Country Track Pack v.2 Discussion Thread - Official Information added in first post

[whofan]

I think that's a pretty generous speculation there. There hasn't been much precedent for Harmonix saying, "Here's some free upgrades that we know you wanted!", with the exception of Pro Drums for the back catalog.

This is likely going to be V/G/B/D on disc and once it's imported into RB3. That's probably a safer assumption.

Something doesn't make sense about it though. My thoughts are this, if it's RB2 styled, and thus lacking keys/harmonies, once it's released as general consumption DLC it'll be RB3 styled. It may be kept this way on the disc to keep the audience as broad as possible

[Pheran]

I just re-read the description, and just to clarify (because I didn't notice this earlier), ALL of the songs on the track pack are brand new and haven't been released yet. So perhaps this is a modified track pack that, when exported (which, by the way, isn't really an export - just a mere download from the console network), harmonies and keys will appear, as well as pro guitar, I'm guessing

EDIT: Forget the part where I say it's a modified track pack. It could simply just be all the songs in a RB2 format on disc, then when you 'export' the songs (as I mentioned above), the downloaded songs are in a RB3 format. Pretty simple and clever

Given skytt's post in this thread about what John Drake told him, I wouldn't get your hopes up for any pro features or even harmonies (though harmonies have been around longer, so maybe they are more likely to be in).

[Flan26]

Something doesn't make sense about it though. My thoughts are this, if it's RB2 styled, and thus lacking keys/harmonies, once it's released as general consumption DLC it'll be RB3 styled. It may be kept this way on the disc to keep the audience as broad as possible

It's an interesting point in that they said that once RB3 was released, they would not be releasing any more content for RB2. So when the exclusivity period drops, what the hell happens to this stuff?

If it's as Riles speculated, that there'll be some RB3 features that pop up with these songs, it'd be great. But I don't want to be around the forums when people realize that yes, they could release RB3 features along with something based around the RB2 engine.

Ka-plowie!

[FujiSkunk]

If it's as Riles speculated, that there'll be some RB3 features that pop up with these songs, it'd be great. But I don't want to be around the forums when people realize that yes, they could release RB3 features along with something based around the RB2 engine.

Ka-plowie!

Even if the disc is based on the RB2 engine, the "export" could be for RB3 only. Remember, only the RB1 export actually copies song data off the disc; all other exports have been downloads in disguise. So, what's on the disc doesn't necessarily have to be what gets "exported" into other games.

[HeyRiles]

The issue is that the product description says that the songs are playable in all three Rock Bands. While it's never been explicitly stated that RB2 and RB1 are done with downloadable content, it would certainly be a rather strange decision to later release 21 country songs into the Rock Band 2 music store, months after DLC has ceased for the game

Personally I think the product description is incorrect in saying it's playable in RB1 and RB2 and that these songs will indeed have keys as well as a few pro guitar charts, but maybe there will be future content for RB2, who knows

[dog037]

I already have too much country songs and none of the songs interest me. If they put Garth Brooks on there, I would be interested. He needs his own pack.

[Sayburr]

Well, pretty underwelling setlist so far and since the export is good for RB2, I seriously doubt any of the songs will be RB3 features...

None of the songs really struck me as enjoyable, well, except for Twang on guitar, but it still isn't a song I would buy.

I will say, however, if the export does have RB3 features, I will pick this up because Alesia is such a huge country fan... just wish I liked the songs.

[T-Hybrid]

HMX has already "wasted" plenty of good harmony and keyboard songs well after RB3 was announced. And the fact that they're releasing this pack in the RB2 format instead of RB3 is already a "waste." Lately, I'm convinced that the right hand doesn't even know what the left hand is doing over at HMX anymore.

Once again assuming (wrongly) that when DLC gets released it was only in the pipeline for a short period of time.

I once again point back to "All of This", which Shaimus announcd as being licensed for Rock Band in the weeks leading up to RB2's release (Sept/Oct. 2008), but wasn't released until about the same time as RBN was getting going (March 2010).

Or more famously, Snoop Dogg.

[taylorlee]

Maybe Harmonix was finally able to figure out how to have RB3 compatible files work in Rock Band 2? Like how harmonies were hidden in Green Day Rock Band Tracks.

I'm certainly not going to complain. Still haven't picked up RB3 yet, so if it will work in Rock Band 2, I'll be all for it!

[skyttskytt]

Given skytt's post in this thread about what John Drake told him, I wouldn't get your hopes up for any pro features or even harmonies (though harmonies have been around longer, so maybe they are more likely to be in).

Yeah, he didn't tell me a definitive "no they won't be RB3-era songs" but it was one of those 90% sure kind of things and that he'd be surprised if they were.

I think banking on the product description being wrong is wishful thinking, since it all seems to be fairly new text and not just copy-pasted from older products, especially the line about:

let's country music fans master guitar, bass, drums or vocals on 21 seminal country hits

It's nice that they're (all?) new songs, though. 21 songs for $30 is a pretty neat price.