Harmonix strikes up the Rock Band @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on April 02, 2007

News: On the eve of Guitar Hero II for the 360 comes the announcement of the Guitar Hero-killer.

EA Games and Harmonix have announced they will take music games to the level this December with the release of Rock Band for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

The game will allow gamers to fill out an entire band for the first time with the help of drum, bass/lead guitar and microphone peripherals. Music will play a major part in Rock Band as EA and Harmonix have struck a deal with the major record labels, including EMI Music, Hollywood Records, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group's Universal Music Enterprises and Warner Music Group's Rhino Entertainment, to use the master recordings of many of the included songs.

EA isn't talking about the setlist just yet, but they have said Rock Band "will span all genres of rock" and it will include "some of the biggest songs of all time."

Rock Band will also sport "deep" online connectivity, although EA would not elaborate on what that means.

According to the press release, MTV is also involved somehow, but other than owning Harmonix, their role has not been fleshed out yet. Rock Band TV anyone?

"Harmonix was founded to create new ways for everyone to experience the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from playing music. Our work on Guitar Hero was an instrumental step toward that goal," stated Alex Rigopulos, co- founder and CEO of Harmonix. "But Rock Band is Harmonix's most ambitious project to date, and it will take music gameplay to an entirely new level. MTV has given us the freedom and the resources to really swing for the fences and make the game we've always wanted to make."

"Our vision for Rock Band is to completely change the way people interact with and enjoy the music they love," said Jeff Yapp, EVP, MTV Program Enterprises. "By joining forces with EA and the music industry's largest record labels and publishers, we are striving to create a groundbreaking new platform that allows people to connect with their favorite music and artists in ways they never have before."

"Rock Band is a revolutionary new way for gamers and music fans to experience music," said David DeMartini, vice president and general manager of EA Partners. "The team at EA Partners is thrilled to help MTV and Harmonix launch this incredible game on the global stage and get it into the hands of gamers worldwide."

Once again, Rock Band's tour begins this December.