Game developers relentlessly strive to create better products so as to keep up with the constantly evolving game industry. Now, in order to provide something extra to their audience, Harmonix Music Systems and MTV Games have unveiled the Rock Band Network. This network gives musicians and record labels the chance to convert their original recordings into gameplay files which can then be sold on Rock Band Network Music Store as Rock Band tracks.
“Our goal with Rock Band has always been to go beyond making music games and create a true music platform. With the Rock Band Network, we’ve evolved the platform to its next logical step, giving players access to an incredible amount of new music by putting the professional tools we use in the hands of the artists themselves,” explained Alex Rigopulos, CEO and co-founder of Harmonix.
Paul DeGooyer, Senior Vice President, Electronic Games and Music, MTV Networks Music Group, commented, “The Rock Band Network enables songwriters and musicians – at any stage of their careers – to create their own paths through the interactive music realm. Our download store has been an extraordinary success, and it’s exciting for us to provide access to our platform through this uniquely elegant solution.”
The Rock Band Network will feature various innovative tools and instructions on how musicians can make their very own Rock Band gameplay files. These files can also be submitted for review and playtesting on a web site specifically designed for that purpose. In order to publish and test content, users would need to be members of Microsoft’s XNA Creators Club Online. The services would be available to those who have premium membership to the online club. The Rock Band Network Store will greatly help to increase the number of songs present in the Rock Band catalog.
“The proven strength and stability of Microsoft’s game development tools, technologies and services allowed Harmonix to focus on making an easy-to-use experience for authors without needing to reinvent the wheel. Rock Band Network is a model example of integration with XNA Creators Club Online,” stated Dave Mitchell, product unit manager, XNA publishing platform.
Approved tracks will be made available to fans on the Rock Band Network Store, where they can try out the tracks before purchasing them. The songs will be introduced exclusively on Xbox 360 for a period of 30 days. Artists can select from multiple pricing tiers for individual songs and expect to be reimbursed through a payment scheme which would provide regular royalty payments in addition to automated accounting.
An open beta for Rock Band Network will launch in the US in late August of 2009. Rock Band Network tracks are expected to be available on Xbox 360 sometime in fall, while selected tracks will be made available on Wii and PS3. A four month membership to Microsoft’s XNA Creators Club Online can be purchased for USD 49.99 (approx. Rs. 2,425) and a yearly membership can be bought for USD 99.99 (approx. Rs. 4,845).