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:
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."
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.
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."
Videogaming247 reports that EA have refused to comment on plagiarism accusations by Forbes in regards to the Rock Band franchise.
That Gaming Site writes: "Is Rock band a 'shameless' rip off of Guitar Hero? According to the latest article from Forbes Magazine it is."
Nirvana's bassist struggles to perform his own song in Rock Band 2.
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.
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. "
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
Ars Technica writes:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.