Harmonix Music Systems has finally pulled back the curtain on a brand-new Rock Band game. That's right, music lovers! Rock Band 4 is in the works and will be coming to both Xbox One and PlayStation 4 later this year.
In an interview with IGN, Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos explained why the studio is returning to the franchise after a several-year break.
When we stopped developing Rock Band 3 [in 2010], clearly the market needed a break. But since then we’ve been paying close attention to what our community has been saying about it. There’s been this steadily growing crescendo of fans saying, 'Hey Harmonix, what the hell? It’s time! Why haven’t you announced a new Rock Band? We’re ready for it!'
Whether or not you'll be able to use your old instruments is still up in the air, as complications with the game being on new hardware has posed a few issues. "It is a challenge, but it’s something that [Sony and Microsoft are] working actively with us on," Rigopulos said. "I am confident that we’ll be able to find workable solutions."
Fortunately, downloadable songs from prior entries will carry over to this new game, though, purchases are tied to the ecosystem through which the music was initially purchased. Only Xbox 360 songs can be transferred to the Xbox One version and the same with PS3 to PlayStation 4. Sadly licensing restrictions prohibit Rock Band 3's on-disc music from carrying over.
Are you excited for a new entry in the Rock Band series? Does the idea own a living room crowded with plastic instruments excite you… or scare you?
