Rock Band is a
music video game developed by
Harmonix Music Systems, published by
MTV Games, and distributed by
EA Distribution. The
Xbox 360 and
PlayStation 3 versions were released in the
United States on
November 20,
2007, while the
PlayStation 2 version was released in the U.S. on
December 18,
2007. The game was released in
Canada for the
Xbox 360 and
PlayStation 3 on
December 27,
2007 and for the PlayStation 2 on
January 2,
2008. EA's CEO confirmed plans to launch a
Wii version.
Rock Band allows players to perform in virtual "bands" by providing up to four players with the ability to play three different peripherals modeled after music instruments (a guitar peripheral for
lead guitar and
bass guitar gameplay, a
drum peripheral, and a
microphone). These peripherals are used to simulate the playing of
rock music by hitting scrolling notes on-screen. Players using the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and possibly Wii consoles can interact through both online and offline multiplayer capabilities. In addition to the songs shipping on the game disc, hundreds of new tracks will be made available as downloadable content. It is unknown if the
Wii will distribute downloadable content for the game. The game has received universal critical acclaim and has sold over 1.5 million units over all platforms. Unlike Guitar Hero, Rock Band has no specific characters. Instead it lets you create your own by using parts you unlocked in the store.

Rock Band 2 is an upcoming
music video game being developed by
Harmonix Music Systems, as the sequel to
Rock Band. The game will be released in
North America on
Xbox 360 in September 2008, with
Wii,
PlayStation 3 and
PlayStation 2 versions released later in the year.