Guitar Hero makers Harmonix and Electronic Arts (EA) have announced Rock Band, an innovative game that will let gamers perform music from the world’s biggest rock artists with their friends. They can play as a virtual band using drum, bass/lead guitar and microphone peripherals, in addition to presenting deep online connectivity.
Alex Rigopulos, co-founder & CEO, Harmonix said, “Harmonix was founded to create new ways for everyone to experience the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from playing music. Our work on Guitar Hero was an influential step toward that goal. But Rock Band is Harmonix’s most ambitious project to date, and it will take music gameplay to an entirely new level. MTV has given us the freedom and the resources to really swing for the fences and make the game we’ve always wanted to make.”
Jeff Yapp, EVP, MTV Program Enterprises said, “Our vision for Rock Band is to entirely change the way people network with and enjoy the music they love. By joining forces with EA and the music industry’s largest record labels and publishers, we are striving to create a innovative new platform that allows people to connect with their favorite music and artists in ways they never have before.”
David DeMartini, VP & GM, EA Partners says, “Rock Band is a revolutionary new way for gamers and music fans to experience music. The team at EA Partners is delighted to help MTV and Harmonix launch this incredible game on the global stage and get it into the hands of gamers worldwide.”
The game has been made in agreement with the world’s biggest record labels and music publishers. The game will feature music from all genres of rock and comprise of many of the master recordings from the biggest songs and artists of all time.
Rock Band will release for the Xbox 360 and PS3 in the holiday period of 2007. The game ‘sounds’ great and it is made by the same people who did Guitar Hero, so it would be worth the wait!