AC/DC is set to become the first band to get their own version of the popular game Rock Band, available exclusively through Wal-Mart and Sam's Club November 2.
AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will also be the first time ever the band has included an entire album for video game play, with 18 live tracks from their legendary live performances becoming available in one electrifying, standalone game. That's right. According to the press release making this announcement, you won't need a version of Rock Band or Rock Band 2 to play AC/DC LIVE. You will, however, still need your "instruments." I'm pretty sure no Angus Young schoolboy outfit is included, although I won't be surprised if such an accessory is later offered through some sort of expansion pack.
All tracks from the AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will also be available for play in Rock Band and Rock Band 2 by entering a special export authentication code for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Playstation 3 versions.
I guess I'm the last man in America who doesn't understand the appeal of these virtual musician games. You'd think a rock 'n' roll fanboy would love something like this, but I just don't get it. What is it I don't understand? I'm obviously the one who didn't get the memo because Rock Band and Guitar Hero are two of the most popular, lucrative game titles in the universe. The bus left, and I was not on the bus.
I don't understand pretending to play fake guitars for hours on end when, if I had that kind of focus, I could be learning to play some of these same songs on a real guitar (bass, drums, whatever). How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. I suppose some of you could say the same thing about me spending hours playing Madden 2009 and while I'll admit if I'd practice and drop a couple hundred pounds I might be a little more elusive, I don't think there's anything that can change the fact that I'm short and slow. No matter. The people have spoken and I'm in the minority, and that's just fine.
Article comments
1 - Ken Edwards
Rock Band tracks are usually $2 a pop, and when in a pack they are discounted. So by the math $36 is asking a lot. The Chili Peppers album cost $20 and is out today, with 16 tracks ("Give It Away" is not on there because they are dumb, er, I mean because it is part of RB2.
Yes it is one hell of a set of songs. And hell yes it will rock to play AC/DC in Rock Band, but this is Wal-Mart isn't it? Always the low price my ass.
Also Josh you can find solace in Paprocki. He doesn't get the music games either. Of course he just doesn't know any of the music in them to begin with, but there you go, you and Matt are the last men in America who don't understand the appeal.
The AC/DC pack is damn pricey. Even at $36 it is pushing it. If they were smart (they are not, they have signed a deal with Wal-mart) they would have released it as actual DLC and that would mean it would not cost them to produce a DVD and packaging, allowing them to make it cheaper.
Which brings me to another point. All RB or RB2 owners are going to do is drop the DVD/BD into their console, export the songs, and be done with it. Worthless waste if you ask me.
I am also surprised they are not bringing Black Ice to RB. Which would be nice considering that Guitar Hero sniped Death Magnetic, which was originally set to be Rock Band DLC.
Nicely done article Josh, thanks.
2 - Ken Edwards
It should be noted that Variety has learned that the Rock Band AC/DC disc will not have online play. So you would have to export the songs and play them in RB1 or RB2 to play the songs online.
3 - Mark Saleski
you and Matt are the last men in America who don't understand the appeal.
don't you dare leave me out of that elite group mr. edwards!
geeuz people, go out and buy a freaking guitar, will ya????
4 - Josh Hathaway
Thanks for the comments and price comparison data, Ken. Being completely outside this little universe, I knew nothing of it.
Hathaway, Paprocki, and Saleski = elite? I'm not seeing it. :D
5 - Ken Edwards
Oh man, Saleski, I forgot (but now remember) you are in that camp to.
I am terribly sorry. It will never (maybe) happen again.
6 - brandon
ac dc is awsome and im am very happy to see ac dc come to rock band. i almost peed my self when i heard they had a shit load of songs. I knew that let there be rock was on rock band 2 but to see that they have there own disc come is wayyyyyyy better.