Rock Band Reloaded Announced By EA Games For iPhone And iPad
More than 30 songs are available in this new expansion from artists such as Nirvana, No Doubt, Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Vampire Weekend (which one doesn't belong? lols) and a brand new "5th Way to Play" is introduced where you're able to sing directly into your device using brand spanking new voice recognition features. No more singing to your television looking like a jerk! Now you can sing to your iPad! Hooray! This expansion is called Rock Band Reloaded (and Rock Band Reloaded HD) and is only available for iPhone (and iPad) – it's got "flexible controls providing ultimate customization for all play styles"! Multiplayer mode where you can play head to head on split screen (an epic feat on an iPhone to be sure) and a new "Big Drums" layout.
Another artist on the lineup is Billy Idol. You think all these bands that came out before even computers were widespread had any idea people would be interacting with their music in such a way? What a wild though. Both of these games are sitting in the Apple App store just dying to get out on your iPhone or iPad, all the while your sad iPod Touch cries in a corner. Better get it a new copy of Death Worm or iSamJackson instead. Read the full press release below:
EA AND HARMONIX ROCK THE MOBILE GAMING WORLD WITH ROCK BAND™ RELOADED
Songs from Top Artists and Vocal Recognition Headline First Ever iPad-Exclusive Version;
New iPhone and iPod Touch Versions Also Launch on the App Store Today
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – December 2, 2010 – EA Mobile™ – a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), Harmonix Music Systems Inc. – the world's premier music video game developer, and MTV Games – a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced that ROCK BAND™ Reloaded is now available on the App StoreSM. The iPad™-exclusive HD version and the version for iPhone® and iPod touch® offers players an initial powerhouse setlist of songs from artists including Nirvana, Billy Idol, No Doubt, Nine Inch Nails and Vampire Weekend. More than 20 songs will be available today with new tracks launching throughout the holidays. Plus, for the first time, ROCK BAND Reloaded players now have a "5th Way to Play" by singing directly into their iPhone, iPod touch and iPad utilizing new vocal recognition features.
"ROCK BAND Reloaded is the experience fans have been waiting for, innovating on the popular franchise and bringing the entire band onto the iPad and iPhone for the first time," said Travis Boatman, Vice President of Worldwide Studios for EA Mobile. "These games bring a deep ROCK BAND experience to mobile players in very cool and creative new ways. Innovative vocal recognition features, social integration connecting players to their friends and challenging gameplay modes will drive forward the mobile music genre and provide the best music experience to players."
New vocal recognition features introduce players to a unique way to play by singing directly into their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad to earn points. Players can showcase their inner rock star by picking from a setlist of songs that include "Hella Good" by No Doubt, "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down, "Your Decision" by Alice in Chains, "White Wedding" by Billy Idol, "In Bloom" by Nirvana, "A-Punk" by Vampire Weekend and many more. In addition to the songs included with the initial purchase, free* tracks are available in the Music Store along with Premium Packs by The All American Rejects, Third Eye Blind, Blink-182 and other top-selling artists available through In App Purchase.
For the first time on iPad, ROCK BAND Reloaded packs delivers device-exclusive features including a Multiplayer mode where players can challenge friends live in a head-to-head split-screen environment. Flexible controls provide for ultimate customization of all play styles. The iPad game's new "Big Drums" layout increases the interactivity of this fan-favorite instrument. Songs are now more accessible to players with custom playlists in Quick Play and quick replay using an "Encore" feature.
Other game features include a new Expert mode for experienced players along with a World Tour mode that enables players to rock six cities and 36 events earning up to 50 awards and achievements all while living the Rock N' Roll dream. By logging into Facebook, players have access to the News Center where they can find out when new songs launch, follow friends' exploits and directly challenge their friends' accomplishments with a simple touch of the screen. And for those just looking to jam, get "the band" together via local WiFi and Bluetooth and play live on guitar, bass, drums, or vocals with up to three bandmates using their own iPad, iPhone or iPod touch**.
ROCK BAND Reloaded and ROCK BAND Reloaded HD are available today from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. Assets and additional press information on ROCK BAND Reloaded can be found at http://info.ea.com. For the most up to date ROCK BAND Reloaded set list, visit http://www.ea.com.
EA Mobile has a solid reputation for its pioneering and market leadership in mobile gaming, and has been a definitive player with the rise of Apple devices as gaming platforms. Popular games include SCRABBLE, Tetris, MONOPOLY and BATTLESHIP, which have consistently ranked among top sellers and, in 2009, The Sims® 3 was the #1 best-selling game on the App Store. For more information about EA Mobile, please visit www.EAMobile.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EAMobile or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EAMobile.
* Internet connection required. Data rates may apply.
**Vocals/voice feature not available on the 1st generation iPod touch. Microphone required to play vocals/voice on the 2nd and 3rd generation iPod touch. Headset required to play vocals/voice on 1st generation iPhone.
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About EA Mobile
EA Mobile™ is the world's leading wireless entertainment publisher with award-winning games such as Tetris®, Bejeweled®, The Sims™, and Need For Speed™. The EA Mobile portfolio also includes casual games based on the company's alliance with Hasbro, Inc. including MONOPOLY, YAHTZEE and SCRABBLE (in the U.S. and Canada) as well as sports blockbusters from the EA SPORTS™ brand, including Madden NFL Football, FIFA Soccer and NASCAR®. EA Mobile develops games for multiple mobile platforms including mobile phones, smartphones, the iPhone®, iPad™ and iPod® touch. For more information about EA Mobile, please visit www.eamobile.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA Mobile™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2010, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.7 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million units. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, Gametrailers and Xfire.
About MTV Games
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.
About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit www.harmonixmusic.com.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile, Pogo, The Sims and Need for Speed are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Tetris is a registered trademark of Tetris Holding. Bejeweled is a registered trademark of PopCap Games, Inc. BATTLESHIP, MONOPOLY, YAHTZEE and SCRABBLE (in the U.S. and Canada) are trademarks of Hasbro. John Madden, NFL, FIFA and NASCAR are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc. and iPhone and iPod touch are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Harmonix, Rock Band, Rock Band 2, Rock Band 3, Rock Band Network and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., a MTV Networks company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.