Rock Band Spin-off AC/DC Live Coming November 2 As $40 Wal-Mart Exclusive (Updated)

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Update: Developer Harmonix and studio owner MTV have officially announced the AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack for a November release in North America, followed by a European release at "most major retailers" in early December.

Due November 2, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions will sell for $40, while the PlayStation 2 release will be priced at $30. The $40 Wii edition follows on November 16.

Downloadable albums for Rock Band and Rock Band 2, such as Rush's "Moving Pictures" and Red Hot Chili Pepper's "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", and have traditionally sold for no more than $20.

Using an "export authentication code," PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners will be able to export the game's 18 tracks--all culled from AC/DC's "Live at Donnigton"--and play them in either the original Rock Band or Rock Band 2. The company noted that the process will require an "online connection and title update."

Curiously, today's press release made no mention of last night's revelation that the game will be exclusively sold at Wal-Mart stores in the United States.

AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack will include the following:

  1. Thunderstruck
  2. Shoot to Thrill
  3. Back in Black
  4. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
  5. Heatseeker
  6. Fire Your Guns
  7. Jailbreak
  8. The Jack
  9. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
  10. Moneytalks
  11. Hell Bells
  12. High Voltage
  13. Whole Lotta Rosie
  14. You Shook Me All Night Long
  15. T.N.T.
  16. Let There Be Rock
  17. Highway To Hell
  18. For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

Original Story: MTV will later today announce AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack, the first spin-off title for Harmonix's Rock Band platform, according to The New York Times.

The track pack is set for release in November as a promotion of AC/DC's upcoming album "Black Ice." The game will contain all of the tracks from the album "AC/DC Live at Donnington" and cost just under $30, according to the official website.

The Times further reports that Wal-Mart has signed a deal with Columbia Records and MTV to sell the game exclusively in Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores, and on the Wal-Mart website. The retailer is said to be considering specialized temporary stores in Manhattan and Los Angeles, where it has no locations, to sell the game and album.

It is unknown if the tracks will be provided to existing Rock Band owners as downloadable content. The game's website notes that the tracks will "also be available for play in Rock Band and Rock Band 2."

A previous Track Pack released on PlayStation 2 and Wii was playable without another Rock Band disc, suggesting the game will be a stand-alone release.

The spin-off will arrive on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii. Oddly, the timing of the spin-off's release puts it in direct competition with Rock Band 2, which just hit Xbox 360 and arrives on other systems by November.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    September 29, 2008 9:43 PM

    Considering ACDC's "controversial" past (banned from certain cities, the Christian Right propagandizing against them in the early-mid nineties, etc), and considering Wal-Mart's somewhat staunch family friendly stance on carrying certain titles, etc... I find this to be kind of hilarious.

    • reply
      September 29, 2008 9:46 PM

      Extremely hilarious, you mean.

      But you know what? There's nothing family friendlier to Wal-Mart than making even more money than it does now. Hence, AC/DC exclusive.

      • reply
        September 29, 2008 9:47 PM

        Let me cut your cake with my kniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife!

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