Harmonix reveals Rock Band 2 details, release date; Online Store surpasses 15 Million paid downloads

Rock Band‘s success definitely was phenomenal, and so it’s not really surprising that Harmonix would want to milk it while they can. Today, the publisher sen out word  that Rock Band 2 will be exclusively coming out for the Xbox 360 to be released in a few months, as well as to update us on the 15Million paid downloads at their Online Music Store, among others. Check out what other cool stuff they sang out after the jump.

After Harmonix lead designer Dan Teasdale’s revelation of the up and coming sequel for the highly successful Rock Band (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii), comes more new information on the jammin’ title, Rock Band 2. This time, it’s double the fun, double the challenge, double the cool soundtracks that will get you shredding out those tunes.

Included in the new features (as listed from the press release) are:

• Backwards compatibility with Rock Band downloadable music content. All previously purchased tracks will immediately load into your Rock Band 2 song list. No need to re-purchase or re-download.
• The biggest and most diverse soundtrack ever featuring some of rockÂ’s most prolific acts, comprised entirely of master recordings.
• Major new and dynamic online modes that will connect the entire Rock Band community in more ways than ever before both locally and globally.
• More variety of instrument choices than ever before with new and improved drum and guitar peripherals, enhanced functionality and innovative new designs – all fully compatible with the original Rock Band instruments.

But don’t take that list at face value, cause Harmonix does promise there will be more. Lots more. As Alex Rigopulos, co-founder and CEO of Harmonix, reassures, “Rock Band 2 is is a second-generation band game that will elevate the music game experience to the next level.”

And there’s no doubt that fans would want a taste of that “next level gaming experience”, if the 15million paid downloads are any indication. That would be how much the Rock Band Online music store has gotten in terms of download since the game’s launch last November 2007. With more than 200 tracks available for download to date, there’s really no questioning why fans keep flocking to the online store, and you can only anticipate how much more will be dropping by once the sequel arrives.

It’s also been announced that Rock Band 2 will be debuting exclusively on Microsoft‘s Xbox 360 so keep on the lookout for more details on that. In the meantime, what we can tell you is that you might as well tune in at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit as it’s said that there’ll be more features to be revealed here.