The plan for a new band-specific Rock Band game may have been spoiled by The Who lead singer Roger Daltrey, who stated in a new interview that the legendary group is getting the Harmonix treatment next year.

"They're going to be doing a Who one next year," said Daltrey to Masslive, in giving his thoughts on this year's The Beatles: Rock Band.

"There is one planned," he added. "[The idea] is fabulous."

While the default assumption is that the aged rocker was referring to DLC, The Who has already been featured as Rock Band DLC several times. Harmonix has said nothing, of course.

A selection of Rock Band's face-rockingest metal DLC tracks will be released in a Metal Track Pack along with six temporarily-exclusive tracks, Harmonix has announced today.

The standalone Rock Band Metal Track Pack will be released on October 13 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS2 and Wii. Its twenty tracks can also be imported into 360 and PS3 Rock Band and Rock Band 2 libraries, played from the disc or downloaded for free.

The following six tracks will initially be available only in the Metal Track Pack "for a limited time," before being released as regular Rock Band downloadable content.

• Blue Oyster Cult - Transmaniacon MC
• Hawkwind - Master Of The Universe
• I Mother Earth - Levitate
• Motorhead - Killed by Death... Read more

Confirming the long-running rumors, publishers Warner Bros. and MTV Games today announced that LEGO Rock Band will hit PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and DS in "holiday 2009."

LEGO Star Wars developer TT Games is handling the three consoles versions "in partnership" with Rock Band series creator Harmonix, while the Nintendo DS release "will be co-developed by TT Games and Harmonix in partnership with [Rock Band Unplugged PSP developer] Backbone Entertainment." A few tracks were revealed:

• Blur - "Song 2"
• Carl Douglas - "Kung Fu Fighting"
• Europe - "The Final Countdown"
• Good Charlotte - "Boys and Girls"
• Pink - "So What"

"LEGO Rock Band combines the multiplayer music experience of Rock Band with the fun, customization and humor of the LEGO videogame franchise packed... Read more

In its latest effort to bring downloadable content to a wider audience, music game developer Harmonix today announced Rock Band Track Pack: Classic Rock, which collects 20 formerly download-only songs in a $29.99 standalone retail release.

The Classic Pack will hit PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii on May 19. Those that buy the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 versions will be able to export the included tracks for use in Rock Band or Rock Band 2 via online connectivity. While the pack doesn't require any past Rock Band games, players will need to get their hands on compatible instruments.

The pack contains the following 20 songs, all which are currently available for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners to buy and download at $2 a pop or less:

1. Boston - "Peace of Mind"
2. Boston - "Rock and Roll Band"
3. Dead Kennedys - "California Uber Alles"... Read more

In the legal equivalent of a retaliatory glove-slap, Bloomberg is reporting that Harmonix owner Viacom is counter-suing Konami over Rock Revolution.

Konami has long claimed to hold the original rhythm game patents, having pioneered the genre with its Guitar Freaks and DrumMania arcade titles. The publisher sued Harmonix last year, claiming that Rock Band amounted to patent infringement.

Now Viacom is claiming in a countersuit that Harmonix' games represent improvements over Konami's original patent, apparently arguing that Rock Revolution has more in common with Rock Band than Konami's original rhythm games.

Viacom/Harmonix is seeking damages and a motion to stop Konami from selling Rock Revolution.

Rock Band developer Harmonix and owner MTV Games have responded to a $5 million-plus lawsuit regarding defective Rock Band kick pedals, labeling the charges "opportunistic and baseless."

In an e-mail to Shacknews, a company representative stated:

Harmonix and MTV Games are dedicated to consumers having an outstanding experience with our products. When used as directed, our drum pedals are designed to provide years of enjoyment. In addition, at the launch of Rock Band we offered consumers an extended opportunity return defective or broken hardware for any reason whatsoever--no questions asked. This litigation is opportunistic and baseless.

The class-action lawsuit, filed on November 18, suggests that Harmonix and MTV knew the original Rock Band drum pedals were defective and prone to snapping in half, but did not resolve the issue to encourage sales of the improved Rock Band 2 drum set.

In a conspiratorial tone, the lawsuit notes that MTV Games and Harmonix extended the replacement period for broken Rock Band hardware after the game released in November 2007, but drew that grace period to a close only four days before the announcement of Rock Band 2 and its metal-reinforced kick pedal.

Everybody involved in the making of music-rhythm phenomenon Rock Band--developer Harmonix, publisher MTV, MTV owner Viacom, and distributor Electronic Arts--has been hit with a class-action lawsuit stemming from the game's drum peripheral.

Monte Morgan of Kansas alleges that the above four companies conspired to sell defective drum kits after admitting that the drums' kick pedals were defective. Morgan's lawyers noted that the defendants' special warranty extension lasted until October 1--just before the release of Rock Band 2 featuring a new and improved kick pedal.

That timing was not a coincidence, but rather a strategy designed to coax defective Rock Band drum owners into buying a new Rock Band 2 instrument bundle, claim lawyers in court filings obtained by GameCyte.

In less conspiratorial terms, the lawyers also claim that Rock Band's current 60-day warranty isn't enough in case, for example, a parent buys a copy for their child far in advance of Christmas.

Defective instruments have been a thorn in Rock Band's side since... Read more

Viacom may be part of the same media empire as the money-hemorrhaging Midway, but that hasn't stopped the MTV Games parent from giving $300 million to just two men: Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, founders of Rock Band developer Harmonix.

Bloomberg reports that the duo, who started Harmonix in 1995 during their time at MIT, "received $150 million last quarter for exceeding performance targets" and are due another payment "exceeding $150 million" in 2009.

"We may not have anticipated the payment would be that high, but it's based on what they have achieved," said Viacom spokeswoman Kelly McAndrew.

Lest readers think that Rigopulos and Egozy have suddenly stumbled upon a goldmine, the team have received performance-based bonuses for some time. $208 million was set aside to be paid out to former Harmonix shareholders in 2008, adding to the $175 million also paid to acquire the Boston-based developer.

In its continuing efforts to bring already-released downloadable content into retailers, Harmonix today announced that Rock Band Track Pack Volume 2 will be available for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii on November 17.

As with the first Rock Band Track Pack, which was only released on PlayStation 2 and Wii, the $30 release is "standalone software product" that does not require any previous Rock Band game to run. Its 20 songs are culled from the variety of Rock Band downloadable songs available to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners.

Much like the AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack, those that buy the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the instrument-based music game will be able to download its songs for use in Rock Band or Rock Band 2. The 20 tracks are as follows:

• Avenged Sevenfold - Afterlife
• Blondie - Call Me
• Weezer - El Scorcho... Read more

As expected, MTV has revealed that Rock Band developer Harmonix will create a standalone music video game based on The Beatles, produced with the full support of the renowned rock band and their families.

The studio clarified that this will not be a Rock Band-branded game, and will instead be its own release. An exact release date and platforms were not provided, but MTV expects the game to launch by holiday of 2009.

The game was creatively conceived with input from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, and enjoys their full blessing. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE project, will provide his expertise and serve as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

The title is a "full-blown custom game production from the ground up," explained Harmonix founder Alex Rigopoulos, who noted that it has been in development "for some time" and that talks began roughly 17 months ago.

When asked if Rock Band would receive tracks from The Beatles, the studio did not provide a conclusive answer one way or another. However, Rigopoulos promised the game would "take advantage of the Rock Band platform in many ways," such as compatibility with existing Rock Band peripherals.

"The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out," Sir Paul McCartney said.

"It gives me great pleasure to be part of The Beatles / Apple and Harmonix / Rock Band partnership," said Ringo Starr. "The Beatles... Read more

DrumMania and Guitar Freaks publisher Konami today filed suit against Harmonix parent company Viacom over patent violations related to Harmonix's rhythm title Rock Band.

Konami claims that the company's patent for a "musical-rhythm matching game," filed in the United States circa 1999, predates and supersedes Harmonix's 2007 patent filing for a "game controller simulating a musical instrument."

According to Bloomberg, Konami seeks cash compensation and an order to block the use of Harmonix's inventions. Viacom is waiting to receive the complaint before responding to the allegations.

Konami released the Japanese rhythm arcade games DrumMania and Guitar Freaks in 1999, with Guitar Freaks being initially ported to the United States later that year. The company is now planning to release its own Rock Band-style game titled Rock Revolution.

Ok maybe it's not really much of a surprise. In any case, IGN reports that Rock Band 2 is in fact in development, and will be released this September for Xbox 360. Other platforms will follow later in the year.

Improvements in Rock Band 2 include a tracklist comprised entirely of master recordings, easier party-play setup, better quality instruments, and an expanded World Tour campaign mode among other things.

DLC released for Rock Band 1 will be compatible with Rock Band 2, and DLC released after Rock Band 2 comes out will continue to work with the original game. Downloadable songs do work differently in Rock Band 2 however, with lead designer Dan Teasdale teasing that Harmonix has "added some cool new features that let you play your DLC in different ways".

So why would you want Rock Band 2? According to Teasdale, "Rock Band 2 takes all the lessons we've learned from making a multi-instrument music game, addresses them, then adds some amazing new ways for you to experience your music library that have never been seen in a music game before. We've been scouring forums and parties everywhere for what people liked and didn't like, and I'm pretty confident we've addressed everything I've heard people ask for."

Rock Band developer Harmonix said that the absence of downloadable content on the Wii version of Rock Band is due to a lack of viable storage space, CVG reports.

The developer had confirmed that the Wii version of its rhythm party opus would not support downloadable content when the port was announced late last month.

"Come on Nintendo, we need a hard drive," said Rock Band design director Rob Kay. "That's what we want. The whole problem is there's nowhere to store it."

The Wii currently offers 512 megabytes of internal flash memory for storage, expandable via SD flash cards. Rock Band downloadable tracks range roughly between 20 and 40 megabytes per song.

"If the platform could do it, we'd jump on it," added Kay. "It's something that we championed to Nintendo, that we'd like to do it. Who knows what will happen down the line, I don't know what's coming down the line, but that's the reason there's no DLC in Wii Rock Band."

Despite pending litigation, MTV-owned developer Harmonix has announced that its music-based multi-instrument title Rock Band will hit the Wii on June 22 in North America.

The Wii version will come with a total of 63 songs, five of which are bonus songs. A full list of the 63 tracks was not provided, though the initial 58 are expected to mirror the 45 main songs and 13 bonus tracks of the previously-released PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 editions.

A Special Edition bundle--containing a wireless guitar, drum kit, and microphone--will sell for $169.99. Stand alone instruments and software will also be available at release, allowing Special Edition buyers to pick up the extra guitar needed for a four-person band.

The Wii edition of Rock Band will not include online multiplayer or support for downloadable content, a Harmonix representative confirmed to Shacknews.

Such online functionality was a highly-touted feature of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 releases, having sold over six million song downloads since the two... Read more

Update: Rock Band developer Harmonix has issued a response to the lawsuit, labeling guitar maker Gibson's claims of patent infringement "completely without merit."

"It is unfortunate that Gibson unfairly desires to share in the tremendous success enjoyed by the developers of Rock Band and Guitar Hero," a Harmonix spokesperson told Shacknews. "This lawsuit is completely without merit and we intend to defend it vigorously.

"Gibson's patent, filed nearly 10 years ago, required a 3D display, a real musical instrument and a recording of a concert," Harmonix's statement continued. "Rock Band and Guitar Hero are completely different: among other things they are games, require no headset and use a controller only shaped like a real instrument."

Original Story: Continuing its recent legal activity, guitar manufacturer Gibson has sued Rock Band developer Harmonix, along with owner MTV Networks and publisher Electronic Arts, for infringing on one of its patents.

According to Gibson, Harmonix--which developed the multi-instrument music title Rock Band (PS2, PS3, X360) and created the Guitar Hero series--violated a 1999 patent for technology that simulates a concert performance via pre-recorded audio and a musical instrument.

The guitar maker sued six retailers--GameStop, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart... Read more

The strong performance of Harmonix's multiplayer rhythm game Rock Band (PS2, PS3, X360) may have earned its former shareholders upwards of $208 million, reports Gamasutra.

Going by Viacom's annual report to the SEC, the company's acquisition of Harmonix in 2005 included a clause that stipulated performance-based incentives for the former sharholders if Rock Band exceeded expectations.

The report notes that some $208.7 million in bonuses has been set aside, to be paid out over the 2008 calendar year.

According to Newsweek's N'Gai Croal, this brings Viacom's total Harmonix-related spendings to over $380 million, despite Rock Band and all of its DLC amounting to roughly $190 million in gross revenue. The game has sold over 1.5 million units and 2.5 million downloadable songs since its November 20 debut.