The next generation of the computer game Guitar Hero will be called Rock Band and ready for fantasy rock stars everywhere by the end of the year. The game is being developed by Harmonix Music Systems in association with MTV Games and will be distributed by Electronic Arts for the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony Playstation 3 gaming systems.

Guitar Hero uses guitar-like strumming instead of the regular game controller to direct game action. Rock Band will allow multiple players to play and jam together with different instruments. The major labels have joined Rock Band as well, so the game will use actually top music and not covers.