Even with all the buzz behind the sequel, Harmonix is still pumping out content for the original Rock Band, announcing next week’s additions to be two tracks from Red Hot Chilli Peppers and two from Rush.

“Snow (Hey Oh)” and “Tell Me Baby” by RHCP will be released alongside “Closer to the Heart” and “Working Man” by Rush. A cover of “Working Man” was previously released as DLC in January.

“This version, however, is an alternate-take master from the same session [Rush] recorded the hit with an alternate solo,” Harmonix explained on the game’s forum. “It has never been released.”

The songs are priced at 160 Microsoft points ($2) each. It will be available on Xbox Live starting July 8, followed by a PlayStation Network release two days later.

I can’t quite understand why they’d need four studios to do one’s job, but they are doing it… 2K Games has revealed that the PS3 port of BioShock is being worked on by 2K Boston, 2K Australia, 2K Marin and Digital Extremes.

2K Marin is composed of several ex-BioShock staffers and have been handed the responsibility for the sequel; Digital Extremes is known for its work on Dark Sector and Unreal Tournament 2004.

The exact role of each studio is not clear, though 2K noted that Digital Extremes is helping optimizing the game for the PS3.

BioShock, released last year on PC and Xbox 360, is expected to hit PS3 this October with unspecified new features and content.

Following on from the previous report, a list of some of the songs from Rock Band 2 have been posted by Kotaku, who thankfully archived some of the information from the deleted forum post which was host to this following list:

• “One Step Closer” - Linkin Park
• “Peace Sells” - Megadeth
• “Testify” - Rage Against the Machine
• “American Woman” - The Guess Who or Lenny Kravitz
• “White Wedding” - Billy Idol
• “You Oughta Know” - Alanis Morisette
• “Aqualung” - Jethro Tull
• “Bad Reputation” - Thin Lizzy or Joan Jett
• “We Got the Beat” - The Go-Go’s
• “Man in the Box” - Alice in Chains
• “Spoonman” - Soundgarden
• “Drain You” – Nirvana

Harmonix is yet to announce any of the game’s tracks, or any other details for that matter. The game is due out this Fall on Xbox 360, with a PS3 release set for later in the year. It will be compatible with all DLC released so far for the original.

Last year was touted as the best year for gaming. There was an unusually high amount highly anticipated games such as Halo 3, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and Bioshock, just to name a few. The idea was that after Halo 3, the would be a steady flow of triple-A titles that would keep gamers occupied for the rest of the year, and then some. So what happened? The article will examine several reasons why 2007 didn’t quite live up to the hype and why 2008 will take the title as best year ever for gaming.

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The wide-open chasm between the sales of the Wii and the PS3 has lessened a lot if the latest numbers are any indication. While the Wii outsold the PS3 in Japan last month, its lead has faltered, only outselling its rival console by 1.7 to 1, a far cry from the 6 to 1 lead the Wii had in May.

The launch of Metal Gear Solid 4 may have something to do with this however. Nintendo sold over 235,000 units of the Wii, with sales of the PS3 coming in at around 140,000. Always at the distant end of the line, Xbox 360 came in with sales of about 11,000 units. Interestingly, Sony owns the handheld sales, with PSP selling 274,000 units, surpassing Nintendo, who sold 195,000 DS units.

Having only announced the game, Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos revealed in an AP interview that Rock Band 2 will feature over 80 master tracks, including more female-fronted bands. He noted that the playlist will be released at E3.

Additionally, the CEO noted that the game will not feature any sort of music creation unlike Guitar Hero World Tour. Instead, music creation will be featured in a future title.

“We really felt like we wanted to do it right,” he said. “We’re taking a radically different approach to that problem. It’s something we wanted to take more time to do it right. It’s actually something we’re not focused on in ‘Rock Band 2.’ We’re really focused on other areas related to the music and bringing the community together.”

Rigopulos also talks about peripherals, stating that they will be much better than the ones introduced with the original.

Rock Band 2 is due out this Fall on the Xbox 360 first, with a PS3 release coming later in the year.

The magazine saga continues at PlayStation headquarters, as PlayStation Blog carries word that the July issue of Game Informer offers a 10-page cover story on infamous, an upcoming open-world superhero action game exclusive to the PS3.

According to the post, the article offers a firsthand account of the title’s gameplay, an introduction to the player-driven storyline and more details on the game. The site notes that more information will be revealed come E3 later this month.

Resistance 2 will undoubtedly be one of Sony’s flagship titles at this year’s E3, as well as the Holiday season, and those itching to know more about the title won’t have to wait too long. You can go out and pick up the August issue of GamePro magazine which will feature a 10-page cover story on the game and divulge first details on one of its bosses who they lovingly refer to as Leviathan.

The story will talk in detail about the 8-player online co-op and competitive multiplayer. It will also feature some exclusive artwork from the project’s artists. The issue is hitting subscribers now and will go on newsstands early next week.

While LA traffic is legendary for delaying cars, video game delays have so far been unheard of. Breaking the tradition, Rockstar announced that its two upcoming Midnight Club games have been delayed by one month. Midnight Club: Los Angeles and its PSP counterpart Midnight Club: LA Remix are now scheduled to hit stores on October 7 in North America, followed by a European release three days later; the games were originally meant to ship in September.

No reason for the delay was given. Just be happy that they will be able to make their way through all that traffic and get to places in one piece.

MCV proudly claims that its predictions have turned true: a new lighter PS2 model is headed for Europe and India. The new slimmed-down version of the PS2 will hit Europe and India this October; it will have a built-in AC power adapter, but its price will remain the same.

The article also mentions that SCE India is hoping to launch the PlayStation Network for PS3 in the region. Country manager Atindriya Bose said: “The PlayStation Network is ready for India. It is only the integration of the payment gateway that needs to be done.”

It is not known if the new model of the PS2 will hit North America or not.

Partying, drinking and picking fights at Vegas will have to wait, as Gamespot reports a delay for This is Vegas, the upcoming open world Sin City action title originally expected later this year. The game has now been pushed back to sometime next year, but the title will be presented at E3 by publisher Midway.

The publisher reasons the additional time to make it a “must-have” title for gamers. This is Vegas is in development for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Just days after Sony’s PS3 2.4 update hit the streets, consumers have begun complaining about a variety of different problems regarding the software.

Apparently, other than small somewhat insignificant problems such as microphone problems, some users are reporting that their consoles have been rendered useless after updating their PS3’s firmware to 2.4.

In response to the commotion, Sony has decided to take the firmware update offline for an undetermined amount of time.

Included in the 2.4 update was the in-game CrossMedia bar along with the achievement Trophy system.

G4’s X-Play may have accidentally revealed the first tracks for the recently announced Rock Band sequel during a recent episode. ScoreHero had been vigilant with their DVRs, recording the footage that lists new songs along with downloadable content from the first game.

It can be noted that the coming sequel is compatible with all of the existing DLC from the first Rock Band. So, the tracks presented may be new downloadable content and not the music included in the actual game disc. Even then, it’s an interesting list:

• “Ace of Spades” - Motorhead
• “Anyway You Want It” - Journey
• “Pinball Wizard” - The Who
• “Chop Suey” - System of a Down
• “Panic Attack” - Dream Theater or Finger Eleven
• “Give It Away” - Red Hot Chili Peppers
• “Everlong” - Foo Fighters
• “Kids in America” - Kim Wilde
• “Hello There” - Cheap Trick

Harmonix is currently working on pushing out Rock Band 2 on Xbox 360 this September, with a PS3 version coming later in the year.

Gamers are usually wary of libraries, what with their policies of maintaining silence and housing lots of boring books (well, there are ‘good’ books in there, too). However, residents of Centerville, Ohio can now borrow PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii games from their two community libraries, completely free of charge.

Initial offerings are a little sparse through: Kung Fu Panda, Madden NFL 08, Iron Man, Guitar, Sonic Heroes and Final Fantasy. The libraries will focus on family games and games for players over the age of 10.

Members will be able to keep a game for up to a week, with one extension available.

Following up on the allegedly leaked image that showed the PlayStation Store offering PS2 games, Sony Computer Entertainment has denied the report, stating that there are “no plans for PS2 downloadable titles on PS3.”

The image, posted by a N4G forum poster, is said to have come from someone inside Sony’s London studio. The poster also stated that the announcement would come at this year’s E3, with rollout expected in Summer.

Having released Battlefield: Bad Company just a few days ago, developer EA DICE has disclosed details of upcoming support for the game. The team is currently working on the much-requested addition of the Conquest multiplayer mode which was a staple for earlier games in the franchise. The pack is currently undergoing certification and testing; it will be added to the game as free downloadable content soon.

Once the Conquest pack is done with, the studio will focus on improving the game’s performance and adding new things. This includes clan support, private rooms, team chat, auto balancing on servers, fixing the VOIP issue on PS3, and more.

“We would like to let you know that we are reading and listening to all of your feedback,” wrote the company on the game’s website. “We are very aware of the different issues you have told us you find most important.”

Activision today announced that they will allow gamers to choose the package for Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, its upcoming entry in the famed superhero franchise.

Starting today, fans can visit the game’s website and vote for their favorite videogame package options, all featuring the web-slinger as he prepares to take on a devastated New York. This campaign will continue through launch, letting fans vote on various aspects of the game’s marketing campaign as well.

In development at Shaba Games and Treyarch for release this Fall, the game has Spider-Man donning both the red and black suits in a bid to stop crime and fight evil. It also employs a different fighting mechanic that will let gamers swing and fight at the same time.

To celebrate the upcoming Independence Day, Activision has announced that the “Top Gun Anthem” will be available as a free download for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Guitar Hero 3.

“The instrumental, guitar-heavy theme was immortalized in the hit film that inspired a generation of young men to awkwardly serenade women at bars, perform perfectly-timed ‘flipside’ high fives and threaten to ‘buzz the tower,” noted Activision.

The movie, originally released in 1986, starred Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer and Meg Ryan among others. The track will be available this Thursday on both Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

Those looking to get their Guitar Hero on while anxiously awaiting Guitar Hero: World Tour are in luck as Activision has announced today that they have begun shipping Guitar Hero: Aerosmith to retailers across the US.

Focused around popular Rock ‘N’ Roll band, Aerosmith, the game will let players progress through Aerosmith’s career, playing at historical venues once played by the band.

The game will ship with an Aerosmith inspired guitar controller along with a load of the band’s songs, also including various songs from bands Aerosmith has played with or been inspired by.

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is now available for all major consoles, including the PS2.

As you can see the new guitar controller that will be shipping with Rock Band 2 isn’t anything to write home about. It’s just the classic Fender shape, albeit smaller than a real guitar would be of course, but this time instead of basic plastic they went with an equally classic faux wood grain finish (well real wood grain is classic).