Over at the Games Convention in Leipsig, HEXUS.gaming editor, Nick Haywood has uncovered a few very interesting details about EA's next installment of its music franchise, Rock Band.
The first of which is the unconfirmed rumour that the release date for the North American version could well be as early as September 22nd.
We believe EA will be announcing the date later this week at the event. We also believe that the release date for the UK PS3 version of Rock Band will also be confirmed at this time.
What's more interesting though, is that our editor has been raving about the new drum kit, which features hit-sensitive soft pads that make the music play louder or softer depending on how hard you hit them. Furthermore, the new kit features four sockets in which to insert the three cymbals and the kick pedal.
Interestingly, we believe that the premium Rock Band 2 kit, which will include the instruments, the game and the cymbals, may retail in North America at roughly $299. However, you will be able to buy each individual cymbal separately if you so wish, thus being able to buy the full set of peripherals as and when you have the cash.
Although the Rock Band kit will be compatible with Rock Band 2 you won't be able to use the new cymbals, nor take advantage of the new design of guitar which you'll be able to synch (via a mic and light on the guitar) with your TV, so that the timing of the audio is perfectly accurate with your guitar strums.
Rock Band 2 will also feature a free-play drum mode which you can train on, but you 'll also be able to insert CD's into your Xbox 360 containing MP3s. When the tune plays you'll be able to jam along with your drum kit! Hell yeah!!
We'll have photos and more information on Rock Band 2 later in the day.