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Harmonix and MTV have sent out the good word that the Rock Band Disc Export Title update is now live and available through the Xbox 360. For those of you who’ve been living under a rock, the update will allow you to import the original 55 Rock Band songs for use in Rock Band 2.

Beginning today, September 4th, the title update will add an “export disc” tab under the extras option in the Rock Band menus, allowing owners of the original Rock Band to expand their Rock Band 2 library to include 55 tracks from the original Rock Band track list for the nominal fee of $4.99 (400 Microsoft Points)[1]. In addition, this patch is required for all future downloadable content releases for Rock Band. Previously purchased DLC will not be affected.

Harmonix has done an excellent job of providing a good mix of old and new songs from different genre’s as DLC for Rock Band’s music library. The company is making sweet promises that players will have 500 songs available by the end of 2008. It seems like they’re playing my song.

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Jetpacks. Zombies. Sackzilla. It’s all in this week’s PlayStation Store update along with more than a handful of videos, trailers and wallpapers for your PlayStation 3, plus the week’s installment of Rock Band tracks and demos of both NHL 09 and Soulcalibur IV. PSP owners, on the other hand, are being treated to a Cake Mania theme and a few wallpapers. Truly captivating content.

This week’s headliner is The Last Guy, the just recently announced game which uses aerial photos of well known locales to depict a city overrun by zombies. You’re tasked with rounding up the survivors and delivering them to a safe zone so they can be airlifted to what I imagine is a further perilous situation, but hey — it’s not your problem at that point. A demo was released last week and allowed you to try out part of the Asakusa, Tokyo level. The full version will run you $10 and can be purchased from inside the demo version should you want to save some time.

Also new to the Store this week is the Fallen Star expansion pack for Warhawk. For $8 (or $16 if you opt for the Warhawk Booster Combo which includes all three Warhawk expansions) you get an entirely new level and the Mk.1 Rocket Pack, which is that fancy-looking jetpack you see above. Given that the jetpack is an entirely new dynamic, the expansion includes new layouts for the existing game maps. And don’t forget about the free update that was released on Wednesday which added Trophy support along with a long list of other features and fixes, including tutorials that make the game much easier to jump into for newcomers.

Performance Designed Products is giving gamer girls there own specially designed Aly & AJ guitar controllers to use with Guitar Hero and Rock Band. The pop-rock star sisters worked with PDP to come up with controllers that reflected their personal sense of style. According to the test group of girls 8 to 17 and my own two tween, the final designs rock.

PDP is honing in on a market that has been almost entirely ignored. Considering how most girls love to accessorize, there’s a lot of money to be made. The draw back is that these controllers will only work with the PS2 and the Wii. You can grab one in stores in mid-October $69.99. Thanks to Business Wire for the heads up.

Harmonix PR guy John Drake has explained more about how gamers will be able to use songs from Rock Band in the upcoming Rock Band 2, for a small price. This explanation only covers the Xbox 360 version of the game, but should work in a similar fashion for the PS3 as well.

According to the MTV Multiplayer blog, a patch adding an “export” feature to Rock Band will be available on the Rock Band 2 launch date. When players export their selections, they will have to enter as code provided with their Rock Band 2 disc and pay a small fee to initiate the transaction.

Drake said that the fee should be no more than $5 which I think is reasonable considering gamers have already laid out cash to use the songs the first time around. There has been buzz around Harmonix that not all songs will be transferable. Drake wasn’t able to confirm or deny this so Gaming Today will be keep a look out for specifics to be confirmed.

Sony’s recent announcement that all the peripherals for future music games (Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero: World Tour, and Rock Revolution) would be compatible with each title elicited many sighs of relief among the gamer crowd. But it still the left one question hanging in the air: what about the Xbox 360? Well, that question has now been answered quite simply over at Microsoft’s Gamerscore blog, where they say quite simply, “For the record, we also do that, so consider this an official announcement.” Do you feel that? That’s what it feels like to not be pumped for cash at every opportunity for a change.

Via Gamerscore Blog

Let’s face it: the music game genre is so muddled with peripherals now that it’s hard to keep straight just which ones will work for what games on what systems. To make matters worse, there’s a whole new batch of peripherals along with new games — Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero: World Tour, and Rock Revolution — set to hit store shelves later this year. At this rate, it was looking like anyone wanting to play all three games was going to have to buy all three sets of fake instruments. Thankfully, someone has finally stepped up to sort out this whole mess, and that someone is Sony.

Director of Public Relations with SCEA, Michael Shorrock, recently announced that they had reached an agreement with Activision, Neversoft, Harmonix, and Konami regarding the compatibility of their peripherals with each game. The result is — for the PS3 at least — universal compatibility between all new games and all new peripherals. That’s right: your Rock Band 2 drums and guitar will work with Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Revolution and vice versa. In addition, the SingStar microphones will also work for all these games. Sony’s still also “working hard to ensure compatibility between the Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles currently on the market.”

It’s nice to see some of this bickering finally put aside, since it really only seems to hurt the consumer. We’ll have to see if this same level of compatibility remains true on the Xbox 360 side.

Via Playstation Blog

It’s time for me to be reminded about how badly I was ripped off with an annual subscription — that’s right, it’s time for the third episode of Qore! This month’s is special in that it’ll guarantee you access to the Resistance 2 beta. Annual subscribers will get in on the “premiere” status beta, which is just a fancy way of saying you’ll get in earlier than those who opt to purchase this single episode of Qore.

In the world of downloadable content, there’s a new track ($3.99) and several skin packs ($2.49 each) for NASCAR 09, a team mode add-on for Snakeball ($1.99), and new tracks for both Rock Band and Guitar Hero III.

One other noteworthy release is the PlayStation Home theme which, as we informed you earlier, will automatically enter you for a slot in the Home beta. You’re not guaranteed a spot, but this is currently the only way to get into the beta as it expands in late August.

Hit the full break for the full list of content.

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Survival horror finally has finally made an appearance on the PlayStation Store with yesterday’s release of Siren: Blood Curse. The Sony-developed episodic game can be bought in its entirety for $40, or you can buy the three episode packs (each including three episodes) for $15 each.

A small selection of downloadable games on PSN have been temporarily discounted as part of a summer game sale. PAIN, PixelJunk Monsters, High Velocity Bowling, High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition and Rocketmen: Axis of Evil have had their price cut in half, from $10 to $5, for just one week. $5 for PixelJunk Monsters is an absolute bargain, and most PAIN owners would probably say that $5 is what the price should have always been.

Hit the break for the full list of content, which includes 1942: Joint Strike, new Guitar Hero III and Rock Band tracks, and a demo of PixelJunk Eden.

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If you ever wanted proof that playing Rock Band isn’t the same as playing in a real band, here it is. Canadian rock trio Rush were challenged to perform their classic hit “Tom Sawyer” on Rock Band before they went on to play a special extended version of their hit for the Colbert Nation show.

Sure, vocals are almost the same as a concert performance; except for the strange “Overdrive” that the microphone seems to have trouble picking up on, which always comes when the singer would normally have to breath. The drum kit is nearing a midi drum set up, but the guitar and bass controllers are only superficially similar to the real instruments.

The result is… well see for yourself.

I hope this doesn’t put the band off releasing more master tracks for the game.

via Colbert Nation

Harmonix and MTV Games have announced new DLC for Rock Band. Tuesday July 22, a new three pack of Nine Inch Nails selections will be available for download as well as an exclusive release for Rock Band from Shinedown on the XBL Marketplace. The tracks will hit PSN on Thursday, July 25.

The first NIN in the line is “Burn” from the Natural Born Killers soundtrack. The biting political commentary of “Capital G” is off NIN’s fifth studio release Year Zero, and “Last” is from the Broken EP.

Shinedown also has a couple offerings including a single exclusively to Rock Band, “Junkies For Fame”. “Devour” is a cut from their latest release, The Sound of Madness.

Here are the details:

Release date: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace)
Thursday, July 25, 2008 (PLAYSTATION Store)

Tracks: Nine Inch Nails 3-pack
“Burn”
“Capital G”
“Last”

Shinedown
“Devour”
“Junkies For Fame”

Price: $5.49 (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for NIN 3-pack
$1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per individual track

via WonderwallWeb

Since the Day 2 podcast was delayed, the E3 team thought you folks might enjoy getting a chance to check out Day 2 and Day 3 nearly simultaneously.

On Wednesday (Day 3 if you count Monday), the guys got a chance to check out Rock Band 2 (a game that I definitely want to hear more about). Now, I don’t know how they managed to get by without my amazing guitar skills, but they apparently did. They also dealt with something that was referred to as the ‘Konami Apocalypse,’ as well as getting some hands on time with Valve’s upcoming zombie-fest, Left 4 Dead. (Yes, that last bit makes me green with envy.)

You also get a chance to see what 3 days of sleep deprivation does to these guys, as they sound like they might be fraying ’round the edges just a bit.

This episode is available for direct download right over here.

As always, you can send comments, snide remarks, or suggestions to podcast@filefront.com. You can check out the entire File-N-Forget back catalog of episodes at http://podcast.filefront.com.

You can also check out the File-N-Forget Podcast on the iTunes Music Store.

Lots of new videos make up the majority of the first PlayStation Store E3 update. It’s certainly a nice change in pace from only having new content once a week, and because there would be an absurd amount to download if they release this much today or tomorrow.

The week’s Rock Band tracks, comprised of 12 tracks from The Who, is one of the two non-video things that have been released. The other is the Team Mode add-on for Super Stardust HD, which will run you $5.

Hit the break for the full list of content.

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As I am sure you are aware by now, our industrious E3 team is hard at work gathering scraps of info for your perusal. We’re adding something a little different this year for your enjoyment: a nightly podcast wrap-up of the day’s events.

Wondering what’s in this episode? In the words or your immortal host, Shawn Sines, “E3 2008 Day 1: Microsoft & EA talked a lot, we’re talking about their talking.. only with opinions, innuendo and veiled sarcasm. Will the new Live! changes make sense? Is Dragon Age the most disappointing trailer of the show? Listen and find out what we think about Day 1 (sort of) of E3!”

We’ll have a podcast coming your way from E3 every day this week, so make sure you check it out.

You can grab the pocast directly from this link.

As always, you can send comments, suggestions, or snide remarks to podcast@filefront.com. Our back catalog of episodes is available at http://podcast.filefront.com. The File-N-Forget Podcast is also available on the iTunes Music store.

We brought word to you yesterday that Konami had filed a lawsuit against Viacom, MTV and Rock Band developer Harmonix over patent violations. While Viacom didn’t have any comment at the time, claiming they had yet to receive any complaint, today an MTV spokesperson released a statement regarding the lawsuit.

“Konami’s actions are extremely surprising,” the spokesperson said. “Unfortunately, successful products such as Rock Band can often become targets for baseless litigation. We have substantial defenses to this claim and intend to vigorously defend it.”

The patent Konami refers to is titled “Music playing game apparatus, performance guiding image display method, and readable storage medium storing performance guiding image forming.”

Konami is seeking cash considerations and an order that would block Harmonix from using the devices in question.

I’m sure we’ll be hearing more on this in the coming weeks, particularly with Rock Band 2 on Xbox 360 scheduled for a September release. It’s just surprising to me that they waited this long to file the lawsuit, unless they were looking to throw a wrench in Harmonix’s plans and pave the way for the release of Konami’s Rock Revolution this fall.

via MTV News

Just as soon as I get done complimenting them, a lawsuit pops up against Harmonix, MTV Networks, and parent company Viacom. Konami is suing the makers of Rock Band over what it alleges to be patent violations by the ultra-popular rhythm game.

Konami’s patents were filed in 2002 and 2003 and relate to simulated musical instruments and a “musical-rhythm matching game,” reports Bloomberg.

The wording of that makes me think it’s only a matter of time before Activision and Sony face similar lawsuits, as both Guitar Hero and SingStar match those descriptions pretty fully. And quite a lot of other games, for that matter.

Konami is apparently seeking both cash considerations and an order to block Harmonix from using the various instruments. The suit was filed yesterday in Marshall, Texas, but Viacom spokesperson Kelly McAndrew claimed the company hadn’t received any complaint, and thusly had no comment.

It’s worth noting that Konami is scheduled to release Rock Revolution later this year. The company originally released GuitarFreaks and DrumMania back in 1999, the former of which is considered to be the precursor to Guitar Hero (and, by extension, Rock Band). They never brought those series over to the Unites States, a fact which you can bet Konami shareholders cry themselves to sleep over every time they see the money that Guitar Hero and Rock Band have brought in.

We’ll have more on this story as it develops. With the release of Rock Band 2 just two months away (on Xbox 360), Harmonix will have to move swiftly on this.

Thanks to MTV Multiplayer’s Patrick Klepek for pointing this story out.

Harmonix has been making a lot of good moves with Rock Band lately, particularly when they announced that all of the DLC you’ve purchased for the original Rock Band will carry over to Rock Band 2. Even more good news has come to our attention this week, when an interview revealed that all of the tracks on the original Rock Band disc will be released as free downloadable content for Rock Band 2.

We don’t have any further details, like if you’ll somehow need to own the original RB to get all of its music for free. This will definitely make it easier to justify buying Rock Band 2, but where the hell am I supposed to put all of these instruments? Honestly, I know that my old instruments will still work, but I don’t think I’d be alone in feeling like I’m missing out by playing on old instruments.

via 1UP

It’s Thursday, so PS3-owning Rainbow Six fans needn’t wait any longer: the Vegas 2 Gift Pack DLC has finally arrived. PC and Xbox 360 owners have had it for almost a week, but when you’re talking about playing the same exact maps you’re already used to — only at night — there’s really no wait that’s too long. That might not be entirely true, but as I said before, at least it’s free.

Rock Band’s weekly track release includes four songs from Rush and Red Hot Chili Peppers, which is also the number of new demos that have been released: Siren: Blood Curse, Monster Madness: Grave Danger, WALL-E and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian are all available in demo form on the PlayStation Store.

And there’s all sorts of trailers for you to check out, including one for the Super Stardust HD add-on which I’ve been raving about ever since it was released. Now you can see what I’ve been talking about.

Hit the break to check out the full list of content.

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Okay, it still doesn’t qualify as something that was atop my wishlist for Rock Band DLC, but I know plenty of people who will enjoy this — both Rush and Red Hot Chili Peppers will be releasing a pair of (master) tracks on the Xbox Live Marketplace tomorrow, and on the PlayStation Store on Thursday. As usual, the tracks will cost 160 Microsoft points ($1.99) each.

• Red Hot Chili Peppers - “Snow” (Hey Oh)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers - “Tell Me Baby”
• Rush - “Closer to the Heart”
• Rush - “Working Man” (Vault Edition) alternate-take master

Not a half-bad selection. “Working Man” was actually released earlier this year for Rock Band, but that was a cover — and this is special. Not only is it a master track, but it’s an alternate take of the song with a different solo that has never been released. How awesome is it that something like that is being released first through a videogame?

There’s simultaneous a lot and not very much on the PlayStation Store this week. There’s a new character for PAIN, the painful “I am Murloc” World of Warcraft single for Guitar Hero III, two demos, and all sorts of other stuff. And yet it doesn’t feel particularly substantial, but perhaps I’ve simply become spoiled in a world of multiple downloadable game releases on Xbox Live Arcade, Virtual Console and WiiWare every week. (Of course, you could make the argument that there’s more garbage released on those platforms, but that’s besides the point.)

Rock Band gets a crapton of Weezer and Pixies songs, including a full album from the latter group. As usual, the music is very hit-or-miss, as you like their music or you don’t. Likewise, if you don’t like sports, you probably won’t care for the pair of demos — Hot Shots Golf and Top Spin 3.

Hit the break for a look at the full list of content.

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This is a great time to be a gamer. With all of the different developers, publishers, genres, consoles, PC and handheld options we have, it is no wonder that videogames are a billion dollar industry. If you take into consideration that at least 6 out of 10 games created are going to be enjoyed by you or your household thus becoming a commercial success, those really are not bad odds. Granted, not all games are going to pull in the numbers that a Halo or GTA title will, but a good solid title can garner just as much respect and provide just as much enjoyment as a mega game such as those.

Another reason it is a great time to be a gamer, is because of the wonderful games created by Activision and Harmonix by the way of Guitar Hero and Rock Band. This is also a great time for people who love music, because while there are some who can play a musical instrument, not everyone can and these games help us live out our fantasies of being musical icons in our very own living room.

With Guitar Hero: World Tour, Rock Band 2, and Konami’s Rock Revolution all looming just over the horizon, it is indeed a great opportunity for us all. If you like the music simulation games, you basically have a nice variety now to choose from. Before, you really only had Guitar Hero I & II until Rock Band came out – now, Activison seems to make a new announcement every week regarding SOMETHING pertaining to either Guitar Hero III or and upcoming game destined to rock your socks off. Rock Band has promised us a new album every month for download, and while they have been really slow getting there, at least they are starting to make good on their promise. How “The Cars” and “The Pixies” will fare, is anyone’s guess really, but at least they are indeed releasing something.

Now comes news that Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Revolution will be following the footsteps of Rock Band with extra peripherals to round out your jam sessions in front of your favorite console. Many people are judging both Activison and Konami a little to harshly in my opinion, because the truth is, you have to evolve or die. Plain and simple, and that is the case with every form of entertainment. So are these games really such a bad thing? Really?

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