First batch of RBN tracks hitting the PS3 on 4/22

[hmxhenry]

Hey gang,

We're thrilled to announce that tomorrow (Thursday 4/22) we'll see the first batch of Rock Band Network tracks hit the PS3! We've looked at the download numbers and the feedback on the forums and we've put together a selection of some of the most popular tracks for this initial group. Here's what's hitting the PS3 tomorrow:

Flogging Molly - Drunken Lullabies (Live)
Jonathan Coulton - Code Monkey
The Shins - Australia
The Slip - Even Rats
Steve Vai - For the Love of God (Live)

We're still going to keep any eye on the forum feedback to put together future releases on the PS3, and we'll continue to work with Sony to ensure that we're able to get as much content out as consistently as possible without disrupting the regular weekly RB DLC flow. We're still working on finding the best RBN solution for the Wii, which has it's own entirely different set of technical challenges, but we'll let you know as soon as we have more news.

You can turn your eyes down one post to get some additional info from RBN guru HMXjohnd. Thanks again to the all the PS3 RBN fans for your patience!

[HMXJohnD]

Hi Guys:

I just wanted to take a quick second to clarify how RBN tracks will be rolling out on the PS3. As HMXHenry just confirmed, we'll be launching 5 great tracks tomorrow from the RBN catalog in the PS3 RBN store. These tracks are awesome. Get excited.

Because of the way submissions work on PS3, we will only be able to release songs when we update the normal Rock Band DLC store (currently Thursdays). Furthermore, because of the way the submissions process works, we're currently capped at 5 songs per week. We're working hard to expand the number of songs we'll be able to do each week, but for now you can expect 5 songs a week, every week, plus your normal DLC releases.

We're using a few different criteria to pick these select tracks. The best selling tracks play into it, but we're also balancing that information with songs that we know are in demand from the core Rock Band users. Keep being (politely) vocal about what songs you want to bring over! We have a long lead time for submissions, but we'll continue to tweak what we bring over based on what we're hearing from you!

To be clear, the reason that we can update in real-time on Xbox 360 is because Rock Band Network on Xbox 360 is built on the XNA infrastructure that allows users to submit their own content, with the sales and distribution of those tracks managed by the XNA backend. That infrastructure doesn't exist on other platforms. We're looking into ways to bring as much stuff over as possible, but there are practical realities that aren't in our immediate control. We hope you understand.

I can only ask you to believe us when we say that we're limited in what we can currently do, but we want to bring as much music to you as possible. We're working on it and we hope you enjoy the songs we do bring in the meantime. We want your feedback, especially if the discussion is civil and informed.

Otherwise, Rock On!

HMXJohnD
Program Manager, Rock Band Network
Manager, Communications - HMX

[bigmf]

Whoooooooooo!

Flogging Molly on PS3! Thanks Guys!

[LegendofRock3021]

Awesome, thank you so much.

[moose39]

Even Rats, yessss

[AerithLovesTifa]

EVEN RATS **** Yeah =D

[striderblack]

Australia is a personal favorite of mine - it's not the most complicated thing in the world, but it's a really great song to sing and play. Definitely recommend it for you PS3ers looking for something new.

[Apples]

They picked a great group for the first 5, I own several and would recommend them highly.

[Abaddon]

I'm excited to finally get some hard information! Thanks guys.

Five tracks a week might not seem like a lot to 360'ers (and I am sure some PS3'ers), but knowing that it will be five tracks every week is great news.

For those of us who are ignorant, should we use the request-a-song feature to request RBN songs, or is there somewhere else we should go to make sure our requests are visible? While I am asking PLEASE consider bringing over Push Push Lady LIghtning as soon as is humanly possible.

And, on another note, I hope the Wii situation gets sorted out soon for our Wii friends who are still not getting any tracks.

[jasonrosenbaum]

Thank the lord. This news is going to save me from having to buy an XBOX. And I'll definitely pick up the Shins song.

Big ups to HMX for getting this done!