Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Putting the Band Back Together
What would you get if SingStar and Guitar Hero got it on with a PS3/Xbox360? Rockband.
CAMBRIDGE, MA - April 2, 2007 - Harmonix, developer of the blockbuster Guitar Hero(tm) franchise, MTV: Music Television, a division of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced Rock Band, an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before. Rock Band will allow gamers to perform music from the world's biggest rock artists with their friends as a virtual band using drum, bass/lead guitar and microphone peripherals, in addition to offering deep online* connectivity. Built on unprecedented deals with the world's biggest record labels and music publishers, the music featured in Rock Band will span all genres of rock and include many of the master recordings from the biggest songs and artists of all time. Rock Band is slated for release on PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360(tm) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft(R) in holiday 2007.
The leading music publishers - EMI Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music - are allowing unrivaled access to their catalogs of incredible songs for use in Rock Band. The record labels - EMI Music, Hollywood Records, Rhino Entertainment (Warner Music Group), Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Universal Music Enterprises - have agreed to supply master recordings by their artists for use in the game.
Speaking of games and music publishers, here's an interview with Sergio Pimentel, the music licensing and A&R manager at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, heading up the music licensing department at Sony’s London studio.
If that's not enough SingStar for you, here's a video that shows why most people save SingStar for after a few drinks, why the PS3's Singstar video feature might be ill-considered and an example of testing gone too far. "Baby one more time": SingStar vs Kareoke Revolution.
If you can't wait to rock out, Rage's 20th birthday special is on this weekend. Want more control? Throw 'em a playlist & have a go at being a guest programmer.
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