Harmonix Music Systems and MTV Games, announced yesterday 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.
Rock Band's return to the birthplace of rhythm games will benefit from Q Entertainment' 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.
The 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 been credited with more than 40 gaming awards!
Rockband.com
