Harmonix, the original Guitar Hero developers, were trade by Activision in 2006. However, since then, Harmonix have developed the Rock Band series, a series that has produced heavy competition for Activision in the music game genre. Now, almost four years later, Bobby Kotick, Activision CEO, says that letting go of Harmonix was a mistake.

“We had always known them as sort of somewhat a failed developer of music games. They always had really great ideas but nothing that was really commercially viable until Guitar Hero. And [we thought], it’s a good piece of software, and if we gave it to [Activision-owned Tony Hawk development studio] Neversoft, they’d knock the ball out of the park with this,” he said — according to Kotaku.

“We really didn’t even think, ‘Hey we should go to Boston, and meet these Harmonix guys and see what they’re up to.’ And, of course, if we had gone up, I think the world of Guitar Hero would have been rewritten. It would be a lot different today. And it would probably be a profitable opportunity for both of us and an opportunity where you’d have even more innovation in the category.”

“A lot of times when you get caught up in the financial details of the business, it makes you overlook what’s really important, which is who’s passionate, who’s committed, who’s inspired and where’s the next idea going to come from,” he continued.

It’s that time again! You know, when we team up with someone, other then ourselves, to host an awesome contest. Anyway, we hear at GamerCenterOnline have teamed up with Pepsi, Harmonix and MTV for a summer promotion unlike any other.

With the launch of PepsiRockBand.com on June 2nd, Pepsi, Harmonix and MTV started a promotion in where the winner will receive an MTV Video Music Award Moonman for “Best Performance in a Pepsi Rock Band Music Video”.

To participate and to enter for a chance to win, gamers have to submit a video of themselves playing Rock Band on PepsiRockBand.com (using their Yahoo ID).

A big part of the promotion are the codes that can be found under the caps of 20oz and 1L Pepsi bottles – they can be played at PepsiRockBand.com and entered for a chance to win either:

• a Rock Band 2 Special Edition bundle (game software, wireless guitar, wireless drum set & mike) every hour, or
• 1 of 5,000 downloadable tracks every day (ends September 13th).

“MTV’s Rock Band has quickly established a new gaming platform that is extremely popular with music fans and gamers alike,” said Ralph Santana, VP of cola marketing, Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages. “We’re partnering with MTV to bring a new exciting twist to the game that will give one lucky band a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a taste of stardom.”

Coming June 9, 2009, Harmonix, Backbone Entertainment and MTV Games bring you Rock Band Unplugged, the award-winning full band experience found in Rock Band and Rock Band 2 right in the palm of your hands! For the first time, PlayStation Portable gamers will be able rock out – anywhere.

Just in time for Summer Vacation, Rock Band Unplugged gives you the ability to take the show on the road. Start a band and tour for fame and fortune while you learn to master lead and bass guitar, drums and vocals as a one man band. The multi-track game design takes the look, functionality and customization options of the Rock Band games and combines them with enhanced options built specifically for the abilities of the PSP. You’ll be able to control all four instruments at once by hitting the colored gems in time with the musical tracks just as you’ve done on other Rock Band games, but now you’ll have the added challenge of switching between instruments on the fly in an attempt to keep those note streaks going.

Rock Band Unplugged’s soundtrack features 41 songs on-disc and an additional 10 songs will be available for download following the game’s launch. You won’t have to worry about listening to lousy covers, either – all the music in Rock Band Unplugged will be master recordings and span all genres of rock from punk and metal to alternative and classic. And then you have Rock Band Unplugged’s in-game Rock Band Music Store which can be used to purchase downloadable content on the first game to enable the PSP’s in-game commerce capabilities.

The lack of mini-guitars and drum accessories can either been seen as a cursing or a blessing. Either you’re completely upset that you won’t be able to pound the skins in the back of your mom’s mini-van on the way to grandma’s house or you fully appreciate not looking like a complete tool in front of the guy next to you on the plane, but one thing’s for sure – at least you won’t be forced to sing in public. Vocals are handled like any other instrument – tap the buttons in time to the colored gems. Every one around you should be happier knowing this.

The Left, Up, Triangle, and Circle buttons on your PSP will handle hitting the notes while the shoulder buttons jump you from track to track as you attempt to keep the show going. The better you do on a certain track determines how much of a buffer you get between each track as you try to keep them from failing out. It looks like this game is going to be quite challenging.

The bright colors seem to make the game easy to see despite the smaller screen and the graphics look right about what you’d expect, though not any worse than a PlayStation 2 game. Hopefully the sound quality will be good enough a pair of headphones without too much lost to compression – if any.

If you’re not completely sick of Rock Band/Guitar Hero style games and desperately need something to do in the car – when you’re NOT DRIVING, of course – this looks like it could really scratch that itch. On the other hand, if half the fun of a music game is the feeling of playing an instrument, I don’t think this is going to cut it for you. In fact, I’d say that plastic guitars and drum kits are more than half the fun, but that’s just me. Also, where’s the multiplayer? If you like the idea of going solo while you’re on the go, again, maybe this is aimed right at you. We’ll see what the game is like once it drops – which isn’t too far away.

It’s actually real. Almost a month after GDC, it seems that the long rumored title has finally been announced in what is a shocking turn of events.

Anyway, LEGO: Rock Band is being developed by TT Games in a partnership with Harmonix and published by Warner Bros. Entertainment. The title will combined he multiplayer music experience of Rock Band with the fun, customization and humour of the LEGO videogame franchise packed with brilliant chart-topping songs and classic favourites suitable for younger audiences.

Including hits such as Blur’s “Song 2″, Carl Douglas’ “Kung Fu Fighting”, Europe’s “The Final Countdown”, Good Charlotte’s “Boys and Girls” and Pink’s “So What”.

“LEGO Rock Band combines two compelling properties and creates an experience that family members of all ages will enjoy playing together as a group,” said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games. “Harmonix and MTV Games are the world experts in music gameplay, and we’re genuinely thrilled to bring the unique and humour-filled LEGO experience to their Rock Band universe.”

LEGO: Rock Band will release on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS and it is scheduled for 2009 release. It will be with Rock Band and “other music game” controllers.

With games like Resistance Retribution having the capability to interact with its PlayStation 3 counter part, Resistance 2. It leaves one to wonder if the PSP version of Rock Band, Rock Band Unplugged, would gain such a talent.

However, despite the crazy idea 1UP had about the PS3 version of Rock Band, or Rock Band 2, sharing sharing content or unlocking features for Rock Band Unplugged on PSP. It seems that Harmonix and MTV Games weren’t on the same page about it.

When 1UP asked Harmonix about their crazy idea at a demo event last week, it was revealed to them that they have no such plans to ingrate that with  Rock Band Unplugged on the PlayStation Portable.

In order to counter the Guitar Hero DS titles, MTV Games and Harmonix have once again teamed up to conquer the video game music scene. But, this time it isn’t on PS3, or even the 360, it seems that they have planned there next Rock Band title for the ‘forgotten handheld’.

Today, MTV Games and Harmonix announced Rock Band Unplugged on the PSP, the first handheld version of the hit band game.

Rock Band Unplugged will allow gamers to take their band on the road and will utilise the PSP’s Wi-Fi capabilities becoming the first PSP game to include a in-game store for downloadable content in North America and Europe.

According to Primotech, who reported the games first details, Unplugged will use the left, up, triangle, and circle buttons to control instruments, switching from instrument to instrument with the shoulder buttons, and playing “phrases” of each instrument to maintain a score multiplier.

If you were wondering why EA was planning to put their upcoming Beatles/Rock Band hybrid against a number Music games that would be released this year, here’s why.

According to Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopolous, who spoke at a Billboard CES session today, the company will be taking a break from the release cycle of Rock Band this year.

“We’ve actually made a choice to break out of the annual release cycle for Rock Band this year,” Rigopolous told the assembled press and industry members. “[This is] partially because the annual cycle places limits on the choices you can make as a developer. We’re trying to take a long term view.”

Rigopolous added that the delay was also partly so the developer could focus on the Beatles-focused game announced last October. But, I hope, the cycle will return next year.

[Harmonix’ Rigopolous: “Rock Band 3 breaking the annual cycle” via Crispy Gamer]

Talk about being a bit money hungry, like Metal Gear didn’t make you enough money already. Bloomberg is reporting that Japanese video game creator, Konami has sued Viacom’s Harmonix studio over the well know game, Rock Band. According to the recent complaint, yesterday in a federal court in Texas, Konami demanded cash compensation along with an order that would block Viacom and Harmonix from using the inventions. Some may think this is over the top, but if you ask me this is one case i hope Konami does win.