I was about 15 minutes into it, having very much enjoyed what I had seen so far, when I came upon the first Big Daddy encounter. I watch in rapt attention as he charges a splicer when suddenly BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM. It sounds as though a string of firecrackers has been detonated in my computer case, as well as each BOOM being punctuated with a bright blue flash coming through the case window.

For about half a second I sit there stunned. The first thought in my mind is "Holy Fucking Shit, that is the greatest effect I've ever seen. They should have given this game an 11." Immediately following this a sickening realization dawns on me as I look over at my tower. Blue Smoke! The magic blue smoke that makes electronics work is escaping from my PC.

What follows is a 30 second vaudeville act of me simultaneously cursing, falling as I try to leap out of my chair, and finally ripping the power cord from the wall. But the blue smoke was already out, and the smell of ozone in the air told me the bitter truth. Bioshock had fried my computer from the inside and blown the capacitors.

I love how trippy these new Rock Band screens look, but I sure wish they'd give us a taste of the interface. Just a little taste. Better still, how bout some peripheral pics? Brian Crecente

ROCK BAND
PRODUCTION DESCRIPTION:
Developed by Harmonix, creators of the blockbuster Guitar Hero franchise, Rock Band™ is an all-new platform for gamers to experience music, giving players the chance to rock in the shoes of the biggest guitarists, bassists, drummers and singers of all time - as a solo superstar or as part of a hard rocking band.

Rock Band delivers four music games in one - challenging rockers to master lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals. Built on unprecedented deals with top record labels and music publishers, the music featured in Rock Band spans all genres of rock and includes many master recordings from legendary artists.

Rock Band will be igniting audiences on Xbox 360™ and PlayStation®3 in Holiday 2007.

KEY FEATURES:
• Rock out your way! Players can beat on drums, sing the vocals, groove along as the bassist and shred riffs as guitarists - either in single player career mode leading a band, in multiplayer as part of the band, or against each other - in person or online!
• Unrivaled song library! Major record labels and leading music publishers have signed on to provide unrivaled access to master recordings and legendary rock artists - from punk, metal and alternative to classic and southern rock.
• Fully customizable! Form your own band, create and customize your own rocker, and then travel on a fast rise to fame around the world in a quest for rock 'n' roll glory!
• Play together in your living room or across the world! Rock Band offers deep online functionality, allowing players to rock together whether they're in Rhode Island or Reykjavik.

KEY PLAYERS:
• Developed by Harmonix - the music game visionaries behind the hit games Guitar Hero and Karaoke Revolution - and published by MTV Games.
• Distributed and Co-Marketed by Electronic Arts, the world's leading interactive entertainment software company.
• Master Recordings provided by EMI Music, Hollywood Records, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group's Universal Music Enterprises and Warner Music Group's Rhino Entertainment
• Access granted to MTV / Harmonix to select songs for use in Rock Band from catalogs provided by EMI Music Publishing and Warner/Chappel Music
• Rocked out by YOU and millions of soon-to-be drummers, guitarists and vocalists around the world. Groupies not included

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:
Publisher: MTV Games
Developer: Harmonix
Distributor: Electronic Arts
Ship Date: Holiday 2007
Category: Music/Rhythm Game