June 2, 2008
Rock Band Goes to Japan
Harmonix
and MTV to Partner with Q Entertainment for Rock Band: Japan
Harmonix Music
Systems and MTV Games 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 and
www.harmonixmusic.com.
