NEW YORK, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight weeks after the release of the red-hot music video game, and while Rock Band continues to fly off store shelves, the response to the downloadable music is clear, as fans and gamers have propelled its downloadable content to "double platinum" status, purchasing more than 2.5 million game levels based on songs since its launch on November 20, 2007.

"Our goal with Rock Band was to create an entirely new way for people to interact with the music they love," stated Van Toffler, president, MTVN Music Group/Logo/Films. "The incredible response to the downloadable content we've released to date motivates us even more to establish this platform as a way for people to discover new, up and coming artists through the game - in addition to delivering great game play experiences set to the music of mega- artists."

A Metallica pack featuring three of the mega-platinum band's most electrifying tracks-"Ride The Lightning," "Blackened" and "And Justice For All"-is currently the game's top-selling music download, followed by three- song packs from The Police, Queens of the Stone Age, David Bowie and a collection of Black Sabbath covers. Top-performing singles are Foreigner's early '80s hit, "Juke Box Hero," followed by Creedence Clearwater Revival's late '60s smash, "Fortunate Son," Weezer's mid-90s single "Buddy Holly" and The Knack's blockbuster hit, "My Sharona."

In addition to bringing mega-star and classic rock acts to Rock Band, this new distribution method for music has seen fans and gamers also embracing developing artists. The first selection of up and coming bands included 30 Seconds To Mars, All-American Rejects and The Sounds. These three bands were part of a special holiday promotion, offering tracks such as 30 Seconds To Mars' "Attack" and "The Kill," All-American Rejects' "Dirty Little Secret" and "Move Along" and The Sounds' "Song With A Mission" at a discounted price of $0.99 per song (80 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for the month of January. Fans can expect more music available for download every week through 2008 through a variety of song packs, albums and individual tracks with suggested retail pricing varying from $.99 to $2.99 per track (The equivalent of 80 to 240 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360), with the vast majority selling for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360).

Rock Band(TM) allows online play and possesses features that expand the boundaries of music gaming. Rock Band(TM) downloadable content is playable and integrated into setlists in all game modes including: Solo Tour, Band World Tour, head-to-head competition either locally or online, and from any Quickplay mode. In order to play downloadable content for head-to-head matches or multiplayer online, all players must own the same downloadable track. Downloadable content for the Xbox 360(R) is available for purchase via Xbox LIVE(R) Marketplace for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft using Microsoft Points and is downloaded directly to Xbox 360's built in hard drive. Downloadable content for the PLAYSTATION 3 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.

Rock Band(TM) is rated "T" for Teen (lyrics, mild suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

EA is the exclusive distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band, managing distribution for the game.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit http://www.rockband.com/ <http://www.rockband.com/> and http://www.harmonixmusic.com/ <http://www.harmonixmusic.com/>

About MTV Networks:

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

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: http://www.harmonixmusic.com/ <http://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 SPORTS(tm), EA(tm), EA SPORTS BIG(tm) and POGO(tm).

In fiscal 2007, EA posted revenue of $3.09 billion and had 24 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is http://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) 2007 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., an MTV Networks company. Rock Band 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. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Kim Estlund, +1-310-248-6127, kestlund@bwr-la.com, or Michael
Moses, +1-310-248-6171, mmoses@bwr-la.com, both of B|W|R Public Relations

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/
http://www.harmonixmusic.com/
http://info.ea.com/