News

'Rock Band' Sequel On the Way

Harmonix, the MTV-owned videogame studio responsible for Rock Band, has announced the game's eagerly-awaited sequel. Due out in September as an Xbox 360 exclusive, Rock Band 2 features backwards compatibility with the original game—something Guitar Hero hasn't attempted yet, whether we're talking last fall's Guitar Hero III or this week's Aerosmith-endorsed version.

"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," Dan Teasdale, the game's lead designer, told 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 didn't share too many details beyond that, as he's saving a full pitch for Los Angeles' E3 trade show later this month. According to The Associated Press, Rock Band 2 will be available on the PS2, PS3 and Wii later this year, right around the release of Guitar Hero: World Tour, Rock Band's main competitor.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
06.30.08