<s>
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
is	O
a	O
music	B-Application
video	I-Application
game	I-Application
developed	O
by	O
Harmonix	O
,	O
published	O
by	O
MTV	O
Games	O
and	O
distributed	O
by	O
Electronic	O
Arts	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
It	O
is	O
the	O
first	O
title	O
in	O
the	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
series	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
were	O
released	O
in	O
North	O
America	O
on	O
November	O
20	O
,	O
2007	O
,	O
while	O
the	O
PlayStation	B-Device
2	I-Device
version	O
was	O
released	O
on	O
December	O
18	O
,	O
2007	O
and	O
the	B-Operating_System
Wii	I-Operating_System
version	O
on	O
June	O
22	O
,	O
2008	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Harmonix	O
previously	O
developed	O
the	O
first	O
two	O
games	O
in	O
the	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
series	I-Application
,	O
which	O
popularized	O
gameplay	O
of	O
rock	O
music	O
with	O
guitar-shaped	O
controllers	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
After	O
development	O
of	O
the	O
series	O
was	O
shifted	O
to	O
Neversoft	O
,	O
Harmonix	O
conceived	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
as	O
a	O
new	O
title	O
that	O
would	O
offer	O
multi-instrument	O
gameplay	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Players	O
can	O
play	O
the	O
lead	O
guitar	O
,	O
bass	O
guitar	O
,	O
and	O
drums	O
parts	O
to	O
songs	O
with	O
"	O
instrument	O
controllers	O
"	O
,	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
sing	O
through	O
a	O
USB	B-Protocol
microphone	B-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
Players	O
with	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
can	O
interact	O
with	O
players	O
on	O
the	O
same	O
platform	O
through	O
both	O
online	O
and	O
offline	O
multiplayer	O
capabilities	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
addition	O
to	O
the	O
58	O
core	O
songs	O
included	O
on	O
the	O
game	O
disc	O
,	O
over	O
2,000	O
downloadable	O
songs	O
were	O
released	O
for	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Players	O
have	O
made	O
over	O
100	O
million	O
downloadable	O
song	O
purchases	O
since	O
Rock	B-Application
Bands	I-Application
release	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
game	O
's	O
success	O
prompted	O
the	O
release	O
of	O
six	O
sequels	O
:	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
2	I-Application
,	O
The	B-Application
Beatles	I-Application
:	I-Application
Rock	I-Application
Band	I-Application
,	O
Lego	B-Application
Rock	I-Application
Band	I-Application
,	O
Green	B-Application
Day	I-Application
:	I-Application
Rock	I-Application
Band	I-Application
,	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
3	I-Application
and	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
4	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
Reusing	O
many	O
gameplay	O
elements	O
from	O
the	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
series	I-Application
,	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
players	O
use	O
peripherals	O
modeled	O
after	O
musical	O
instruments	O
to	O
simulate	O
the	O
performance	O
of	O
rock	O
music	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
expands	O
upon	O
the	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
series	I-Application
,	O
in	O
that	O
it	O
offers	O
gameplay	O
for	O
drums	O
and	O
vocals	O
,	O
in	O
addition	O
to	O
lead	O
and	O
bass	O
guitar	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Rock	O
Band'''s	O
gameplay	O
and	O
on-screen	O
interface	O
uses	O
a	O
combination	O
of	O
elements	O
from	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
and	O
Karaoke	B-Application
Revolution	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
has	O
up	O
to	O
three	O
tracks	O
of	O
vertically	O
scrolling	O
colored	O
music	O
notes	O
,	O
one	O
section	O
each	O
for	O
lead	O
guitar	O
,	O
drums	O
,	O
and	O
bass	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
For	O
lead	O
and	O
bass	O
guitar	O
,	O
players	O
play	O
their	O
notes	O
by	O
holding	O
down	O
colored	O
fret	O
buttons	O
on	O
the	O
guitar	O
peripheral	O
and	O
pushing	O
the	O
controller	B-Device
's	O
strum	O
bar	O
;	O
for	O
drums	O
,	O
players	O
must	O
strike	O
the	O
matching	O
colored	O
drumhead	O
,	O
or	O
step	O
on	O
the	O
pedal	O
to	O
simulate	O
playing	O
bass	O
drum	O
notes	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Along	O
the	O
top	O
of	O
the	O
screen	O
is	O
the	O
vocals	O
display	O
,	O
which	O
scrolls	O
horizontally	O
,	O
similar	O
to	O
Karaoke	B-Application
Revolution	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
Overdrive	O
is	O
collected	O
during	O
select	O
portions	O
of	O
a	O
song	O
by	O
successfully	O
playing	O
all	O
white	O
notes	O
within	O
that	O
section	O
(	O
or	O
by	O
using	O
the	O
guitar	O
controller	B-Device
's	O
whammy	O
bar	O
during	O
white	O
sustained	O
notes	O
)	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Unlike	O
the	O
PlayStation	B-Device
2	I-Device
and	O
Wii	B-Operating_System
version	O
,	O
players	O
with	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
or	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
can	O
create	O
and	O
customize	O
their	O
own	O
in-game	O
character	O
,	O
complete	O
with	O
adjustable	O
hair	O
,	O
body	O
physique	O
,	O
clothing	O
,	O
tattoos	O
,	O
onstage	O
movements	O
,	O
and	O
instruments	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
These	O
are	O
similar	O
to	O
the	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
controllers	O
,	O
as	O
they	O
feature	O
five	O
colored	O
fret	O
buttons	O
on	O
the	O
neck	O
,	O
a	O
strum	O
bar	O
,	O
and	O
a	O
whammy	O
bar	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
Stratocaster	O
controller	B-Device
has	O
five	O
additional	O
fret	O
buttons	O
of	O
smaller	O
size	O
located	O
closer	O
to	O
the	O
guitar	O
's	O
main	O
body	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Additionally	O
,	O
the	O
controller	B-Device
features	O
an	O
effects	O
pickup	O
switch	O
that	O
can	O
toggle	O
between	O
five	O
different	O
effects	O
,	O
which	O
are	O
applied	O
in	O
solos	O
and	O
when	O
Overdrive	O
is	O
activated	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Overdrive	O
for	O
guitarists	O
can	O
be	O
deployed	O
by	O
holding	O
the	O
controller	B-Device
in	O
a	O
vertical	O
position	O
or	O
pressing	O
the	O
"	O
Select/Back	O
"	O
button	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
controller	B-Device
is	O
offered	O
in	O
both	O
wired	O
and	O
wireless	O
versions	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Harmonix	O
confirmed	O
most	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
guitar	O
controllers	O
and	O
additional	O
third-party	O
controllers	O
are	O
compatible	O
with	O
the	O
game	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
Stratocaster	O
controller	B-Device
is	O
not	O
compatible	O
with	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
II	O
or	O
III	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
drum	O
controller	B-Device
features	O
four	O
rubber	O
drum	O
pads	O
and	O
a	O
kick	O
pedal	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
A	O
pair	O
of	O
authentic	O
drum	O
sticks	O
are	O
included	O
with	O
the	O
controller	B-Device
.	O
</s>
<s>
"	O
Rock	B-Application
Bands	I-Application
USB	B-Protocol
microphone	B-Application
instrument	O
is	O
similar	O
to	O
the	O
model	O
used	O
in	O
the	O
Harmonix-developed	O
Karaoke	B-Application
Revolution	I-Application
games	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
During	O
"	O
talking	O
parts	O
"	O
that	O
do	O
not	O
judge	O
pitch	O
,	O
a	O
phoneme	B-Language
detector	O
will	O
pick	O
up	O
individual	O
vowels	O
and	O
consonants	O
of	O
the	O
spoken	O
lyrics	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Some	O
sections	O
without	O
vocals	O
will	O
display	O
circle	O
notes	O
,	O
allowing	O
for	O
the	O
microphone	B-Application
to	O
be	O
used	O
as	O
a	O
tambourine	O
and	O
cowbell	O
by	O
tapping	O
it	O
or	O
making	O
vocal	O
cues	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
For	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
of	O
the	O
game	O
,	O
Band	O
World	O
Tour	O
mode	O
lets	O
bands	O
play	O
in	O
41	O
different	O
venues	O
spanning	O
17	O
cities	O
,	O
including	O
Los	O
Angeles	O
,	O
Seattle	O
,	O
Boston	O
,	O
New	O
York	O
,	O
London	O
,	O
Sydney	O
,	O
Stockholm	O
,	O
and	O
Rome	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
For	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
,	O
rather	O
than	O
complete	O
predetermined	O
lists	O
of	O
songs	O
(	O
like	O
in	O
previous	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
games	O
)	O
,	O
players	O
complete	O
unique	O
sets	O
of	O
activities	O
at	O
each	O
venue	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
PlayStation	B-Device
2	I-Device
and	O
Wii	B-Operating_System
versions	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
contain	O
a	O
more	O
stripped-down	O
version	O
of	O
the	O
Band	O
World	O
Tour	O
mode	O
,	O
as	O
2	O
–	O
4	O
local	O
players	O
will	O
only	O
be	O
able	O
to	O
play	O
by	O
completing	O
predetermined	O
tiers	O
of	O
songs	O
ordered	O
by	O
difficulty	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
"	O
Solo	O
Tour	O
"	O
is	O
a	O
single-player	O
mode	O
offered	O
for	O
the	O
lead	O
guitar	O
,	O
drum	O
,	O
and	O
microphone	B-Application
peripherals	O
(	O
there	O
is	O
no	O
support	O
for	O
bass	O
)	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Rather	O
than	O
feature	O
the	O
open-ended	O
gameplay	O
and	O
features	O
of	O
the	O
next-generation	O
versions	O
of	O
Band	O
World	O
Tour	O
mode	O
,	O
Solo	O
Tour	O
is	O
structured	O
much	O
in	O
the	O
same	O
vein	O
as	O
the	O
career	O
mode	O
in	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
games	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Players	O
choose/create	O
their	O
character	O
(	O
on	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
only	O
)	O
and	O
complete	O
predetermined	O
sets	O
of	O
songs	O
ordered	O
by	O
difficulty	O
,	O
with	O
each	O
instrument	O
's	O
setlist	O
ordered	O
differently	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
For	O
the	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
and	O
Xbox	B-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
versions	O
,	O
players	O
can	O
use	O
money	O
earned	O
for	O
each	O
performance	O
to	O
purchase	O
merchandise	O
at	O
the	O
"	O
Rock	O
Shop	O
"	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
For	O
a	O
competitive	O
experience	O
,	O
players	O
can	O
individually	O
compete	O
against	O
each	O
other	O
for	O
each	O
instrument	O
type	O
in	O
the	O
"	O
Tug	O
of	O
War	O
"	O
(	O
much	O
like	O
Guitar	O
Heros	O
"	O
Face-off	O
"	O
,	O
in	O
which	O
players	O
trade	O
playing	O
sections	O
of	O
a	O
song	O
to	O
move	O
a	O
meter	O
in	O
their	O
favor	O
)	O
and	O
"	O
Score	O
Duel	O
"	O
(	O
much	O
like	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
IIs	O
"	O
Pro	O
Face-off	O
"	O
,	O
in	O
which	O
each	O
player	O
plays	O
the	O
song	O
in	O
its	O
entirety	O
on	O
the	O
same	O
difficulty	O
level	O
to	O
earn	O
points	O
)	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
These	O
head-to-head	O
modes	O
are	O
available	O
both	O
online	O
(	O
for	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
)	O
and	O
locally	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
"	O
Band	O
Quickplay	O
"	O
mode	O
allows	O
bands	O
to	O
quickly	O
play	O
any	O
song	O
;	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
allow	O
any	O
combination	O
of	O
2	O
–	O
4	O
local	O
or	O
online	O
players	O
to	O
play	O
as	O
a	O
band	O
,	O
while	O
the	O
PlayStation	B-Device
2	I-Device
and	O
Wii	B-Operating_System
versions	O
only	O
supports	O
2	O
–	O
4	O
local	O
players	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Also	O
included	O
in	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
are	O
"	O
Tutorial	O
Mode	O
"	O
,	O
which	O
allows	O
players	O
to	O
learn	O
how	O
to	O
play	O
each	O
instrument	O
,	O
and	O
"	O
Practice	O
Mode	O
"	O
,	O
which	O
allows	O
players	O
to	O
practice	O
songs	O
for	O
each	O
instrument	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
All	O
versions	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
feature	O
the	O
same	O
core	O
58	O
playable	O
tracks	O
on	O
the	O
game	O
disc	O
;	O
45	O
of	O
these	O
are	O
featured	O
tracks	O
in	O
the	O
main	O
setlist	O
,	O
while	O
the	O
other	O
13	O
tracks	O
are	O
"	O
bonus	O
songs	O
"	O
by	O
independent	O
or	O
lesser-known	O
bands	O
,	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
bands	O
made	O
up	O
of	O
Harmonix	O
employees	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	B-Operating_System
Wii	I-Operating_System
version	O
of	O
the	O
game	O
features	O
5	O
additional	O
songs	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
All	O
but	O
three	O
songs	O
on	O
the	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
disc	O
can	O
be	O
transferred	O
to	O
the	O
user	O
's	O
hard	O
drive	O
on	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
or	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
to	O
be	O
used	O
for	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
2	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
Furthermore	O
,	O
an	O
extra	O
two	O
songs	O
from	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
cannot	O
be	O
carried	O
over	O
into	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
3	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
and	O
Xbox	B-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
versions	O
of	O
the	O
game	O
support	O
downloadable	O
songs	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Harmonix	O
likened	O
the	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
game	O
to	O
a	O
new	O
platform	O
for	O
future	O
music	O
releases	O
,	O
and	O
the	O
company	O
built	O
the	O
library	O
of	O
downloadable	O
content	O
up	O
to	O
hundreds	O
of	O
songs	O
within	O
the	O
first	O
year	O
of	O
the	O
game	O
's	O
release	O
by	O
releasing	O
new	O
content	O
on	O
a	O
weekly	O
basis	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
All	O
downloadable	O
songs	O
released	O
before	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
3	I-Application
came	O
out	O
are	O
cross-compatible	O
between	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
and	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
2	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
As	O
both	O
the	O
PlayStation	B-Device
2	I-Device
and	O
Wii	B-Operating_System
version	O
lack	O
downloadable	O
content	O
,	O
Harmonix	O
released	O
a	O
series	O
of	O
"	O
Track	O
Pack	O
"	O
standalone	O
games	O
that	O
are	O
sold	O
in	O
retail	O
stores	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Each	O
volume	O
contains	O
several	O
of	O
the	O
tracks	O
available	O
as	O
downloadable	O
content	O
for	O
Xbox	B-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
.	O
</s>
<s>
2	O
saw	O
an	O
expanded	O
release	O
on	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
,	O
as	O
well	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Harmonix	O
Music	O
Systems	O
was	O
previously	O
responsible	O
for	O
making	O
the	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
series	I-Application
,	O
while	O
RedOctane	O
manufactured	O
the	O
peripherals	O
and	O
owned	O
the	O
rights	O
to	O
the	O
series	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
As	O
a	O
result	O
of	O
the	O
two	O
purchases	O
,	O
Harmonix	O
would	O
no	O
longer	O
be	O
able	O
to	O
develop	O
future	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
games	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Instead	O
,	O
Neversoft	O
,	O
a	O
subsidiary	O
of	O
Activision	O
,	O
would	O
take	O
over	O
development	O
;	O
the	O
company	O
released	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
III	I-Application
:	I-Application
Legends	I-Application
of	I-Application
Rock	I-Application
on	O
October	O
28	O
,	O
2007	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
According	O
to	O
"	O
The	O
Business	O
"	O
,	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
cost	O
$200	O
million	O
to	O
develop	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Harmonix	O
's	O
Vice	O
President	O
of	O
Product	O
Development	O
,	O
Greg	O
LoPiccolo	O
,	O
stated	O
that	O
the	O
game	O
took	O
about	O
20	O
months	O
to	O
develop	O
,	O
already	O
having	O
envisioned	O
the	O
possibility	O
of	O
different	O
instruments	O
before	O
they	O
were	O
completed	O
with	O
the	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
series	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
One	O
of	O
the	O
first	O
needs	O
for	O
developing	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
was	O
new	O
hardware	O
,	O
specifically	O
for	O
the	O
drums	O
,	O
since	O
they	O
already	O
had	O
experience	O
with	O
guitar	O
controllers	O
from	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
Working	O
in	O
tandem	O
between	O
software	O
and	O
hardware	O
development	O
,	O
Harmonix	O
spent	O
time	O
working	O
on	O
a	O
drum	O
controller	B-Device
prototype	O
and	O
how	O
its	O
track	O
would	O
be	O
shown	O
on	O
screen	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
For	O
networking	O
,	O
they	O
opted	O
to	O
use	O
the	O
Quazal	O
networking	O
scheme	O
rather	O
than	O
the	O
platforms	O
 '	O
current	O
network	O
offerings	O
,	O
which	O
allowed	O
them	O
flexibility	O
in	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
and	O
future	O
games	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
selecting	O
the	O
soundtrack	O
for	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
,	O
the	O
developers	O
recognized	O
that	O
they	O
needed	O
to	O
select	O
songs	O
that	O
were	O
recognizable	O
,	O
particularly	O
on	O
vocals	O
;	O
in	O
contrast	O
,	O
when	O
they	O
were	O
selecting	O
songs	O
for	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
,	O
they	O
were	O
able	O
to	O
pick	O
songs	O
that	O
played	O
better	O
even	O
if	O
they	O
were	O
less	O
recognizable	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Pressed	O
for	O
office	O
space	O
,	O
Harmonix	O
was	O
forced	O
to	O
move	O
its	O
offices	O
in	O
the	O
middle	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Bands	I-Application
beta	O
period	O
in	O
order	O
to	O
support	O
the	O
company	O
's	O
130-person	O
staff	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Although	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
of	O
the	O
game	O
were	O
developed	O
in-house	O
,	O
Harmonix	O
outsourced	O
development	O
of	O
the	O
PlayStation	B-Device
2	I-Device
version	O
to	O
Pi	O
Studios	O
,	O
as	O
it	O
omits	O
certain	O
features	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Harmonix	O
faced	O
difficulty	O
in	O
making	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
guitar	O
wireless	O
,	O
as	O
developers	O
are	O
charged	O
a	O
licensing	O
fee	O
to	O
use	O
Microsoft	O
's	O
wireless	O
technology	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Had	O
Harmonix	O
chosen	O
to	O
pay	O
the	O
fee	O
,	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
bundles	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
would	O
have	O
sold	O
at	O
different	O
price	O
points	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Instead	O
,	O
Harmonix	O
chose	O
a	O
wired	O
technology	O
for	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
bundle	O
's	O
guitar	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
the	O
certification	O
process	O
for	O
both	O
Xbox	B-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	O
platforms	O
,	O
Harmonix	O
encountered	O
difficulty	O
in	O
how	O
to	O
assign	O
service	O
profiles	O
to	O
different	O
instruments	O
;	O
while	O
they	O
ended	O
with	O
a	O
profile	O
management	O
systems	O
that	O
met	O
the	O
certification	O
requirements	O
,	O
the	O
solution	O
was	O
concerned	O
just	O
functional	O
and	O
awkward	O
to	O
use	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Around	O
160	O
developers	O
had	O
been	O
involved	O
on	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
,	O
though	O
Harmonix	O
noted	O
they	O
likely	O
needed	O
to	O
hire	O
more	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Harmonix	O
CEO	O
Alex	O
Rigopulos	O
said	O
in	O
the	O
announcement	O
that	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
"	O
takes	O
the	O
core	O
premise	O
of	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
and	O
expands	O
it	O
tenfold	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
was	O
a	O
featured	O
game	O
at	O
the	O
2007	O
E3	O
convention	O
and	O
provided	O
one	O
of	O
the	O
exhibition	O
's	O
highlights	O
;	O
Harmonix	O
employees	O
and	O
Microsoft	O
executive	O
Peter	O
Moore	O
played	O
the	O
game	O
on-stage	O
,	O
performing	O
The	B-Application
Hives	I-Application
 '	O
"	O
Main	O
Offender	O
"	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Moore	O
paused	O
the	O
game	O
twice	O
when	O
he	O
accidentally	O
hit	O
the	O
guitar	O
's	O
Xbox	B-Operating_System
Guide	O
button	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
update	O
included	O
an	O
in-game	O
music	O
store	O
with	O
preview	O
and	O
sorting	O
options	O
,	O
revised	O
microphone	B-Application
performance	O
,	O
and	O
faster	O
downloadable	O
content	O
loading	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Many	O
originally	O
announced	O
features	O
,	O
such	O
as	O
the	O
ability	O
for	O
players	O
to	O
pose	O
their	O
avatars	O
,	O
take	O
photo	O
shoots	O
and	O
order	O
T-shirts	O
,	O
bumper	O
stickers	O
,	O
and	O
figurines	O
,	O
were	O
eventually	O
made	O
available	O
on	O
the	O
website	O
for	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
2	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
MTV	O
and	O
Harmonix	O
promoted	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
heavily	O
in	O
the	O
months	O
leading	O
up	O
to	O
the	O
game	O
's	O
release	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
VH1	O
also	O
produced	O
a	O
brief	O
spoof	O
documentary	O
in	O
the	O
style	O
of	O
Behind	O
the	O
Music	O
titled	O
"	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
Cometh	O
:	O
The	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
Band	O
Story	O
,	O
"	O
documenting	O
a	O
fictional	O
band	O
that	O
plays	O
the	O
game	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Other	O
companies	O
helped	O
to	O
promote	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
through	O
free	O
and	O
reduced	O
cost	O
downloadable	O
content	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
"	O
Special	O
Edition	O
"	O
bundle	O
includes	O
the	O
game	O
software	O
,	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
guitar	O
,	O
drum	O
,	O
and	O
microphone	B-Application
peripherals	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
PlayStation	B-Device
2	I-Device
,	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
,	O
and	O
Wii	B-Operating_System
bundles	O
include	O
a	O
wireless	O
guitar	O
,	O
whereas	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
bundle	O
contains	O
a	O
wired	O
guitar	O
(	O
a	O
separate	O
wireless	O
guitar	O
is	O
currently	O
available	O
for	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
)	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Initially	O
,	O
a	O
USB	B-Protocol
hub	O
was	O
only	O
included	O
in	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
,	O
Wii	B-Operating_System
,	O
and	O
PlayStation	B-Device
2	I-Device
bundles	O
,	O
in	O
order	O
to	O
increase	O
the	O
number	O
of	O
available	O
USB	B-Protocol
ports	I-Protocol
on	O
the	O
console	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
more	O
recent	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
bundles	O
now	O
include	O
a	O
USB	B-Protocol
hub	O
,	O
with	O
a	O
sticker	O
on	O
the	O
box	O
indicating	O
so	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
MTV	O
originally	O
announced	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
would	O
be	O
released	O
for	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
on	O
November	O
23	O
,	O
2007	O
,	O
Black	O
Friday	O
,	O
one	O
of	O
the	O
busiest	O
shopping	O
days	O
in	O
the	O
United	O
States	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
game	O
software	O
was	O
made	O
available	O
for	O
purchase	O
individually	O
at	O
the	O
game	O
's	O
launch	O
,	O
allowing	O
players	O
with	O
a	O
USB	B-Protocol
microphone	B-Application
or	O
a	O
compatible	O
guitar	O
controller	B-Device
to	O
take	O
advantage	O
of	O
the	O
vocals	O
,	O
lead	O
guitar	O
,	O
and	O
bass	O
guitar	O
gameplay	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
This	O
is	O
one	O
common	O
malfunction	O
occurring	O
in	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
peripherals	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Upon	O
release	O
,	O
many	O
players	O
reported	O
hardware	O
issues	O
with	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
peripherals	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Many	O
complaints	O
stemmed	O
from	O
the	O
bass	O
drum	O
pedal	O
snapping	O
in	O
two	O
,	O
the	O
Stratocaster	O
controller	B-Device
's	O
strum	O
bar	O
being	O
unresponsive	O
,	O
and	O
it	O
occasionally	O
lagging	O
when	O
tilted	O
to	O
activate	O
Overdrive	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
However	O
,	O
a	O
class	O
action	O
lawsuit	O
was	O
issued	O
against	O
Harmonix	O
,	O
MTV	O
Games	O
,	O
Viacom	O
,	O
and	O
Electronic	O
Arts	O
over	O
the	O
failures	O
of	O
the	O
bass	O
drum	O
pedal	O
,	O
claiming	O
the	O
companies	O
conspired	O
to	O
force	O
consumers	O
to	O
pay	O
for	O
repairs	O
or	O
upgrade	O
to	O
the	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
2	I-Application
drum	O
kit	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Other	O
players	O
discovered	O
at	O
the	O
game	O
's	O
launch	O
that	O
the	O
Gibson	O
Les	O
Paul	O
guitar	O
controller	B-Device
bundled	O
with	O
the	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
version	O
of	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
III	I-Application
:	I-Application
Legends	I-Application
of	I-Application
Rock	I-Application
was	O
initially	O
not	O
compatible	O
with	O
the	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
version	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
,	O
despite	O
Harmonix	O
stating	O
that	O
any	O
controllers	O
that	O
followed	O
the	O
open-controller	O
standard	O
would	O
work	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Activision	O
stated	O
that	O
MTV	O
Games	O
was	O
unwilling	O
to	O
reach	O
an	O
agreement	O
to	O
pay	O
Activision	O
to	O
use	O
the	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
III	I-Application
technology	O
in	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
This	O
incompatibility	O
also	O
applies	O
to	O
the	B-Operating_System
Wii	I-Operating_System
's	O
Les	O
Paul	O
peripheral	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
At	O
a	O
press	O
conference	O
at	O
the	O
2008	O
E3	O
convention	O
,	O
Activision	O
confirmed	O
that	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
version	O
of	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
World	I-Application
Tour	I-Application
will	O
be	O
able	O
to	O
use	O
Rock	B-Application
Bands	I-Application
instruments	O
,	O
adapting	O
the	O
note	O
tracks	O
to	O
account	O
for	O
the	O
smaller	O
number	O
of	O
drum	O
pads	O
,	O
and	O
that	O
this	O
compatibility	O
was	O
patched	O
into	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
:	O
Aerosmith	O
as	O
a	O
result	O
of	O
additional	O
arrangements	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Prior	O
to	O
release	O
,	O
EA	O
CEO	O
John	O
Riccitielo	O
remarked	O
that	O
the	O
company	O
would	O
not	O
be	O
able	O
to	O
meet	O
the	O
high	O
demand	O
for	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
in	O
the	O
2007	O
holiday	O
season	O
,	O
stating	O
,	O
"	O
We	O
're	O
not	O
going	O
to	O
be	O
able	O
to	O
put	O
enough	O
inventory	O
to	O
meet	O
demand	O
in	O
North	O
America	O
or	O
Europe	O
this	O
calendar	O
year	O
or	O
this	O
fiscal	O
[year].	O
 "	O
</s>
<s>
This	O
prompted	O
many	O
retailers	O
to	O
limit	O
the	O
number	O
of	O
preorders	O
they	O
sold	O
before	O
the	O
game	O
was	O
released.Official	O
Xbox	B-Operating_System
Magazine	O
published	O
the	O
first	O
review	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
,	O
scoring	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
version	O
a	O
9.5/10	O
and	O
calling	O
it	O
"	O
gaming	O
's	O
most	O
intensely	O
rewarding	O
co-op	O
experience.	O
"	O
</s>
<s>
IGN	O
awarded	O
the	O
game	O
a	O
9.4/10	O
score	O
and	O
an	O
Editor	O
's	O
Choice	O
Award	O
for	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
1UP.com	O
gave	O
the	O
next-generation	O
versions	O
of	O
the	O
game	O
an	O
A	O
,	O
stating	O
that	O
"	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
unquestionably	O
,	O
unequivocally	O
rocks.	O
"	O
</s>
<s>
GameSpot	O
rated	O
the	O
next-generation	O
versions	O
of	O
the	O
game	O
a	O
9.0/10	O
,	O
calling	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
"	O
one	O
of	O
the	O
best	O
party	O
games	O
of	O
all	O
time.	O
"	O
</s>
<s>
The	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
version	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
has	O
an	O
average	O
critic	O
score	O
of	O
92%	O
,	O
according	O
to	O
Metacritic	O
,	O
tying	O
it	O
for	O
the	O
24th-highest-scored	O
Xbox	B-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
game	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Similarly	O
,	O
the	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
version	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
has	O
an	O
average	O
critic	O
score	O
of	O
92%	O
on	O
Metacritic	O
,	O
making	O
it	O
the	O
25th-highest-scored	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
game	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Most	O
critics	O
commended	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
versions	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
for	O
the	O
game	O
's	O
group	O
gameplay	O
,	O
the	O
depth	O
of	O
Band	O
World	O
Tour	O
mode	O
,	O
and	O
the	O
introduction	O
of	O
a	O
drum	O
peripheral	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Common	O
complaints	O
about	O
the	O
game	O
focused	O
on	O
the	O
different	O
feel	O
of	O
the	O
packaged	O
Fender	O
Stratocaster	O
controller	B-Device
,	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
the	O
game	O
's	O
Solo	O
Tour	O
modes	O
not	O
being	O
as	O
enjoyable	O
as	O
the	O
multiplayer	O
offerings	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
PlayStation	B-Device
2	I-Device
version	O
of	O
the	O
game	O
was	O
well	O
received	O
,	O
but	O
was	O
subject	O
to	O
criticism	O
for	O
the	O
omission	O
of	O
the	O
character	O
customization	O
features	O
,	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
the	O
stripped-down	O
Band	O
World	O
Tour	O
mode	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
GameSpot	O
rated	O
it	O
an	O
8.0/10	O
,	O
stating	O
that	O
"	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
is	O
still	O
a	O
lot	O
of	O
fun	O
on	O
the	O
it	O
's	O
just	O
nowhere	O
near	O
the	O
ideal	O
version	O
of	O
the	O
experience.	O
"	O
</s>
<s>
Reviews	O
for	O
the	B-Operating_System
Wii	I-Operating_System
version	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
also	O
criticize	O
the	O
lack	O
of	O
features	O
compared	O
to	O
the	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
and	O
Xbox	B-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
versions	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	B-Operating_System
Wii	I-Operating_System
version	O
is	O
basically	O
the	O
same	O
as	O
its	O
PlayStation	B-Device
2	I-Device
counterpart	O
,	O
but	O
IGN	O
criticized	O
it	O
for	O
its	O
late	O
release	O
and	O
their	O
effort	O
in	O
completing	O
a	O
full	O
game	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
However	O
,	O
IGN	O
noted	O
that	O
the	O
drum	O
controller	B-Device
was	O
an	O
improvement	O
over	O
the	O
original	O
version	O
,	O
stating	O
,	O
"	O
The	O
pads	O
are	O
quieter	O
and	O
the	O
kick	O
pedal	O
will	O
withstand	O
more	O
abuse.	O
"	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
sales	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
helped	O
Viacom	O
to	O
become	O
the	O
fifth-largest	O
video	O
game	O
publisher	O
in	O
the	O
United	O
States	O
,	O
although	O
analysts	O
estimated	O
that	O
Viacom	O
was	O
only	O
breaking	O
even	O
on	O
sales	O
of	O
the	O
game	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
a	O
March	O
2011	O
list	O
,	O
the	O
NPD	O
Group	O
listed	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
as	O
the	O
fifth-highest-grossing	O
video	O
game	O
in	O
the	O
United	O
States	O
since	O
1995	O
,	O
earning	O
$670.7	O
million	O
in	O
revenue	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
By	O
May	O
2011	O
,	O
over	O
100	O
million	O
songs	O
had	O
been	O
downloaded	O
from	O
the	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
music	O
store	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Sales	O
of	O
songs	O
were	O
in	O
favor	O
of	O
hard	O
rock	B-Application
bands	I-Application
;	O
Mötley	O
Crües	O
single	O
"	O
Saints	O
of	O
Los	O
Angeles	O
"	O
,	O
debuting	O
as	O
a	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
track	O
at	O
the	O
same	O
time	O
as	O
the	O
release	O
of	O
the	O
album	O
of	O
the	O
same	O
name	O
,	O
saw	O
48,000	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
downloads	O
and	O
14,000	O
iTunes	B-Operating_System
downloads	O
during	O
its	O
first	O
week	O
of	O
release	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Rushs	O
alternate	O
version	O
of	O
"	O
Working	O
Man	O
"	O
released	O
only	O
for	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
was	O
met	O
with	O
so	O
much	O
praise	O
from	O
players	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
that	O
the	O
group	O
released	O
the	O
song	O
for	O
download	O
through	O
iTunes	B-Operating_System
,	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
considered	O
making	O
full	O
albums	O
available	O
,	O
which	O
they	O
went	O
on	O
to	O
do	O
for	O
their	O
1981	O
album	O
Moving	O
Pictures	O
,	O
released	O
for	O
the	O
game	O
two	O
months	O
later	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Prior	O
to	O
the	O
game	O
's	O
release	O
,	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
was	O
featured	O
at	O
the	O
2007	O
E3	O
convention	O
,	O
garnering	O
attention	O
and	O
several	O
awards	O
,	O
including	O
the	O
Game	O
Critics	O
 '	O
"	O
Best	O
of	O
E3	O
2007	O
"	O
awards	O
for	O
"	O
Best	O
of	O
Show	O
,	O
"	O
"	O
Best	O
Hardware/Peripheral	O
,	O
"	O
and	O
"	O
Best	O
Social/Casual/Puzzle	O
,	O
"	O
com	O
's	O
"	O
Best	O
of	O
E3	O
,	O
"	O
and	O
GameSpot	O
's	O
"	O
Best	O
Stage	O
Demo	O
"	O
and	O
"	O
Best	O
Xbox	B-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
Game.	O
"	O
</s>
<s>
After	O
its	O
release	O
,	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
won	O
dozens	O
of	O
awards	O
covering	O
game	O
releases	O
from	O
2007	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
game	O
won	O
seven	O
awards	O
from	O
IGN	O
's	O
"	O
Best	O
of	O
2007	O
,	O
"	O
receiving	O
honors	O
for	O
"	O
Best	O
Music	B-Application
Game	I-Application
"	O
for	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
,	O
"	O
Best	O
Local	O
Multiplayer	O
Game	O
"	O
for	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
,	O
"	O
Best	O
Downloadable	O
Content	O
"	O
for	O
the	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
,	O
and	O
"	O
Best	O
Console	O
Peripheral	O
,	O
"	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
overall	O
awards	O
for	O
"	O
Best	O
Music	B-Application
Game	I-Application
,	O
"	O
"	O
Best	O
Licensed	O
Soundtrack	O
,	O
"	O
and	O
"	O
Best	O
Local	O
Multiplayer	O
Game.	O
"	O
</s>
<s>
GameSpot	O
awarded	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
five	O
awards	O
in	O
its	O
"	O
Best	O
of	O
2007	O
,	O
"	O
recognizing	O
the	O
game	O
for	O
"	O
Best	O
Rhythm/Music	O
Game	O
,	O
"	O
"	O
Best	O
New	O
Gaming	O
Hardware	O
,	O
"	O
"	O
Best	O
Downloadable	O
Content	O
,	O
"	O
"	O
Best	O
Sound	O
Design	O
,	O
"	O
and	O
"	O
Best	O
Multiplayer	O
Game.	O
"	O
</s>
<s>
Wired	O
,	O
Official	O
Xbox	B-Operating_System
Magazine	O
,	O
and	O
Ars	O
Technica	O
all	O
named	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
the	O
"	O
Game	O
of	O
the	O
Year	O
,	O
"	O
while	O
Next	O
Generation	O
Magazine	O
named	O
it	O
the	O
second-best	O
game	O
of	O
2007	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
GamePro	O
honored	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
with	O
the	O
"	O
Innovation	O
Award	O
"	O
for	O
four-person	O
cooperative	O
play	O
,	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
the	O
selection	O
of	O
"	O
Best	O
Party	O
Game	O
"	O
of	O
2007	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
GameSpy	O
also	O
recognized	O
the	O
game	O
as	O
the	O
"	O
Music	B-Application
Game	I-Application
of	O
the	O
Year	O
"	O
on	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
and	O
PlayStation	B-Operating_System
3	I-Operating_System
.	O
</s>
<s>
Additionally	O
,	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
was	O
awarded	O
"	O
Best	O
Multiplayer	O
Experience	O
(	O
console	O
)	O
"	O
by	O
1UP.com	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
Academy	O
of	O
Interactive	O
Arts	O
and	O
Sciences	O
awarded	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
with	O
honors	O
for	O
three	O
of	O
the	O
eight	O
categories	O
in	O
which	O
it	O
was	O
nominated	O
;	O
the	O
game	O
won	O
awards	O
for	O
"	O
Family	O
Game	O
of	O
the	O
Year	O
"	O
,	O
"	O
Outstanding	O
Achievement	O
in	O
Soundtrack	O
"	O
,	O
and	O
"	O
Outstanding	O
Innovation	O
in	O
Gaming	O
"	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
was	O
named	O
"	O
Best	O
Party	O
Game	O
"	O
of	O
the	O
year	O
from	O
Game	O
Informer	O
Magazine	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
game	O
has	O
also	O
been	O
called	O
the	O
best	O
rhythm	O
game	O
of	O
all	O
time	O
by	O
GameTap	B-Operating_System
.	O
</s>
<s>
Like	O
the	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
series	I-Application
,	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
has	O
had	O
a	O
significant	O
impact	O
on	O
culture	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Alex	O
Rigopulos	O
and	O
Eran	O
Egozy	O
,	O
the	O
founders	O
of	O
Harmonix	O
,	O
were	O
together	O
named	O
in	O
Time	O
Magazine	O
's	O
list	O
of	O
the	O
100	O
most	O
influential	O
people	O
of	O
2008	O
for	O
their	O
creation	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
the	O
article	O
,	O
guitarist	O
Steven	O
Van	O
Zandt	O
claims	O
,	O
"	O
in	O
the	O
history	O
of	O
rock	O
'	O
n	O
 '	O
roll	O
,	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
may	O
just	O
turn	O
out	O
to	O
be	O
up	O
there	O
with	O
the	O
rise	O
of	O
FM	O
radio	O
,	O
CDs	O
,	O
or	O
MTV.	O
"	O
</s>
<s>
SequelRock	O
Band	O
2	O
was	O
officially	O
announced	O
on	O
June	O
30	O
,	O
2008	O
,	O
and	O
was	O
released	O
on	O
September	O
14	O
,	O
2008	O
on	O
the	B-Operating_System
Xbox	I-Operating_System
360	I-Operating_System
,	O
with	O
other	O
platform	O
releases	O
following	O
later	O
in	O
the	O
year	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Original	O
instruments	O
from	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
are	O
compatible	O
with	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
2	I-Application
,	O
which	O
features	O
new	O
instruments	O
that	O
been	O
described	O
as	O
quieter	O
and	O
more	O
reliable	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Furthermore	O
,	O
both	O
existing	O
and	O
any	O
forthcoming	O
downloadable	O
content	O
will	O
be	O
cross-compatible	O
between	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
and	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
2	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
2	I-Application
saw	O
enhancements	O
to	O
the	O
existing	O
Band	O
World	O
Tour	O
mode	O
,	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
inclusions	O
of	O
new	O
"	O
Drum	O
Trainer	O
"	O
and	O
"	O
Battle	O
of	O
the	O
Bands	O
"	O
modes	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
55	O
of	O
the	O
58	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
songs	O
can	O
be	O
exported	O
for	O
use	O
in	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
2	I-Application
,	O
with	O
the	O
purchase	O
of	O
a	O
$5	O
export	O
key	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
On	O
March	O
21	O
,	O
2008	O
,	O
EA	O
,	O
MTV	O
,	O
and	O
Harmonix	O
were	O
sued	O
by	O
the	O
Gibson	O
Guitar	O
Corporation	O
for	O
violation	O
of	O
the	O
1999	O
,	O
which	O
Gibson	O
claims	O
covers	O
technology	O
that	O
simulates	O
a	O
concert	O
performance	O
via	O
pre-recorded	O
audio	O
and	O
a	O
musical	O
instrument	O
;	O
this	O
follows	O
similar	O
action	O
that	O
Gibson	O
took	O
against	O
the	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
series	I-Application
,	O
which	O
was	O
later	O
settled	O
out	O
of	O
court.Activision	O
and	O
Gibson	O
settle	O
Guitar	B-Application
Hero	I-Application
patent	O
lawsuit	O
The	O
Gibson-Harmonix	O
case	O
was	O
put	O
on	O
hold	O
shortly	O
after	O
its	O
filing	O
to	O
allow	O
the	O
United	O
States	O
Patent	O
and	O
Trademark	O
Office	O
to	O
open	O
a	O
re-examination	O
of	O
the	O
405	O
patent	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Due	O
to	O
the	O
change	O
in	O
language	O
,	O
Harmonix	O
sought	O
to	O
have	O
the	O
case	O
go	O
forward	O
and	O
requested	O
a	O
summary	O
judgement	O
,	O
believing	O
that	O
the	O
new	O
language	O
of	O
the	O
405	O
patent	O
did	O
not	O
include	O
the	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
controllers.Patent	O
Arcade	O
:	O
Back	O
on	O
Stage	O
in	O
the	O
Guitar	O
Hero/Gibson	O
Suit	O
?	O
</s>
<s>
On	O
July	O
10	O
,	O
2008	O
,	O
Konami	O
filed	O
a	O
separate	O
lawsuit	O
against	O
Harmonix	O
,	O
Viacom	O
,	O
and	O
MTV	O
attempting	O
to	O
block	O
the	O
sale	O
of	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
,	O
over	O
infringement	O
of	O
their	O
patents	O
on	O
a	O
"	O
musical-rhythm	O
matching	O
game	O
"	O
issued	O
in	O
2002	O
and	O
2003	O
,	O
including	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
On	O
December	O
2	O
,	O
2008	O
,	O
Viacom	O
issued	O
a	O
countersuit	O
against	O
Konami	O
,	O
claiming	O
that	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
significantly	O
improves	O
on	O
Konami	O
's	O
original	O
patent	O
,	O
and	O
that	O
their	O
Rock	B-Application
Revolution	I-Application
game	O
uses	O
controllers	O
that	O
are	O
similar	O
to	O
Rock	B-Application
Band	I-Application
.	O
</s>
