Future Rock Band DLC only works in Rock Band 3

NewsPosted 10/11/2010 - 9:49am GMT

New authoring standards means they won't be backwards compatible.

All Rock Band DLC released after October 26, 2010, will be compatible only with Rock Band 3, Harmonix has confirmed.

A Harmonix rep told Joystiq that the lack of backwards compatibility is "due to the new authoring standards, inclusion of new instruments, new lighting / venue cues, etc".

All previously released DLC will continue to remain compatible with earlier versions of the game, as will previous and future releases on the Rock Band Network.

VideoGamer.com Analysis

It's understandable that supporting legacy products would require additional work from Harmonix, but given the poor sales of Rock Band 3 it seems an odd move to cut off a huge install base for future DLC sales.

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User Comments

guyderman

Out of interest does anyone know what the sales were like in the US and Canada for RB3?

Posted 12:28 on 10 November 2010

Woffls

The point raised in the analysis is very important, they really are cutting off a significant revenue stream, unless people just aren't buying that much DLC any more and they're trying to encourage RB3 sales.

Posted 12:25 on 10 November 2010

guyderman @ mikejosh1978

All previous DLC for RB & RB2 works on RB3 - it's just the new DLC that won't work on the older titles due to it having the new Pro modes, Vocal harmonies etc included.
In fairness that's no different to not being able to use MW2's map packs on CoD4.

mikejosh1978

Well that nails RB3's coffin for me . I was going to purchase Friday but if the dlc don't work then this has saved me a load of dosh . i have probably 70% of the dlc & whilst i didn't mind coughing up for pro mode on some if all further stuff don't work with RB2 then its lost me as a fan . GH has been a stagnant bore since GH3 & now RB3 set to screw me over .
Typical EA game i suppose . The yearly £75 of downloads for Tiger woods should have been warning they would find an excuse not to support its back catalogue.

Posted 12:19 on 10 November 2010