While browsing The Royalty Network web site today, I noticed a few surprises! First there is a new Lips game mentioned on the site. I’d assume this is a sequel to the Xbox 360 game. The site also listed a couple of new tracks for both the upcoming Dance Dance Revolution games and Guitar Hero 5. The information below details this…

Lips Uno
http://www.roynet.com/index.cfm?event=currentevents

Video Game to use “The Way I Are”…
The video game tentatively titled ‘Lips Uno’ has requested use of Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson and D.O.E. song “The Way I Are” (Hills/Hilson/Maultsby/T. Mosley/G. Mosley/Muhammad/Nelson). We administer this song on behalf of Jerry Lee (ASCAP).

Guitar Hero 5
http://www.roynet.com/archive_current_events/030109.cfm

Video Game ‘Guitar Hero 5 Expansion’ features “Ghost Town” & “Inside Out”…
“Ghost Town” (Dawson/Petree/Treasure) by Shiny Toy Guns and “Inside out” (Collins/Fagenson/Siebels) by Eve 6, appear on the upcoming video game sequal. We administer “Ghost Town” on behalf of McJames Music (BMI) & “Inside Out” on behalf of Fake And Jaded Music (BMI), Southfield Road Music (BMI), and Less Than Zero (BMI).

Dance Dance Revolution (TBA)

February 2009: “Better Off Alone” AND “The Way I Are” in Video Game ‘Dance Dance Revolution’…
“Better Off Alone” (Hills/Hilson/Maultsby/Mosley/Mosley/Muhammed/Nelson) and “The Way I Are” (Hills/Hilson/Maultsby/Mosley/Mosely/Muhammad/Nelson) have been selected as a feature song in the game. We administer these songs on behalf of Jerry Lee (ASCAP).

It looks like Harmonix is aiming at releasing Rock Band in the home of music games, Japan.  Harmonix and MTV are partnering with the company that brought us Lumines, N3, and Rez to bring social rhythm and music game Rock Band to Japan.

It was announced this week at the Japanese MTV Video Music Awards.  The game will feature all of the gameplay of Rock Band with added Japanese elements, and music. Sounds good so far! Below is the official press release.

Rock Band Goes to Japan

Harmonix and MTV to Partner with Q Entertainment for Rock Band: Japan

CAMBRIDGE, Mass – June 2, 2008 – Harmonix Music Systems, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), announced today that they will team up with Q Entertainment, a leading Japanese music game designer, to bring the best-selling music videogame Rock Band to Japan. The two studios will work together to develop the title, marking the first US-originated rock music game to be heavily localized for the Japanese market. The game will feature Japanese musical acts as well as other localized assets.

Rock Band’s return to the birthplace of rhythm games will
benefit from Q Entertainment’s experience designing progressive and engaging games many of which have a heavy focus on integrating music elements into gameplay. Since its founding in 2003, Tokyo based Q Entertainment has become a leader in rhythm oriented titles, including the critically acclaimed music and luminary action puzzle game series Lumines,and the recently released Extend Every Extra Extreme (E4) and Rez HD for Xbox Live.

Today’s announcement was also featured Saturday at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards – Japan, where a Rock Band trailer was presented.

The US-version of Rock Band was also prominently featured backstage and at the afterparty, giving Japanese attendees a taste of what’s to come in the newly announced title.

Rock Band, which has sold over 3 million units in North America and Europe, is an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune, mastering lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals.With more master recordings than any other music game, Rock Band features some of the world’s biggest rock artists and spans every genre of rock ranging from alternative and classic
rock to heavy metal and punk.

Rock Band is a true music platform, with over 12 million songs sold as downloadable content since its initial release. There are currently over 140 songs available for download in the Rock Band Music Store and Harmonix continues to release new music every week.

Since its North American release in 2007, Rock Band has garnered over 40 awards including Game Critics Award: Best of Show E3 2007and three awards at The 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards including Outstanding Innovation in Gaming, Family Game of the Year, and Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com .