 5th 2008 9:49PM

Everythnig TheJetCitFix said. Also Ryan, I think RB3 will be out same time next year. Since it's a platform they'll just release (an expansion?) every year like Guitar Hero. Except you'll be able to play all your previous songs and use your old periphereals.

It's going to be hard not watching any vids of RB2 gameplay for a month (until it's out on PS3) but hopefully the ION kit will make it worth it.

matt247 @ Aug 5th 2008 6:42PM

They announced a September exclusive at E3 and here's an article on why it's exclusive to the 360 first http://www.videogamer.com/news/17-07-2008-8854.html

DeadPlasmaCell @ Aug 5th 2008 8:18PM

Aaaannd end thread. I'm not sure why so many game blogs are slippin up on this one. It was announced @ E3 that RB2 would be a timed 360 exclusive. GameStop has had this date for weeks now.

Waqman @ Aug 5th 2008 6:55PM

I'm just picking up the standalone game, and then the new drumkit whenever its available (not the ridiculously expensive Ion one).

why not the LS2LS7? @ Aug 5th 2008 10:17PM

Of course it is. This was obvious once September was listed as the 360 release date.

There's no way Harmonix/MTV Games/EA is going to screw around pushing RB2 for PS3 and Wii back into November where it has more competition from other games, geegaws and especially Guitar Hero.