Wake Up! Rock Band 2 hitting this September [Update]
by Xav de Matos 
{ Jun 30th 2008 at 4:00AM }
Are you sitting down? Today MTV, Harmonix and EA surprised no one by confirming suspicion that Rock Band 2 was in the works. Yes, the worst-kept secret of sequels since Microsoft announced Halo 3 is scheduled to hit this September on the Xbox 360
In an interview with IGN, Harmonix lead designer Dan Teasdale spilled some carefully worded beans on the sequel. Most importantly Harmonix confirmed all Rock Band downloadable content will also work in Rock Band 2 and Teasdale also teased that new features are planned "that let you play your DLC in different ways." Teasdale also states that new downloadable content will be released for the Rock Band platform when Rock Band 2 is released, meaning you can download all DLC and play on either version. Also, the dreaded profile switching issue in the original is being examined and corrected for a more streamlined experience.
While Teasdale also confirms new instruments are in development for Rock Band 2 they are only receiving more reliable and cosmetic changes, meaning your old Rock Band sets will still work as well. While Teasdale doesn't confirm some of the questions posed to him, he does tease at the possibility of and online World Tour and multiple users on vocals instruments.
Jump in for a look at the new Stratocaster guitar as well as the top ten bands Teasdale hinted might make it onto the Rock Band 2 retail disc.
Top Ten Bands IGN asked Teasdale for in Rock Band 2, to which he replied some of the picks are on the disc but did not confirm which, are:
- Agent Orange
- The Beatles
- Built to Spill
- The Buzzcocks
- Journey
- Led Zeppelin
- Modest Mouse
- Pavement
- The Replacements
- Tool
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
UNSCleric @ Jun 30th 2008 4:13AM
This is sweet news, but that is an awful list IGN came up with.
Xav de Matos @ Jun 30th 2008 5:02AM
Where is my damned HARD-FI?!?
Gemini Ace @ Jun 30th 2008 9:07AM
Totally agree. If those are some of the bands, then this just went from a must buy to an avoid.
Gemini Ace @ Jun 30th 2008 9:55AM
I've been thinking about it, and I do want to play some Zeppelin. I do think Tool is a pipe dream, tho.
DBoyFlex @ Jun 30th 2008 10:18AM
I have been waiting for Led Zeppelin for longer than I can remember. Wow, it should rock. And backwards compatability? Hell yeah. Rock Band 2 FTW!!!
SadisticHam @ Jun 30th 2008 4:15AM
Don't worry Europe, it'll only cost you two PS3s to buy!
Mep @ Jun 30th 2008 5:57AM
Well, Rockband 1 hasn't even come out in all of Europe yet, so....
tan @ Jun 30th 2008 7:48AM
dude rock band 1 hasn't even come out around most of the world yet..
harmonix really have to work on their release timings..
SadisticHam @ Jun 30th 2008 8:47AM
It's not? Lol wow,i never thought i could see a bigger cash in than the guitar hero franchise but rock bands done it.
Darn.
MasterInsan0 @ Jun 30th 2008 9:26AM
Nah, this is less of a cash-in and more of an expansion pack. A cash-in is when the instruments and DLC you've heavily invested in aren't compatible across the games, and the song list is significantly shorter than the previous game's.
On that last point, I guess we'll see just how much Harmonix is looking to cash in when they announce the size. I find it hard to believe they've been both releasing DLC for RB1 AND licensing a bunch of music for RB2.
shay07 @ Jun 30th 2008 4:19AM
Hey Xav I thought you guys said that Terrance was your midnight ninja!
Xav de Matos @ Jun 30th 2008 5:02AM
I've been up playing Alone in the Dark for a write up that hits Big Download later this afternoon... and then this happened!
UNSCleric @ Jun 30th 2008 4:26AM
Nice to see this is an Xbox 360 exclusive release too.
Scott Summers @ Jun 30th 2008 4:35AM
"Yes, the worst-kept secret of sequels since Microsoft announced Halo 3 is scheduled to hit this September on the Xbox 360, PS3 and other yet-to-be named platforms."
Try again.
Xav de Matos @ Jun 30th 2008 4:59AM
UNSCleric is correct actually. My mistake, I fumbled the details on that. Xbox 360 in September, PS3 later this year.
Sorry, it's 4am!
Tokeism @ Jun 30th 2008 4:39AM
Wow, rock band isnt even out in Australia and number 2 is being released soon.
LOL
UNSCleric @ Jun 30th 2008 4:40AM
The PS3 isn't getting it until November most likely actually. Nice try though. Might want to actually know the facts until you try and get cocky.
Xav de Matos @ Jun 30th 2008 5:00AM
You are correct. Fixed the story.
UNSCleric @ Jun 30th 2008 5:32AM
My comment wasn't towards you Xav just so you know. I didn't even notice your story saying anything about a simultaneous release. I was replying to Mr. double post up there.
Xav de Matos @ Jun 30th 2008 5:54AM
Oh I know dude. Don't worry. It was my mess up, just clarifying it for everyone.
So you guys were both right and I was full on wrong!
kfresh97 @ Jun 30th 2008 5:01AM
I am not happy. They'd better delay it for two years in
Australia, because I was just forced to buy an imported copy of RB for -600- Australian dollars, because I wanted it so bad.
Grr. And that new Strat looks so sexy :(
Kamizar @ Jun 30th 2008 4:58AM
Come on Franz Ferdinand.
ALH @ Jun 30th 2008 5:25AM
If this means the first game and its instruments get a price drop im all for it, but since it only came out in europe a couple of months ago i doubt we'll be seeing that soon...us cheap gamers are gonna have to wait a loonngg time before we can get our hands on rock band :(
dukrous @ Jun 30th 2008 5:33AM
At least EA understands that Rock Band is a platform and not just a title...being able to use my old instruments and keep all of my DLC means it's real easy to justify buying this.
tan @ Jun 30th 2008 7:54AM
EA are the first with keeping the old dlc working on the new game, but not the first at making all old instruments work.
if you can use rb1 dlc with rb2 doesn't it mean the game is basically the exact same thing? in terms of looks?
Thrombo19 @ Jun 30th 2008 8:52AM
I couldn't agree more. Keeping my DLC and my instruments means a disc full of content. Obviously, the only thing I would really like to see is some kind of "Play your RB1 tunes on RB2" so I don't ever have to switch discs, but I think what they have done here is pretty damn acceptable. Classy work. (unless the GHII guitar stops working, then I will be all angry that I have to buy a second real guitar.)
Octantis @ Jun 30th 2008 11:29AM
Thrombo I agree totally. Having all my DLC = good. Having the songs I want from RB1 in RB2 = great. Just a rip to HD tool would fine in my book.
UNSCleric @ Jun 30th 2008 5:36AM
I want Fear Factory.
Chase @ Jun 30th 2008 5:45AM
Yes! Journey! This makes me happy in pants.
SuiXide @ Jun 30th 2008 6:33AM
Dayyyyyyyyyum. That strat is HOT. If they release the instruments seperately at launch this time, I'll get one. Hell, either way I'll be getting the guitar when it comes out so whatever. Backwards (and forwards?) compatable DLC is icing on the freakin' cake. Good job HMX, you've officially stole Activision's money from me again.
joker ant @ Jun 30th 2008 6:47AM
Agent Orange in Rock Band! Best. News. Ever.
Dwag @ Jun 30th 2008 7:26AM
Another timed exclusive watch everyone sart saying M$ paid them.
Andrew @ Jun 30th 2008 7:30AM
I seriously doubt we'll ever see Tool in RB/GH. Maynard just seems like too much of a music snob.
Jcarpio @ Jun 30th 2008 8:01AM
I"m just hoping a fair amt of beatles goodness.
Josh @ Jun 30th 2008 8:05AM
Zeppelin... and freaking Tool?! Yes. Activision better have a good playlist planned otherwise they are gonna lose me to Harmonix. I've stuck with ya this far Guitar Hero but I don't know if you can beat Zeppelin and Tool.
Josh @ Jun 30th 2008 8:06AM
"did not confirm"
Damnit. I knew it was too good to be true. Whoever gets Tool gets my business. Let's just go with that.
Rell @ Jun 30th 2008 8:32AM
This sucks. I didn't want anything to interfere with my Star Wars playing, but this is going to do it. Cannot wait, hopefully online Band World Tour is included.
EdgeOne @ Jun 30th 2008 8:45AM
Why do we even need a Rock Band 2 in retail form?? Provide the new stuff/fixes via DLC (for a price of course) and then change the instruments in the current Rock Band package. But whatev
tan @ Jun 30th 2008 8:49AM
they want more money
Odog4ever @ Jun 30th 2008 11:32AM
"We" don't necessarily need a new Rock Band 2 in stores but
Harmonix can not ignore the mind share that GH:WT is going to be fostering with there marketing campaign and subsequent release. To sit back and do nothing would be arrogant frankly. It's not just about the money. They have a strong competitor to contend with.
EdgeOne @ Jun 30th 2008 5:09PM
I see both of your points. And if the RB2 set list is really that great, I guess I can justify the $60 price. Hopefully they pull the RB1 package from the shelves so there is less consumer confusion.
I just see a lot of "not buying" going on too. I'm not buying GH:WT because I have RB. I'm not buying RB and waiting for either GH:WT or RB2.
I personally can't see buying GH:WT when I've invested (and love) RB. I guess RB2 is an even stronger reason not to purchase GH:WT. I live on my own and have a full basement and I'm still not putting up TWO different drum kits so I don't imagine many parents will either.
PS I think it would be cool to show the actual video of the song in the background instead of the animated band members. Anyone else agree?
Tyr1n @ Jun 30th 2008 8:51AM
i just pee'd... ^-^
CyberKnight @ Jun 30th 2008 8:52AM
Hmm, well, gee, with everything the same, that just begs the question... what's *new*?? So far, it sounds like the same old Rock Band, with a few bug fixes and some new music.
Anyone else underwhelmed by this? Hope there's a lot more there that they're holding back...
Thrombo19 @ Jun 30th 2008 9:26AM
Way to correctly use your "there/'re"s correctly. :)
Handful of things. First, Yes, more money from the discs. They have put out a rediculous amount of DLC, I think RB can put out a "GH: Aerosmith" if they need to.
Second, I am sure with some feature fixes, its easier to not have to make the crap backward compatible. Speed == important when it comes to games I would think.
Third, slight bonus of the disc is a ton of content, that if you don't like it a bunch, you can wait it out and get it used for like half-price. The DLC tends to stay about the same price (minus the sometimes McD's sales or some kind of connection to a music festival)
Fourth, http://screencast.com/t/51boho7OesU
Jonman @ Jun 30th 2008 9:22AM
Might well pick this up along with a replacement set of drums...
Roxxorsmash @ Jun 30th 2008 9:33AM
DO WANT STRATOCASTER!!!
Bac0nator @ Jun 30th 2008 9:38AM
Rockband = lame
EdgeOne @ Jun 30th 2008 5:24PM
You comment is so worthless I just wanted to rate you down, but then I felt something else: pitty. I have been a gamer since the early 80's and Rock Band is hands down one of the VERY BEST gaming experiences I have EVER played.
So I truly feel sorry for anyone that can't reap the pure joy this game brings to gamers and non-gamers alike. Rock Band is to gaming consoles what Wii Sports is to the Wii. I've gotten all kinds of people to play it with me and they've all enjoyed it on some level (even if it just spectating)!
Give it another shot kid, you'll thank me later.
Loban @ Jun 30th 2008 9:44AM
And the hype for Guitar Hero: World Tour instantly drops to zero. Sorry World Tour, you were the new kid on the block for a little bit anyway, but now the real deal has been announced.
Deezul @ Jun 30th 2008 10:15AM
Only thing Activision could do is say, "use your GH II and GH II downloaded music in GH World Tour!" Granted, it would be guitars only, but it could take some of the RB thunder. I bought RB, then GH III for a second guitar, and picked up GH II for cheap. But I'm not planning on downloading any GH content any time soon.