CAMBRIDGE, MA – December 12, 2008 – Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced that Rock Band® 2 for the Wii™ home videogame console from Nintendo and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system will ship to stores nationwide December 18, 2008 .
Rock Band 2 Shipping and Pricing Information:
December 18, 2008 (Available in stores 5-7 days after the ship date)
- Rock Band 2 Standalone Software (Wii) $49.99 MSRP
- Rock Band 2 Standalone Software (PlayStation 2 System) $49.99 MSRP
- Rock Band 2 Standalone Drums (Wii) $89.99 MSRP
- Rock Band 2 Standalone Guitar (Wii) $69.99 MSRP
- Rock Band 2 Special Edition Bundle (Wii) $189.99 MSRP
*Rock Band 2 Standalone Instruments for PlayStation 2 / PLAYSTATION 3 systems are already available.
Rock Band 2 for the Wii system, developed by Pi Studios under the direction of Harmonix, will be fully featured with online modes including World Tour and Battle of the Bands, an innovative character creator, weekly downloadable content and more! With more than 100 songs on the Rock Band 2 Wii soundtrack and an ongoing weekly offering of downloadable tracks available for purchase, Rock Band 2 Wii owners will have access to the most impressive music catalogue for a music-based videogame on the console.
Weekly Rock Band downloadable content releases will be available for the Wii system shortly after the game’s release. The initial offering will include the 20 free Rock Band 2 downloadabletracks as well as 30 other tracks already released into the Rock Band music catalog of downloadable content. In addition, Wii fans can expect a roll-out of the previously released downloadable content every week until the entire back catalogue is available. Weekly Rock Band downloadable content releases are already available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system on a weekly basis.
Rock Band 2 for the PlayStation 2 system showcases many of the same challenging modes, features and rock music found in the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system version, including World Tour, Set Challenges, Drum Trainer and new venues. Featuring an unrivaled blend of classic and new artists, the Rock Band 2 PlayStation 2 soundtrack boasts 84 tracks including songs by AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Motörhead and more! Downloadable content is not available for the PlayStation 2 system version of Rock Band 2.
The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 30 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007. With more than 500 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at http://www.rockband.com/music), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.
Rock Band 2 is rated “T” for Teen with descriptors of lyrics and suggestive themes by the ESRB.
For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband2.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.
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About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a part of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company’s portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.
About MTV Games
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.
About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit: www.harmonixmusic.com .
About Pi Studios
Pi Studios is an independent video game developer based in Houston, TX. Best known for its work on Harmonix's award-wining Rock Band® series, the studio was responsible for the Wii and Playstation 2 versions of Rock Band®, Rock Band® Track Packs and the upcoming AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band® Track Pack™. Pi has also contributed to a number of other franchises, including the Halo series and Call of Duty. More information can be found at www.pistudios.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS FreestyleTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
© 2008 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., an MTV Networks company. Rock Band and Rock Band 2 developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc All other marks are the property of their respective owners. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. “PlayStation” and “PLAYSTATION” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Harmonix Media Contact:
Tracie Snitker
Reverb Communications
Tracie@reverbinc.com
(209) 586-1495 x104
MTV Contact:
Jeff Castaneda
MTV
Jeff.Castaneda@mtvstaff.com
(212) 846-6774
EA Contact:
Bryce Baer
Electronic Arts
bbaer@ea.com
(650) 628-5102
Rock Band 2 will be available in stores 5-7 days after the ship date.
The Rock Band 2 game disc will feature 84 tracks. In addition, players will have access to an additional 20 free DLC tracks following the game’s launch. Online connection required. The 20 free DLC tracks are not available for the PlayStation 2 version of the game.
Rock Band 2 DLC tracks for Wii are available through the in-game Rock Band Music Store only. Wii points must be purchased outside the game through the Wii Shop Channel. Online connection required. An SD card can be used for additional storage of Rock Band track downloads.
