The Rock Band 2 soundtrack will feature over 100 songs with over 80 songs on disc plus an additional 20 bonus tracks which will be made available for free download this fall. This builds upon the unparalleled depth and diversity of Rock Band's original set list and its ever-expanding library of downloadable tracks. Comprised entirely of master recordings from some of rock's most prolific and untouchable artists, including AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Pearl Jam and more, Rock Band 2 will deliver the most impressive and largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame ever.

Joining the list of amazing in-game instruments from the original Rock Band, will be real world microphones, new guitars and an array of industry leading drumsets from some of the music industry’s most prolific manufacturers.

With billowing smoke and shimmering stage lights, Stage Kit for Rock Band will soon help wannabe rockers look more like the real thing. The Stage Kit creates a light-and-smoke effect that is synchronized to the music and will help would-be rockers in living rooms look the part of rock stars on stage. The accessory is the latest in the push to make the video game experience more real.

“If you’re playing the part of a rock star, you should have the tools available to you to make it look real -- that’s PDP’s philosophy,” said John Moore, vice president of marketing for California-based PDP. “Whether it's family members or friends playing together, the Stage Kit helps them look like real rock stars.”

“Rock Band players that fall somewhere between mildly enthusiastic and hardcore fans will find that the Rock Band Stage Kit add an exciting dynamic to the game,” said Scott Lowe from IGN.com.

The Stage Kit will be available on Oct. 26 with a suggested retail price of $99 and will be compatible with Rock Band and Rock Band 2 for the Xbox 360.

The new Photo Creator, designed by Harmonix, makes it easy to create images of your Rock Band 2 characters and bands; just simply pose your characters, add back drops and visual effects, shoot the photos and assign the game-quality 3D images to your band pages and personal profile on RockBand.com. In addition, MTV Games and Harmonix have partnered with Zazzle®, a company that specializes in on-demand customizable printing for apparel and accessories, to offer players the opportunity to use images captured with the Photo Creator tool and upload them using the Merch Booth tool onto a variety of T-shirts, posters, stickers and more!

Rock Band 2 raises the bar in music gaming innovation with new features to rock the world:

• Local and global online modes to connect the entire Rock Band community
• World Tour mode, now online, simplifies the best of gameplay from the original Rock Band by fusing Solo Tour and Band World Tour modes and cranks it up a notch with an all new collection of opportunity gigs, challenges, cities, venues and hirable staff
• Tour Challenges that offer rockers a chance to play through mini-campaigns focused on the best songs by instrument, decade, genre, artist, album and more
• Battle of the Bands mode challenges players to go head to head against other bands in constantly refreshed contests* created by Harmonix (*internet connection required)
• Quickplay makes it easier than ever to get in and jam without hassle while allowing for new prefab characters or customized characters that can play on any instrument plus lets you make your own set lists and organize your song lists in a variety of categories (genre, era, etc.)
• Customizable Set Lists keep the music rolling and your band rocking in Quickplay mode
• Drum Trainer mode gives players the fundamentals of different beats and fills, translating gameplay into real drumming skills
• Character Creator completes your look with all new choices in clothing, accessories, tattoos, hairstyles, instruments and more to keep your unique rock avatar playing the full rock part
• Backwards compatibility with all Rock Band downloadable music content released to date
• Disc Export Feature gives owners of the original Rock Band the ability to export most of the Rock Band disc tracks and upgrade them into Rock Band 2 gameplay-the first time ever in videogame history!

From the solid officially licensed Rock Band 2 instruments to the expanded third party options, Rock Band 2 introduces new and improved choices that promise to deliver unsurpassed realism. In addition, Harmonix and MTV Games have become the first companies to officially support third party instruments and accessories in a music videogame.

Achieve ultimate stardom with the upgraded functionality and smooth new look of the official Rock Band 2 instruments.

• Fender Stratocaster Controller takes on a new authentic look plus adds a reinforced strum bar, quieter buttons, wireless functionality and a built in calibration tool that automatically sets your AV setup to an ideal setting for maximum rock.
• Drum set goes wireless while also featuring quieter, velocity sensitive drum pads and a metal reinforced pedal.
• Microphone showcases authentic styling and weight.

Kick up the intensity with officially licensed third-party instruments from Mad Catz:

• Fender Telecaster Controller features soft buttons with lower action to help you shred faster than ever.
• Fender Bass Controller, the first bass guitar controller ever, takes the shape of the Fender P-Bass with extended length, tuning pegs and a split strum bar to replicate finger-bass style picking.
• Full-sized Squire Stratocaster Guitar Controller multiplies the authentic guitar experience by featuring a controller built into an actual Squire Stratocaster body.
• Cymbal Expansion Pack is a straightforward but amazing upgrade to the Rock Band 2 drum set featuring add-on cymbals.

Take Rock Band 2 instrument authenticity to a whole new level with a high-end peripheral from ION:

• ION Drum Rocker, a real electronic drum kit that functions as a game controller, brings the Rock Band fantasy to life featuring a simple substitution that takes the drum kit from a controller to a real instrument.

Rock Band 2 is currently available on Xbox 360, while the PS3 and PS2 editions are scheduled for Oct. 2008, and Wii in Nov. 2008.