Console Monster writes: "The long awaited Fallout 3 content is now available to download from the Xbox Live Marketplace including some free Bruce Spingsteen tracks for Guitar Hero: World Tour and there's also some Rock Band content. Here is the full Xbox Live Marketplace update for Tuesday 27th January 2009:

Fallout 3: Operation: Anchorage
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions except Japan
Size: 369 MB
Description: Enter the simulation pod and embark on one of the greatest military campaigns of the Fallout universe – the liberation of Anchorage, Alaska from its Chinese Communist invaders. Experience harrowing winter combat using Fallout 3's patented V.A.T.S. targeting system, and employ powerful new equipment like the Gauss Rifle, Chinese Stealth Armor, Winterized T-51b Power Armor, and more. Enlist today, soldier! There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Guitar Hero World Tour: Bruce Springsteen Track Pack
Price: Free (Gold Exclusive Offer) (Free until 5th February)
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions
Size: 80 MB
Description: Downloadable Track Pack for Guitar Hero World Tour featuring "Born to Run" and "My Lucky Day" by Bruce Springsteen. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading. For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts..."
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From the article: "An article in the latest issue of Billboard all about the upcoming year has laid a few predictions for 2009 at the feet of the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises. According to the article, an unnamed MTV spokesman has said that the Rock Band Store will increase its catalog from 500 songs to 5,000 songs in 2009."
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Off the back of the earlier news that Guitar Hero World Tour has outsold Rock Band by a ratio of 2:1, Red Octane's UK senior brand manager, Ian McClellan has said that in the UK, this figure is more like 4:1.
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Thatgamingsite writes: "Forbes Writer, Peter C. Beller has responded to criticisms made after calling music game 'Rockband' a shameless knockoff in comparison to Guitar Hero. Althought it looks like he's sticking to his guns on this one."
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Videogaming247 reports that EA have refused to comment on plagiarism accusations by Forbes in regards to the Rock Band franchise.

The report in question by Forbes included bold words such as "teamed with MTV to sell Rock Band, a shameless knockoff of Guitar Hero that added drums, bass and a microphone to the world of make-believe rock stars".
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That Gaming Site writes: "Is Rock band a 'shameless' rip off of Guitar Hero? According to the latest article from Forbes Magazine it is."
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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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Console Monster writes: "It's Wednesday and this year currently looks poor for the Xbox Live Arcade with no title release today. Fortunately, new Castle Crashers content releases today along with the following for Wednesday 14th January 2009:

Castle Crashers - King Pack
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions
Description: Add to your arsenal of good with 2 new playable characters plus additional weapons and animal orbs. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/Live/accounts.
Size: 108 KB

Rock Band: Lenny Kravitz Pack 01
Price: 550 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions
Description: Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Lenny Kravitz Pack 01. This pack includes "Let Love Rule," "Are You Gonna Go My Way," "Freedom Train," and "Mr. Cab Driver" by Lenny Kravitz. PLEASE NOTE: Rock Band game disc is required to play song game tracks. This song game track pack includes four song game tracks at a discounted rate over individual purchases. Many Rock Band songs are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These songs are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Size: 117 MB..."
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Harmonix and MTV Games announced today that the inimitable singer-songwriter and producer Lenny Kravitz will bring four of his greatest hits to the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content. The multi-talented Kravitz has sold more than thirty million albums and won four consecutive Grammy awards for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance 1999-2002, setting a record for most wins in a single category. Kravitz' classic rock star style and one-of-a-kind, smooth sound that blends the best of soul, rock and funk have left many to classify him as one of the most regarded rock musicians of his time.
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In the week ahead, Harmonix is putting out Rock Band tracks from Lenny Kravitz, Megasus, and Honest Bob and The Factory-To-Dealer Incentives. Three tracks will be from Lenny Kravitz, from the album "Let Love Rule" and another popular track of his, "Are you Gonna Go My Way." Here are the tracks that will be released next week:

Lenny Kravitz Pack 01 ($6.99 PSN or 560 Microsoft Points, or $1.99 or 180 Microsoft Points per track)
- "Are you Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz
- "Freedom train" by Lenny Kravitz
- "Let Love Rule" by Lenny Kravitz
- "Mr. Cab Driver" by Lenny Kravitz

Single Tracks ($.99 or 80 Microsoft Points per track)
- "Megasus" by Megasus
- "Entangled" by Honest Bob and the Factory-to-dealer Incentives
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Ars Technica writes:
"Mad Catz is really up in Rock Band's business. At CES we stopped by the company's booth to see what they had to show us, and the new selection of Rock Band peripherals was pretty impressive.

The first thing they showed us was an updated version of the Fender Bass controller. Coming this Spring for $89.99, the new version of the controller features quieter buttons, an improved finish on the neck of the guitar, and a split strum bar that registers one side as up and the other as down... which means you can pluck even faster. That's not the big news, though."
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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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Harmonix and MTV Games announced today the addition of one of the most influential pioneers of rock and roll, Roy Orbison, to the Rock Band Music Store catalogue of downloadable content. Grammy Award-winning Roy Orbison was a singer, songwriter and performer whose distinctive sound scored him an astounding nine Top 10 hits in four years in the early 1960's. Orbison's historic career began in the 1950's and saw a huge resurgence in the late 1980's, when he became a prominent influence on artists like Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Bono, K.D. Lang and Traveling Wilburys.
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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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Mad Catz has been a little behind with the third party accessories for Rock Band. Fear not because they have released not one but two separate products, one being the M.I.C and the other a portable drum kit. Both are made to be somewhat simple and portable.
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