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Rock Band 4 announced for PS4 and Xbox One

So I get that you can use previously released DLC in this new game, but as someone who didnt own RB3, will I have the option to buy these DLC songs again in the new game?

I'd assume so. All DLC is saved to the hard drive, so none of it should be game dependent. The only ones you'd have difficulty getting are the on-disc songs, as they require a code in the manual to export. I'm guessing it's next to impossible to find a new copy of those games, so hopefully they find a way to put up bundles for those who didn't own them.
 
So I get that you can use previously released DLC in this new game, but as someone who didnt own RB3, will I have the option to buy these DLC songs again in the new game?

You won't be able to use your old DLC until they make a RB4 version of it. So yes, you'll be able to buy all the old stuff brand new as well

Basically, no data is being moved forward. When they rerelease a song, it checks "Did this account buy it on the old consoles? If yes, the new version is free. If no, they will have to pay if they want it"

Like moving from PS3 to PS4 with something like Sound Shapes. I bought a bunch of DLC on PS3, and when I downloaded it on PS4, I wasn't automatically granted the DLC, it showed up as free in my cart
 
Anybody know how Rock Band 3 exports will work? I'm flipping through my manual but don't see a code. I heard others talking about manual codes for Rock Band 3 earlier.
 
Anybody know how Rock Band 3 exports will work? I'm flipping through my manual but don't see a code. I heard others talking about manual codes for Rock Band 3 earlier.

RB 3 exporting currently is off the table. It might happen at a later date, but it seems like right now license rights issues are preventing it.
 
Anybody know how Rock Band 3 exports will work? I'm flipping through my manual but don't see a code. I heard others talking about manual codes for Rock Band 3 earlier.

very last page on the top there is a random code that is likely unique and could be used to export to a rock band 4 if they want.

I wouldn't be surprised if instead of exporting though they just did a dlc batch for them that for a limited time would cost the normal transfer fee.

They aren't planning on a RB3 export atm. They might if there's enough demand for it.

that's a shame.... though let me see what songs are actually a big loss...
edit: there are like 12 songs I would actually miss.
 
What would have shocked me more than this announcement is if they announced that Rock Band 4 is coming on in Asia together with not just the current roster of songs, but they worked on a dedicated Asia version containing all the latest songs in respected regions. Example, Japan version contain Japan X, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Detroit Metal City[haha!], and tons and tons of really popular karaoke songs. If they do it right then I strongly believe they would take asia by storm! Again, I want to emphasize about them doing it right for the asian market (it goes beyond localisation, they have to go all the way). I think Harmonix really underestimating the asia market such as Korea, Japan and China. Music and karaoke scene is insane so it doesn't make sense for them not to capitalise it considering there is literally no competition.

Other than that, another surprise would be them announcing a PC version of the game and re-marketing the use of real guitars and other instruments to play it.
 
I'm looking over the list of all released DLC and a ton of stuff released after RB3 just looks super unappealing and sad now that keys are out. I really, really hope that they put them back in some day. Many of these artists probably wouldn't have been featured if there weren't keys.

Fuck. Take on Me is basically neutered from a gameplay perspective. Legacy tracks with keys at the very least should still have their key parts playable.
 
What would have shocked me more than this announcement is if they announced that Rock Band 4 is coming on in Asia together with not just the current roster of songs, but they worked on a dedicated Asia version containing all the latest songs in respected regions. Example, Japan version contain Japan X, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Detroit Metal City[haha!], and tons and tons of really popular karaoke songs. If they do it right then I strongly believe they would take asia by storm! Again, I want to emphasize about them doing it right for the asian market (it goes beyond localisation, they have to go all the way). I think Harmonix really underestimating the asia market such as Korea, Japan and China. Music and karaoke scene is insane so it doesn't make sense for them not to capitalise it considering there is literally no competition.

Other than that, another surprise would be them announcing a PC version of the game and re-marketing the use of real guitars and other instruments to play it.
If Rock Band Japan wasn't able to get released at the height of RB popularity, then I doubt it ever will. Japan's music licensing is a bigger pain in the ass than North America. Many Japanese rhythm games just have covers in them because it's cheaper and easier that way.

I've always hoped for a Japanese DLC pack though. Playing the two Dir En Grey songs from RBN and the X-Japan track is pretty rad.
 
I'm looking over the list of all released DLC and a ton of stuff released after RB3 just looks super unappealing and sad now that keys are out. I really, really hope that they put them back in some day. Many of these artists probably wouldn't have been featured if there weren't keys.

Fuck. Take on Me is basically neutered from a gameplay perspective. Legacy tracks with keys at the very least should still have their key parts playable.

If rock band reaches the heights it did years ago keys might come back especially if people whine at them a lot, but it's unlikely it will and unlikely keys will come back as not that many people played them, and the charting had to take a while to do.

At this point I am just hoping that the keyboard will work as a guitar in rock band 4 as that is how I play a lot of the guitar parts in rock band 3 because it's easier to do over long periods of time.
 
If rock band reaches the heights it did years ago keys might come back especially if people whine at them a lot, but it's unlikely it will and unlikely keys will come back as not that many people played them, and the charting had to take a while to do.

At this point I am just hoping that the keyboard will work as a guitar in rock band 4 as that is how I play a lot of the guitar parts in rock band 3 because it's easier to do over long periods of time.

The thing is, keys were introduced well after the height of Rock Band.
 
What I'm really curious about is whether or not Rock Band 4 song DLC will be playable on the old games.

Probably not looking at RB3 and how DLC works on the PS4/Xbox One

Tbh, if it did then I might not even get RB4, at least not until I'm a little more ready to get an X1.
 
this might turn out to be a system seller for XB1 without being an exclusive... :O

Yeah, I basically said the same thing a few weeks back (with DLC compatibility being a possibility at that time). The series did better on the 360 last gen so Rock Band DLC compatibility (alongside future big XB1 exclusives & multiplats) may help the system's sales during the Holiday season.
 
Yeah, I basically said the same thing a few weeks back (with DLC compatibility being a possibility at that time). The series did better on the 360 last gen so Rock Band DLC compatibility (alongside future big XB1 exclusives & multiplats) may help the system's sales during the Holiday season.

I really doubt this is going to affect console sales numbers to a wide extent.
 
I really doubt this is going to affect console sales numbers to a wide extent.

I don't think it's going to have a big impact but it should definitely help. I mean, there's already a good amount of posts in this thread with people saying that DLC will push them to get an XB1.

Would be smart if MS makes it more known to people since (as I said before) the series sold better on 360 last gen.
 
The thing is, keys were introduced well after the height of Rock Band.

they were introduced with rock band 3 as a way to try to make it new and exciting and draw people back, it failed to do so and thus isn't worth the resources with their now much smaller team.

The reason I said they may bring it back if they reach the peaks again is because they would be able to afford more people to add in secondary stuff again.

They have already said that rock band 3 wasn't as focused as they would have liked and are going to a more focused approach this time.
 
What I'm really curious about is whether or not Rock Band 4 song DLC will be playable on the old games.

Depends on how copy protected the files are.
Oh, you meant officially? I'm leaning towards probably not.
 
What would have shocked me more than this announcement is if they announced that Rock Band 4 is coming on in Asia together with not just the current roster of songs, but they worked on a dedicated Asia version containing all the latest songs in respected regions. Example, Japan version contain Japan X, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Detroit Metal City[haha!], and tons and tons of really popular karaoke songs. If they do it right then I strongly believe they would take asia by storm! Again, I want to emphasize about them doing it right for the asian market (it goes beyond localisation, they have to go all the way). I think Harmonix really underestimating the asia market such as Korea, Japan and China. Music and karaoke scene is insane so it doesn't make sense for them not to capitalise it considering there is literally no competition.

Other than that, another surprise would be them announcing a PC version of the game and re-marketing the use of real guitars and other instruments to play it.

Enjoy your new batch of Pearl Jam, Journey, System of a Down and Incubus songs! Also, please have seven thousand metal songs as the only DLC!

This is, by the way, the major reason why I'm skeptical of a new Rock Band personally. I just don't know that there's much to be gained from retreading the same music again, and I don't think there have been a lot of super-popular guitar-based bands in the years since Rock Band 3. There's what, Imagine Dragons? And, uh? There's a new U2 album, which of course is SUPER popular with anyone under the age of 65? I don't know, what else is popular these days with the kids that actually has guitars in it? (I'm serious, I actually have no idea. All the popular stuff I know about is synth or sample-based.)

I guess Harmonix COULD surprise me and get, say, St. Vincent or Alvvays or Parquet Courts or Ex Hex in the game, but I sure as hell am not holding my breath. I'll be lucky if Sleater-Kinney even make it in the game as DLC.

This is, of course, a very personal opinion. If there really is a market for this game still, with modern bands that can support it, my whining is irrelevant for anyone besides me.
 
I'll be lucky if Sleater-Kinney even make it in the game as DLC.

What? They're already in the game as DLC. At least three songs that I remember.
EDIT: It's actually four songs.

There are over 4,000 DLC songs.
 
Fuck yes. Have to get digital on my XB1 because this will be a permanent fixture on it. I have TONS of DLC for RB... likely over $200 easy.

Based Harmonix
 
This is, by the way, the major reason why I'm skeptical of a new Rock Band personally. I just don't know that there's much to be gained from retreading the same music again, and I don't think there have been a lot of super-popular guitar-based bands in the years since Rock Band 3. There's what, Imagine Dragons? And, uh? There's a new U2 album, which of course is SUPER popular with anyone under the age of 65? I don't know, what else is popular these days with the kids that actually has guitars in it? (I'm serious, I actually have no idea. All the popular stuff I know about is synth or sample-based.)

just off the top of my head some stuff that are possible to get for the new game. (songs taken from CDs that have released in the last two years or will release this year)
Three Days Grace Painkiller (new singer)
Linkin Park Rebellion
Stone Temple Pilots - Out of time
Fallout boy Centuries
30 seconds to mars up in the air
the Fray love don't die

I also would expect stuff like the more pop rock
American Authors Best Day of My Life
One Republic Counting Stars
Bastille - Pompeii (Lyrics)
Avicii - Wake Me Up

guitar has gone to the background on a lot of stuff, which is why i won't be surprised when we get songs like all about that bass or songs where stuff is charted to the guitar but not actually guitar which at that point I suppose we will just have to let it go and enjoy it
 
I had to import Rock Band last gen for PS3 because of Microsofts stupid RB1 exclusivity arrangement for Europe - so that meant I was tied to buying dlc from the US store at the inflated cost for getting commercial US PSN cards. That region locking probably won't change for this version but at least I won't need to get a console I wouldn't desire otherwise to use my old purchases. Anyway, I'm ready for this.
 
Finally, I'm justified in still having my RB3 drumkit despite not playing in years, better yet, I'm also justified in having it in my backseat of my car these past few months.
 
I'm in thesame boat, I bought about 200 DLC songs from the US Store since Rock Band never came out in Europe. So I've got a US PSN account with all those songs + Rock Band 1, Rock Band 2 and Lego Rock Band export.

Now I've got a PS4 on which I haven't used my US PSN Account, not a clue whether it's possible to put my US PSN Account back on my console and download the DLC again, I'll have to import the game as well..
 
I'm in thesame boat, I bought about 200 DLC songs from the US Store since Rock Band never came out in Europe. So I've got a US PSN account with all those songs + Rock Band 1, Rock Band 2 and Lego Rock Band export.

Now I've got a PS4 on which I haven't used my US PSN Account, not a clue whether it's possible to put my US PSN Account back on my console and download the DLC again, I'll have to import the game as well..

You shouldnt have any issues, just put your US account on it and set the PS4 as the accounts primary console. You'll be able to play all on your own normal PSN ID.
 
Friend of mine mentioned that new owners of Lego Rock Band aren't actually able to export Lego Rock Band into RB3 if they haven't already done so any more due to licensing. Any truth to that? Because I just ordered the game yesterday due to my excitement for RB4.... :/
 
What? They're already in the game as DLC. At least three songs that I remember.
EDIT: It's actually four songs.

There are over 4,000 DLC songs.

Sorry, I meant NEW DLC. I already know about the tracks from The Woods. That alone was enough to tell me that nothing outside their Sub Pop catalog was getting released, though now that the new album is out there's at least a bigger collection of songs to choose from. (Oh, also, just remembered: those tracks were all released via Rock Band Network originally, right? Is RBN still a thing, and will it still be a thing when RB4 releases?)

And yeah, 4,000 DLC songs, and I'm pretty sure I have all the ones I'm interested in already. Anyone new to the series has a potential cornucopia of tracks, true, but if Harmonix isn't planning on putting out a comprehensive array of new tracks as DLC then there's not much for people who had the old games.

I mean, if anyone can figure this out, it's Harmonix; they've been in the music licensing game longer than anyone. I'm just very pessimistic based on the PAX East panel they had two years ago where they showed just how difficult it is to license music for these games, and how they had all these awesome ideas and bands on their wishlists that just never materialized. I assume those problems have only gotten more difficult, now that Rock Band's had a few fallow years and Harmonix no longer has the financial backing of a Viacom.

I also suspect that record labels big and small will be more reluctant in general because Rock Band doesn't offer much in the way of marketing benefits to their artists, or doesn't fit neatly into promotion plans. I mean, how many more people became aware of Neko Case because of the one Rock Band DLC song she got? I'd love to believe it was a lot, but the fact that we never got any more tells me otherwise.

That said, I still have my old drums and guitars and mics. If Harmonix can pull this off, I will once again be trying to figure out ways to soundproof my apartment to pre-empt noise complaints! I really, really want Rock Band to work again, especially if it caters more to my musical tastes.
 
I will buy the ever loving F**K out of a drum set for this, and play until my legs shoot themselves.

I've always wanted a Rock Band game but never had the room to get a drum set, but by the time this is out (and winds are on my side), I'll have my own house with a play room.

So bring it on!!

Also question: is there already a DLC for the Metallica S&M album? Because that would be 75 kinds of awesome.
 
Also question: is there already a DLC for the Metallica S&M album? Because that would be 75 kinds of awesome.
Nah, there's no Metallica DLC whatsoever. There was at launch, a three pack containing Blackened, Ride the Lightning and ...And Justice for All, but that was never successfully relicensed and was taken off the store so short of a surprise there will be no Metallica in RB4 whatsoever.
 
How do you think they do World Tour this time? I'd be quite interested in seeing them doing it time-wise in RB4, starting with a band in the 60's and working through the decades until the modern day.
 
Nah, there's no Metallica DLC whatsoever. There was at launch, a three pack containing Blackened, Ride the Lightning and ...And Justice for All, but that was never successfully relicensed and was taken off the store so short of a surprise there will be no Metallica in RB4 whatsoever.

Well arse, then. It would've been something else, that.

Thanks, mate. I shouldn't hold my breath for this...
 
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