EA Wants You To ‘Rock’

Posted Apr 3, 2007 by Wes Phillips

Updated Apr 3, 2007 at 06:45 PM

It may be the timing of the rock gods, or it may be marketing. I’m going with marketing. For the same week Activision is bringing its epic rhythm game “Guitar Hero 2” to the Xbox 360, Electronic Arts is throwing its hat in the virtual rock ring.

“Rock Band” is a joint venture with Viacom and MTV-owned Harmonix, the creators of the Guitar Hero franchise. Instead of just acting out guitar fantasies, “Rock Band” will indulge your entire rock fetish. We’re talking drums, bass guitar, lead guitar and a microphone for vocals.

There are a lot of details that still haven’t come to light, but like “Guitar Hero,” the songs will be pulled from the music catalogues of major record labels like EMI, Sony and Universal.

Unlike “Guitar Hero” however, the game will allow you to assemble a quartet from around the planet with its robust online multiplayer. It’s kind of like The Postal Service, without all the angst and keyboards.

One of the big hurdles for “Rock Band” will be the peripherals. Today I bought an extra $60 guitar controller for the Xbox 360 version of “Guitar Hero 2.” Imagine how much a drum kit will cost.

“Rock Band” is supposed to drop during the 2007 holiday season on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, so to split up the cost, maybe each kid in an Osmond-like family can ask for a different instrument for Christmas.

Unfortunately for aspiring family bands, there still is no word on the rumored tambourine or cowbell controllers.