Start saving: EA CEO confirms Rock Band

by JC Fletcher { Jan 31st 2008 at 10:09PM }

The microphone predicted the future! It's a magic microphone! During a conference call today, EA's CEO John Riccitiello casually referred to the "coming launch" of a Wii version of Harmonix's multi-instrumental music game Rock Band. Harmonix's Alex Rigopoulos has mentioned the possibility before, but this is the first official word from the publisher.

In addition, Kotaku reports that EA said that a European release of Rock Band was set for April-June of this year "across all SKUs." You know what's a SKU that, as of right now, has a version of Rock Band? That's right, the Wii. So we should probably expect the Wii game in the U.S. around the same time.

Of course, there are no details, so we don't know if it's going to have all of the amazing features of the "next-gen" versions, or will be more like the still-awesome PS2 version.

[Thanks, Tanks and Smit!]

Tags: ea, harmonix, music, rhythm, rock-band

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

jughead789 @ Jan 31st 2008 10:17PM

YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!! now make this perfect and include downloadable content

solarflare @ Mar 25th 2008 6:49PM

The wii has no hardrive there for no way to have downloadable content UNLESS they do something like brawl where you get like a daily thing or a weekly thing. As long as they clean it up and make a website with a list of songs that you can play from your SD card..

jason @ Jan 31st 2008 10:31PM

I could cry at how awesome this is.

Calvin @ Jan 31st 2008 10:32PM

I will only buy this if it gives me custom characters, the original band world tour, and online features. I don't want the shitty PS2 version.

beyond_ape @ Jan 31st 2008 10:44PM

Exactly what Calvin said. If I can't the same stuff as Xbox or PS3, then I probably won't bother.

sn1per @ Jan 31st 2008 11:06PM

^^What they said. I *know* the Wii can handle all the features that were left out of the ps2 version. Also, DLC has been confirmed for guitar hero 3, so maybe Activision + Harmonix managed to convince Nintendo to allow external storage?

Roto13 @ Feb 1st 2008 8:12AM

Agreed. If I wanted the shitty stripped down version, I'd skip the wait and get the PS2 version.

Calvin @ Jan 31st 2008 11:11PM

I agree, Nintendo needs to realize that 512 isn't a big number for storage, especially with all the goodies of Brawl, Virtual Console, ect. Unless we can boot these things off of SD cards, then we really need another media solution, and with DLC and full fledged Wii games available online coming soon, we need it fast.

shadowchaoscontrol @ Feb 1st 2008 5:59AM

brawl can read stuff right off of the sd card, so hopefully GH3 and RB do the same, could be the reason GH3 doesn't have it yet

Dustin @ Jan 31st 2008 11:24PM

This is great news! I hope we can use the guitar controllers we already have for Guitar Hero. I've heard that they are not interchangeable on other consoles. And I assume the game only comes with one guitar.

Fiefdom @ Jan 31st 2008 11:50PM

Blegh, we just bought the PS3 version. Is there any chance of an explanation as to why the Wii version is late or is EA apt to keep quiet?

vidGuy @ Feb 1st 2008 1:17AM

Glad to see this come to Wii, but I have no qualms about owning the 360 version and would definitely recommend it to anyone who owns the console. Damn thing's expensive though.

clif @ Feb 1st 2008 5:30AM

Well this is good news. I'm glad since the wii has outsold ps3 and is neck and neck with the 360 it makes total sense. I think this should have been out awhile ago(along with a hard-drive). IF! This does actually come out like everybody mentioned downloadable content would be a plus with world tour full like the ps3 and 360. The create a character too. I just hope EA doesn't piss on wii owners and give us a ps 2 port. The wii CAN handle rock band just as easily as the "next-gen" of the ps3 and 360. But i'm optimistic since i'm still strongly considering the ps3 version. But also Rock Band can use the gamecube controller ports for the drums(or usb). But the guitar can be wireless and i hope my gh3 controller could be used with rock band that would be awesome. Lastly microphone usb, gamecube controller too. I just hope it's on par with everything the xbox 360 and ps3 has then I might consider it. Here's hoping EA comes though but I'm not holding my breath.
-Clif

Matthew @ Feb 1st 2008 1:37PM

What would be really weird is if they add in support for the DK bongos.

shadowchaoscontrol @ Feb 1st 2008 5:58AM

i may get it, and if the RB guitar is compatible with GH3, sweet, i don't have to waste the $60

WhatIsThatThing @ Feb 1st 2008 6:20AM

Damn, too late for me; I already bought it for the 360.

Matt B @ Feb 1st 2008 6:34AM

Oh *&^&*^% YEAH!!! Im all over this like white on rice. I was really hoping this would come out for the Wii. I've played the PS2 version, and its so much fun. But I really hope that we get DLC and Band World Tour, as well as compatability with the GH3 controller (especially since it shows up as just a classic controller).

Ashley Boyd @ Feb 1st 2008 7:24AM

I thought Rock Band was coming out March in Europe...maybe im just being stupid though.

The_Rev @ Feb 1st 2008 9:19AM

OSMNESS! PURE OSMNEWSS! i just hope it has downloadable content.

sketchampm @ Feb 1st 2008 1:50PM

Rock Band is superior to Guitar Hero in every way.

I just hope this isn't the PS2 version...because that's garbage.

Tim @ Feb 1st 2008 10:09AM

Dear God,
Thank You for answering my prayer, this one will work forget about me praying to win the lottery now!

Love,
Tim

KidSqueej @ Feb 1st 2008 11:33AM

true that man, if the wii version is the same as the ps2, then im skipping. i have a ps2 but i dont want rockband for it cuz its stripped down a butt-load.i must start putting me pennies together.

Perverted @ Feb 1st 2008 1:19PM

I would accept ps2 graphics as long as the features of the other current gen consoles are there.
f it's a stupid ps2 port with just crappy online play then no thank you.

Mr Khan @ Feb 1st 2008 2:08PM

Plus songs can't take up all that much space. I have 24 minutes of CD-quality sound stored on my server folder at school, and its only up to about 22 MB

The songs themselves would take up more space than the actual gameplay information, because those are probably very simple code-wise

Not saying they'll do it, but space-wise, it's certainly possible for those of us with an SD card