Music Fans and Gamers Prepare to Expand the Band, Rock the World
Harmonix, one of the world’s leading developers of music-based games,
and MTV Games, part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along
with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS),
announced today that individual instrument peripherals for Rock Band™
will start shipping to U.S. store shelves beginning on February 12th.
“The
release of standalone instruments allows Rock Band musicians to enjoy
the full Rock Band experience, including drum, microphone and guitar
head-to-head modes, creating a whole new level of competitive fun,”
said Alex Rigopulos, CEO and co-founder, Harmonix. “We’re also
delivering a stand-alone wireless guitar solution for all versions of
Rock Band as well as providing the opportunity for consumers to build
their band one instrument at a time.”
With standalone instrument
peripherals being made available, players have the opportunity to
expand the full Rock Band experience by competing in challenging play
modes such as Microphone vs. Microphone, Drum vs. Drum and Guitar vs.
Guitar. With instrument “versus” modes, gamers can battle against each
other in “Score Duel” mode for the high score or in the challenging
“Tug-O-War” mode, where giving the best performance is key. These
exciting “versus” modes can be played locally or online and work with
all Rock Band downloaded song tracks. In order to play downloadable
content for head-to-head matches all players must own the same
downloadable track. In addition, gamers can buy a new wireless
standalone guitar to round out their Rock Band Special Edition Bundle
or choose to build their band piece by piece through the purchase of
individual software and instruments.
Rock Band Instrument Release Dates/Pricing:
Rock
Band Drum Kit (Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from
Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2
computer entertainment system) $79.99 MSRP; February 12, 2008
Rock
Band Wireless Fender® Stratocaster Guitar Controller (Xbox 360,
PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation 2 system*) $59.99 MSRP; April 1, 2008
Standalone
Rock Band game software is currently available, as well as the Rock
Band Special Edition Bundle featuring a Fender Stratocaster guitar
controller, an electronic drum kit, real drum sticks, a microphone and
software. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 system bundles also come with
a USB hub for easy plug-in access for all instruments.
Rock Band is rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, mild suggestive themes) by the ESRB.
Electronic Arts is the exclusive distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band.
Note: The Rock Band PlayStation guitar and drums work for both PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3 systems.