MTV Games and Harmonix Announce 20 Free DLC Tracks Available to Rock Band(R) 2 Owners on November 4th

MTV Games and Harmonix Announce 20 Free DLC Tracks Available to Rock Band(R) 2 Owners on November 4th

Emerging Artist Lineup Includes All Genres of Rock Including Underoath, Hollywood Undead, Opiate for the Masses, Lesley Roy, Between the Buried and Me and more!

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmonix, the world's premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B) announced details today regarding 20 free DLC tracks that will be made available to Rock Band 2(1) owners starting November 4, 2008. The lineup ranges across all genres of rock from up-and-coming artists that the industry has recognized as new to thriving rock bands with a quickly growing fan base.

"The Rock Band platform is an unparalleled destination for music discovery -- offering a broad cross section of rock, from iconic rock artists to emerging bands," stated Paul DeGooyer, MTV's Senior Vice President of Electronic Games & Music. "With the addition of the 20 new songs we're announcing today, owners of Rock Band 2 will have the ability to experience music from over 100 artists -- ranging from the acts they already know and love to up-and-coming bands we think they will like."

Featuring artists across the globe from the US, United Kingdom and Australia to Norway, Japan and Ireland, the 20 free DLC tracks are available exclusively to Rock Band 2 owners and can be accessed by using the DLC redemption code(2) located within the game's retail packaging.

20 Free Rock Band 2 DLC Set List:

Artist Song
The 88 "Sons and Daughters"
Authority Zero "No Regrets"
Between the Buried and Me "Prequel To The Sequel"
The Cab "Bounce"
The Chevelles "Get It On"
The Cocktail Slippers "Give It To Me"
Dealership "Database Corrupted"
Endeverafter "I Wanna Be Your Man"
The Ghost Hounds "Ashes To Fire"
Hollywood Undead "Young"
Kutless "The Feeling"
The Len Price 3 "If I Ain't Got You"
Lesley Roy "I'm Gone, I'm Going"
Opiate for the Masses "Burn You Down"
Semi-Precious Weapons "Magnetic Baby"
Shaimus "Like a Fool"
Thenewno2 "Crazy Tuesday"
Tickle Me Pink "The Time Is Wrong"
Underoath "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures"
X Japan "I.V."

Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date. The 20 free tracks listed above combined with the 84 tracks already available on the game disc make for a total of 104 songs on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack, which features an unrivaled blend of classic and new artists including AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Motorhead and more! With the addition of complete and immediate backwards compatibility for songs purchased from Rock Band's ever-expanding online music store and the ability to export most songs from the original Rock Band disc, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs(3) by year's end.

The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 25 million paid downloads since the game's launch in late November 2007. With more than 400 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at http://www.rockband.com/dlc), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Downloadable content for Xbox(R) 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft is available for purchase via Xbox LIVE(R) Marketplace for Xbox 360 using Microsoft Points and is downloaded directly to the hard drive of Xbox 360. Downloadable content for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system's version of Rock Band is available for purchase on the PlayStation(R)Store through the free PlayStation(R)Network and is downloaded directly to PLAYSTATION 3 system's built in hard drive. Downloadable content for the Wii(TM) home videogame console from Nintendo is available for purchase through the in-game Rock Band music store using Wii points that can be purchased through the Wii Shop Channel. Additional storage in the form of an SD card may be necessary for Rock Band track downloads to the Wii system.

Rock Band 2 is rated "T" for Teen with descriptors of lyrics and suggestive themes by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband2.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

(1) The 20 free DLC tracks are available for owners of Rock Band 2 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Wii system only. The 20 free DLC tracks are not available for Rock Band 2 for PlayStation 2.

(2) Online connection required.

(3) Online connection required for export of Rock Band 1 soundtrack, as well as all DLC tracks, packs and albums released to date as well as future DLC releases. Nominal fee of $4.99 (400 Microsoft Points) required for export of Rock Band 1 soundtrack to compensate music licensors for expanded use.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a part of Viacom (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.

About MTV Games

MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.

About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.

Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit: www.harmonixmusic.com .

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS FreestyleTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com/.

(C) 2008 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., an MTV Networks company. Rock Band and Rock Band 2 developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc All other marks are the property of their respective owners. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. "PlayStation" and "PLAYSTATION" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Background Information about the bands joining the Rock Band music catalog:

The 88 (Island Def Jam) - The Los Angeles based rock band is best known for its eclectic sound and catchy melodies and has found a growing audience through TV, film, commercial placements and virally released videos and tracks.

Authority Zero (Big Panda) - The Mesa, Arizona based punk band produces a one-of-a kind rock sound with its mixture of reggae and skate punk style that features Spanish and Portuguese flare.

Between the Buried and Me (Victory) - The band got its start in Raleigh, North Carolina where it became best known for its classic metal style. The band released its most recent album, Colors Live, this month.

The Cab (Fueled by Ramen/Atlantic) - Recently named "The Band You Need to Know 2008" by Alternative Press magazine, The Cab is best known for its mixture of American rock sounds. The Las Vegas based band is part of the Rock Band Live Fall Tour lineup currently making its way across the country.

The Chevelles (Wicked Cool) - The self described power pop band got its start in Australia in 1989 and has spent the last 18 years touring the world from Europe to South America. The Chevelles recently released the hit album Accelerator.

The Cocktail Slippers (Wicked Cool) - The all female rock band got its start in Norway before getting signed to Little Steven's Wicked Cool Records. The Cocktail Slippers create a new rock sound based on their musical inspirations like the Ramones, MC5, Blondie, B52's, Foo Fighters and the Queens of the Stoneage.

Dealership - The pop rock band from Berkley, California is best known for its recent album release, Action/Adventure, which features an electronic-n-rock collection. The band is currently working on its fourth album to be released this year.

Endeverafter (Razor & Tie) - The Northern California with an American rock style is best known for the release of its second single, "Baby, Baby, Baby", which topped mainstream rock charts at #38.

The Ghost Hounds - The Los Angeles based rock band is best known for its rock n' blues sound. The band is currently working on its debut album that is scheduled to be released soon.

Hollywood Undead (Octane A&M) - The hip-hop metal band got its start in Los Angeles and recently released Swan Songs, an album that reached #22 on the Billboard 200 in its first week selling more than 21,000 copies.

Kutless (Capitol) - The Christian alternative band got its start in Portland, Oregon and is best known for its album To Know That You're Alive. The album, released in June 2008, debuted at #64 on the Billboard Top 200.

The Len Price 3 (Wicked Cool) - The UK based band is best known for its garage pop style that fuses catchy hooks and a raw 60's garage sound. The band recently released its second album, Rentacrowd, in the US.

Lesley Roy (BMG) - The female singer from Ireland is best known for her single "I'm Gone, I'm Going" which received a large amount of air time in the US on radio stations in June of 2008. Lesley Roy's debut album Unbeautiful is currently in retail stores.

Opiate for the Masses (Century Media) - The industrial rock band from Arizona is best known for its recently released album Manifesto. The band was also featured in the Van's Warped Tour Documentary, Wake Up Screaming.

Semi-Precious Weapons (Razor & Tie) - The glam rock band got its start in New York City and recently released its second album, We Love You. The band was recently featured in Vogue magazine described as "unashamedly crass and deliciously animated".

Shaimus - The alternative rock band got its start in Los Angeles and has graced airwaves on mainstream radio stations as well as XM radio. The band is best known for its memorable hooks, introspective lyrics and fiery guitar sound.

Thenewno2 - The alternative rock band made up of members from Los Angeles and the UK self describes its sounds as surf-rock. The band recently released its first album, You Are Here.

Tickle Me Pink (Wind Up) - The alternative rock band from Colorado is best known for its indie punk sound. The band recently released its debut album, Madeline, in July.

Underoath - The Grammy nominated band from Florida is best known for its album, Lost in the Sound of Separation, which peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200. The band describes its style as screamo-metalcore.

X Japan (EMI Cap) - The Japanese metal band best known for its progressive sound got its start in 1982 and released three albums before calling it quits in 1997. The band recently reunited to release "I.V." earlier this year.

Source: MTV Networks

CONTACT: Harmonix Media Contact, Tracie Snitker, Reverb Communications,
Tracie@reverbinc.com, +1-209-586-1495, x104; or MTV Contact, Jeff Castaneda,
MTV, Jeff.Castaneda@mtvstaff.com, +1-212-846-6774; or EA Contact, Bryce Baer,
Electronic Arts, bbaer@ea.com, +1-650-628-5102

Web Site: http://info.ea.com/
http://www.harmonixmusic.com/
http://www.rockband.com/dlc
http://www.rockband2.com/

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