Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rock Band's first Metallica DLC pack pulled from store, license expired]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/rock-bands-first-metallica-dlc-pack-pulled-from-store-license/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/rock-bands-first-metallica-dlc-pack-pulled-from-store-license/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/rock-bands-first-metallica-dlc-pack-pulled-from-store-license/#comments Metallica pack removed from Rock Band store as licenses expireThe Metallica Pack 01 DLC for Rock Band - featuring "Ride The Lightning," "And Justice For All" and "Blackened" - is no longer available for new purchase on the Rock Band store and will soon be removed from first-party marketplaces, because the license has expired. This won't affect those who already own the DLC, and even allows them to redownload the content if necessary. If you already own the Metallica Pack 01, it's still all yours.

Harmonix launched Metallica Pack 01 in November 2007 for $5.50, or $2 per song.

"Now, over 5 years since the release of the first batch of Rock Band DLC, we're reaching the end of some of the earliest licenses we secured," Harmonix writes on its Facebook page. "Our Music Team has been hard at work extending these licenses to make sure that this has as small an impact on the community as possible, but there may be a very limited number of songs that will no longer be offered for new purchases in the Rock Band store."

Harmonix plans to post relicensing updates on a quarterly basis, hoping to give players a heads up if songs expire.

JoystiqRock Band's first Metallica DLC pack pulled from store, license expired originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCexpiredHarmonixlicenseMetallicamicrosoftplaystationps3Rock-BandxboxTue, 09 Apr 2013 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix sites attacked, go down for the weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/harmonix-sites-attacked-go-down-for-the-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/harmonix-sites-attacked-go-down-for-the-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/harmonix-sites-attacked-go-down-for-the-weekend/#comments Harmonix notified registered users of RockBand.com and DanceCentral.com that its servers will be down for the weekend due to an apparent attack from an outside source. The developer disabled passwords for all Harmonix site accounts as a precautionary measure, and will require users to reset their passwords when the sites are live again.

The email sent to Harmonix site users noted that "at this time, we have not found that any of our users' information has been published or misused. None of our sites maintain any credit card information, social security numbers, or financial account numbers for any of our users."

The person behind the attack on Harmonix's sites might not have been a fan of Don McLean, the "American Pie" artist featured in the final piece of weekly Rock Band DLC.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Continue reading Harmonix sites attacked, go down for the weekend

JoystiqHarmonix sites attacked, go down for the weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attackdance-centralHarmonixoutagerock-bandRock-Band-3serverSat, 06 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Rock Band iOS apps to be delisted on July 31 [update: EA explains]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/psa-rock-band-ios-apps-to-be-delisted-on-july-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/psa-rock-band-ios-apps-to-be-delisted-on-july-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/psa-rock-band-ios-apps-to-be-delisted-on-july-31/#comments If you've considered picking up one of the Rock Band iOS games, now would be the time to do it. Come July 31, all Rock Band iOS apps, including Rock Band, Rock Band Reloaded and Rock Band Reloaded for iPad, will be delisted from the App Store. After this date, the games will be gone and users will no longer be able to purchase any DLC.

Earlier this year, Rock Band app users received a message saying that the app would be pulled on May 31. At the time, EA stated that the message had been "sent in error." There doesn't appear to be a mistake this time around, as the iTunes pages for each app confirm the delisting. The original error, apparently, was that the message was sent two months early.

Update: EA has posted a Q&A regarding the delisting, stating that "EA's licensing agreement with Harmonix is ending and as a result, EA is discontinuing downloads of Rock Band iOS and Rock Band Reloaded iOS on the App Store after July 31. "

JoystiqPSA: Rock Band iOS apps to be delisted on July 31 [update: EA explains] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-mobileharmonixiosipadiphonemobilerock-bandrock-band-reloadedTue, 24 Jul 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix has 'three and/or more' new games in the works, and none are Rock Band or Dance Central]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/harmonix-has-three-and-or-more-new-games-in-the-works-and-non/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/harmonix-has-three-and-or-more-new-games-in-the-works-and-non/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/harmonix-has-three-and-or-more-new-games-in-the-works-and-non/#comments Harmonix has 'three andor more' new games in the works, and none are Rock Band or Dance CentralThere's kind of a lot of stuff going on at Harmonix Music Systems. At least according to Harmonix director of communications and brand management John Drake, who teased a variety of new "Triple A IPs" that the studio has in the works - beyond Dance Central 3 and Rock Band Blitz. "Dance Central and Rock Band are kind of our big established IPs. And man oh man are we working on multiple - like, more than two - new triple A IPs, right now that we can't talk about at all," Drake said on the latest Harmonix podcast.

He got even more specific, pointing out that "none of them are Rock Band or Dance Central titles," nor are they re-releases/new versions of Frequency or Amplitude. "It's not a previous game. It's not Led Zeppelin Rock Band. This isn't - I'm not talking about Rock Band 4. I'm not talking about the next Dance Central game. I'm talking about new, crazy stuff."

And not necessarily music stuff, either, at least not in the strictest sense. "Some of them are music games, some of them are not full-on rhythm action games. Some of them are brand new things that we created from our gut and brains here at Harmonix. Some are things that we're expanding the universe of," Drake detailed.

Though not much concrete information was doled out, Drake was a bit more clear about when we'll hear more. "Crazy stuff to talk about hopefully next year," he said. He worries that one of those projects is more prone to leaking than others, as "There's a lot of people working on one of them." Harmonix? Leak? Never. And it's always possible we'll hear more about those next Dance Central and Rock Band games sooner than the mystery stuff. "There may be some more Rock Band or Dance Central stuff in the works too," he said. The future is unknown.

JoystiqHarmonix has 'three and/or more' new games in the works, and none are Rock Band or Dance Central originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-centralharmonixharmonix-music-systemsharmonix-podcastjohn-drakepodcastrock-bandFri, 15 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Weekly: Florence and the Machine, Cracker, Midnight Oil]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/rock-band-weekly-florence-and-the-machine-cracker-midnight-oi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/rock-band-weekly-florence-and-the-machine-cracker-midnight-oi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/rock-band-weekly-florence-and-the-machine-cracker-midnight-oi/#comments ImageThis week, Rock Band brings us not only Florence, but also The Machine. Specifically, we get Florence and the Machine's popular jam "Dog Days Are Over." In addition to Florence's mechanical musings, we also get Cracker's "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now) and Midnight Oil's "The Power and the Passion."

Cracker's track offers pro bass and guitar expansions, and both the Florence and the Machine and Midnight Oil tracks support the Rock Band 3 keyboard.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Florence and the Machine, Cracker, Midnight Oil

JoystiqRock Band Weekly: Florence and the Machine, Cracker, Midnight Oil originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-3rock-band-weeklywiixboxFri, 01 Jun 2012 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Weekly: Bullet For My Valentine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/rock-band-weekly-bullet-for-my-valentine/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/rock-band-weekly-bullet-for-my-valentine/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/rock-band-weekly-bullet-for-my-valentine/#comments ImageA "Bullet For My Valentine" may sound like a really terrible gift for anyone that doesn't collect antique minié balls, but it's actually the name of next week's featured band over in Rock Band DLC world.

The aptly named "Bullet For My Valentine Pack 01" features three songs spanning three albums, including 2008's Scream Aim Fire, which we're not entirely sure is an accurate or trustworthy set of instructions for properly operating a firearm. Remember kids, always consult your physician before taking advice from Welch heavy metal bands.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Bullet For My Valentine

JoystiqRock Band Weekly: Bullet For My Valentine originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bullet-for-my-valentinemicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-3rock-band-weeklywiixboxSun, 27 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Weekly: Iron Maiden]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/rock-band-weekly-iron-maiden/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/rock-band-weekly-iron-maiden/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/rock-band-weekly-iron-maiden/#comments ImageThe "Maiden Epics" pack of Iron Maiden tunes coming to Rock Band next week has things that sound like they wouldn't be metal, but are, in fact, totally metal.

Like "Rime of the Ancient Mariner." Sounds like some old epic poem, right? Well, it is epic in that sense, as well as in the sense of being thirteen minutes long.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Iron Maiden

JoystiqRock Band Weekly: Iron Maiden originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iron-maidenmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-3rock-band-weeklywiixboxFri, 18 May 2012 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: Rock Band iOS cancellation prompt made in error, more info soon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/rock-band-ios-not-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/rock-band-ios-not-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/rock-band-ios-not-canceled/#comments ImageElectronic Arts has informed Joystiq that Rock Band for iOS will remain active for mobile rock stars. There was a panic at the disco yesterday after users of the app received a prompt telling them it would "no longer be playable" after May 31.

"Rock Band for iOS will remain live - the in-app message users received yesterday was sent in error," a representative for EA told us. "We apologize for the confusion this caused. We're working to clarify the issue that caused the error and will share additional information as soon as possible."

And the band played on.

JoystiqEA: Rock Band iOS cancellation prompt made in error, more info soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 May 2012 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-ArtsiosiphonemobileRock-BandThu, 03 May 2012 07:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band iOS unplugged May 31]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/rock-band-ios-unplugged-may-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/rock-band-ios-unplugged-may-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/rock-band-ios-unplugged-may-31/#comments ImageElectronic Arts' Rock Band for iOS "will no longer be playable" after May 31. RockBandAide took note of a prompt in the app, which informs owners that the band is breaking up at the end of the month. At this time, there is no indication that a similar fate is in store for the more recent Rock Band Reloaded app.

Harmonix communications guru John Drake tweeted out that the developer was not the publisher of the title and is "working to better understand what's up ASAP."

Electronic Arts has yet to comment on the situation.

JoystiqRock Band iOS unplugged May 31 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-ArtsiosiphonemobileRock-BandWed, 02 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Viacom ordered to pay Harmonix several trucks full of money]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/viacom-ordered-to-pay-harmonix-several-trucks-full-of-money/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/viacom-ordered-to-pay-harmonix-several-trucks-full-of-money/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/viacom-ordered-to-pay-harmonix-several-trucks-full-of-money/#comments When Viacom sold developer Harmonix in November of 2010 for $50, it was really only the beginning of the drama to come. Almost exactly a year ago, ex-shareholders in Harmonix prior to Viacom's buyout of the music game developer sued the conglomerate for failing to pay performance based bonuses, which were agreed upon when Viacom bought the company back in 2006. Then, earlier this year, Viacom sued those same stockholders for $131 million for "contractual overpayment." With us so far? Well, take a deep breath. It gets better.

That lawsuit triggered a mandatory arbitration clause in the original contract, and now Viacom has revealed to the LA Times that the private arbitrator in question has ordered the company to pay the former Harmonix shareholders $383 million.

The story is still developing, and this isn't the last you'll hear of it: Viacom has filed in a Delaware Court to have the judgment overturned, because of "improperly excluded" evidence and testimony.

JoystiqViacom ordered to pay Harmonix several trucks full of money originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harmonixharmonix-music-systemslawsuitlegalRock-BandviacomTue, 27 Dec 2011 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[New Rock Band 3 bundles from Mad Catz include 5 free DLC songs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/27/new-rock-band-3-bundles-from-madcatz-include-5-free-dlc-songs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/27/new-rock-band-3-bundles-from-madcatz-include-5-free-dlc-songs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/27/new-rock-band-3-bundles-from-madcatz-include-5-free-dlc-songs/#comments Rock Band 3 is still alive and kicking, despite everything happening behind-the-scenes, and in an effort to rekindle the world's love for rhythm games and plastic instruments, Mad Catz Interactive has released 5 new instrument bundles for the Xbox 360.

Each bundle includes the game, a DLC code for 5 different Red Hot Chili Peppers songs, and your choice of Fender Mustang Pro-Guitar ($150), normal Stratocaster controller($70), or normal Precision Bass controller ($80, available in three designer colors). Absent from these bundles, as you may have noticed, are the microphone and drum kit controllers known and loved by annoying college roommates the world over; a void the used market will undoubtably step in to fill.

JoystiqNew Rock Band 3 bundles from Mad Catz include 5 free DLC songs originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundlefenderinstrumentmad-catzmad-catz-interactivemicrosoftmustangperipheralprecision-basspro-guitarred-hot-chili-peppersrock-bandRock-Band-3stratocasterxboxSun, 27 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How Dance Central saved Harmonix]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/how-dance-central-saved-harmonix/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/how-dance-central-saved-harmonix/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/how-dance-central-saved-harmonix/#comments In 2010, the music-game bubble had burst and Harmonix was on the verge of shutting down; its parent company Viacom was trying desperately to sell, but no company was buying. And then Harmonix dropped Dance Central. Today, Dance Central is the second-best-selling game on Kinect, having sold more than 2.5 million copies -- and from that, Harmonix expects to report $100 million in revenue for 2011, its most profitable year ever.

Downloads are a large part of Harmonix's turnaround. It's sold about 100 million songs as paid DLC since 2006 for all of its titles, including Rock Band. At only 200 employees, $100 million isn't too shabby, and with two new titles in the works, Harmonix expects to double its profit in the coming years. Kinda makes you want to get up and dance -- no, wait. That's the fire ants.

JoystiqHow Dance Central saved Harmonix originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-centralHarmonixkinectmicrosoftrock-bandxboxSat, 05 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix: Rock Band in for a 'fundamental creative reinterpretation']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/harmonix-rock-band-in-for-a-fundamental-creative-reinterpretat/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/harmonix-rock-band-in-for-a-fundamental-creative-reinterpretat/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/harmonix-rock-band-in-for-a-fundamental-creative-reinterpretat/#comments Harmonix is trying to find a steady beat after a stressful year with surprising highs and lows. In an interview with Giant Bomb, Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos mentions the company is considering a "fairly fundamental creative reinterpretation" of the Rock Band business.

"We still have a loyal audience who continues to show up weekly to gobble up our weekly releases. That actually continues to be a profitable business for us, which is nice," said Rigopulos. "We're committed to the franchise, but when I think that when we do things with it in the future, it's going to be a pretty dramatic departure from what we've done before."

Co-founder and CTO Eran Egozy added, "We do have plans on where we're going to go with Rock Band and how we plan to expand it. All I'll say for now is that it isn't what you think. You might assume we're going to add saxophone or something along those lines, but no, the kind of direction we're planning on taking Rock Band, the kind of innovation we have in mind, is taking it in a different direction, one that's more suitable to the kind of environment we're in, what people are doing now, what they're interested in playing now, versus, say, 2007."

Egozy concluded, "It's more than ideas. We are working on it, and we have forward progress. It's an exciting, fresh take on it. I'll leave it at that."

JoystiqHarmonix: Rock Band in for a 'fundamental creative reinterpretation' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alex-RigopulosEran-EgozyGiant-BombHarmonixRock-BandRock-Band-3Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Viacom suing former Harmonix stockholders for over $131 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/viacom-suing-former-harmonix-stockholders-for-over-131-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/viacom-suing-former-harmonix-stockholders-for-over-131-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/viacom-suing-former-harmonix-stockholders-for-over-131-million/#comments Viacom is suing a group of former Harmonix stockholders, seeking a refund of over $131 million that it paid out, which it calls a "contractual overpayment." According to court documents, Viacom paid stockholders a total of $149,770,149 in 2007, based on an estimate of earnings; it then said that the real amount due was $131 million less than that, and asked for the remainder back, claiming that the payments were made "on account."

Harmonix shareholders brought their own suit against Viacom last year on a related topic. They actually claimed Viacom owed more in earn-out payments from the sale of Rock Band games. Both parties can't be right!

JoystiqViacom suing former Harmonix stockholders for over $131 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harmonixlawsuitmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3psprock-bandRock-Band-3sonyviacomwiixboxTue, 20 Sep 2011 18:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos explains what happened to Rock Band Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/harmonix-ceo-alex-rigopulos-explains-what-happened-to-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/harmonix-ceo-alex-rigopulos-explains-what-happened-to-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/harmonix-ceo-alex-rigopulos-explains-what-happened-to-rock-band/#comments After announcing intentions to bring its Rock Band franchise to the Japanese market way back in the summer of 2008, Harmonix and co-developer Q Entertainment quietly walked away from the project. "Never say never," Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos said of the project in a group interview session this week at Tokyo Game Show, answering a question asked by Kotaku's Brian Ashcraft. "We were very much interested in bringing that experience in some form to the Japanese market," he explained. "There were a couple of significant challenges."

Beyond the whole "manufacturing and shipping hundreds of thousands more plastic peripherals to an island country" ... thing, Rigopulos lamented issues with licensing Japanese music for the game, which he characterized as "very difficult in Japan, relative to other countries." He also pointed to a rather obvious concern: space limitations in Japanese households. "Even for people who have the space, Japanese families tend to not make a lot of noise in their homes. They generally have a quieter lifestyle at home 'cause they're living in closer quarters, and also Japanese families don't entertain in their homes as much."

Given the original inspiration for Harmonix' franchises Guitar Hero and Rock Band was the arcade-born Guitar/Drum Freaks franchise, I wondered if Harmonix had looked at Japanese arcades as an option instead of a home console release. "That's something we considered," he admitted. "One of the challenges is that arcades are very, very noisy, and so if you're trying to make something that's really a musical experience and you've got 37 other arcade machines all turned up to full volume, it kind of impairs the musicality of the experience."

Again, Rigopulos said Harmonix has yet to give up on the concept of Rock Band in Japan, but from the sound of things, it's not exactly at the top of his priority list.

[Image credit: ShonenKnife.com]

JoystiqHarmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos explains what happened to Rock Band Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-rigopulosarcadesharmonixharmonix-music-systemsjapanmicrosoftplaystationps3q-entertainmentRock-Bandrock-band-japantgstgs-2011tokyo-game-showtokyo-game-show-2011xboxSun, 18 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[You Don't Know Jack on Xbox Games on Demand, Driver multiplayer demo next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/you-dont-know-jack-on-xbox-games-on-demand-driver-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/you-dont-know-jack-on-xbox-games-on-demand-driver-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/you-dont-know-jack-on-xbox-games-on-demand-driver-multiplayer/#comments Did you know that You Don't Know Jack is available today on Xbox 360 Games on Demand? If not, then you didn't know jack about You Don't Know Jack. And now that you know, you know you can go learn more about You Don't Know Jack, play it, and then find out whether or not you know jack about a variety of other subjects... or you could get World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars. That's the other new Games on Demand release.

The Major Nelson post announcing upcoming XBLM content also reveals plans to release a second Driver: San Francisco demo. In addition to the single-player demo out this week, next week Ubisoft will send out a multiplayer demo. We hear the multiplayer is the game's strong suit.

In other XBLM news, you can save on a random assortment of Rock Band music including Metallica, Blink 182, Lady Gaga, Bon Jovi, and Queen packs this week, and an equally random assortment of Xbox Originals (Fable, Black, Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex, and Legend of Spyro) next week. Yeah, we don't know.

JoystiqYou Don't Know Jack on Xbox Games on Demand, Driver multiplayer demo next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demodriver-san-franciscogames-on-demandmicrosoftrock-bandxblmxboxyou-dont-know-jackTue, 09 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band hits 3,000 tracks, Harmonix giving away 3,000 songs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/rock-band-hits-3-000-tracks-harmonix-giving-away-3-000-songs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/rock-band-hits-3-000-tracks-harmonix-giving-away-3-000-songs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/rock-band-hits-3-000-tracks-harmonix-giving-away-3-000-songs/#comments With the release of some Yes! tracks this week, the Rock Band song catalog has reached a milestone of 3,000 songs. To celebrate this accomplishment, Harmonix is hooking up 30 Americans (sorry, international rockers) with 100 songs of their choosing each on either Xbox 360 or PS3. The mathemagicians out there have probably already figured this out but ... that's 3,000 songs total. Get it?

There are a few different ways to enter, (sorry anti-social folks): Twitter, Facebook or the Rock Band forums. Sorry, there is no option to sit at home with the lights off, shades drawn, until an envelope magically shows up on your nightstand.

The full list of rules can be found on the Source link below. If you're thinking about entering, act fast -- the entry period closes at 11:59pm ET on Thursday, July 28.

JoystiqRock Band hits 3,000 tracks, Harmonix giving away 3,000 songs originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcgiveawayharmonixmicrosoftplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-3rock-band-networkxboxTue, 26 Jul 2011 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Pac-Man Fever infects Rock Band Network today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/pac-man-fever-infects-rock-band-network-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/pac-man-fever-infects-rock-band-network-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/pac-man-fever-infects-rock-band-network-today/#comments As was promised so many, many moons ago, it's time to take your pre-emptive dose of Dayquil and prepare for full-on Pac-Man Fever. Four of the album's eight tracks are available on the Rock Band Network today, allowing all to achieve a level of public embarrassment previously unseen on this Earth for only $2 -- unless your estimated value of $2 exceeds everyone's, of course.

Additionally, another Super Meat Boy track is currently available: dB Soundworks' "Betus Blues (Retro Remix)." Hit the jump for the full list of today's additions.

Continue reading Pac-Man Fever infects Rock Band Network today

JoystiqPac-Man Fever infects Rock Band Network today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcharmonixmicrosoftpac-man-feverrbnrock-bandRock-Band-3rock-band-networkxblaxboxThu, 23 Jun 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band's country DLC on sale through June 21]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/18/rock-bands-country-dlc-on-sale-through-june-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/18/rock-bands-country-dlc-on-sale-through-june-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/18/rock-bands-country-dlc-on-sale-through-june-21/#comments Having Skeeter and the fellers over this weekend and sick of doing the same old, same old? Well, Harmonix is slashing prices on all of its country-themed Rock Band DLC through June 21 -- tracks including artists such as Kenny Chesney, Johnny Cash, Brooks & Dunn and even Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler."

Hit the jump for the full list.

Continue reading Rock Band's country DLC on sale through June 21

JoystiqRock Band's country DLC on sale through June 21 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>countryharmonixmicrosoftplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-3xboxSat, 18 Jun 2011 00:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix on the state of post-MTV Rock Band DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/harmonix-on-the-state-of-post-mtv-rock-band-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/harmonix-on-the-state-of-post-mtv-rock-band-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/harmonix-on-the-state-of-post-mtv-rock-band-dlc/#comments In a new interview with Game Informer, Chris Rigopulos, VP of strategy and business development at Harmonix, addresses the state of downloadable content for Rock Band now that the studio is no longer under MTV. Rigopulos said that Harmonix has "effectively severed all ties with MTV, and all proceeds from Rock Band belong to Harmonix."

He explained that music selection for the Rock Band series had been a "collaborative effort between Harmonix and MTV," noting that most of the downloadable tracks we've seen this year were selected before Harmonix was sold by Viacom (last year). This month's downloadable tracks, said Rigopulos, will be the "first glimpse" at the music the company has secured without MTV. Rigopulos doesn't expect any "dramatic changes" to the music selection process, though he cheekily added, "I doubt you will see any more SpongeBob SquarePants packs."

Rigopulous also discussed the overall success of Rock Band's DLC enterprise, noting that the series recently surpassed 100 million song downloads.

JoystiqHarmonix on the state of post-MTV Rock Band DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 May 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chris-Rigopulosdlcdownloadsharmonixmicrosoftmtvmtv-gamesnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-3wiixboxWed, 04 May 2011 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[The Who-autographed Rock Band guitar controllers auctioned for Teenage Cancer Trust]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/the-who-autographed-rock-band-guitar-controllers-auctioned-for-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/the-who-autographed-rock-band-guitar-controllers-auctioned-for-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/the-who-autographed-rock-band-guitar-controllers-auctioned-for-t/#comments Prolific peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz has again teamed with The Who frontman Roger Daltrey to support the Teenage Cancer Trust -- and this time they've gotten Pete Townshend to leave his mark on this unique charity event. Both legendary rock gods have signed a pair of Mad Catz's Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster controllers (no strings attached) for Xbox 360 versions of Rock Band.

These cherry red rarities are up for auction on eBay -- one here and the other here -- until 9PM ET on Sunday, April 3. All proceeds will go to the UK-based Teenage Cancer Trust.

Okay, now can we get a YEEEEEEAAAHHH?!

JoystiqThe Who-autographed Rock Band guitar controllers auctioned for Teenage Cancer Trust originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctioncharitymad-catzmicrosoftperipheralspete-townshendrock-bandrock-band-3roger-daltreyteenage-cancer-trustthe-whoukxboxTue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD: Guitar Hero 3 is this generation's highest-grossing game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/npd-guitar-hero-3-is-this-generations-highest-grossing-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/npd-guitar-hero-3-is-this-generations-highest-grossing-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/npd-guitar-hero-3-is-this-generations-highest-grossing-game/#comments Call of Duty: Black Ops might be the best-selling game by unit sales, but it isn't the US bestseller in terms of gross revenue. According to NPD data going back to 1995, and compiled by CNBC, the honor of the highest-grossing game of "this generation" goes to another Activision game, the Axl Rose-angering Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock. Black Ops is #2.

The list of the NPD's top ten best-selling games by revenue (after the break) includes a second Guitar Hero game, too -- R.I.P. -- along with Rock Band and both Wii Fits, which suggests that the best way to make a lot of revenue is simply to make your game cost more. Although Wii Play and Mario Kart Wii are also on the list, so maybe people just really like finding peripherals inside their game boxes, like cereal box prizes.

Continue reading NPD: Guitar Hero 3 is this generation's highest-grossing game

JoystiqNPD: Guitar Hero 3 is this generation's highest-grossing game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-4GH3GH3-Legends-Of-RockGuitar-Hero-3Guitar-Hero-3-Legends-Of-Rockguitar-hero-world-tourLegends-Of-Rockmario-kart-wiimicrosoftmodern-warfare-2nintendonpdpcplaystationps3rock-bandsaleswiiwii-fitwii-playxboxFri, 25 Mar 2011 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster video review: Going to town in a Lincoln]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/rock-band-3-squier-stratocaster-video-review-going-to-town-in-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/rock-band-3-squier-stratocaster-video-review-going-to-town-in-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/rock-band-3-squier-stratocaster-video-review-going-to-town-in-a/#comments Though the cornucopia of Pro Guitar tutorials available on last year's Rock Band 3 possessed multitudes of promise, the absence of a solidly-built, authentic guitar controller squandered away my hopes of learning to more proficiently rock in the real world by taking lessons in a fake one. I've sustained myself over the past four months on the possibility that the MIDI-enabled Squier Stratocaster controller would capitalize on these possibilities. After spending a few hours with the axe, I'm happy to report that I wasn't disappointed.

Check out the video after the jump for the full scoop on the Rock Band 3 Squier, presented in a bold, groundbreaking audio-visual format. (How else could you be impressed by all my mad shredding skills, and my capacity for producing sweet, crunchy riffs?)

Continue reading Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster video review: Going to town in a Lincoln

JoystiqRock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster video review: Going to town in a Lincoln originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fendermicrosoftmusicnintendoperipheralsplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-3squiersquier-stratocasterwiixboxWed, 02 Mar 2011 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix brainstorming 'reimaginings' of Rock Band, new motion games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/harmonix-brainstorming-reimaginings-of-rock-band-new-motion-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/harmonix-brainstorming-reimaginings-of-rock-band-new-motion-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/harmonix-brainstorming-reimaginings-of-rock-band-new-motion-g/#comments "There's no denying that Rock Band 3 hasn't yet sold to the level we hoped it would out of the gate," Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos admitted to Edge. "But on the flipside of that we also believe that it's a product that has a lot of life."

It may be difficult to share Rigopulos' optimism. Since the beginning of the year, Viacom sold Harmonix (back to Harmonix), MTV Games was shut down and Activision hit the pause button on its long-running Guitar Hero franchise. Still, Rigopulos offers a "glass half-full" interpretation of Activision's retraction from the genre, seeing a newfound opportunity to expand the developer's audience. "We think there are also a lot of devoted Guitar Hero fans who have probably never given Rock Band a try," Rigopulos told Destructoid. Harmonix wants to convert them and "let them know that Rock Band 3 is worth giving a try."

Rock Band 3 will continue receiving updates through the year, as Harmonix tries to "cultivate" the platform -- though Rigopulos added that "fundamental reimaginings of the Rock Band franchise" are being planned. "The marketplace is clearly demanding something very new," Rigopulos noted. "It's clearly demanding a dramatic evolution of the Rock Band franchise, I think, and I think that's actually exciting for us."

While rebooting the band genre will be an uphill battle for the company, there's still one bright star in the studio's portfolio: Dance Central. Finishing the sequel is an obvious next step, but it seems Harmonix has more motion-gaming ideas. "It's safe to say you'll see a lot more in that domain from Harmonix beyond Dance Central," Rigopulos teased. "We'd be absolutely open-minded about that."

With their future projects still shrouded in secrecy, it seems Rigopulos is confident that his team will easily bypass this dark era for music gaming. Contrary to industry perception, the company might have too much on its plate. "We have a lot of very cool new ideas in the works right now, looking out beyond both Rock Band and Dance Central."

[Image credit: RockBandAide]

JoystiqHarmonix brainstorming 'reimaginings' of Rock Band, new motion games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alex-Rigopulosdance-centraldance-central-2guitar-heroharmonixkinectmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-3rock-band-4wiixboxMon, 28 Feb 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Quest VI, Medal of Honor, and a bunch of Wii music items in Amazon Gold Box]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/dragon-quest-vi-medal-of-honor-and-a-bunch-of-wii-music-items/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/dragon-quest-vi-medal-of-honor-and-a-bunch-of-wii-music-items/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/dragon-quest-vi-medal-of-honor-and-a-bunch-of-wii-music-items/#commentsAmazon is offering a spate of gaming deals in its Gold Box today, revealing a new time-limited offer every couple of hours. Strangely, the discounts are about half Wii music-game themed -- things like the Wii versions of Michael Jackson: The Experience (the Deal of the Day at $30), Rock Band 3, and Dance Dance Revolution.

However, the non-Wii part includes savings on the DS version of Plants vs. Zombies, Dragon Quest VI, Civilization V and others, so the lack of a fully committed theme is forgivable. Find the list after the break.

Continue reading Dragon Quest VI, Medal of Honor, and a bunch of Wii music items in Amazon Gold Box

JoystiqDragon Quest VI, Medal of Honor, and a bunch of Wii music items in Amazon Gold Box originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazoncivilization-5deal-of-the-daydragon-quest-vidsgold-boxmedal-of-honormichael-jackson-the-experiencemicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3rock-bandrock-band-3wiixboxWed, 23 Feb 2011 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallout 3 tribute song now available on Rock Band Network]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/fallout-3-tribute-song-now-available-on-rock-band-network/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/fallout-3-tribute-song-now-available-on-rock-band-network/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/fallout-3-tribute-song-now-available-on-rock-band-network/#comments There's a lot of overlap between folks who love Fallout 3 and folks who love Rock Band. Here's some news that caters to the inner portion of that particular Venn Diagram: Nerd-rock duo Kirby Krackle's Fallout tribute song "Vault 101" is now available on the Xbox Live Rock Band Network Store.

Continue reading Fallout 3 tribute song now available on Rock Band Network

JoystiqFallout 3 tribute song now available on Rock Band Network originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksdlcFallout-3kirby-kracklemicrosoftmusicrockrock-bandrock-band-3rock-band-networkvault-101xboxFri, 31 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix retains IP rights to Rock Band, Dance Central]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/harmonix-retains-ip-rights-to-rock-band-dance-central/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/harmonix-retains-ip-rights-to-rock-band-dance-central/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/harmonix-retains-ip-rights-to-rock-band-dance-central/#comments Yesterday's Harmonix announcement of re-independence from global media conglomerate Viacom left questions hanging about the intellectual property rights to the studio's two main franchises. Joystiq has been informed by sources that Harmonix will "own the IP rights" to both the Rock Band and Dance Central franchises after the split, meaning it can continue to create new installments if it chooses.

We've also been informed that the developer's DLC support of both titles will continue "unaffected by the sale" and that its distribution relationships with EA and Mad Catz for the Rock Band series, and with Microsoft for Dance Central, also remain "unaffected."

What we currently understand of the situation, from sources involved, is that Viacom and MTV Games providing licensing muscle isn't as necessary as it once was -- before the music genre became established over the past few years. It appears relationships have been set that now allow Harmonix to license music for its games without the aid of Viacom.

JoystiqHarmonix retains IP rights to Rock Band, Dance Central originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-centralDance-Central-2Harmonixintellectual-propertymicrosoftMTV-Gamesnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandrock-band-2Rock-Band-3ViacomwiixboxFri, 24 Dec 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band dev Harmonix breaks from Viacom, goes independent again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/rock-band-dev-harmonix-breaks-from-viacom-goes-independent-agai/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/rock-band-dev-harmonix-breaks-from-viacom-goes-independent-agai/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/rock-band-dev-harmonix-breaks-from-viacom-goes-independent-agai/#comments Guitar Hero and Rock Band creator Harmonix announced this morning that it's splitting with parent company Viacom and "returning to our roots as an independent and privately owned studio" -- investment company Columbus Nova helped purchase the studio and formed Harmonix-SBE Holdings LLC. Before we tell you anything else, know this: As promised, "the DLC schedule marches on for Rock Band, we will continue our support of previously released titles," wrote Harmonix PR rep John Drake in a statement on the Rock Band forums, "and we're hard at work on some unannounced projects that we think you're going to be pumped about."

The terms of the sale were not disclosed in the official announcement from Viacom, but the publisher has been looking for a chance to sell off Harmonix since at least mid-November. In the eyes of Harmonix, the partnership is ending amicably, with Drake adding, "Viacom and MTV Networks have been an amazing home for us over the past 4 years. It's where we launched both Rock Band and Dance Central, worked with The Beatles, Green Day, AC/DC, The Who and thousands of other artists. We want to take a moment to thank everyone in that organization who helped make these awesome games possible."

JoystiqRock Band dev Harmonix breaks from Viacom, goes independent again originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcharmonixmicrosoftmtv-gamesnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandrock-band-3saleviacomwiixboxThu, 23 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Viacom denies keeping payments from Harmonix]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/viacom-denies-keeping-payments-from-harmonix/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/viacom-denies-keeping-payments-from-harmonix/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/viacom-denies-keeping-payments-from-harmonix/#comments Viacom has responded to claims this morning from Harmonix shareholders that the company avoided paying out bonuses to the developers of the Rock Band series. Viacom of course denies it dodged any obligations, and says instead that the representative for Harmonix's shareholders, Walter Winshall, was offered agreements that included big payouts for the developer but "spurned" those, hoping for a bigger reward later. That reward never came, says Viacom, and Winchell is allegedly lashing out with this lawsuit for not meeting his shareholders' expectations.

That doesn't quite cover the other allegation in the lawsuit against Viacom, which claims that it set up an agreement with EA on the Rock Band brand that benefited its own interests rather than those of Harmonix (by doing things like trading advertising sales on MTV rather than passing on profits to the developers). Proof on that allegation, one way or the other, will have to come out in court -- if this lawsuit goes that far.

JoystiqViacom denies keeping payments from Harmonix originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harmonixlawsuitmtvprofitsrock-bandRock-Band-3shareholdersviacomwalter-winshallTue, 21 Dec 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Reloaded now available on iOS devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/rock-band-reloaded-now-available-on-ios-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/rock-band-reloaded-now-available-on-ios-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/rock-band-reloaded-now-available-on-ios-devices/#comments Building on 2009's initial offering, Rock Band Reloaded ($4.99 on iPhone/iPod Touch; $9.99 on iPad) adds a new expert mode and full vocal support in the sequel. Just promise us you won't be that guy on the bus, okay?

The iPad version of the game supports split-screen multiplayer, along with several different ways to present the action on screen -- lefties can reorient gameplay (but not flip frets) and there's even a full-screen drum kit to fool around with. For the full list of launch tracks, as well as free and premium tracks accessible through the App store and the game itself, click past the break.

Gallery: Rock Band Reloaded (iPad)

Continue reading Rock Band Reloaded now available on iOS devices

JoystiqRock Band Reloaded now available on iOS devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-mobilemobilerock-bandrock-band-reloadedThu, 02 Dec 2010 00:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Riccitiello: EA backing away from big acquisitions, not buying Harmonix]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/riccitiello-ea-backing-away-from-big-acquisitions-not-buying-h/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/riccitiello-ea-backing-away-from-big-acquisitions-not-buying-h/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/riccitiello-ea-backing-away-from-big-acquisitions-not-buying-h/#comments In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello revealed a core attribute that the megapublisher is prioritizing in the coming years: Thriftiness. He explained the company has no interest in pursuing more multi-million dollar acquisitions for now -- rather, he said the company will focus on better integrating some of the major casual game developers it acquired over the past year, including Playfish, the Facebook game developer EA bought out for $300 million (with $100 million in potential bonuses) last November.

When pressed on whether the publisher was considering purchasing the recently let-go Rock Band developer Harmonix, Riccitiello responded that such an acquisition would "look like I'm doubling down on yesterday." He added, "I'm sure some smart investor will buy the business feeling that they can catch a falling knife, but more people have been cut trying to catch falling knives than have benefitted from getting the timing exactly right." That seems awfully harsh, but we suppose it's not quite as harsh as if EA were to buy the developer then dissolve it a few years later.

JoystiqRiccitiello: EA backing away from big acquisitions, not buying Harmonix originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitioncasualeaharmonixJohn-riccitielloplayfishrock-bandTue, 30 Nov 2010 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Music game sales continue plunge down the charts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/music-game-sales-continue-plunge-down-the-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/music-game-sales-continue-plunge-down-the-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/music-game-sales-continue-plunge-down-the-charts/#comments If this sounds like a familiar tune, it is: Music game sales have plummeted for a second-straight year. But this year, the tune is way more off key.

According to analysis by Gamasutra, which looked at the period from January through October in each of the past three years, music game revenues in the U.S. have taken a phenomenal nose dive from an epic height of $1.6 billion in 2008 to where they've landed today: under $250 million for the year. "Short of a Christmas miracle," concludes analyst Matt Matthews, "music games won't break $400 million for all of 2010."

Ohhh ... so that's why Viacom's hawking Harmonix.

JoystiqMusic game sales continue plunge down the charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisiondj-hero-2eagreen-day-rock-bandguitar-heroguitar-hero-warriors-of-rockharmonixmicrosoftmtv-gamesmusicmusic-gamesnintendoplaystationpower-gig-rise-of-the-sixstringps3rhythmrock-bandrock-band-3salesseven45softwareviacomwiixboxFri, 19 Nov 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Weekly: Stone Temple Pilots, Jimmy Eat World]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/rock-band-weekly-stone-temple-pilots-jimmy-eat-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/rock-band-weekly-stone-temple-pilots-jimmy-eat-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/rock-band-weekly-stone-temple-pilots-jimmy-eat-world/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The other "Creep" song will be available next week as part of Rock Band's DLC. No, not the one by TLC, and, also, not the album by White Zombie -- that was Astro-Creep. Actually, there's like a hundred or something songs called "Creep." So, we're talking about the one by Stone Temple Pilots. In fact, there's a whole track pack from the band's Core album next week, in addition to "Plush" being featured in Rock Band 3.

Next week's DLC also features a second track pack from Jimmy Eat World. Check out all the track details after the break.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Stone Temple Pilots, Jimmy Eat World

JoystiqRock Band Weekly: Stone Temple Pilots, Jimmy Eat World originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCHarmonixjimmy-eat-worldmicrosoftMTV-Gamesnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-2rock-band-weeklystone-temple-pilotswiixboxFri, 15 Oct 2010 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band DLC web widget makes sense of 2000 song setlist]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/rock-band-dlc-web-widget-makes-sense-of-2000-song-setlist/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/rock-band-dlc-web-widget-makes-sense-of-2000-song-setlist/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/rock-band-dlc-web-widget-makes-sense-of-2000-song-setlist/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So, yeah, there are a lot of songs playable in Harmonix's various Rock Band games. More than 2,000 in fact, encompassing Rock Band Network, LEGO Rock Band, Rock Band 1, 2 and soon, Rock Band 3. In an effort to help make finding out if the song you want is among those, the developer has created an embeddable web widget that lets you search by artist, song title, year and genre (then sort within those results).

It's really pretty handy -- we've embedded it after the break, actually, so you can give it a try. If you'd like to stick it on your websitethingy, grab the widget here. Those familiar with iframes and other such web two-point-oh terms will know what to do with it.

Continue reading Rock Band DLC web widget makes sense of 2000 song setlist

JoystiqRock Band DLC web widget makes sense of 2000 song setlist originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harmonixLego-Rock-BandmicrosoftMTV-Gamesnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-2Rock-Band-3wiixboxWed, 13 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bon Jovi Greatest Hits album to be released as Rock Band 3 DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/bon-jovi-greatest-hits-album-to-be-released-as-rock-band-3-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/bon-jovi-greatest-hits-album-to-be-released-as-rock-band-3-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/bon-jovi-greatest-hits-album-to-be-released-as-rock-band-3-dlc/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bon Jovi's new "Greatest Hits" album will be released November 9. If you'd rather play along with your own feather-haired avatar than merely listen to "It's My Life" on repeat, you'll be able to do so through Rock Band, as the album will be released as DLC soon after the Rock Band 3 launch.

"Bon Jovi for us is one of our most requested artists," MTV's Paul DeGooyer told MCV. "We've had a couple of songs on disc" -- as we can attest, with "Livin' On a Prayer" an unusually frequent song in our random selections -- "but we've never done a vertical campaign like this with them."

Harmonix confirmed the Bon Jovi DLC in a forum post, with one caveat: "Don't expect a huge multi disc album release though, as the Surgeon General has determined that anything more than 12 tracks of Bon Jovi in a single pack could contain potentially dangerous levels of swoon when downloaded by women, and result in deadly amounts of 'good hair envy' in men." So it won't be the full two-disc "Ultimate Collection" version of the album.

[Thanks, MarkHawk]

JoystiqBon Jovi Greatest Hits album to be released as Rock Band 3 DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bon-jovidlcharmonixmicrosoftmtvnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-3wiixboxFri, 08 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Weekly: Jimi Hendrix's 'Are You Experienced']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/rock-band-weekly-jimi-hendrix-are-you-experienced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/rock-band-weekly-jimi-hendrix-are-you-experienced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/rock-band-weekly-jimi-hendrix-are-you-experienced/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Jimi Hendrix's exclusive Rock Band tour continues next week with the addition of the "Are You Experienced: Rock Band Edition" album. (For more Jimi, see the "Axis: Bold as Love" album that was released earlier this year.)

Also, with over 2,000 songs now in the Rock Band DLC catalog, we thought it would be helpful to share these links, which can be used for searching the regular database or the Rock Band Network for a particular artist or song: Are you experienced enough to check out next week's DLC details after the break?

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Jimi Hendrix's 'Are You Experienced'

JoystiqRock Band Weekly: Jimi Hendrix's 'Are You Experienced' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Are-You-ExperiencedDLCHarmonixjimi-hendrixmicrosoftMTV-Gamesnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-2rock-band-weeklywiixboxFri, 08 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band catalog reaches 2,000 downloadable and on-disc tracks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/rock-band-catalog-reaches-2-000-downloadable-and-on-disc-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/rock-band-catalog-reaches-2-000-downloadable-and-on-disc-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/rock-band-catalog-reaches-2-000-downloadable-and-on-disc-tracks/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Harmonix and MTV Games have announced that the total sum of the on-disc and downloadable songs for the Rock Band franchise has surpassed 2,000 tracks. Though these songs have been contributed by over 800 recording artists and bands, Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced" was the song responsible for pushing the series' catalog past the massive milestone. We find that somewhat appropriate, as if you were to play all of the Rock Band franchise's 2,000 songs, you'd be pretty experienced at playing Rock Band.

The game's creators also appear to be experienced at making oodles of money from song downloads, as the press release announcement reveals that players have downloaded over 75 million tracks from the Rock Band Store and Rock Band Network. We'd bet dollars to donuts that at least 65 million of those downloads were of Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler." Dollars to donuts, we say!

JoystiqRock Band catalog reaches 2,000 downloadable and on-disc tracks originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harmonixmicrosoftmtv-gamesnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-3rock-band-storewiixboxThu, 07 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Weekly: R.E.M., T. Rex]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/rock-band-weekly-rem-t-rex/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/rock-band-weekly-rem-t-rex/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/rock-band-weekly-rem-t-rex/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Confess! We've all sung along to R.E.M.'s "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" like this:

"That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and
snakes, an umm, hummy, hum, something something, something something
.... *bob along* ...
IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT!
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine."

Well, next week's Rock Band DLC includes that song, so you've got a fantastic cheat sheet to all the proper lyrics. R.E.M. and T. Rex track packs are what it's all about next week, so head past the break for the details.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: R.E.M., T. Rex

JoystiqRock Band Weekly: R.E.M., T. Rex originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCHarmonixmicrosoftMTV-Gamesnintendoplaystationps3REMrock-bandRock-Band-2rock-band-weeklyT-RexwiixboxFri, 01 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band lawsuit settled; Konami and Harmonix dismiss 'all claims and counterclaims']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/rock-band-lawsuit-settled-konami-and-harmonix-dismiss-all-clai/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/rock-band-lawsuit-settled-konami-and-harmonix-dismiss-all-clai/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/rock-band-lawsuit-settled-konami-and-harmonix-dismiss-all-clai/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Konami and Harmonix have settled their dispute originating in a 2008 lawsuit launched by Konami, reports Bloomberg. According to a filing in federal court in Texas this week, the two parties agreed to dismiss "all claims and counterclaims" in the suit, which alleged that Harmonix's Rock Band infringed upon patents owned by Konami.

Additionally, a 2009 countersuit by parent company Viacom on behalf of Harmonix was dropped yesterday in a filing in federal court in Boston. The terms of the agreement between Konami and Harmonix were not disclosed -- but we do so badly hope they involved a rooftop, two ninjas and a mean jam session.

JoystiqRock Band lawsuit settled; Konami and Harmonix dismiss 'all claims and counterclaims' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drummaniaguitarfreaksharmonixharmonix-v-konamikonamikonami-v-harmonixlawsuitlegalpatentrock-bandrock-revolutionsettlementviacomFri, 17 Sep 2010 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Weekly: Bob Marley's 'Legend' album]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/rock-band-weekly-bob-marleys-legend-album/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/rock-band-weekly-bob-marleys-legend-album/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/rock-band-weekly-bob-marleys-legend-album/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The rumor of Bob Marley's "Legend" coming to Rock Band next week is true, reports MTV Multiplayer. The one notable song missing from the DLC album release is "Get up, Stand up." You won't be stuck waiting in vain for this uplifting track, however, it's actually on the Rock Band 3 setlist.

People, get ready, the complete "Legend" DLC details are posted after the break.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Bob Marley's 'Legend' album

JoystiqRock Band Weekly: Bob Marley's 'Legend' album originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bob-MarleyDLCHarmonixmicrosoftMTV-gamesnintendoplaystationps3rock-bandRock-Band-2rock-band-3rock-band-weeklywiixboxThu, 16 Sep 2010 11:10:00 EST