by Chris Brown
Details are now emerging about Rock Band 2. Rock Band 2 will first arrive for the Xbox 360 this September, followed later in the Fall on the PS3, PS2, and the Wii. In this morning’s Microsoft press conference key elements of the game were presented, including the full setlist, backwards compatibility, and World Tour online. The disc will contain 84 songs, every song being a master recording. An additional 20 songs, also master recordings, will be available for free at a later date, as downloadable content. The setlist includes several firsts for both artists and music games. Making their debut on a music video game are Bob Dylan, the current incarnation of Guns N Roses with an exclusive cut off of the long delayed “Chinese Democracy”, and Aussie rock n’ rollers AC/DC.
Rock Band 2 will feature local and global/online modes. World Tour returns in Rock Band 2, this time is can be played online. World Tour also promises to blend the Solo Tour with new challenges, venues, cities, gigs, and staff. It was announced that Quickplay will play faster in Rock band 2 with characters being able to play any of the instruments. Also in Quckplay, players will be able to create customizable setlists These player characters in the sequel are said to feature more customization including new choices in clothing, tattoos, make-up, hairstyles, and equipment.
There are also new additions to Rock Band 2. One such addition are Tour Challenges which offer a sort of mini-campaign. These Tour Challenges are said to focus on such things as playing the best songs based on the player’s instrument, or genre, or decade. Another addition to Rock band 2 is a drum trainer that will teach players the fundamentals of drumming.
However, perhaps the biggest addition to Rock Band 2 was how much of the first game players will be able to play in the forthcoming sequel. In Rock Band 2, players will be able to play ALL downloadable content from the first Rock Band in any of the modes off or online. In additional, for a nominal fee, players can also export most of the songs from the first Rock band disc and upgrade them for rocking out in Rock Band 2.
Rock Band 2 will be available as a stand alone software title, or available as a Special Edition bundle. This bundle will include:
In addition, Harmonix will gave the different instruments available in individual packages. Third party manufacturer, Mad Katz, is also bringing the following instruments or peripherals for Rock Band 2:
And last but not least, Ion will also have a special high-end drum peripheral:
Platform Nation is a collaboration of several gaming podcasts who decided it would be best for our gamers, the podcasters and the rest of the gaming community if they came together to share efforts. Together we have a larger voice in the community for the gamers that we strive to speak for. We share the same forums and for the most part, share the same listeners. After all, we are a community, not a network.
