'Rock Band 4' Release Date, News: PS4 and Xbox One in Line for New Music Game This Year

"Rock Band," the music game that allows players to play guitar and drum controllers and sing-along songs, is set to return this year with a bang with its new-generation consoles.

"With Rock Band 4, we're doubling down on the energy and excitement of playing music live with your friends," Chief Executive Officer Steve Janiak of the game's developer Harmonix said in a press release. "Focusing on the core experience that our fans have told us they love allows us to evolve established gameplay in meaningful ways that we can't wait to share with everyone later this year."

Harmonix teamed up with game accessory maker Mad Catz to come up with "Rock Band 4" which will feature new hardware. Players can purchase the Rock Band 4 Band In A Box bundle, which includes a copy of the game, a new Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller, a new Wireless Drum Kit and a Microphone.

The Guitar Controller Bundle, meanwhile, includes a copy of the game and a Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller.

"We couldn't be happier to be working with Harmonix and help bring the band back together for the launch of Rock Band 4," said Darren Richardson, president and chief executive officer of Mad Catz. "Harmonix possesses unrivalled passion and vision for music gaming and we can't wait to introduce the next generation music platform to passionate gamers."

The game will support over 2,000 tracks released since the release of the original fame in 2007, including more than 500 of the greatest rock music legends. Back-catalog music will be available as well as new tracks.

"Since the beginning, we've called Rock Band a music platform. Players responded by downloading hundreds of their favorite tracks, and building a massive library of playable music," Rock Band 4 Product Manager Daniel Sussman said. "It's important for us to respect those purchases and enable our fans to bring that content over to the Rock Band platform on new generation consoles."

As a treat to fans who have long waited for the announcement of "Rock Band 4," Harmonix is offering a free downloadable track, "I Still Believe," recorded by UK-based songwriter Frank Turner, playable in Rock Band 3 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms.

Harmonix also allowed fans attending the PAX East in Boston to pre-order an exclusive Penny Arcade-themed guitar in person at their booth.

"Rock Band 4" will be available on Sony's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft's X-Box One.

Fans of the game are encouraged to sign up at the game's website to be alerted when pre-orders become available.