Iron Man 2, the game of the sequel of the movie of the comic, is being released this week. How’d you like to win a copy on Xbox 360 along with the movie’s soundtrack by AC/DC? More »
Need one more (or a) reason to get the AC/DC Rock Band expansion, achievement whores? You got one. The disc will be shipping with its own set of “unique” achievements, as well as – according to Harmonix – “several that are song specific”. PS3 owners, same story, you’ll get trophies. Presumably (hopefully?) one of them will be for nailing the piggish “oi! oi! oi!” in TNT.
Will the AC/DC disc come with Achievements/Trophies? [Rock Band]
Between hearing the news, getting the press release then getting a follow-up, all the big questions we had about Rock Band’s AC/DC expansion were answered. Doesn’t mean all our questions were answered, though. We’ve still got plenty more. Like…how’s online going to work? Is it true that AC/DC are now signed exclusively to Rock Band? And if so, does this mean Harmonix are big fat liars, and that exclusivity in these band games does matter?
There was a bit of confusion this morning when the official press release for AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack hit. Unlike the New York Times story, which said the game was a Wal-Mart exclusive, there was no such mention of exclusivity in the press release.
We contacted Harmonix this morning for clarification and it turns out the New York Times got it right: AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack will be released as a disc-only game exclusively at Wal-Mart.
The standalone game will include 18 classic live tracks from the band’s live performances for more than 99 minutes of gameplay on each instrument. And, according to Harmonix, the game will not be available as DLC only as a disc.
If you buy the disc you can export the tracks from the pack to Rock Band or Rock Band 2 at no extra charge by entering a special export authentication code from the manual, though an online connection will be required. The $30 to $40 game will also be available for purchase at Sams Club in the U.S.
For those living in Europe, Australia and New Zealand the game will be available at most major retail outlets, but still not online.
So Harmonix and MTV Games told the New York Times all about the upcoming AC/DC Live Rock Band track pack, but they omitted some important details, which the official press release is all-too happy to fill us in on. Details such as the release date, November 2nd for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 2 in the States, November 16th for the Wii, running $39,98 for current gen and $29.98 for the good old PS2. Europe and the UK should be getting the pack sometime in early December. Note that the press release does not mention Wal-Mart exclusivity for the game, only the band’s new album, Black Ice. Might just be an oversight, but there you go.
As for playing the songs from the standalone pack in Rock Band 1 and 2, 360 and PS3 owners will be able to enter a special export authentication code, copying the songs to the hard disk for play in either title. Me? Not spending $40 for 18 new tracks, though if they ever decide to put the album up as DLC later on down the line, sign me up. Hit the jump for the full skinny.
Hey, remember that AC/DC-themed version of Rock Band we told you about a few weeks ago? According to the NY Times, it’s due to be formally unveiled by MTV tomorrow. And what’s more, it’s to be formally unveiled with a hefty caveat. Like, it’s only going to be available at Wal-Mart. So Rock N Roll! Officially branded AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack (most likely featuring tracks from their Castle Donington show), the expansion is (as we also told you a few weeks back) one piece in a massive marketing move by the band’s label, Columbia Records, which will see special AC/DC “areas” set up in each of Wal-Mart’s stores, selling not just the expansion, but AC/DC’s new album and all kinds of merch.
Why the exclusivity? Surprise: it’s all about the cash money. MTV’s Van Toffler:
[AU: Hey, if it makes it to K-Mart out here, I'll be happy enough. --SB]
Activision released Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, didn’t go down too well. Well, not as well as they’d have hoped. The Metallica version should do much better. But what about Harmonix? Think they’re gonna take all this artist-specific stuff lying down? Like hell they are. We’ve today heard that the developers are at work on Rock Band: AC/DC. And not just at work on the game, but a massive marketing exercise to go along with it, featuring t-shirts, branded guitar controllers and even branded pickguards (ie faceplates). It’s unclear whether this will be a standalone disc product or a massive DLC pack, but hey, at least it explains what ex-AC/DC drummer Chris Slade was doing at Harmonix’s E3 gig a few months back.
Certainly looks that way. Found on the blog of the lead singer of Darkest of the Hillside Thickets (who are part of this week’s DLC update), this screen was meant to show off the inclusion of their song “Shhh.”.. in the game. Whatever, dude, never even heard of you. Look straight under “Shhh.”.., however, and you’ll see AC/DC’s “Shoot To Thrill” listed as DLC. And the live version, from their Donington Castle show, to boot. Totally unconfirmed by Harmonix, of course, but then these kinds of things normally are.
