Harmonix Announces Rock Band Game for XBox 360 & PS3
Harmonix, the developers behind the hit interactive game “Guitar Hero” are launching a new franchise called “Rock Band” that targets virtual singers, bass players and drummers, as well as axemen.
Harmonix, a unit of Viacom-owned MTV Networks, will distribute the game via Electronic Arts for a Christmas 2007 delivery on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 gaming platforms.
Rock Band allows players to perform songs from popular rock acts using four peripheral instruments: microphone, lead and bass guitars and drums. Users can form their own virtual bands with friends, or go online to play with others. Very Cool – Can you say virtual battle of the bands?
Harmonix has inked deals with EMI Recorded Music, Hollywood Records, Warner Music Group’s Rhino Entertainment, Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group to supply master recordings by their artists for use in Rock Band. It also has agreements in place with EMI Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music to clear publishing rights.
The original “Guitar Hero” has sold more than 1 million units worldwide since its release in 2005, and continues to sell more than 10,000 per week in the United States, according to market research firm NPD. The sequel, “Guitar Hero II” has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide since its release last year, and continues to sell more than 40,000 per week in the United States.
Additionally, plans are in the works to sell digital downloads through the online gaming environment.
