Nirvana's bassist struggles to perform his own song in Rock Band 2.

Krist Novoselic of Nirvana fame complements music-based video games in a new blog entry on Seattle Weekly's website, introducing his post in the following way;

"Rock and roll has been proclaimed dead countless times. After a slump, rock usually bounces back in a wave of new bands and sounds. Things are different today: Rock has found new life with video games, and the phenomenon is leading to a revival of bands that have been around for a long time."

However, he wasn't too successful when it came to actually trying his hand at playing the bass line of a Nirvana song in Rock Band.
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Electronic Theatre write: ...eccentric British designer Edd China takes to the streets in one of his unusual inventions to set a brand new world record for the Fastest Mobile Gaming Rig. Fully roadworthy and complete with screens, water cooler and a phone, the office-like unit will be fitted with three fully powered gaming consoles during Edd's inaugural drive around central London. He aims to reach a minimum speed of 60 kilometres per hour and give participating gamers an experience of a life time.

As part of the activities to commemorate the new Guinness World Records 2009 Gamer's Edition, the world's youngest professional videogamer, ten-year old Lil Poison (Victor De Leon III) will visit the UK for the first time between the 9th and 11th of February.
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IGN writes: "The Wii and PlayStation 2 versions of Rock Band (released in June 2008 and December 2007, respectively) were mere shadows of their former Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 selves. Most of the key features had been gutted, there was no online play or downloadable content, no character creation, and they weren't too easy on the eyes. The masses didn't seem to mind, though, as the Wii and PS2 versions of the original game outsold both Rock Band and Rock Band 2 on the other systems last year. "
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Today Fender and Little Kids Rock, a non-profit music education organization, announced that an informal survey they conducted in November 2008 revealed that music games like "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero" actually do inspire students to play real instruments. The survey polled 812 music instructors and said that enrollment in music programs has increased in the past year.
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Harmonix's Alex Rigopulos says that "Rock Band" has encouraged more people to learn how to play real instruments. He also speaks briefly on The Beatles licensing.
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GamingShogun writes, "ezGear has announced a very intriguing guitar-controller which features real strings to strum (though, thankfully, not tune) as well as multiple interfaces for several different platforms as well as an SDK to boot. You can even use it to play Rock Band or Guitar Hero. It is in pre-order status at a price of $149..."
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Slashgamer Writes: "We have been invited to a special Rock Band 2 event somewhere in San Francisco. These types of things are common - it's a great way for the media to get a hands on preview and talk to the team behind the game. This time around we get to play with some tracks that will be made available soon that has already been announced to the public.

However, while reading the invite, we noticed one thing that was mentioned in the description."
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The Orlando Science Center is hosting the fourth annual Otronicon event January 16-20, 2009, featuring video games, simulators, art displays, workshops, film festivals, weddings and more.

What: Video Game Competition & Tournaments | Otronicon
When: January 16th to 20th
Where: Orlando Science Center
Website: http://www.otronicon.org

There is more info on the website: http://www.otronicon.org
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GameStop is listing the Rock Band drum kit at the incredibly cheap price of $30 in their Weekly Ad. The offer is only valid until January 8, 2009 so take advantage of this fast. Rock Band 2 is available for PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360, receiving a 9 out of 10 from Game Freaks 365.
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Blend Games doesn't write many stories targeting the 65+ demographic but here you go: Harmonix and MTV Games are planning to bring classic rock and roller Roy Orbison's music to Rock Band as downloadable content.
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"...the video game "Rock Band 2," which along with "Guitar Hero" is rocking bars and living rooms across the country. Many songs' sales have more than doubled after release in one of the games, and well-known bands have started lining up to provide new music direct to the game makers. Now record labels - noticing what they are missing, and struggling as compact disc sales tumble - are looking for a bigger piece of the action."
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Harmonix, the world's premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks, today confirmed that Ten, the debut album that sold twelve million copies and introduced the world to Pearl Jam in 1991, will be offered for download in the Rock Band Music Store day-and-date with the re-issue of the album...
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CAMBRIDGE, MA – December 12, 2008 – Harmonix, the world's premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced that Rock Band® 2 for the Wii home videogame console from Nintendo and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system will ship to stores nationwide December 18, 2008.

Rock Band 2 Shipping and Pricing Information:
December 18, 2008 (Available in stores 5-7 days after the ship date)

* Rock Band 2 Standalone Software (Wii) $49.99 MSRP
* Rock Band 2 Standalone Software (PlayStation 2 System) $49.99 MSRP
* Rock Band 2 Standalone Drums (Wii) $89.99 MSRP
* Rock Band 2 Standalone Guitar (Wii) $69.99 MSRP
* Rock Band 2 Special Edition Bundle (Wii) $189.99 MSRP

* Rock Band 2 Standalone Instruments for PS2 / PS3 systems are already available.

Rock Band 2 for the Wii system, developed by Pi Studios under the direction of Harmonix, will be fully featured with online modes including World Tour and Battle of the Bands, an innovative character creator, weekly downloadable content and more! With more than 100 songs on the Rock Band 2 Wii soundtrack and an ongoing weekly offering of downloadable tracks available for purchase, Rock Band 2 Wii owners will have access to the most impressive music catalogue for a music-based videogame on the console.

The Rock Band 2 game disc will feature 84 tracks. In addition, players will have access to an additional 20 free DLC tracks following the game's launch. Online connection required. The 20 free DLC tracks are not available for the PlayStation 2 version of the game.

Rock Band 2 DLC tracks for Wii are available through the in-game Rock Band Music Store only. Wii points must be purchased outside the game through the Wii Shop Channel. Online connection required. An SD card can be u...
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Edge writes: "The Rock Band franchise has an easier time attracting music talent than its competitors, claimed Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman during the UBS 36th Annual Global Media and Communications Conference on Tuesday.

"There's a strong music orientation to our company; many of our networks are ideal vehicles to promote the game, and you'll see more and more of that as we move forward," said Dauman.

'We also have the opportunity to attract talent to [Rock Band] in a way that our competitors have greater difficulty doing.'"
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Harmonix and MTV Games today announced the rock-pop pioneers of No Doubt will bring thirteen tracks to the Rock Band music catalogue of downloadable content expanding the Rock Band library to include more than 500 songs!

No Doubt's The Singles 1992-2003 pack will include thirteen master tracks...
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That Gaming Site Writes: "I play real Guitar and Guitar Hero.

Being a fan of both, I've been subject to numerous arguments over and over about how playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band is a waste of time and that 'nerds' should try picking up a real instrument and do something productive for a change. It was in this week's edition of NME (a British Indie Music Publication) that brought me this comment, in an article that........"
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MCV: The Guardian sticks up for gaming following attack from music mag NME
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...Gene Simmons has a lot to say about it.

"I never do anything half way. My AXE controller is the closest thing you can have to being onstage in KISS. I created and designed the Gene Simmons AXE bass guitar and I can't wait for the fans to experience it for themselves," said Gene Simmons. "The Gene Simmons AXE guitar is such a recognizable symbol - people have been asking for a gaming replica ever since Guitar Hero was first introduced."
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In a video blog entry on metal outfit Megadeth's official site, shaggy-haired frontman David Mustaine has described those who refuse to embrace new digital publishing methods as "old ****ing dinosaur bands."

Megadeth, naturally, considers itself pretty forward-thinking in this regard: its album Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? has been released as Rock Band DLC.
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Tracks:

Children of Bodom - Are You Dead Yet
Finley - Tutto E' Possibile
Platero y Tu - Hay Poco Rock N Roll
Squeeze - Tempted
Tokio Hotel - Ready, Set, Go
The All-American Rejects - Real World

All above tracks are $.99 (80 Microsoft Points) for a one month limited time window.

Miranda Cosgrove - Headphones On
This track is totally free!

Naked Brothers Band - Body I Occupy
Naked Brothers Band - I Don't Want to Go to School
Both Naked Brothers Band tracks are permanently $.99 (80 Microsoft Points)

DLC is released on Xbox 360 on Tuesday 12/2 and PS3 Thursday 12/4. All tracks are masters.
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