E3 2008: Rock Band 2 set list revealed

We're waiting to get our hands on the new Rock Band 2 hardware Tuesday afternoon, but in the meantime, Harmonix has released the entire set list for the game (or at least the songs that will ship on the game disc--many more will no doubt be released as online downloads).

The game will be available for the Xbox 360 in September and the PS3 and Wii later in the year.
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Warner to offer cheaper Blu-ray movies later this year

As much as we complain about the high prices of standalone Blu-ray players, in some ways the high prices of Blu-ray movies are even more frustrating. Warner Home Video has taken a step in the right direction by announcing that the company will offer discounted pricing on select titles this fall. Blu-ray buyers can expect prices between US$17 and US$20, which is a lot more than DVDs sell for, but less than the US$20-US$30 prices Blu-ray discs currently go for.

While there isn't a complete list of movies that will be available at this lower pricing, Video Business reports that The Fugitive, Enter the Dragon, Clockwork Orange, The Shining, The Aviator, Road Warrior and Swordfish will get the discount. Additionally, some newer movies will get a smaller price cut, including 300, The Departed, I Am Legend, Ocean's 13 and We Are Marshall.

While this certainly won't make everyone run out and buy a Blu-ray player, it's definitely good news that studios are hearing complaints that Blu-ray movies are just too expensive at their current levels. Of course, we'd prefer if the prices fell below the US$15 mark, which would make them feel comparatively-priced to DVDs, but we'll probably have to wait until at least 2009 to see those prices.

Via CNET Crave

Guns N' Roses to release song on Rock Band 2

We've heard about songs getting released on iLike, Imeem, MySpace, and a whole lot else. But Rock Band?

That's on the way, according to Microsoft's press conference at the E3 Expo. The New York Times reported that that it could be on the way as rumors swirled that Rock Band 2, the second iteration of the music video game from MTV, would include a track called Shacklers' Revenge from legendary hard rock group Guns N' Roses.

Now it's been confirmed. The long-delayed new Guns N' Roses album, Chinese Democracy, is on the way, too, and the band has chosen the game, which hits stores this fall, as the venue to release its new single.

The Times points out that games like Rock Band, and Activision Blizzard's rival Guitar Hero, have been a bright spot in an otherwise dismal atmosphere for the music business. They're more profitable for record labels than digital downloads from places like iTunes, because a Rock Band track typically costs more. Sometimes they sell more copies, too. Motley Crue's Saints of Los Angeles sold more than three times as many tracks on Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace as a Rock Band song than it did in Apple's iTunes Store.

They're also a way for "old" bands to reach younger audiences, the Times noted. An executive for Anthem Records, which releases music for 2970s prog rock group Rush, said young people have started showing up for the band's concerts after hearing their music for the first time on Guitar Hero or Rock Band.

Via CNET Crave

Logitech goes wireless with its PS3 racing wheel

Serious fans of racing games on the PS3 have found the Logitech Driving Force GT to be the steering wheel of choice, with its force feedback, gearshift, and three-pedal configuration going a long way to recreating the on-track experience of Formula One, NASCAR, and so on. But that unit's US$150 price tag, excess of cables, and setup requirements (it needs to be clamped to a table) made it a tough choice for all but the most dedicated race fan. More casual driving and racing aficionados will be happy, then, to see the newly announced Driving Force Wireless. While the single-housing steering wheel drops the gearshift and outboard pedals, it maintains the force feedback feature of the step-up model. Moreover, it's wireless (except for the power cord) and utilizes a contoured, expandable lap rest rather than a table clamp--making it a lot easier to pack up and toss in a closet when not in use. Look for the Driving Force Wireless to hit stores soon for US$100.

Via CNET Crave

Logitech's new cordless Wii keyboard

Logitech cuts the cord on its new keyboard for the Wii. The Cordless Keyboard for Wii (as it's called) is officially licensed by Nintendo, so you can be sure it'll be compatible with your Wii games as well as the Wii Internet Channel. The keyboard comes with dedicated Wii-centric keys, including Zoom In/Out, Forward/Back, Quit and Ok, and features a full-sized keyboard. And weighing in at only 1.5 lbs, it should be light and compact enough to fit comfortably on your lap. The keyboard goes on sale soon for US$50.

Via CNET Crave

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