Rock Band 2 later this year

360 News | Real rock stars never rest.

Rock Band has only been on PAL shelves for a short while (and it's not even in Australia), but EA has confirmed that Harmonix is already hard at work on the sequel, imaginatively titled Rock Band 2. It's not far off, either, with the Xbox 360 version out in September (it's a timed exclusive, you see), with other consoles receiving it at some stage later this year. At least, that's the expected US release.

Thankfully, all song downloads for the first Rock Band will be compatible with the second, and vice versa - downloaded content does not distinguish between either Rock Band game. Oh, and the instruments from the first game will also work with the sequel, as you would expect.

Just what exactly will separate Rock Band 2 from the first? Slightly modified instruments, for one - no word on what the modifications are yet. Online functionality will also be improved, along with requests made by users on various internet forums, according to game designer Dan Teasdale.

"Rock Band 2 takes all the lessons we've learned from making a multi-instrument music game, addresses them, then adds some amazing new ways for you to experience your music library that have never been seen in a music game before," said Teasdale in an interview with IGN. "We've been scouring forums and parties everywhere for what people liked and didn't like, and I'm pretty confident we've addressed everything I've heard people ask for."

Teasdale also teased the quality of the song list - the best he's seen, apparently - but didn't actually mention what was on it.

No word on an Australian date as of yet. If it ever happens.

Related Rock Band 2 Content

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Roy Orbison ready for Rock Band
05 Jan, 2009 Six track blast from the past.

E3 2008: Rock Band 2 setlist revealed
15 Jul, 2008 Meanwhile, Australia waits for the first game.

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30 Comments

heatseeker

3 years ago

Did I miss something? When did the first one come out?!

Emuaust

3 years ago

Yeah, you probably should state that its later this year if your not in australia or any other PAL nation...

snicks

3 years ago

Yeah, considering this is a PAL gaming site, aimed at the Australian market, it would be nice that the article explained itself properly. It's becoming a little too common.

Further to that, well done EA on getting a sequel out before the rest of us even get the first one. We wont have many people online to play rockband 1 by the time we get it in December (If we're lucky)

Gizmocreative

3 years ago

ou know this might mean that they are taking the same rouote that made guitar hero so successful over here.

release the first game extremely late so that a second one will come out sooner so that consumers can see the value in the larger investment for all the instruments.

Toastfarmer

3 years ago

Uh, there's obviously no chance we'll have it by September. There's not even much chance we'll have the first Rock Band by September. Surprised the article didn't consider that.

Fetidchimp

3 years ago

well my final message on the subject - Harmonix, EA

Skiller

3 years ago

snicks wrote

Further to that, well done EA on getting a sequel out before the rest of us even get the first one. We wont have many people online to play rockband 1 by the time we get it in December (If we're lucky)

Same thing happening eith trauma center on the Wii, second opinion (the first wii trauma center) hasn't even come out here and the sequal (new blood) was already released over 6 months ago in the US

GreyWolfJai

3 years ago

I have been waiting forever for Rockband and I have finally bitten the bullet on this one. I have imported it and I recommend anyone who wants to play it this year to do the same.

A tutorial on using a PS3 import version (including downloads)
http://www.cannedgeek.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=221&Itemid=1

I also have the Trauma Center series for the Wii from UK import.

It's just not worth waiting for these anymore when everything can be imported so cheaply (US$ is so weak) or the internet provides...

Eyce

3 years ago

Rock Band 1 has been shifted to a Tentative date of December 1 here now.

F**k all chances now.

Punkarella

3 years ago

Yeah I'm awaiting the drumkit for Rockband. I needs it like water!

Benza

3 years ago

The best bit was the interview with the developer on IGN when the developer got offended by the interviewrs lack of aus love.

ppjim3

3 years ago

Well as long as the UK/PAL gets Rock Band 2 this year I'm happy! Already have my RB instruments/UK version so I just need the disc version of 2! Hopefully I wont need to buy any new instruments... ever again! I already have 3 guitars, a mike and drums. My room is starting to look like a toy store.

MrAndyPuppy

3 years ago

GreyWolfJai wrote

Also refer to my comments here: http://palgn.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=29041

The biggest one is that you can play RB on PS3 with GH controllers by buying a TAC converter. Cheaper than importing one, and there's no reason you have to import a mic either - the SingStar ones work fine.

Deathfiend

3 years ago

Christ the new GH will be out with its drum kit before we get RB1 let alone RB2...

Silly americans... We may be from "the land down under" but that isnt a term meaning we all have down syndrome... We arent the kind to stupidly follow their lame marketing techniques (unless it involves free beer).

This game is taking so long that I just dont care about it anymore.

Jaws

3 years ago

I hate to say it, but f*ck you Harmonix, im getting Guitar Hero: World Tour.

heatseeker

3 years ago

World tours meant to be out here before rock band right? seems weird and stupid, rock band was announced a few years back right? if not, it seems like it and we'll get world tour before rock band? Even though world tour was only announced this year. In my opinion, harmonix are just money hungry, especially after activision acquired guitar hero.

A13x

3 years ago

heatseeker424 wrote

Eh?

Because Activision have published Guitar Hero Rocks the 80s, Guitar Hero 3, just released Guitar Hero Aerosmith, and have GH World Tour, and Metallica on the Way, as opposed to Harmonix releasing 2 Rock Band games in a year, that makes them greedy?

MrAndyPuppy

3 years ago

Well, let's just wait and see just when GH:WT actually does get released in Oz. The original GH was delayed here too, as I believe GH2 was from my failing memory.

I was playing GH 1 for months before it was released here.

I DO think the delays of RB are absolutely ridiculous and without worthwhile explanation, but it happens folks. If you can't wait, import.

And as I said, let's just see when GH:WT does actually get released here. I would imagine that Activision will face the same pressures EA did with stock levels in the US, so I am expecting delays.

Jaws

3 years ago

In the case of Harmonix, it's more like arrogance. It seems they've quickly forgotten how much money they made through sales of the original Guitar Hero titles in Australia. I'm not sure what their f*cked up distribution policy is, but you would have to have your head way up your ass to see that you arent insulting your Australian supporters (the numbers of which im sure are now dwindling) by constantly delaying the release of your flagship title without a reasosonable excuse (sorry Harmonix: "not giving a sh*t" is not a reasonable excuse). Now the announcement of a sequel that is to be released before we even get the first title? I see this akin to getting purely spat on in the face.

As A13x has pointed out, Activision are the ones who are milking their franchise for every cent. If there's one thing Activision are doing right though, it's releasing their damn content on time.

Eat sh*t and die Harmonix. You wont see another cent from me out of sheer principle.

EDIT: I agree MrAndyPuppy, although as a direct competitor, Activision would be biting at the bit to one up Harmonix and use the lack of Rock Band attention Australia has to their money making advantage. Im willing to bet on that. From a business perspective, wouldnt you try your hardest to jump in with a product that your direct rival has neglected to offer your market, making you out to appear as a saviour type, thereby being showered with cash from a thousand grateful souls? Makes sense to me.

cosmoh

3 years ago

Unless a Rockband twinpack is announced for Oz Containing RB1, RB2, with bonus tracks exclusive to Australia, released in here before anywhere else, at a budget pricepoint and comes bundled with a puppy and/or kitten, then I officially boycott Rockband.

until it comes out in Australia. Then I'll be on it like a baby to the tit. As much as I despise EA/Harmonix roght now, I know it to be true

MrAndyPuppy

3 years ago

S.Jaworski wrote

EDIT: I agree MrAndyPuppy, although as a direct competitor, Activision would be biting at the bit to one up Harmonix and use the lack of Rock Band attention Australia has to their money making advantage. Im willing to bet on that. From a business perspective, wouldnt you try your hardest to jump in with a product that your direct rival has neglected to offer your market, making you out to appear as a saviour type, thereby being showered with cash from a thousand grateful souls? Makes sense to me.

Oh yeah, totally - they're gonna be fighting as hard as they can, and they might even import 1000 of them just to do the thumb on nose at EA... I know some of the guys at Activision and they would probably laugh hard if they could pull it off.

Evos4

3 years ago

The winner no doubt will be be who gets released here in Aus first ROCK BAND or GUITAR HERO 4. I dont care I just want one.

Benza

3 years ago

MrAndyPuppy wrote

Well, let's just wait and see just when GH:WT actually does get released in Oz. The original GH was delayed here too, as I believe GH2 was from my failing memory.

Guitar Hero had about 7 months, by the time Guitar Hero 2 came out it was like a week.

If we're to go by the tentative release date for Rockband (Now I think december) Thats over a year.

renegadesx

3 years ago

Guitar Hero's delay most likely worked.

Problem is with Guitar Hero 4 coming, and most likely beating Rock Band here. Harmonix really shot themselves in the foot because people will already have a full band experience with a brand they already know.

Rock Band was a huge success overseas because it was the only player in town at the time for the full band experience.

In the states and possibly Europe Rock Band will probably have the upper edge at the moment but thanks to the delays here it looks like the Guitar Hero brand will stick with people and Rock Band wont get a foot in the door.

The casual audience don't know who Harmonix are, the will just dismiss Rock Band as a Guitar Hero rip off here.

Well done Harmonix, you dug your own grave this time... bravo

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