Thats right, Rock Band is headed to the land of the rising sun! (thats Japan for those of you who unfamiliar with flags). Harmonix has struck a deal with Q (makers of Lumines) to bring the game over seas and give it a unique Japanese feel with a new look and music.
So, the staff here at Two Bit News got all tingly inside as our inner fan boy imaginations went wild, and here is a list of features you might just see come the Japanese version of Rock Band:
- Many downloadable songs named after inexplicable American items, such as Raspberry Milk Umbrella and La La La Go Go Toaster
- Downloadable Zipper Packs for character designs, overseen by Tetsuya Nomura [1].
- Rewards for playing well will be removed, and instead you will have songs taken away for failing.
- Hari Kari sword accessory available for just 1900 yen.
- There will undoubtably be a new "collection" or "trophy" system that will take hours upon hours to complete and do absolutely nothing.
- NEW SONG GET!
- The evil marketing empire of Hello Kitty will somehow find it's way into the game, bright pink and shiny drum set anyone?
- Many Americans will import it and love it no matter what, often using it as a basis for some annoying argument about why Manga is so great.
- Many Americans will refuse to import it, often using it to draw conclusions about other countries without any founded information what-so-ever.
- Math Mode, add numbers while you rock out! AWESOME!
In case you wanted the full info, here is the full press release:
Harmonix and MTV to Partner with Q Entertainment for Rock Band: Japan
CAMBRIDGE, Mass - June 2, 2008 – Harmonix Music Systems, the leading
developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV
Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), announced today that they will team up
with Q Entertainment, a leading Japanese music game designer, to bring
the best-selling music videogame Rock Band to Japan. The two studios
will work together to develop the title, marking the first
US-originated rock music game to be heavily localized for the Japanese
market. The game will feature Japanese musical acts as well as other
localized assets.
Rock Band’s return to the birthplace of rhythm games will
benefit from Q Entertainment’s experience designing progressive and
engaging games many of which have a heavy focus on integrating music
elements into gameplay. Since its founding in 2003, Tokyo based Q
Entertainment has become a leader in rhythm oriented titles, including
the critically acclaimed music and luminary action puzzle game series
Lumines,and the recently released Extend Every Extra Extreme (E4) and
Rez HD for Xbox Live.
Today’s announcement was also featured Saturday at the 2008 MTV
Video Music Awards - Japan, where a Rock Band trailer was presented.
The US-version of Rock Band was also prominently featured backstage
and at the afterparty, giving Japanese attendees a taste of what’s to
come in the newly announced title.
Rock Band, which has sold over 3 million units in North America and
Europe, is an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact
with music. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour
for fame and fortune, mastering lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals.With
more master recordings than any other music game, Rock Band features
some of the world’s biggest rock artists and spans every genre of rock
ranging from alternative and classic
rock to heavy metal and punk.
Rock Band is a true music platform, with over 12 million songs sold
as downloadable content since its initial release. There are currently
over 140 songs available for download in the Rock Band Music Store and
Harmonix continues to release new music every week.
Since its North American release in 2007, Rock Band has garnered
over 40 awards including Game Critics Award: Best of Show E3 2007and
three awards at The 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards
including Outstanding Innovation in Gaming, Family Game of the Year,
and Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack.
For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com [2] and www.harmonixmusic.com [3] .