Rock Band AC/DC Expansion Confirmed
By Tyler Ryan on Oct 1, 2008 in News
AC/DC fans will soon be getting a standalone disk for Rock Band
The expansion will be called ‘AC/DC Live : Rock Band Track Pack’, and it will feature 18 tracks from AC/DC that are, strangely enough, live performances.
This expansion will be only be available to purchase in WalMart and will not be available to purchase and download online. It is part of a big marketing blitz by Colombia Records to promote AC/DC’s newest album, Black Ice.
Expect to see this expansion pack in stores on November 2nd for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PS2, while the Wii release will be on November 16th. It will cost $39.98 for all systems, except for the PS2 release which will be $29.98
View the full press release after the break for more info, as well as a listing of the 18 tracks.
Press Release:
AC/DC COMES EXCLUSIVELY TO ROCK BAND™ TO BRING AC/DC LIVE: ROCK BAND® TRACK PACK™ TO FANS WORLDWIDE
Set List from Legendary Live AC/DC Performances Come to Life in Rock Band for Global Release Beginning November
New York, NY, September 30, 2008 – AC/DC comes exclusively to Rock Band beginning this November for the worldwide release of AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band® Track Pack™ by Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks, (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B). This exclusive deal with Columbia Records and AC/DC marks the first time ever the band has included an entire album for video game play, with 18 live tracks from their prolific live performances becoming available in one electrifying, standalone game. The AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack allows players to experience this amazing set list with Rock Band, Rock Band 2 or other compatible music game peripherals. Full of the band’s classic songs, the game will be available this November in the US and throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand beginning in early December.
“When MTV first launched in 1981, we promised that people would ‘never look at music the same way again’ and, with Rock Band, we continue to fulfill this commitment,” stated Paul DeGooyer, MTV’s Senior Vice President of Electronic Games & Music. “We’re excited to be part of AC/DC’s and Columbia’s global plan for the release of their new album, DVD and now, videogame. Being the first to present these revered songs in interactive form, exclusively on the Rock Band platform is a true honor. For those about to rock with the AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack, we salute you!”
“AC/DC fans can now experience performing live, on stage with the band,” said Columbia Records co-Chairman Steve Barnett. “An unforgettable concert is now an ultimate at-home entertainment experience with the AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack.”
AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will feature the master recordings from the best of the band’s live performances. The live recording was specially remixed for Rock Band by Mike Fraser. The game features 18 tracks, with more than 99 minutes of game play for each instrument:
“Thunderstruck”
“Shoot to Thrill”
“Back in Black”
“Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be”
“Heatseeker”
“Fire Your Guns”
“Jailbreak”
“The Jack”
“Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”
“Moneytalks”
“Hells Bells”
“High Voltage”
“Whole Lotta Rosie”
“You Shook Me All Night Long”
“T.N.T.”
“Let There Be Rock”
“Highway To Hell”
“For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)”
All tracks from the AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will also be available for play in Rock Band and Rock Band 2[1][1] by entering a special export authentication code for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system versions. As previously announced, AC/DC’s anthem “Let There Be Rock” is featured in Rock Band 2 – the first time the group has been included in a music-based video game. In addition, look for the epic Rock Band 2 TV commercial featuring the studio version of AC/DC’s rock anthem “Let There Be Rock” that premiered during the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at www.rockband2.com.
The AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will be available in the U.S. on November 2nd on Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and on November 16th for Wii™. Pricing for AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack on Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii is MSRP $39.88 and MSRP $29.88 for the PlayStation 2. The AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will also be available at most major retailers in Europe, Australia and New Zealand in early December on Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation 2 and Wii. In the UK, AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will be MSRP £29.99 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii and MSRP £19.99 for the PlayStation 2. In the rest of EU, the AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will be MSRP €39.99 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii and MSRP €29.99 for the PlayStation 2. In Australia, AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will be MSRP $49.99 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii and PlayStation 2.
AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack follows the release of AC/DC’s first album of all-new material in eight years. The album, “Black Ice,” features 15 new tracks from brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, and Phil Rudd. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Train,” the album’s first single, was released on August 28. “Black Ice” will be available in the US exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club retail locations and Web sites Oct. 20 for $11.88, as well as on the band’s Web site, www.acdc.com.
Released first on Xbox 360 on September 14th, Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date including over 100 songs[2][2] on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack with an unrivaled blend of classic and new artists including AC/DC, Guns ‘N Roses, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Motorhead and more! The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 21 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007. With more than 300 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at http://www.rockband.com/dlc), the addition of complete and immediate backwards compatibility for songs purchased from Rock Band’s ever-expanding online music store and the ability to export most songs from the original Rock Band disc, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs[3][3] by year’s end.
For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.
(Didn’t read whole article) So its just a standalone disc that you can purchase? Can we do the same with what we did with RB1, transfer the songs onto the hard drive cuz if you cant then that kinda sucks, only plying AC/DC then wanting to switch to RB2.
ZED | Oct 1, 2008 | Reply
It seems that you can. It comes with a unique authorization code that will allow you to transfer it just the one time (to prevent people from buying one copy and then copying it to numerous machines).
Also, you need to transfer the songs over in order to play online.
Tyler Ryan | Oct 1, 2008 | Reply
Sounds interesting, but I don’t know if I will get it. 18 songs for fourty bucks? I’ll pass.
Also, it seems AC/DC are staying exclusive to Rock Band. If I had the link, I’d post it. It brings into question what exclusives will do the games. =\ They’re bad if you ask me.
Mane | Oct 2, 2008 | Reply
I agree, exclusivity is bad for everybody, but it’s an evil I don’t see going away. GH:WT and RB are at constant odds with each other and each want their fair share of the pie. Well, I think Activisions CEO wants to dominate, and why wouldn’t he…it’s called compitition for a reason, but their judgement seems more directed at sales vs customer support and involvement…something Harmonix seems to have a better grasp on.
On the AC/DC release, I’m pretty sure I know the reason behind the disk release. Though I have no real proof, I’m sure it was this or nothing to get the songs. AC/DC has a pretty firm stance on not selling thier music by indiviual track or by digital download so HMX did what they had to or agreed to what they had to to get this band to us. The Wal-Mart Exclusivity was more than likely an arrangment between Columbia Records, AC/DC, and Wal-Mart and the game fell in that as part of the release.
Jixzer | Oct 2, 2008 | Reply
We have been talking about the new Xbox Live Experience and it’s only two days away. On Thursday the update will be up and after downloading gamers will have features they never had before. You will be able to stream
new xbox experience release time | Dec 13, 2008 | Reply