The Announcement..

[TheRocker]

PS2 Rock Band touring NA in '07

Last month at the Leipzig Games Convention, Harmonix and MTV Games' European publicist announced that Rock Band was coming to the PlayStation 2. However, no mention was made of a US release for the PS2 edition of the previously Xbox 360- and PlayStation 3-only rhythm game, which will arrive on both sides of the Atlantic later this year.

Today, though, US Harmonix reps confirmed North American PS2s will be able to jam with Rock Band. More importantly, the game will ship before the end of the year, putting it in further competition with rival Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Now, the Wii will be the sole console where the latter instrument-based rock-rhythm game is unchallenged when it ships at the end of October.

The PS2 Rock Band is a scaled-down version of its next-gen brethren, and will not have the iTunes-like functionality to download new music. It will, however, have a single-player career mode. So far, more than 10 songs have been announced for the PS2 version, including the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter," the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage," and "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" by the Clash. GameSpot's previous coverage has more details on the game.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6180011.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;1

Meh.. i was hoping for a song , but Hooray for Ps2 owners

[foolosophy]

Boo come to Canada. Or just Toronto.

[kaiserkreb]

Boo come to Canada. Or just Toronto.

yeah cause you guys in the east don't already get 90% of the good tours

[AdamBomb629]

Tremendous piece of news fiscally for Harmonix/EA, but for next gen console owners, not much value... :(

[Apples]

Seems like this will be a handful for retailers.

3 instruments times 3 different platforms, each with distinct hardware. There are even more combinations once you factor in wired/wireless guitars and who knows how many bundle configurations.

[foolosophy]

Yeah but if it's anything like the Next Gen tour, I doubt they're going to show up.

[battle_axe_of_doom]

so this is actually important??

[milkman4591]

The fact that anyone with a choice between all the consoles would pick the ps2 version without online play or song downloads is completely beyond me (putting 2 and 2 together about no online play, I mean if they can't do downloads....right?). And if I may, my sock were throughly unrocked by that announcement, still waiting on my price and release haha. Thanks

[TheRocker]

Man Sora must be real mad now..

"What! it comes out this year for Ps2!? what about Wii!"

[AdamBomb629]

The fact that anyone with a choice between all the consoles would pick the ps2 version without online play or song downloads is completely beyond me (putting 2 and 2 together about no online play, I mean if they can't do downloads....right?). And if I may, my sock were throughly unrocked by that announcement, still waiting on my price and release haha. Thanks

I agree with you comment about choice, but one thing that is very important is the HUGE install base of the PS2. Harmonix employees will build themselves vacation homes with all the PS2 sales this thing is going to have.

[Magnet]

so this is actually important??

Nope. None of the people who plan on getting the game for the PS2 care about getting it in 2007 instead of the previously thought 2008. None of them.

[battle_axe_of_doom]

meh they should save up an extra $100 for a 360 instead of a ps2 game

[bounchfx]

Nope. None of the people who plan on getting the game for the PS2 care about getting it in 2007 instead of the previously thought 2008. None of them.

omg wow you know the entire base of ps2 users so well!

previously thought? it was Europe only until tonight. Not even 2008.

Rejoice!

[Bakkster]

meh they should save up an extra $100 for a 360 instead of a ps2 game

Not if they're a casual gamer. I'd rather buy a game for the system I already had, instead of a whole new system. Especially, if I had only $300 or so for games.

Inferior? Yes. Pointless? Not at all.

[Keebler]

Yeah, there's definitely a bunch of people who don't want to upgrade to next-gen that will spring for the opportunity to buy this game for a system they already own (not to mention the PS2 version will be cheaper).

Of course, I will be buying the Xbox 360 version, even though I have a PS2 as well. :p

[milkman4591]

Yeah, there's definitely a bunch of people who don't want to upgrade to next-gen that will spring for the opportunity to buy this game for a system they already own (not to mention the PS2 version will be cheaper).

Of course, I will be buying the Xbox 360 version, even though I have a PS2 as well. :p

Not debating you, but why would the PS2 version be cheaper (besides game being $50 instead of $60). Thanks

[PurpleHaze]

However, no mention was made of a US release for the PS2 edition of the previously Xbox 360- and PlayStation 3-only rhythm game, which will arrive on both sides of the Atlantic later this year.Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but doesn't that comment suggest the European release will now be before the end of 2007.

[Magnet]

omg wow you know the entire base of ps2 users so well!

previously thought? it was Europe only until tonight. Not even 2008.

Rejoice!

To be fair, any PS2 owner with a brain thought 2008 rather than never. It may not have been formally announced, but there's no rationale toward creating a PS2 game and only distributing it in Europe with no plans to bring it to America. I've never heard of any company stupid enough to intentionally give up those enormous profits.

When the PS2 version was announced for Europe, it was painfully obvious that it was coming to America at some point as well. The best guess would have been 2008. Completely senseless to make the PS2 port only to not release it in America where the majority of the sales would be.

Anyway, it's just splitting hairs. It's irrelevant now that it's been announced.

[Keebler]

Not debating you, but why would the PS2 version be cheaper (besides game being $50 instead of $60). Thanks
That's the reason. The bundle will probably be $190, assuming they sell the same SKU.

[Eman311]

Yeah but if it's anything like the Next Gen tour, I doubt they're going to show up.

This doesn't mean a "tour" as in going around the country showing off the game, it just means it's coming out this holiday.

[thegame696911]

This "Announcement" blows !

Sean really had my hopes up. Guess there's still a chance the real announcement is tommorow :D

[AVC808]

how accurate is this article. it says that the game will be out on both sides of the atlantic this year. meaning at least some european country will get it...contrary to what officials announced earlier, saying that they would have to wait till 2008.

[foolosophy]

This doesn't mean a "tour" as in going around the country showing off the game, it just means it's coming out this holiday.

Whoops! I should probably have read the article first. Took the title a little too literally.

[Weeksy]

Hmmmmm. That is interesting - "both sides of the Atlantic". I'm guessing it's still on track for Europe / Australia etc. for Q1 2008 (which sucks, but I'll live) - but knowing that Christmas sales are the king, maybe the guys have managed to pull off a world-wide roll out somehow?

Please be true! :D

[JimNasium]

So far, more than 10 songs have been announced for the PS2 version, including the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter," the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage," and "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" by the Clash.

Huh? So the PS2 setlist is going to be different than the others?

[icantwaitforrockband]

Huh? So the PS2 setlist is going to be different than the others?

Well so far, the three songs announced are in the other versions too...so we'll have to wait and see. That might make it worth buying, but that's a second whole set of peripherals too.

Rock Band was my excuse to spend the money for a PS3...now what do I tell my wife...!?!?? (and don't tell me to get an xbox 'cause it's cheaper)

[jq71586]

Well so far, the three songs announced are in the other versions too...so we'll have to wait and see. That might make it worth buying, but that's a second whole set of peripherals too.

Rock Band was my excuse to spend the money for a PS3...now what do I tell my wife...!?!?? (and don't tell me to get an xbox 'cause it's cheaper)

It looks like you might have to go with DLC as your reason for buying a PS3. It probably won't hold though. :D

[masterx1918]

the ps2 version will less songs though, not more. so don't get that messed up. The next gen and ps2 versions will probably have the same set lists minus 5 songs or so

[Larkspeed]

When the PS2 version was announced for Europe, it was painfully obvious that it was coming to America at some point as well. The best guess would have been 2008. Completely senseless to make the PS2 port only to not release it in America where the majority of the sales would be.

I just don't see how you can justify that statement.

America is one country Europe is a whole continent made up of loads of different countries so I don't see how you can say there will be more profit in America which has maybe a 10th of the population that Europe has.

I myself am a PS2 owner and have no plans to upgrade to a nexgen console soley because of the price:

Xbox 360 499 Euro
PS3 599 Euro

We have three kids to feed (soon to be 4) there is no way in hell we could fork out that kind of money for a games console, maybe in a couple of years when they get the prices down to a reasonable level.

So Kudos to HMX for not deserting the huge fan base they built up on the PS2 with the GH games

[Magnet]

I just don't see how you can justify that statement.

America is one country Europe is a whole continent made up of loads of different countries so I don't see how you can say there will be more profit in America which has maybe a 10th of the population that Europe has.

North America has held the biggest share in gaming sales (hardware and software) for quite a long time, and it's followed closely by Europe. You can't just bring up population and figure that the statement isn't justified. Population is not as indicative of buying power as one might be quick to assume. Economies and buying trends are very different between the two regions.

Even though there is a larger number of people capable of buying consoles and games in Europe, there is a higher percentage of people in North America who are actually purchasing them. (In fact, the highest per capita sales rate actually belongs to Japan, but the smaller population there diminishes their overall sales considerably.) The factors of population and per capital sales almost balance out between Europe and North America, but North America does see higher sales (and thus, greater profits) than Europe. That may change in the future as economic trends shift in both regions, but that's just the way it is at the moment and has been for ages.

[Larkspeed]

ok I can't refute that claim on a whole but I can refute it in one instance:

the PS3

Sony claims they loose $200 on every console they sell in north America, however they are not bothered by that loss because they make that loss up plus some in the European market where the console prices are considerably higher

now using that as a model it shows that in some instances the US market is in no way more profitable that the European one.

and that being said relating it to this discussion due to the huge price difference there are less people buying next gen consoles in Europe so in the case of Rock Band on the PS2 you will probably find that the European market will make a lot more money than the US one.

but anyway we digress from the original topic so thats the last I'll say on the subject :)

[JimNasium]

Sony claims they loose $200 on every console they sell in north America, however they are not bothered by that loss because they make that loss up plus some in the European market where the console prices are considerably higher

They actually said that? I don't believe it. Link please

[NotorietyH]

(In fact, the highest per capita sales rate actually belongs to Japan, but the smaller population there diminishes their overall sales considerably.)

Ireland is 2nd WooHoo! Well it is for playstations anyway. Also 2nd for cinema going apparently. More than likely because there's f*ck all else to do here.

[Larkspeed]

I'm trying to find the article now

however a quick Google search will turn up lots of sources citing Sony's claim of losing 200 dollars per console in the US market

and then take this:

PS3 60 GB model in the US costs: $499.99

PS3 60 GB model in Europe costs: 599 Euros = $849 at current exchange

thats a difference of approx $350

you can plainly see how they are using the European market to turn a loss into a profit

[SoraRikuVGM]

What...the...****?!?!?!

Why can you release the ****tiest console of the bunch before all the current, newer ones? If you still have a PS2 only, you need to get a 360/PS3/Wii. I'm so ****ing pissed now. I'm losing hope in Harmonix every day.

[Keebler]

What...the...****?!?!?!

Why can you release the ****tiest console of the bunch before all the current, newer ones? If you still have a PS2 only, you need to get a 360/PS3/Wii. I'm so ****ing pissed now. I'm losing hope in Harmonix every day.

You're handling this so well.

[Bakkster]

Ireland is 2nd WooHoo! Well it is for playstations anyway. Also 2nd for cinema going apparently. More than likely because there's f*ck all else to do here.

Ummmm... get drunk?


What...the...****?!?!?!

Why can you release the ****tiest console of the bunch before all the current, newer ones? If you still have a PS2 only, you need to get a 360/PS3/Wii. I'm so ****ing pissed now. I'm losing hope in Harmonix every day.

Boo-hoo. The PS2 still has legs. It may not be next gen, but the number of people who still have a PS2 and not a newer console is huge. These are the casual or one-game gamers. My sister is an example: she plays SingStar and Katamari. It wouldn't be worth it for her to spend $500+ to get the console AND the game, but it might be worth it for her to just get the game.

[Kaboobi]

What...the...****?!?!?!

Why can you release the ****tiest console of the bunch before all the current, newer ones? If you still have a PS2 only, you need to get a 360/PS3/Wii. I'm so ****ing pissed now. I'm losing hope in Harmonix every day.

Chill out man. If you're so angry about it, get a 360/PS3/PS2. The PS2 still has the largest install base out of any console, so it makes sense to release it on this. Last fall, when they started production on the game, the Wii was either going to be a commercial failure or flop, and they decided not to risk it by having to port and significantly recode for the Wii. I'm sure we'll see it next year, though.

[Insignificant_Other]

It looks like you might have to go with DLC as your reason for buying a PS3. It probably won't hold though. :D

Actually, I think the DLC argument is a huge one. The reason I'm so excited about Rock Band is because I won't be limited to one set of songs, I'll be able to download the specific music I really want to listen to and play. Rock Band is now about much more than just adding drums and vocals to Guitar Hero - it's about creating a medium for people to be able to actively participate in the music they love to listen to. The DLC is a key part of making that happen.

[TheTogfather]

The PS2 Rock Band is a scaled-down version of its next-gen brethren, and will not have the iTunes-like functionality to download new music. It will, however, have a single-player career mode.

This bit here sounds like it might be more of a difference between ps2 vs. next gen than just the online DLC capabilities and fewer songs. It almost sounds like there'll be no co-op career mode with the ps2 version. Maybe just single-player career and co-op quickpay?

[Thrashdragon]

My soul leapt with joy at a thread titled "The Announcement", then was crushed as it was not the announcement I was expecting (release date, hello?). Good news for PS2 owners, though...and while I can't see THAT many people still hanging onto a $100 console paying $200 for the whole enchilada, they should still rack up quite a bit of sales on the one-instrument bundles.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/spikedz/LEGO_Star_Wars_II_not_the_droids.jpg

[Slab_X]

This is awesome news for those outside of the US. It means I can now import this for my PS2 and actually play Rock Band this year - as long as I can get my hands on some drums at the very least. I'll definitely look into it when we get some more information.

[TheRocker]

I wonder since the drums and the mic are both Wired via USB could they be used for Ps2 and Ps3 ?

[Kaboobi]

I wonder since the drums and the mic are both Wired via USB could they be used for Ps2 and Ps3 ?
The drums likely won't work, but any USB mic should work on every system.

[lithiumkc]

I really don't see why they keep saying 'North American' tour for these sorts of things... please, be honest, it's simply an american tour. Canada [and mexico] get nothing until the game comes out.

The USA is only 1/3rd of North America and yet... this is the 2nd time I've seen a 'north american' tour announced with not one canadian date.

[TheTogfather]

I really don't see why they keep saying 'North American' tour for these sorts of things... please, be honest, it's simply an american tour. Canada [and mexico] get nothing until the game comes out.

The USA is only 1/3rd of North America and yet... this is the 2nd time I've seen a 'north american' tour announced with not one canadian date.

The title of the announcement is misleading, it has nothing to do w/ the Rock Band tour that's going around. It's simlpy announcing that the ps2 version of Rock Band will be released in North America in 2007, and I assume that release to include Canada and Mexico.

[milkman4591]

That's the reason. The bundle will probably be $190, assuming they sell the same SKU.

Haha, I think online play is worth $10, don't you? :P Thanks

[Supergeek]

This is good news for Harmonix, definitely. There are lots of guitar heroes out there who will buy Rock Band for the PS2 just for the guitar aspect of the game and the new songs, ignoring online play and DLC.