Guys who run gaming companies are the kind of people who don't like to let you die wondering. In a classic piece of schoolyard pouting, Activision boss Bob Kotick would like to let you know that Guitar Hero is doing well."We're outselling [Rock Band] 6:1," says Activision boss Bob Kotick.
» Read More 

Luke Plunkett of Kotaku says,

"It's on Craigslist, so who knows how legitimate this is, but we definitely like the feel of it. Seems Mark Burnett (pictured), the man behind everything from Survivor to The Apprentice to The Contender, might be working with MTV on a reality TV program based around Rock Band 2. Centred around competition between bands of four, it'll give you the chance to not only get on TV and win the "Ultimate Rock Band Experience", but subsequently slide into a creative and moral abyss, as the cocaine, cheap women and long tours drive a wedge between you and your bandmates, and you grow to loathe everyone and everything in your life you once held dear. So, yeah, awesome! Only catch is you've got to be over 18, and be based in the LA/SoCal area."
» Read More 

Rock Band Set to Ship for the PS3, PS2 and Wii in UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria and Luxembourg. Rock Band for the PS3 and PS2 and Wii will ship to retail and will be available in the UK the week of September 8th, in France the week of September 15th, in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria and Luxembourg the week of September 22nd and in Spain the week commencing September 29th.
» Read More 

GiN Reports: "The ezJam Combo Guitar Controller for Wii is the first guitar controller for the Wii that works for both music videogames Guitar Hero and Rock Band. With ezGear's proprietary DC2 Dual Connect technology, the ezJam Combo Guitar Controller contains everything you need to play either game and is ultra-responsive to meet the most intense shredder's needs. The ezJam Combo Guitar Controller comes with upgraded ezSpring chrome strum bar and chrome whammy bar, a fine tuned multi-axis tilt sensor and ezGear's standard Supra10 10 fret feature. The ezJam Combo Guitar Controller comes with the Guitar Controller, a wireless receiver, and neckstrap."
» Read More 

Although Rock Band was released on both the PS3 and Xbox 360 in North America in November 2007, Harmonix's music video game only arrived on European shores as a timed Xbox 360 exclusive in May this year.

Since then EA has skirted around the issue of when the PS3 version of the game would become available in Europe, only saying that additional platform would follow later in the year.

PS3 Rock Band fans will be interested to know that a retailer listing has popped up (thanks NeoGaf) suggesting that Rock Band will be released on the Wii, PS3 and PS2 this month across Europe. While EA has not yet confirmed the release dates, the listing does back up rumours from earlier in the year which suggested a September release date for the PS3 version of the game.
» Read More 

Screen Play Reports:

"Move over Shuffleboard, cruise ship passengers are now entertaining themselves during long voyages with Rock Band.

Passengers on P&O Cruises' Pacific Dawn and Pacific Sun cruise ships are encouraged to form groups and go head-to-head in Rock Band competitions against other guests, with the best rockers competing in "Battle of the Bands" showdown at the end of the trip.

P&O says it has introduced Rock Band "as part of its unique and exciting passenger experience" and the fact that the highly anticipated music game is still not yet available in Australia gives it added appeal."
» Read More 

Brian Bright, project director of Guitar Hero World Tour explains why the games' peripherals will not be compatible.
» Read More 

Engadget Reports: "While there's certainly plenty of off-the-shelf options out there for folks dissatisfied by the stock Rock Band drum kit, those looking to really dial things up to eleven may want to follow the lead of this modder from EDrums.info, who created a mesh head drum set with some wood, some new components, and plenty of skill. As you can see in the multi-page how-to linked below, however, this isn't exactly a one-day project (for mere mortals, at least), and there's no shortage of opportunities for complete disaster once you start tearing the original drum kit apart. If you persevere though, you'll not only be able to impress you friends with your Rock Band skills, but your actual drumming skills as well, as it can also be turned into a real drum kit with the addition of a drum module."
» Read More 

From XboxOZ360:

"Well we know prices are dear here, we sort of expect it as a matter of course, but EA's official announcement of pricing for Harmonix's Rock Band is at $AU520 to fully equip yourself out with the full rig.

Now for a 'game' that is ludicrous to a major extent. It smacks of "we don't care about your market" and you'll pay it if you want it bad enough. Seriously, that's more than the cost of a top level SKU console. When we look at prices of the same item in the UK or the US, there's a huge difference in pricing."
» Read More 

Videogaming247 has gotten hold of an email correspondence between an irate Irish Rock Band customer and EA customer services, wherein EA says it's unable to honour warranty requests in Ireland
» Read More 

IGN Au Reports:

"The chequered history of Rock Band in Australia could be set to take yet another turn, as an undisclosed retail source told us today that the game's release may be delayed indefinitely. Word is that retail buyers simply aren't interested in stocking a bulky product that's a year old and will cost more than its similarly bulky – and up to date - competitor Guitar Hero: World Tour."
» Read More 

GayGamer Reports:

"Like my glowstick raver phase come back to haunt me, the Ant Commandos have produced a Rock Band accessory that lights up the night with colors and, arguably, tangible proof of substance abuse. These so-called "Illuminated Drumsticks" come in two shoutrageous flavors, "flame red" and "electric blue," and will retail for a suggested $19.99 per pair.

The whole shaft of each stick will light up with its associated color whenever the drumstick strikes a surface in a, you know, drumstick-like fashion. It's like a laser show in your hands!"
» Read More 

From gameplayer: "the negotiating power of the games companies stem from their control over the track lists in their titles… The game publishers have the power. So, in a sense, they ARE the music industry."
» Read More 

Ripten writes:

"It was only a matter of time.

As the popularity of rhythm games continues to gain purchase in the pocketbooks of gamers worldwide, Warner Music is of the opinion that the publishers are getting away with robbery.

Executive Edgar Bronfman explained that Activision and MTV, developers of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, respectively, will eventually have to pay more for the licenses for the songs from their catalogue."
» Read More 

XboxOZ360 writes:

"There's something here for everyone whether you're into Anime, Gaming, Education in ICT or general electronics this is the place to be! Entry is completely FREE with chances to play yet to be released games like RockBand and Midnight Club: Los Angeles.

GO3 is an absolute blast. The speakers of the conference were top class and extremely enjoyable to view. Attendees from nVIDIA, Sony Online Entertainment, Nokia, Military Game Technology and InterZone all made the trip to GO3 for the conference and they all had exceptional information to share on upcoming games and technology..."
» Read More 

Do you aspire to rock out on stage in front of a crowd of adoring fans, but never put in the effort to actually develop musical talent? Ever dreamed of sharing the spotlight with modern radio giants like Dashboard Confessional, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T's, and, uh, The Cab? Why start practicing now when you can just wing it at the upcoming Rock Band Live tour?

Kicking off on October 5, the first ever Rock Band Live tour will allow gamers to perform on stage between sets, with the winning "bands" being selected by local radio stations, national contests, and on-site competition. Finally, a venue that appreciates your ability to follow note charts.
» Read More 

After months of waiting, Electronic Arts New Zealand have finally confirmed to Gameplanet that Rock Band will ship "early to mid" October this year. They've also confirmed with us the expected retail price, and advised that the software will be sold independently to the hardware with no bundles planned.
» Read More 

Rock Band launched in the US last November, and earlier this year in Europe for an insane price. However EA looks set to take it one step further and slug Australia not only with a bigger delay, but also a complete price gouging on the game and the hardware to play it. Vooks has been sent the pricing for every configuration of Rock Band in Australia and for each console by an proven anonymous tipster, Direct from the distributor.

And you're not going to be happy.
» Read More 

In addition to the projected 80+ track list – which is a great value considering the downloadable price scheme and that it includes everything from AC/DC to Guns N' Roses, Devo, Billy Idol, and Pearl Jam – multiple touch-ups clean up the menus. Each song's difficulty rating, which is already shown for downloadable songs in the in-game Rock Band music store, are finally available in the song selection screen. No more second-guessing how difficult a specific instrumental part is anymore.
» Read More 

Alan Tsang of PS3Fanboy says,

"We mentioned before that Rock Band 2 will allow players to "export most of the Rock Band disc tracks and upgrade them into Rock Band 2 gameplay." Most means not all. So what tracks are excluded? Joystiq got a chance to talk to senior designer Dan Teasdale, who said the final list of importable songs is still up in the air, due to licensing issues. Apparently Harmonix had to re-license all of the tracks from the first Rock Band. Sources are saying the number of songs excluded will probably be around 2 to 3. This is speculated to be caused by the new exclusivity deals with Guitar Hero: World Tour.

The official Rock Band 2 website has also been opened. No new information, but there are a couple of IM icons and wallpaper. The website also allows you to pre-order the game on the Xbox 360 on Amazon, but a quick look around also leads a pre-order for the PS3 version, including the Special Edition which includes the instruments. We did notice the Special Edition is has a release date listed as October 19th while the game by itself has it listed as November 30th, but these dates are probably inaccurate. The 360 Special Edition, which already has a confirmed release date of September, also has the release date listed as October here."
» Read More