UPDATED: Rock Band Track Export Patch Released
Tracks to be exported from Rock Band to sequel
UPDATE: SPOnG has been informed by one of our forum posters that while a charge will be applied for exporting tracks using this new patch, Rock Band owners will not have to pay to merely download it. As players attempt to export tracks, they will be asked for a license key. It is the key that is charged for, not the patch. As such, owners of the game will not be hit with a charge simply to enable the download of future Rock Band tracks. Thanks to S1ckH4nds.
Harmonix giveth and Harmonix taketh away. You think the developer is being all pleasant and helpful with a patch that will enable you to export tracks from the Rock Band disc to Rock Band 2, then you're hit with a sting.
The patch will cost what the announcement tells us is a "nominal fee" $4.99 (€3.50/£2.83) or 400 Microsoft Points. Once the patch is downloaded an "export disc" tab will appear under the extras option in the Rock Band menus. This will enable 55 tracks to be exported from the original game to its sequel.
That's all well and good, it's a nice little feature. Until you get a little further down the announcement, where we're told, "In addition, this patch is required for all future downloadable content releases for Rock Band." Yup, in addition to the cash you have to shell out for Rock Band DLC you will now have to pay for the privilege of handing over your dough.
That's for the original Rock Band. Even if you never bother to buy Rock Band 2, you'll need the patch for future DLC. The reason for the "nominal fee", apparently, is to "to compensate music licensors for expanded use."
Hello there Edgar Bronfman of Warner Music and thanks.
However, when we Europeans finally do get Rock Band 2, Harmonix advises that the following tracks won't be available for export - "'Paranoid' as made famous by Black Sabbath, 'Run to the Hills' as made famous by Iron Maiden, and 'Enter Sandman' by Metallica". Additionally, in Europe, Tokio Hotel’s Through the Monsoon won't be available for export.
With this in mind, we're all going to the Underwater Castle's rehearsal room to form a punk band with Mark SPOnG on drums. Who wants in?
You can find out more about Rock Band 2 on SPOnG's dedicated game page.
Harmonix giveth and Harmonix taketh away. You think the developer is being all pleasant and helpful with a patch that will enable you to export tracks from the Rock Band disc to Rock Band 2, then you're hit with a sting.
The patch will cost what the announcement tells us is a "nominal fee" $4.99 (€3.50/£2.83) or 400 Microsoft Points. Once the patch is downloaded an "export disc" tab will appear under the extras option in the Rock Band menus. This will enable 55 tracks to be exported from the original game to its sequel.
That's all well and good, it's a nice little feature. Until you get a little further down the announcement, where we're told, "In addition, this patch is required for all future downloadable content releases for Rock Band." Yup, in addition to the cash you have to shell out for Rock Band DLC you will now have to pay for the privilege of handing over your dough.
That's for the original Rock Band. Even if you never bother to buy Rock Band 2, you'll need the patch for future DLC. The reason for the "nominal fee", apparently, is to "to compensate music licensors for expanded use."
Hello there Edgar Bronfman of Warner Music and thanks.
However, when we Europeans finally do get Rock Band 2, Harmonix advises that the following tracks won't be available for export - "'Paranoid' as made famous by Black Sabbath, 'Run to the Hills' as made famous by Iron Maiden, and 'Enter Sandman' by Metallica". Additionally, in Europe, Tokio Hotel’s Through the Monsoon won't be available for export.
With this in mind, we're all going to the Underwater Castle's rehearsal room to form a punk band with Mark SPOnG on drums. Who wants in?
You can find out more about Rock Band 2 on SPOnG's dedicated game page.
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Comments
Spinface 5 Sep 2008 11:25
1/3
I would like to state, for the record, that I do not wish to join any band, virtual or otherwise, featuring Tim. I don't want to be faced with the inevitable jazz twoddle influence. No offence.
Also, I'm a goddamn virtual bassist!
Plus - punk is over. Move on.
Mark SPOnG, signing off.
Also, I'm a goddamn virtual bassist!
Plus - punk is over. Move on.
Mark SPOnG, signing off.
S1ckH4nds 5 Sep 2008 11:37
2/3
You appear to have misinterpreted their announcement. As someone who's already downloaded the patch, the way you're presenting it is completely false.
The patch is required, yes. However, it does not cost one single cent to download said patch and apply it. Once you download it (which is pretty much an automatic process if you're on 360 -- it pops up as soon as you load the game and are connected to Live), it makes several changes to the game. Notably, under the Options menu, there is now the "Export Tracks" selection. If you choose to do that, it will ask you for a license key, and if you do not already have it, it will take you to the Marketplace to purchase one for 400 MSP. That is the only place where an additional fee is being put on the consumer, and it is completely optional.
The other changes the patch has made to the game are minor things such as fixing a few glitchy songs (although reports are coming in that they didn't do a bang-up job of that, as they're still glitched), and lowered the thresholds to reach those coveted gold stars on songs that were previously too tough for the average human to hit (although again, testing them out has shown several songs still to be un-"gold"able). And yes, the patch IS required to continue to be able to download songs from the Rock Band store -- rumor has it the reason for that having something to do with the mysterious delay of Rush's "Moving Pictures" album a couple weeks back, and its supposed "technical difficulties".
The patch is required, yes. However, it does not cost one single cent to download said patch and apply it. Once you download it (which is pretty much an automatic process if you're on 360 -- it pops up as soon as you load the game and are connected to Live), it makes several changes to the game. Notably, under the Options menu, there is now the "Export Tracks" selection. If you choose to do that, it will ask you for a license key, and if you do not already have it, it will take you to the Marketplace to purchase one for 400 MSP. That is the only place where an additional fee is being put on the consumer, and it is completely optional.
The other changes the patch has made to the game are minor things such as fixing a few glitchy songs (although reports are coming in that they didn't do a bang-up job of that, as they're still glitched), and lowered the thresholds to reach those coveted gold stars on songs that were previously too tough for the average human to hit (although again, testing them out has shown several songs still to be un-"gold"able). And yes, the patch IS required to continue to be able to download songs from the Rock Band store -- rumor has it the reason for that having something to do with the mysterious delay of Rush's "Moving Pictures" album a couple weeks back, and its supposed "technical difficulties".
Spinface 5 Sep 2008 12:05
3/3
Hey S1ckH4nds,
Thanks for the information. I've updated the story accordingly. There was no intentional misrepresentation of the announcement - the wording surrounding the price was a bit opaque. The correction's appreciated, we're always glad to get feedback.
Cheers,
Mark
Thanks for the information. I've updated the story accordingly. There was no intentional misrepresentation of the announcement - the wording surrounding the price was a bit opaque. The correction's appreciated, we're always glad to get feedback.
Cheers,
Mark