MTV announces track upload program for Rock Band

MTV and Harmonix are opening the doors for user-generated content on Rock Band via a newly announced utility called the Rock Band Network. This essentially gives artists and labels the chance to upload their own tracks and, if approved, get them released as downloadable tracks.

MTV and Harmonix are opening the doors for user-generated content on Rock Band via a newly announced utility called the Rock Band Network. This essentially gives artists and labels the chance to upload their own tracks and, if approved, get them released as downloadable tracks.

The approval process will be handled by Harmonix-trained freelance game developers who will prepare the submitted songs for the game. The work can also be done in-house by the labels and artists themselves, but the tracks will still have to be reviewed for playability, lyrics, copyright issues, and the like.

Approved tracks will then be made available on a new download store separate from the exiting Rock Band store. Creators can price their songs anywhere between US$ 0.50 to US$ 3 per song and get 30% off of every purchase. Gamers will also be able to download 30-second samples.

The service is currently in closed beta and a public beta is being planned for August. MTV plans to launch the service officially before the year ends. Xbox 360 users will be the first to sink their teeth into the Rock Band Network but the service will eventually spread to the PS3 and Wii.

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Via Billboard