Gamersnewsbits.com

Cambridge, Mass. - January 2, 2009- Harmonix and MTV Games announced today the addition of one of the most influential pioneers of rock and roll, Roy Orbison, to the Rock Band® Music Store catalog of downloadable content. Grammy Award-winning Roy Orbison was a singer, songwriter and performer whose distinctive sound scored him an astounding nine Top 10 hits in four years in the early 1960s. Orbison’s historic career began in the 1950s and saw a huge resurgence in the late 1980s, when he became a prominent influence on artists like Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Bono, k. d. lang and Traveling Wilburys.

The “Roy Orbison Pack 01″ will include “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Ooby Dooby,” “In Dreams,” Claudette,” “Mean Woman Blues” and “You Got It.” All six songs will be available for download as individual tracks as well. These six songs featured are hits from Orbison’s incredible legacy of albums including the recently released definitive box set Roy Orbison: The Soul of Rock And Roll (2008) which contains 107 recordings spanning Orbison’s entire career.

“When I was a kid, my world evolved around a black vinyl record,” said Barbara Orbison. “How times have changed! Rock Band and Harmonix have given us a new way to experience music and now everyone can belong to a band. How much more fun could you have, than to play the opening riff of Oh Pretty Woman and try to sing like Roy Orbison?”

These tracks will be available starting January 6, 2009, for the Xbox_360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and January 15, 2009 for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Each individual track will be available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) and $9.99 (800 Microsoft Points) for the 6-pack.

Release Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360)
Thursday, January 15, 2009 (PlayStation®Store)

Tracks: (Click on track to view music video) 1. “Claudette” 2. “In Dreams” 3. “Mean Woman Blues” 4. “Oh, Pretty Woman” 5. “Ooby Dooby” 6. “You Got It” (All tracks are original master recordings)

Price:$1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$9.99 (800 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for the 6-pack

Locations:Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation®Network
** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

Rock Band 2 is available now for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems and the Wii system. The Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 versions support all previously downloaded content. The groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games is committed to taking gaming to the next level with the evolution of the franchise.

There are now more than 500 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 30 million paid downloads since its launch on November 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band rings in the New Year with songs from Snow Patrol, Deep Purple, James Gang and Jethro Tull
Cambridge, Mass. - December 23, 2008 - Harmonix and MTV Games announced today the addition of four new tracks to the Rock Band® Music Store catalog of downloadable content from bands Snow Patrol, Deep Purple, James Gang and Jethro Tull.

Scottish alternative band Snow Patrol makes its debut in the Rock Band music catalog offering their first single “Take Back the City” from their new album A Hundred Million Suns (2008).

In addition, the Rock Band music catalog will expand its collection of Deep Purple tracks, giving players access to the classic rock band’s single “Space Truckin”” from the influential album Machine Head (1972). Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” was featured on the original Rock Band soundtrack.

Next week’s offering also includes the classic rock single “Funk #49″ from the album James Gang Rides Again (1970) featuring Joe Walsh, Dale Peters and Jimmy Fox.

The Jethro Tull single”Hymn 43″ will become the second Tull track in the Rock Band music catalog, joining “Aqualung” which was featured on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack. Both songs are from the band’s fourth studio album Aqualung (1971).

These tracks will be available starting December 30, 2008, for the Xbox_360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and January 8, 2008, for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Each individual track will be available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points).

Release Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360)
Thursday, January 8, 2008 (PlayStation®Store)

Tracks: (Click on track to view music video)
Snow Patrol - Take Back the City
Deep Purple - Space Truckin’
James Gang - Funk #49
Jethro Tull - Hymn 43
(All tracks are original master recordings)

Price: $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track

Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360, PlayStation®Network

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

Rock Band 2 is available now for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems and the Wii system. The Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 versions support all previously downloaded content. The groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games is committed to taking gaming to the next level with the evolution of the franchise.

There are now more than 500 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 30 million paid downloads since its launch on November 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Full Album to be Released as Rock Band DLC Day and Date with the Re-issue of “Ten”: Four Special Edition Packages in Stores on March 24, 2009

NEW YORK, NY - December 15, 2008 - Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today confirmed that Ten, the debut album that sold 12 million copies and introduced the world to Pearl Jam (http://www.pearljam.com) in 1991, will be offered for download in the Rock Band Music Store day-and-date with the re-issue of the album in stores on March 24, 2009.

Paul DeGooyer, Senior Vice President of Electronic Games and Music for MTV Networks Music / Logo Group, added, “Just hearing the first few notes of Jeremy or Alive brings back all the raw emotion of this incredible, hugely important album. We are honored to be working with Pearl Jam to deliver Ten as it is re-issued.”

In addition to the track “Alive” that is already available on the Rock Band 2 game disc, the Pearl Jam Ten download pack will include the additional 10 songs from the album:

1. Once
2. Even Flow
3. Why Go Black
4. Jeremy
5. Oceans
6. Porch
7. Garden
8. Deep
9. Release

Pearl Jam released Ten on August 27, 1991. The album reached #2 on the Billboard 200 chart, sold over 12 million copies and became one of the cultural touchstones of the 1990s. Songs such as “Alive,” “Black,” “Even Flow” and Jeremy became staples of rock radio, and still make frequent appearances on the band’s ever-changing concert setlists. The album was produced by Rick Parasher. Pearl Jam’s 1991 lineup was Jeff Ament (bass), Stone Gossard (guitar), Dave Krusen (drums), Mike McCready (guitar) and Eddie Vedder (vocals).

Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date including over 100 songs[1] 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 30 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007. With more than 500 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, Rock Band continues to deliver the largest library of music ever for a video game.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

MTV Games is the publisher of Rock Band and is developed by Harmonix, EA is the exclusive distribution partner for Rock Band. 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.

ROCK BAND® GOES COUNTRY WITH ADDITION OF 5-PACK THAT INCLUDES BRAD PAISLEY, BROOKS & DUNN, DIXIE CHICKS AND MORE COMING TO THE DOWNLOADABLE MUSIC STORE CATALOG

Cambridge, Mass. - December 8, 2008 - Harmonix and MTV Games announced today that Rock Band® is set to give fans a taste of country music for the first time with the addition of the “Going Country” 5-pack to the Rock Band® Music Store catalog of downloadable content. The impressive lineup of renowned country artists includes Grammy Award winner Brad Paisley with “Mud on the Tires,” the honky- tonk country classic duo Brooks & Dunn with “Hillbilly Deluxe,” and all-American trio Dixie Chicks with “Sin Wagon.”

Rock Band country lovers can also look forward to Dierks Bentley’s #1 single “Free & Easy (Down the Road I Go)” and Miranda Lambert’s standout single “Gunpowder & Lead.”

Each track will be available starting December 16, 2008, for the Xbox®360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and December 18, 2008, for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Each individual track will be available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) and $8.49 (680 Microsoft Points) for the 5-pack.

Release Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 (Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360)
Thursday, December 18, 2008 (PlayStation®Store)

Tracks:
(Click on track to view music video) (only the first video worked, so until I get working links, I removed them. -e)

Brad Paisley “Mud on the Tires”
Brooks & Dunn “Hillbilly Deluxe”
Dierks Bentley “Free & Easy (Down the Road I Go)”
Dixie Chicks “Sin Wagon”
Miranda Lambert “Gunpowder & Lead”

Price:$1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$8.49 (680 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for the 5-pack

(All tracks are original master recordings)

Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation®Network

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

With the addition of these tracks there are now more than 500 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to fly off shelves and satisfy music fans and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 28 million paid downloads since its launch on November 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 allow online play and features that expand the boundaries of music gaming. Rock Band downloadable content is playable and integrated into setlists in all game modes. In order to play downloadable content for head-to-head matches or multiplayer online, all players must own the same downloadable track. Downloadable content for Xbox 360 is available for purchase via Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360 using Microsoft Points and is downloaded directly to the hard drive of Xbox 360. Downloadable content for the PLAYSTATION 3 system’s version of Rock Band is available for purchase on the PlayStation Store through the free PlayStation Network and is downloaded directly to PLAYSTATION 3 system’s built in hard drive.

Rock Band 2 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system is now available nationwide and supports all previously downloaded content. The groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games is committed to taking gaming to the next level with the evolution of the franchise. Rock Band 2 will be available for additional platforms later this year.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com

1. “Just a Girl”
2. “It’s My Life”
3. “Hey Baby”
4. “Bathwater”
5. “Sunday Morning”
6. “Hella Good”
7. “Underneath It All”
8. “Excuse Me Mr.”
9. “Running”
10. “Spiderwebs”
11. “Simple Kind of Life”
12. “Don’t Speak”
13. “Ex-Girlfriend”

Launching November 19th 2008, NXE (New Xbox Experience) connects you effortlessly to friends, family and the world’s largest online entertainment center, allowing you to play games, watch movies, and share moments on the couch or around the world. To help kick-off NXE, rockers All American Rejects will participate a fully interactive Game With Fame session on November 24th in NYC from 6 to 8pm (EST), playing Frogger and Rock Band 2

Stillwater, Oklahoma band The All-American Rejects went platinum with their first self-titled album, and double platinum with their 2005 full-length, Move Along. Their new album, When The World Comes Down, is scheduled to be released December 16, and is sure to set the airwaves on fire. Gamers will be familiar with their work, as the song “Night Drive” from the Move Along album was featured in both Madden(TM) NFL 06 and the Cars video game. “Dirty Little Secret” from the same album is available as a track for Rock Band, and is featured in promo spots for the CW Network show Gossip Girl. Additionally, a track off the new album, “Real World,” is included in Madden NFL 09.

When The World Comes Down showcases the band’s musical growth. “This record hasn’t been smooth sailing,” says guitarist Nick Wheeler. “After the success of Move Along, we felt an innate need to challenge ourselves to grow. And to challenge our fans to grow with us. On the last record, all the songs were there before we even entered the studio. We were completely rehearsed. We just had to show up … ” “When we first started working on ‘Real World,’ a pretty aggressive rock song for us, we all got in a room, jammed it, and it sucked!” recalls guitarist Mike Kennerty. “So me and [drummer] Chris [Gaylor] went to Florida to Nick and Ty’s [lead vocalist Tyson Ritter] place on the Gulf Coast and hung out for about a month. Ty has this electric drum kit, tiny ass little practice amp. We put the drums through the amp and the song came together really cool.” The band is ready for their third full-length release.

Their cooperative creative process has resulted in a lean and powerful pop sound. Wheeler says, “A common theme throughout the process of making this record has been ‘What was the initial inspiration or thought for the song?’ Less is more has won out time and again.” When The World Comes Down releases December 16 on Doghouse Records/Interscope. Check for videos from The All-American Rejects on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace.

Xbox Live Game With Fame featuring The All American Rejects
WHEN: November 24th
TIME: 6 to 8pm (EST)
WHERE: NYC
GAME: Rock Band 2 and Frogger
GAMERTAG: AAR GWF (space between AAR and GWF)

LINKING URL: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/artist/rock/allamericanrejects.htm

MTV GAMES AND HARMONIX ADD BRAND NEW MUSIC FROM THE KILLERS, CLASSICS FROM SOUNDGARDEN AND MORE TO THE ROCK BAND® DOWNLOADABLE MUSIC STORE CATALOG

Harmonix and MTV Games announced today the addition of nine new tracks to the Rock Band® Music Store catalog of downloadable content including brand new material from The Killers’ soon to be released album Day and Age. On the day of the album’s release Rock Band fans will be able to purchase the band’s new track “Spaceman” through the Rock Band Music Store as well as The Killers’ previously released tracks “Mr. Brightside” and “Smile Like You Mean It.” All three songs will be available for download as individual Rock Band tracks as well as in a 3-pack. Tracks will join “When You Were Young” already featured in the Rock Band Music Store catalog.

Alternative band Soundgarden also offers up more tracks for Rock Band fans including “Jesus Christ Pose” from the band’s 1991 album Badmotofinger and “Pretty Noose” from the band’s fifth album Down on the Upside. Soundgarden’s hit singles “Black Hole Sun,” and “Spoonman” are already featured in the Rock Band Music Store catalog.

Next week’s DLC offering also includes a 3-pack from Swedish neo-metal guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen’s latest album featuring “Caprici Di Diablo,” “Damnation Game” and “Red Devil,” plus the single “Laid to Rest” from heavy metal band Lamb of God.

Each track will be available starting November 25, 2008, for the Xbox®360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Each individual track will be available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) or $5.49 (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for The Killers and Yngwie Malmsteen 3-packs.

Release date: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360) and (PlayStation®Store)

Tracks: The Killers “Mr. Brightside”
The Killers “Smile Like You Mean It”
The Killers “Spaceman”
Yngwie Malmsteen “Caprici Di Diablo”
Yngwie Malmsteen “Damnation Game”
Yngwie Malmsteen “Red Devil”
Soundgarden “Jesus Christ Pose”
Soundgarden “Pretty Noose”
Lamb of God “Laid to Rest”

Price: $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$5.49 (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for each 3-Pack
(All tracks are original master recordings)
Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation®Network

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **
With the addition of these tracks there are now more than 450 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to fly off shelves and satisfy music fans and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 26 million downloads since its launch on November 20, 2007. The Rock BandMusic Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 allow online play and features that expand the boundaries of music gaming. Rock Band downloadable content is playable and integrated into setlists in all game modes. In order to play downloadable content for head-to-head matches or multiplayer online, all players must own the same downloadable track. Downloadable content for Xbox 360 is available for purchase via Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360 using Microsoft Points and is downloaded directly to the hard drive of Xbox 360. Downloadable content for the PLAYSTATION 3 system’s version of Rock Band is available for purchase on the PlayStation®Store through the free PlayStation®Network and is downloaded directly to PLAYSTATION 3 system’s built in hard drive.

Rock Band 2 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system is now available nationwide and supports all previously downloaded content. The groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games is committed to taking gaming to the next level with the evolution of the franchise. Rock Band 2 will be available for additional platforms later this year.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com

Satirical rock band Tenacious D, featuring Jack Black and Kyle Gass, will be on Xbox LIVE® November 20 to play Xbox LIVE members in Rock Band 2 and to celebrate the recent release of The Complete Masterworks 2 DVD . If you’re an Xbox LIVE Gold member, and you want a chance to play with Tenacious D, send a friend request to the following Gamertags and be online half an hour before (8:00 P.M.) the Game with Fame session starts on Thursday, November 20, 8:30 P.M. ET.

Tenacious D consists of Jack Black who has starred in numerous films (Shallow Hal, School of Rock, Nacho Libre, and more) and Kyle Gass who is an actor and guitarist for both Tenacious D and the rock band Trainwreck, where he takes on his alter-ego of Klip Calhoun. The Complete Masterworks 2 DVD of Tenacious D is a follow-up to the group’s first platinum-selling DVD. The new 2-disc DVD includes a full-length live concert of the band at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, a one-hour documentary about the making of their movie Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny and the (lack of) critical acclaim it received, and bonus features including music videos and the band’s appearances on the MTV Awards, Saturday Night Live, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

If you get a chance to play with Tenacious D, we want to hear about it! Send us an e-mail with the subject: “GWF - Tenacious D.” Be sure to include your Gamertag and home town.

Xbox Live Game With Fame featuring Tenacious D
WHEN: November 20th
TIME: 5:30PM to 7:30PM (PST)
WHERE: Los Angeles
GAME: Rock Band 2
GAMERTAG: JBTenacious, KGTenacious
LINKING URL: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/gamewithfame/2008/1110-tenaciousd.htm

Cambridge, MA - November 18, 2008 — Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game development company, andMTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced Rock Band® Track Pack Volume 2 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the WiiTM home video game console from Nintendo has shipped to retail stores nationwide. Pricing for the game is $29.99 MSRP for all platform versions.
Rock Band Track Pack Volume 2 features 20 amplifying tracks recorded by some of the most popular rock artists in history from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Mötley Crüe to Red Hot Chili Peppers and Duran Duran. Rock Band Track Pack Volume 2 can be played as a standalone game for all console versions using Rock Band and Rock Band 2 peripherals. Fans who buy the track pack for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system can also export all 20 songs to their console for play with Rock Band and Rock Band 2 using a free offer from Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network or the PlayStation Network.[1]

Rock Band 2, currently available for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system, has received numerous Editor’s Choice Awards and a combined metacritic score of 92. Rock Band 2 has revolutionized music gaming with the ability to export most of the songs from the original Rock Band disc[2], Online World Tour, daily Battle-Of-The-Bands Tournaments, Auto-Calibration to eliminate TV lag, wireless drums with quieter, velocity sensitive drum heads, support for up to three cymbals (sold separately), No Fail Mode, and a real Drum Trainer. Rock Band 2 will be available for the PlayStation 2 system and Wii in December 2008. Rock Band is currently available for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and PlayStation 2 system and Wii.

Rock Band® Track Pack Volume 2 is rated “T” for Teen with a descriptor of Lyrics by the ESRB.

EA is the exclusive distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

I am reposting this from yesterday. I asked for pictures, and received them! So, here you go!

San Diego, November 17th, 2008

Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, today announced that it has begun shipping the second wave of premium licensed accessories designed for use with the Rock Band® and Rock Band® 2 videogames for the Xbox 360^TM console.

Published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Rock Band 2 has quickly emerged as the preferred platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music, challenging users to master the lead and bass guitar, drums and vocals as solo artists or cooperatively as part of their own band.

Designed and engineered with Mad Catz’ renowned attention to detail, each of these Mad Catz products elevates Rock Band and Rock Band 2’s staggeringly authentic musical experience.

Joining the previously released Fender^TM Precision Bass Guitar Controller released in September 2008, products expected to ship as part of the second wave of accessories are as follows:

• Designed exclusively for the Rock Band 2 Wireless Drum Kit, the Cymbal Expansion Pack from Mad Catz provides gamers with a stunningly authentic percussion experience, adding up to three realistic cymbals to their existing Drum Kit. Sold either in a Single, Twin or Triple configuration, the Cymbal Expansion Pack allows gamers to grow their game play at the same level as their skills. Attaching quickly and simply, each Cymbal Expansion Pack contains all necessary brackets and leads needed to add a choice of crash, ride or hi-hat Cymbals to their Drum Kit. Velocity sensitive, each Cymbal reacts realistically in game, outputting a louder noise the harder you hit.

• Freeing percussionists from the confines of the living room, the Portable Drum Kit is small on size but big on quality. The compact form factor combined with highly durable build quality provide a discrete and highly flexible solution allowing bands to tour without the need of a roadie! Each color-coded Drum Pad comes equipped with a tactile backing, reducing slippage when used on a variety of surfaces and the Foam-Tipped Drum Sticks (included in the kit) dampen external noise when in use. The Portable Drum Kit comes complete with a durable Foot Pedal and Control Unit providing access to the full complement of controls needed to navigate in-game menus.

• The Rock Band Premium M.I.C. (Microphone with Integrated Controller) offers budding vocalists a device of superior quality and functionality. The Premium Microphone features a full complement of Action Buttons with the D-Pad and Xbox^TM LIVE button allowing for quick and easy navigation of in-game menus without the need for a separate controller. A convenient Locking Switch prevents accidental access to Action Buttons, and the premium Soft-Touch Finish and high-profile Wind Shield combine to deliver a microphone ideal for sustained jamming sessions.

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “The Rock Band franchise has proven to be an international phenomenon that is set to continue to grow with the imminent debut of Rock Band 2 into the European market. We have worked tirelessly to continue to introduce accessories that make both Rock Band and Rock Band 2 even more entertaining while upholding the interactivity and authenticity that Rock Band players have come to expect. We’re confident that gamers and music fans alike will be delighted with our range of officially licensed accessories and look forward to expanding the range throughout 2009 and beyond.”

The second wave of Mad Catz^TM Xbox 360^TM licensed Rock Band accessories are expected to be available across North America and key European territories beginning mid November 2008.

Further products in this range and products for additional videogame platforms are expected to be launched early 2009.