Rock Band 2 was officially announced on June 30, 2008, for a September 2008 release on the Xbox 360, with other platforms to follow later in the year. The game boast numerous features and improvements over the first installment and will certainly be an even more fun and enhanced experience this time around.
Speaking of features and enhancements, courtesy of Kotaku.com we have this article detailing a great number of Rock Band 2's feature set...
http://kotaku.com/5022939/rock-band...less-instruments-full-backwards-compatibility
Key Features
Rock the World!
Rock Band 2 offers new and dynamic online modes that will connect the entire Rock Band community in more ways than ever before, both locally and globally.
Rock in Style!
Rock Band 2 introduces a new variety of instrument choices all with new and improved drum and guitar peripherals, enhanced functionality and innovative new designs. All Rock Band 2 instruments are fully compatible with the original Rock Band. Conversely, all Rock Band peripherals will be fully compatible with Rock Band 2.
Unrivaled Song Library!
Rock Band 2 features the biggest and most diverse soundtrack ever featuring some of rock’s most prolific acts, comprised entirely of master recordings.
Complete the Look!
Rock Band 2 delivers new clothing, accessories, tattoos, hairstyles, instruments and more to keep your unique rock avatar playing the full rock part.
Battle it Out!
Go head to head competing against other bands with Battle of the Bands contests that will be generated by Harmonix on a regular basis.
Stay on Top!
Stay the undisputed leader board champion with real time alerts updating you when another rocker or band has surpassed your score!
Take on Tour Challenges!
Play through mini-campaigns focused on a specific instrument, your favorite artist, your preferred genre, or a particular album.
Customizable Set Lists!
Create your own set lists in Quickplay mode to keep the music rolling and your band rocking!
Rock ‘n’ Roll Never Dies!
Rock Band 2 offers backwards compatibility with Rock Band downloadable content- all previously purchased tracks will immediately load into your Rock Band 2 play list!
Game Modes
Quickplay
Now easier than ever to get in and jam without hassle.
- New prefab characters
- Your customized characters can now play on any instrument
- Make your own set lists
- Organize song lists by a variety of categories (alphabetical, genre, era, etc.)
World Tour
Solo Tour and Band World Tour join forces to create the ultimate band touring experience!
- World Tour is now online
- No more band leaders! If you need to fire your guitarist but keep the band going, fire away!
- Switch up instruments throughout world tour
- All new collection of opportunity gigs, challenges, cities, venues, and hirable staff
Tour Challenges
Take your band on tour in a whole new way with specific music challenges.
- Focused mini-campaigns featuring the best songs by instrument, decade, genre or artist
- Automatically generated DLC challenges
- Album specific challenges
Battle of the Bands
Put your band to the ultimate test by competing against other bands, both on your friends list and around the world!
- Dynamic content with regular new contests designed by Harmonix
- Matches up your score against overall competition and friends’ bands - with REAL TIME feedback
- Get updates on new battles from your Band Profile, as well as notifications when your score has been topped!
Drum Trainer
A true teaching tool that gives players a step-by-step lesson through the basic beat and fill vocabulary any real world drummer would know.
Music
Major record labels and leading music publishers have signed on to provide unrivaled access to master recordings and legendary rock artists with hits from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s. The Rock Band 2 disc will feature more than 80 rock hits—all master recordings! Plus, Rock Band 2 owners will have access to the growing Rock Band DLC catalog of more than 200 tracks.
THE SONGS
There's been a lot of rumors, fuzzy images and leaked e-mails that reveal songs, and here are some of those...
This was discovered by some Score Hero forum members on an X-play preview.
http://rockband.scorehero.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10929&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
The songs here are-
"Panic Attack" by Dream Theater
"Chop Suey" by System of a Down
"Give It Away" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Everlong" by Foo Fighters
"Kids In America" by Kim Wilde
"Ace of Spades" by Motörhead
"Hello There" by Cheap Trick
"Anyway You Want It" by Journey
"Pinball Wizard" by The Who
We also have two leaked set list, which for the sake of space management I am just going to post a few highlights, but here is the full article from Kotaku,
http://kotaku.com/397936/rumor-dueling-rock-band-2-tracklists
Avenged Sevenfold - Almost Easy
Billy Idol White - Wedding
Blondie - One Way or Another
Foo Fighters - Everlong
Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
Lacuna Coil - Our Truth
Modest Mouse - Float On
Offspring - The Come Out & Play (Keep 'em Seperated)
Panic at the Disco - Nine in the Afternoon
Paramore - That's What You Get
Rush - The Trees
Silversun Pickups - Lazy Eye
Survivor - Eye of the Tiger
Tenacious D - Master Exploder
Again, the two list are nothing more than rumors, so don't get your hopes up! Although mine already are, I am banking on that first list.
THE INSTRUMENTS
Both the drums and guitar will receive enhancements, a small bit in this Kotaku article (
http://kotaku.com/5022939/rock-band...less-instruments-full-backwards-compatibility) had this to say about the new peripherals...
The new and improved drums and guitar peripherals will be compatible with the original Rock Band and original instruments will work with Rock Band 2. The new guitar will have a sturdier strum bar, quieter buttons and be wireless. The new drum kit will include a metal reinforced pedal, quieter pads, velocity sensors and... be wireless.
We weren't allowed to play with the new instruments when the game was showed off to press last month, but I did manage to grope the drum kit for a few seconds when no one was looking. The pedal looked like it would stand up to more abuse and the drums themselves had a thicker rubber like feel to them. I'm certain they would be much quieter. The guitar, well the guitar looks just kick ass.
That is pretty much all the information I know about and have for the game. I promise to try my hardest to update this thread whenever new news becomes available. If any of you happen to come across some info go ahead and PM with a link and I will be sure to post it right it way!