With a library that already consists of about 2,000 songs, the next version of Harmonix's rhythm game series, Rock Band 4, will receive hundreds more tunes as the game lives on. It'll be a top-tier soundtrack, Harmonix says.
While Harmonix won't release details about Rock Band 4's features for a few more months, the developer has stated that it is working to support legacy hardware and software. That backwards compatibility will eventually see Rock Band 4 support legacy DLC packs and the roughly 2,000 songs they contain.
Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners will have the ability to import legacy DLC content to their PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles. It still isn't clear if they'll be able to move content across manufacturers, such as from 360 to PS4 or PS3 to XO.
Rock Band 4's music selection strategy will remain in line with that of previous releases, according to comments from Harmonix co-founder Alex Rigopulos in an IGN interview. To continue that strategy, Harmonix has budgeted for what Rigopulos called a "top-tier soundtrack."
After the rhythm game genre bubbled and burst, the latest iteration of Rock Band will rock on indefinitely. Harmonix won't follow it up with other entries in the series, focusing instead on adding more content to the latest game after it arrives.
Despite planning to support the game as long as there's enough fan interest in it, Harmonix hasn't ironed out a schedule for the releases of DLC packs for the game. The weekly model worked well, Rigopulos acknowledged.
"It's certainly our plan to have a steady, ongoing series of DLC releases indefinitely after the release of the core title," said Rigopulos. "Whether the weekly rhythm is the correct rhythm or not, I don't know that's set yet."
Along with supporting past DLC packs, Harmonix is working with Sony and Microsoft to deliver backwards compatibility for legacy hardware. It all goes as planned: drum kits, microphones and guitars from previous Rock Band games will work with the upcoming game.
Harmonix is working to avoid splintering Rock Band's community, according to Daniel Sussman, a product manager at Harmonix. The studio is focused on bringing the biggest impact to the most people, he stated.
"So, our approach is to really think about our development dollar, and spending that in the areas that will impact the most people. When we start thinking about the addressable audience, we want the features we develop to bring people together, and not look at hardware as a thing that will split our audience apart."
Rock Band 4 is due for release in the fall of this year. The fourth installment of Harmonix' rhythm game series will be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
