There have been rumours rumbling for months now about a version of Rock Band for the Nintendo Wii. Although Electronic Arts, who distributes the game for publisher MTV, wouldn’t confirm of deny the intense speculation, it seems EA’s chief executive John Riccitiello just couldn’t hold the news in any longer.
During a conference call discussing EA’s 3rd quarter financial results, he spilled the beans on what will be music (pun intended) to Wii owners ears, saying:
“In terms of pacing the next few quarters, you’re probably well aware of the more than $2.5 million music downloads that have occurred on Rock Band,”
“What’s probably the most interesting pieces right now is the coming launch on the Wii, the continued sale of the core platforms in North America, and then the fiscal ‘09 launch across Europe against all of the SKU.”

Original post by Dave Parrack

Besides the fact that we know a portable version of Guitar Hero will be making its way to the Nintendo DS, we really know little else. Red Octane’s Charles Huang had insinuated that the game might take advantage of a peripheral, but clearly that’s not necessary for a portable Guitar Hero experience.

Some new information has come to light, and unfortunately, it may just be the game’s name. Trademork.com has uncovered a Activision’s trademark filing for “Guitar Hero On Tour,” which really could be anything. But given this French Web site’s listing of Guitar Hero: On Tour for release on the Nintendo DS later this year (via GoNintendo), we’re just putting two and two together.

Games like Elite Beat Agents and even Daigasso! Band Brothers have proven that decent (if not great) rhythm games could be successful on the DS.

Original post by mrdestructoid@gmail.com (Destructoid.com)

If it was ‘82, your girlfriend would do these guys with extreme prejudice.

Guitar Hero III owners can nowdownload three classic rock songs from some legendary bands. Foreigner’s “Jukebox Hero”, Boston’s “Peace of Mind”, and Journey’s “Any Way You Want It” join the stable of songs available for the game.

Now that Guitar Hero III has Journey, let’s get some Journey action on Rock Band, pretty please? Some of us want to sing along with golden tones of Steve Perry blasting from our speakers. I would cry sweet vodka tears if only “Don’t Stop Believing” was available for purchase.

And what’s with the real deal Foreigner song “Jukebox Hero” when Rock Band only gets a cover of the ultra classic tune? Wait… what in the bloody hell am I talking about? Who cares about Foreigner?

Original post by Paul

By looking at Soundscan’s sales figures for various songs included in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock before and after the rhythm game was released, Ars Technica has discovered that “increased sales for labels and bands” is just one of the benefits of having your music featured in the immensely popular franchise.
“It doesn’t appear to matter if you’re in the main game or are a bonus song; huge gains are seen everywhere. As long as your song ships with the game and you offer the track to be downloaded digitally, you see an increase,” the source explained.

I’ve learned to love new songs with the help of Guitar Hero, and according to this research, many of you have too. No word on whether or not Rock Band will have a similar effect on digital music sales, but it’s safe to assume that it will.
Does this news mean that Activision will load […]

Original post by mrdestructoid@gmail.com (Destructoid.com)