IGN has released an interview with Dan Teasdale, Lead Designer at Harmonix, in which they discuss the evolution of the band-based gaming platform Rock Band. The sequel, Rock Band 2, will be available stateside sometime this year (the Xbox 360 version has a September release date). The interview reveals a lot of tasty info about the game and reiterates to us why Harmonix is the king of rhythm-based gaming.

There's a whole lot of interesting stuff to read about, but the most exciting has to be the fact that Rock Band 1 and 2 DLC will be completely compatible with both games. "As far as Harmonix is concerned, there's no difference between "Rock Band 1 DLC" and "Rock Band 2 DLC" – we're just releasing awesome songs every week onto the Rock Band platform." Are you listening, Activision?

Rock Band 2 will obviously have some advancements over the original, including new and improved features and instruments. Teasdale also teases about an amazing lineup of songs, with announcements to be made in the near future. Check out the full interview for more info about your new favorite rhythm game.

As for you European PS3 owners, still waiting for Rock Band 1 ... Try not to cry.

While the original Rock Band is still going strong, Harmonix is already looking towards the next bit of kit that it hopes will be cluttering your place, with it now getting official with Rock Band 2 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This time around, it seems the Xbox 360 will be getting a jump on things with a launch in September, with the PS3 version set to follow "later in the year." Both of those will, naturally, be coming with all new instruments, including the tasty Fender Stratocaster pictured above, but you will be able to use your current gear if you want to spare the extra clutter and save a few bucks. What's more, you'll also be able to carry over all your current downloaded content and, as IGN reports, you'll even be able to download and play new tracks on Rock Band 1 once Rock Band 2 is out. Of course, Harmonix is saving most of the details for E3 next month, but you can find a few more tidbits in IGN's interview with Harmonix's Dan Teasdale available at the read link below.

wutang01 said: Surely it's a cymbals add-on at least. Can't let Activision to beat Harmonix at their own game

But that new guitar looks sexy

kv95 said: the guitar hero 4, guitar looks alike this is goin 2 be a big battle lol

DiscoMark said:

kv95 said: the guitar hero 4, guitar looks alike this is goin 2 be a big battle lol

I see they've taken the intiative step and added buttons further up the fret board aswell. I thought they said they were going to have a sensing fret board that makes you do crazy solo's????
So much for marketing garbage. It's exactly like rock band 5 button solo

Vinzor said: RB2 guitar looks better. later in the year for the U.S., 20 years later for us

wutang01 said:

Vinzor said: RB2 guitar looks better. later in the year for the U.S., 20 years later for us

I'm definitely getting the bundle with that new guitar.

I'll definitely be purchasing RB2, importing it from the States. Just to ensure that my American RB1's DLC is compatible with an American RB2.

Vinzor said: RB2 guitar looks better. later in the year for the U.S., 20 years later for us

yodaddy said: omg!!!...the RB2 guitar look awesome with the wood pattern fret..I will get that RB2 bundle too...

hey jinx, I reckon if one wait for buying RB2...RB3 may be on the way like what just happened today for ppl that plan to buy RB1..

DiscoMark said: So you going to buy a whole new bundle? With drums and everything?

wutang01 said:

DiscoMark said: So you going to buy a whole new bundle? With drums and everything?

Depends if they've been improved. If it has cymbals and velocity or something ... that's a good enough reason to buy the bundle again

yodaddy said: hahah...hard to concentrate at work?? the only hard work I did at the moment was going outside through the freezing morning to buy coffee.....lol....welcome to the club..

great news that RB1 is compatible with RB2.

DiscoMark said: I'm more noticing the last part where he talks about aussie artists, which would suggest this edition is gonna be out in Aus aroudn the same time, one would think.

DiscoMark said: I'm more noticing the last part where he talks about aussie artists, which would suggest this edition is gonna be out in Aus aroudn the same time, one would think.