Rock Band 4 slated for a return in 2015 w/ previous song collections transferring and all new hardware

Update (6/15 12:05pm): A new Amazon listing has popped up detailing an October 6th release date for Rock Band 4. The full band-in-a-box bundle and the game plus guitar itself is available for pre-order as well. Also available at Best Buy for Xbox One or PS4.

If you’re a Rock Band fan, it has been a long journey since you’ve had some new jams. Stuck on previous generation consoles without an update for five years, the Rock Band faithful have been longing for a new release. Today, they rejoice as Harmonix has announced that Rock Band 4 will be released “sometime” in 2015 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

Previous Rock Band users will be able to transfer every song that they’ve previously purchased to the new version, with a small caveat. Head below for full details on this, a behind the scenes look and info on Mad Catz’s new line of Rock Band gear designed specifically for this release.

Harmonix is going to allow all previous Rock Band purchases to carry over to the latest version as long as users to do not switch console manufacturers along the way. For example, if you previously purchased your Rock Band songs on a Sony PS3, you’ll be able to transfer them all as long as you’re current generation console is a PS4. Harmonix is also anticipating to have much of its back catalog available for purchase at release of Rock Band 4.

Going along with today’s news from Harmonix, Mad Catz has announced that they will be introducing a whole new line of Rock Band accessories as well. At launch, Mad Catz is slated to have two packages available that include Rock Band 4. The “Band in a Box” bundle will include a wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller, a redesigned wireless drum kit plus a microphone. If a guitar is all that you’re after, Mad Catz will also have a bundle with just the game and the wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller. Prices have yet to be announced on these bundles.

[9to5-press-release]

HARMONIX ANNOUNCES ROCK BAND 4 HEADED TO PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE

Hey gang,

For years you have been asking us the same question: “When will Rock Bandreturn?” For years you have been unified in solidarity with one single demand: “Give us a new Rock Band!” Well, today, my friends, is your day.

“Give us a new Rock Band!”
Okay. You win. We’ll do it.

“When will Rock Band return?”
Oh I dunno, HOW ABOUT THIS YEAR? 2015!

That’s right. Later this year, Rock Band 4 comes to Xbox One™ and PlayStation®4, and it will support all your previously purchased downloadable content (aka YOUR MUSIC) as we release them on next gen consoles!

We are beyond thrilled to finally announce Rock Band 4 and will be sharing more about the game as the months roll on.

Of course, a new Rock Band on a new generation of consoles means we’ll be making new hardware! If you’d like to be notified as soon as Rock Band 4 pre-orders go live, head to RockBand.com/PreOrder to sign up for our special pre-order mailing list.

For Rock Band‘s return, Mad Catz will be bringing you new instruments to rock out with. For more on that, check out their blog post!

Thank you for your dedicated support, and for sticking with us. We think Rock Band 4 will hit all the right notes with our most dedicated fans, and we look forward to rocking out alongside you later this year! The team is so, so excited to bring you a new Rock Band game. Watch the video below to meet the team and hear about why we’re bringing Rock Band back now.

Harmonix is excited to announce that it is teaming up with Mad Catz to bring Rock Band™ 4, the next generation of the award-winning social and interactive music gaming platform, to PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft®.

Players can guarantee that they can be ready to rock with new hardware on release day by signing up to be alerted when pre-orders go live at http://www.rockband.com/preorder.

Additionally, fans attending PAX East in Boston between March 6 and March 8 can pre-order an exclusive Penny Arcade-themed guitar in person at Harmonix’s booth, #4224.

START A BAND. ROCK THE WORLD.

Rock Band 4 brings the critically-acclaimed franchise to a new generation of consoles, focusing on the features and gameplay that people love, and expanding the franchise in innovative ways that were informed by how fans play and what they want.

“With Rock Band 4, we’re doubling down on the energy and excitement of playing music live with your friends,” says Harmonix Chief Executive Officer Steve Janiak. “Focusing on the core experience that our fans have told us they love allows us to evolve established gameplay in meaningful ways that we can’t wait to share with everyone later this year.”

“We couldn’t be happier to be working with Harmonix and help bring the band back together for the launch of Rock Band 4,” added Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “Harmonix possesses unrivalled passion and vision for music gaming and we can’t wait to introduce the next generation music platform to passionate gamers.”

Harmonix will reveal to its fans more details about exciting new features of Rock Band 4 this coming May.

STILL THE MOST MUSIC. PERIOD.

In addition to a killer on-disc soundtrack, Rock Band 4 will support over 2000 tracks released since the 2007 launch of the original Rock Band, accounting for more than 500 of rock music’s most legendary artists.

“Since the beginning, we’ve called Rock Band a music platform. Players responded by downloading hundreds of their favorite tracks, and building a massive library of playable music,” says Rock Band 4 Product Manager Daniel Sussman. “It’s important for us to respect those purchases and enable our fans to bring that content over to the Rock Band platform on new generation consoles.”

Players who’ve purchased or downloaded playable tracks on last-generation consoles will be able to download and play those tracks on their new platforms at no additional charge*. Hundreds of tracks will be available at launch, with more back catalog music – and new tracks – to be added regularly after launch.

CELEBRATE WITH FREE DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT FOR ROCK BAND 3, AVAILABLE NOW

To celebrate the long-awaited announcement of Rock Band 4, Harmonix is offering a free downloadable track. “I Still Believe,” recorded by UK-based songwriter Frank Turner for his fourth EP, Rock & Roll, is available now for download today, free of charge, on PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360®. Playable today in Rock Band 3 and Rock Band Blitz, this is one of the hundreds of songs that will be compatible with Rock Band 4 when it ships later this year for PlayStation®4 and Xbox One!

Rock Band 4 will be available later this year. For more information, head over to http://www.harmonixmusic.com and follow @RockBand on Twitter for updates.

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

*The timing of release of “legacy” DLC on next-generation consoles is to be determined and may be subject to change. “Legacy” DLC will be downloadable and playable in Rock Band 4 only after the DLC is released on next-generation consoles.

© 2015 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band 4Rock Band 3Rock Band BlitzRock Band and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. Rock Band 4Rock Band 3Rock Band Blitz and other related products and services developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All other marks are the property of their owners.

Mad Catz and the Mad Catz logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc., its affiliates and/or subsidiary companies.

Microsoft, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

[/9to5-press-release]

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