Rock Band 2

SteelDog · June 30th, 2008, 02:20 PM

We knew this was coming. Some great news. Unlike GH franchise who keep coming up with different versions where your song purchases are not compatible......Rock Band 2 is doing this the right way.

Also, not sure how they are gong to accomplish this but evidently they to will also upgrade drum kits and guitars. Here is the kicker....they will be fully compatible with the original instruments. Possibly add-ons for old instruments with the option of buying the new versions?????

This sounds sweet!!!!!

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6193168...ewstop;title;2

MTV, EA reunite on Rock Band 2

Publishers getting the band back together exclusively for the Xbox 360 in September; arrives on other platforms later in the year.

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot Posted Jun 30, 2008 9:34 am PT

There's nothing quite so rock and roll as a reunion tour, a fact underlined by today's announcement of Rock Band 2, which will see MTV Games and Harmonix once again team up with Electronic Arts to put toy instruments and games on shelves across the nation.

However, unlike last year's series debut, Rock Band 2 will be very selective about which shelves it appears on. The game will debut on the Xbox 360 in September, and after a North American "exclusive launch window," it will find its way to additional unspecified platforms by year's end.

With this year's installment of Activision's rival rocker Guitar Hero going head-to-head with the full four-piece band concept, Rock Band 2 is making a few upgrades of its own. First and foremost among the details revealed today is that the sequel will be backward compatible with the original Rock Band's downloadable content, with no need to repurchase or redownload it to the system. That makes for a sizeable potential Rock Band 2 library right off the bat, given that the Rock Band music store currently has more than 200 songs available, which have garnered some 15 million paid downloads since the game launched in November.

Furthermore, Harmonix will be offering "new and improved" drum and guitar controllers with new features and designs, "all fully compatible with original Rock Band instruments." The game's tracklist will consist entirely of master recordings, and Harmonix is also promising new online modes with a greater emphasis on the Rock Band community's social aspects.

BigRedRage · June 30th, 2008, 02:30 PM

fantastic news, I was just talking the other day about how the 30 songs I have downloaded will be a waste of money thanks to a rockband 2 needed to compete vs GH4.

SteelDog · June 30th, 2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedRage

fantastic news, I was just talking the other day about how the 30 songs I have downloaded will be a waste of money thanks to a rockband 2 needed to compete vs GH4.

I was getting a little gun shy to about purchasing new songs. I was hot and heavy for a while purchase new songs. Then when I heard about GH World Tour, I thought that either I would move to that or if Rock Band 2 came out and announced their upgrades I would be screwed either way.

Now that Rock Band 2 will be fully backwards compatible I am going to continue to buy away. Smart move by Harmonix. GH buy through rate on songs is much lower and I get that. I wouldn't want to get too song happy because they have yet to make a version including World Tour that is backwards compatible.

coyoteshockeyfan · June 30th, 2008, 07:01 PM

Being able to use the downloaded songs in RB2 sounds good, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see what "new, improved, and compatible" instruments actually means.

SteelDog · June 30th, 2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyoteshockeyfan

Being able to use the downloaded songs in RB2 sounds good, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see what "new, improved, and compatible" instruments actually means.

I would just be happy if they let you use your old instruments on the new game until you could afford the newer ones. It would just be a menu setup to tell it what version your using. That would be enough for me.

coyoteshockeyfan · June 30th, 2008, 08:27 PM

First look from IGN. Unfortunately, its short on specifics for such a long article, I guess we'll have to wait until a hands-on preview. I have a feeling that the tracklists will determine if RB2 or GH4 gets my cash. Just to nitpick for a second, the RB guy said something to the effect that RB2 is more about polishing the game rather than innovation. Kind of struck me as strange.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/885/885271p1.html

SteelDog · July 1st, 2008, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyoteshockeyfan

First look from IGN. Unfortunately, its short on specifics for such a long article, I guess we'll have to wait until a hands-on preview. I have a feeling that the tracklists will determine if RB2 or GH4 gets my cash. Just to nitpick for a second, the RB guy said something to the effect that RB2 is more about polishing the game rather than innovation. Kind of struck me as strange.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/885/885271p1.html

He was saying that RB1 was about innovation more then perfecting the game. Where RB2 was more about perfecting the game while providing new innovative features. That makes sense to me. They are not trying to reinvent the wheel.

Here is a good quote:
"And yes, all of your Rock Band instruments will still work with Rock Band 2."

SOLD. I am there. Exactly what I was talking about. Let me use my current instruments until I can invest in the newer ones.

"We have several new modes that not only provide new ways for you to experience your music library, but also new ways for you to transition from Expert to real instruments."

This has also peaked my interest. Really peaked my interest here.

dreamcastrocks · July 1st, 2008, 07:50 AM

I think I'll get this over GH4. I'll only need to get the game only. Although wireless guitar/drums/mic would probably force me to upgrade.

dreamcastrocks · July 1st, 2008, 08:06 AM

New Guitar

SteelDog · July 1st, 2008, 08:45 AM

I had seen that yesterday. They are definitely going for a less toy like look. I am surprised though no new functionality. Not that I agree it needs it but just surprised.

lvgentleman · July 1st, 2008, 12:32 PM

I was actually a bit bummed about GHWT - I would buy the same set of controllers and play the same game as RB - it just seems like GH has a better set list than RB.

With RB2 coming, screw that. I'll stick with the RB brand as all of the GH controllers work on it, the RB controllers work on RB2, and you keep your DLC. I'll buy the disk and stay with the RB platform.

Let's hope they do something about those drums though - a GHWT type setup would rule!

SteelDog · July 1st, 2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvgentleman

I was actually a bit bummed about GHWT - I would buy the same set of controllers and play the same game as RB - it just seems like GH has a better set list than RB.

With RB2 coming, screw that. I'll stick with the RB brand as all of the GH controllers work on it, the RB controllers work on RB2, and you keep your DLC. I'll buy the disk and stay with the RB platform.

Let's hope they do something about those drums though - a GHWT type setup would rule!

It appears that's exactly what they are doing with the Drum Kit. My guess is that you will have to chose on the menu which set you are using but have the option. Bank on everything being wireless too.

Also, regarding down load content, I totally agree. GH contect is not compatible with all their versions. GH3, GH Aoroesmith and GH World Tour all have different content and you can't use any of it between versions. It's a rip-off and a way to get you to buy multiple versions of the same content or make you buy specific content based on versions of the game. Harmonix is showing the right way to go about it by making all content you have backwards compatible.

Not to mention that RB2 is going to have over 200 songs in their library day 1. Plus they are going to announce some major bands that will have albums and content coming to RB2.

dreamcastrocks · July 1st, 2008, 02:05 PM

200 songs? Wowsa.

Mulli · July 1st, 2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamcastrocks

200 songs? Wowsa.

Woo hoo, you can spend months mastering crappy Doobie Brothers and Beach Boy songs!!

dreamcastrocks · July 1st, 2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulli

Woo hoo, you can spend months mastering crappy Doobie Brothers and Beach Boy songs!!

and you can spend hours playing a worthless online MMORPG style football game.