14 DAY TRIAL // Harmonix has released the official price for the conversion process which is used to make sure that tracks from Rock Band can be played in the sequel. MTV says that the process will cost 400 Microsoft Points, which is basically 4.80 Euros or 5 $. This cost will be applied for the 55 tracks which are available on the disk of the original Rock Band. Tracks downloaded from Harmonix will not require the conversion process and will work with the second game in the series by default.
Harmonix also says that there are some tracks which cannot be converted to Rock Band 2. The cover versions of “Paranoid” from Black Sabbath and “Run to the Hills” by Iron Maiden will not be converted; the master tracks of classic rock song “Enter Sandman” from Metallica and “Through the Monsoon” as played by Tokio Hotel will not be converted either. No reason was provided for the move, but it might be that these bands sign exclusivity agreements with Activision to appear only in Guitar Hero, the main rival of Rock Band. We already know that a Guitar Hero: Metallica game is planned for 2009.
An update for Rock Band will need to be downloaded by players in order to get the option to convert tracks. Rock Band 2 is set to expand the music library of the series by offering 84 on-disc tracks while other 20 free downloadable tracks will be made available by Harmonix and MTV soon after the game launches.
Harmonix says that those who enjoy playing music in their living rooms can look forward to having more than 500 songs available for download when 2009 arrives.
Rock Band 2 is scheduled for a North American release in September and will surely compete with Guitar Hero: World Tour, which is also expected this fall.