The music genre overall was down six percent in dollar sales for November, but the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises still remain quite popular. Unfortunately for EA, which has been suffering of late, Activision's property has simply been more popular.
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Dec 10, 2008

Viacom: Talent Prefers Rock Band

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Viacom: Talent Prefers Rock Band

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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Dec 9, 2008

Foo Fighters XBLA Deal of the Week

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Foo Fighters XBLA Deal of the Week

Videogamer writes: "Microsoft has launched its second Holiday Deal of the Week, replacing the cheaper Halo 3 maps with Rock Band DLC, The Colour and the Shape Album by Foo Fighters.

The album is usually available priced 1600 MS Points, but for one week only Xbox LIVE members can purchase the track pack for only 1200 MS Points. "
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Dec 8, 2008

Rock Band Catalogue Surpasses 500 Tracks in Europe

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Rock Band Catalogue Surpasses 500 Tracks in Europe

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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Dec 6, 2008

Rock Band's Library of DLC Songs Passes the 500 Mark

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Rock Band's Library of DLC Songs Passes the 500 Mark

Harmonix, the world's premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced the rock-pop pioneers of No Doubt will bring 13 tracks to the Rock Band® music catalog of downloadable content expanding the Rock Band library to include more than 500 songs!
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Dec 6, 2008

Rock Band: Free DLC w/ Energizer Batteries

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Rock Band: Free DLC w/ Energizer Batteries

HMXHenry, a Harmonix developer, writes on the official Rock Band forums:

"I thought you RB.com forum regulars may be interested to know that the fine folks at Energizer have decided to give away DLC with their new Advanced Lithium Batteries.

This deal applies to both XBox Live and the Playstation Store, so if you're in need of new batteries and some new DLC then this should work out nicely for everyone.

You can track down the batteries at most major electronic retailers: Meijer, Circuit City, Kroger, SAMs Club and, you know, other places that sell batteries."
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Dec 5, 2008

Rock Band Gets No Doubt Hits

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Rock Band Gets No Doubt Hits

Rock Band Gets No Doubt Hits Harmonix has announced that thirteen of ska pop band No Doubt's greatest hits will be making their way to Rock Band. The new song pack will be available for download on Tuesday, December 9th on Xbox Live and Thursday, December 11th on PSN.
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Dec 5, 2008

'Lips' Mic Patch Coming To 'Rock Band' Soon

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - 'Lips' Mic Patch Coming To 'Rock Band' Soon

MTV Multiplayer writes: "We broke the news that the highly regarded microphone bundled with Microsoft's "Lips" karaoke game would not work with "Guitar Hero" or "Rock Band" at launch.

Harmonix and MTV Games have now addressed gamers' concern over the lack of compatibility, and there's good news to be shared."
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Dec 5, 2008

Nyko Technologies Rocks Out with Metal Pedal

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Nyko Technologies Rocks Out with Metal Pedal

Nyko Technologies announced today the Metal Pedal, a heavy-duty drum pedal attachment plugs directly into the standard drum set for use with Rock Band 1 and 2, or Guitar Hero: World Tour on all consoles.
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Dec 5, 2008

Defending the Plastic Guitar!

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Defending the Plastic Guitar!

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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Dec 4, 2008

"Rock 'n' roll is about f*****g, games are about w*****g"

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - "Rock 'n' roll is about f*****g, games are about w*****g"

MCV: The Guardian sticks up for gaming following attack from music mag NME
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Dec 2, 2008

Megadeth: Bands who don't do games are "dinosaurs"

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Megadeth: Bands who don't do games are "dinosaurs"

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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Nov 27, 2008

Rockband: DLC Week of 12/2

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Rockband: DLC Week of 12/2

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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Nov 26, 2008

Rock Band DLC Rumor: "No Doubt - The Singles" coming Dec. 9

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Rock Band DLC Rumor: "No Doubt - The Singles" coming Dec. 9

Quote:

"The Singles Collection to be released for Rock Band
Posted by IGA on Nov 20, 2008 | Comments (1) | Views: (728)

On December 9th, Rock Band will release No Doubt's The Singles
Collection. Fourteen tracks will be available for download on the Rock Band site ( http://www.rockband.com/music ) for $19.99 or single songs"
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Nov 21, 2008

Rock Band DLC 11/25 - The Killers, Yngwie Malmsteen, Soundgarden and Lamb of God

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Rock Band DLC 11/25 - The Killers, Yngwie Malmsteen, Soundgarden and Lamb of God

HMXHenry, a dev on the Rock Band forums says,

"Ready for this week's DLC announcement? This week you've got a 3 Pack from The Killers, a 3 Pack from Yngwie Malmsteen, 2 singles from Soundgarden, and 1 single from Lamb Of God! We're not too far away from 500 tracks now.

The Killers 3 Pack!

Mr. Brightside
Smile Like You Mean It
Spaceman

Yngwie Malmsteen 3 Pack!

Caprici Di Diablo
Damnation Game
Red Devil

Soundgarden Singles!

Jesus Christ Pose
Pretty Noose

Lamb of God Single!

Laid To Rest

Each track is available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) or $5.49 (440 Microsoft Points) for the complete three packs.

All tracks are masters.

This DLC will be available on 11/25 for both Xbox360 AND the PS3 (thanks to the holiday next Thursday)."
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Nov 20, 2008

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - The Most Popular DLC For Five Big Xbox 360 Games

As part of the "New Xbox Experience," as Microsoft is calling it, the company has made it possible to view downloadable content in terms of user popularity.

It's not as robust or scientific as the Nintendo Channel and MTV Multiplayer doesn't know how long it's been tracking these statistics, but it does provide some insight into gamer habits.

So, what are the top five downloads for gamers who are playing "Rock Band 2," "Guitar Hero: World Tour," "BioShock," "Halo 3? and "Gears of War"?
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Nov 18, 2008

Xbox Live Marketplace Update: Tuesday 18th November 2008

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Xbox Live Marketplace Update: Tuesday 18th November 2008

Console Monster writes: "With the New Xbox Experience launching tomorrow, some of today's content could be the first of many you download via the PC Xbox Live Marketplace. Here is the full Xbox Live Marketplace update for Tuesday 18th November 2008:

Name: Mirror's Edge Launch Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Name: NFS Undercover TV Spot (Post-Launch)
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Name: Shaun White Snowboarding Hang with Your Friends Theme
Price: 150 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions..."
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Nov 17, 2008

The Killers DLC also coming to Rock Band Music Store

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - The Killers DLC also coming to Rock Band Music Store

The spirit of competition between Activision and Harmonix's respective rhythm franchises is still very much alive and well -- shortly after Activision announced that a trio of tunes from post-punk darlings The Killers would be making their way onto Guitar Hero: World Tour as DLC, MTV let it slip to Wired that they would be adding their own Killers triple-pack to the Rock Band Music Store on the very same day (Nov. 25). Man, what a bizarre coincidence!

Two of the three songs which are about to be thrust into Harmonix's already intimidating music library are relative oldies: "Mr. Brightside" and "Smile Like You Mean It" -- but a title from the Killers' new album, Day & Age, will also make an appearance: "Spaceman". The article on Wired mentioned nothing of pricing details -- though it's probably safe to assume they'll match the $2.00 (160) per song/ $5.50 (440) per pack price point we've all come to know and love over the past year.
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Nov 14, 2008

Rock Band DLC Week of 11/18 - Dead Kennedys, Mission Of Burma & MORE

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Rock Band DLC Week of 11/18 - Dead Kennedys, Mission Of Burma & MORE

HMXHenry, a Rock Band developer, writes:

"Hey gang,

Here's this week's DLC announcement! You have your choice of three different 3 packs, and one single.

Dead Kennedys 3 Pack:
California Uber Alles
Holiday In Cambodia
Police Truck

Mission Of Burma 3 Pack:
Mica
That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate
That's When I Reach For My Revolver

Century Media Girls of Metal 3 Pack:
In This Moment - Forever
Lacuna Coil - Closer
Lacuna Coil - Swamped

Crooked X Single:
Crooked X - Gone

Each track is available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) or $5.49 (440 Microsoft Points) for the complete three pack... EXCEPT for the Crooked X Single, which is only $0.99 (80 Microsoft Points).

All tracks are masters.

This DLC will be available on 11/18 on Xbox and 11/20 on PS3."
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Nov 10, 2008

Viacom to Pay Bonus Exceeding $300 Million to 'Rock Band' Maker

360 News from N4G | Rock Band

360 - Rock Band - Viacom to Pay Bonus Exceeding $300 Million to 'Rock Band' Maker

Viacom Inc., controlled by Sumner Redstone, will pay the creators of the ''Rock Band'' video-game bonuses exceeding $300 million as part of the 2006 acquisition of their company.

Harmonix founders Alex Rigopulos, 38, and Eran Egozy, 37, received $150 million last quarter for exceeding performance targets, New York-based Viacom said in a Nov. 3 regulatory filing. A final payment in 2009 will exceed $150 million, the company said.
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