I have searched for info on this but haven't found any. Other than vague references that at the moment we (outside the US) can just forget about authoring songs and playtesting. My questions are these:

Will RBN launch internationally at the same time as US launch or is it just in the US it launches?

When it launches internationally will it be possible to submit songs then or are we only talking buying songs here in Europe?

Must the xbox connect to the network from the US or is it enough that the account is owned by a resident of the US?

I know that I can talk to a US company about authoring the song, but I have already bought the XNA membership and mixed, charted and auditioned the song myself, so it seems kind of silly to go through that channel. Besides, I kind of liked the idea of doing it myself, since I have the best knowledge of the music. Does anyone know the answers to these questions?

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Originally Posted by R-ViD666

Other than vague references that at the moment we (outside the US) can just forget about authoring songs and playtesting. My questions are these:

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You can author as many songs as you like, what you can't do is submit them to RBN nor play test.

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Originally Posted by R-ViD666

Will RBN launch internationally at the same time as US launch or is it just in the US it launches?

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That's a question best answered by HMX.

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Originally Posted by R-ViD666

When it launches internationally will it be possible to submit songs then or are we only talking buying songs here in Europe?

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If the RBN launch (purchasing RBN songs) includes Europe, that imho does mean non-US people will be able to submit and play test.

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Originally Posted by R-ViD666

Must the xbox connect to the network from the US or is it enough that the account is owned by a resident of the US?

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Good question and the answer could lead you to a slippery slope. If you can skirt the US requirment, you risk participating at all if found out.

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Originally Posted by R-ViD666

I know that I can talk to a US company about authoring the song, but I have already bought the XNA membership and mixed, charted and auditioned the song myself, so it seems kind of silly to go through that channel. Besides, I kind of liked the idea of doing it myself, since I have the best knowledge of the music. Does anyone know the answers to these questions?

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Many groups will submit the song on your behalf, for a fee/profit share. They won't necessarily rechart the whole thing.

"That's a question best answered by HMX."

Yes. And that is why I'm asking here. Since there is no way to contact HMX directly but many of them are lurking around here maybe they will see the need for this to be answered?

"Good question and the answer could lead you to a slippery slope"

I guess that depends on the reason why this restriction was introduced in the first place? If it was to promote US bands in front of bands from the rest of the world, I agree. However, if it is a legal matter - which I think, though I don't know why there would be difference between uploads from abroad when it's all handled by XBL, that already is global - then it shouldn't matter. But I don't want to break rules, which is why I'm asking...

And last: Does anyone have a good explanation to why there is NO mention of the US requirement anywhere on the page? If that's the way it is, I guess I have to accept it. I'm just a guy loving the game wanting to support the brilliant idea of RBN by putting my music up wanting to exhaust all possibilities before I give up. That being said, it kind of would have been nice to know about the US restriction before I bought the XNA membership, you know? If HMX people read this: Please put it on the creators.rockband.com page that it is not opened to people outside the US. Or better: Remove the restriction ;-)

it's not up to Harmonix it's up to XNA.

I mean hey you bought a XNA membership so you can playtest your song- you just need to get someone to submit it on your behalf- not such a big deal.

What is a big deal: Xbox360 only (not that I care but other people do)

My problem is that I have already auditioned it myself with friends, so it's the community (you guys) I want to reach, not me. Yes, there is the possibility of letting someone else submit it, but I actually liked the idea of controlling it myself. For me it's not just about getting the band up there, but getting the best possible version up there. And if there is one thing I have learned from the music business (been playing some 15 years, releasing 3 records), it is that people who care as much about your music as yourself are EXTREMELY rare. Which is why I'm very hesitant to involve people I don't even know in the proces. That is where the chain always breaks, in my experience. Those of you who are musicians will know this, I think :-)

Well, it looks like your questions have been answered now that the open beta is here: we can't even sign up for a creator's account without having a US address.

I assume this means we can't even take part in the peer review process at this point? I would have thought Harmonix would want to open it up to as many people as possible to get songs through more quickly. :(

Really hoping they open this up to international users sooner rather than later.

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Originally Posted by Ten0101

Really hoping they open this up to international users sooner rather than later.

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Yeah, colour me extremely confused!!! Back in the dawn of time when this was announced, I remember reading that specifically, YES, playtesters can be from outside the US. Either that's changed, or it will only come in the future when it's officially out of beta...?

Right now, my disappointment is physical. :( Thank goodness I didn't buy my XNA before finding out I can't yet use it!

It makes me sad that I can't even be a member on the creators site so I could at least check out the forums there and such. I hope they open the site to Canadians soon.

HMX, can you tell us if Canadian support is planned? I really want to see some Anonymus songs on RBN.

Thanks and keep on the great work!

harmonix... you have dissapointed me it isnt fair that only americans get to look at the rbn site... i have been look forward too this for months and i cant go on the damn website because i am canadian... THAT IS A LOAD OF BULLL... there are millions of rb fans all over canada... why cant we have the ability to go on this website. is canada an underpriveleged third world country to you who doesnt know what a video game is. sure seems like it. Harmonix you have dissapointed me end of story... I live in fn toronto thats a two hour drive from the states if you live in buffalo. Why cant canadians recieve the ability to go on this site. Harmonix if you are reading this take this message as a consideration to improve your methods.