No Plans for Rock Band 4 on PCs

Hoping for Rock Band to one day venture out to other platforms, like PCs? We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like Rock Band 4, slated to arrive this Christmas, will only be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Eurogamer recently asked developer Harmonix if it has any plans to bring the upcoming music game to PCs, in light of Valve's move to finally launch pre-orders for its much anticipated Steam Machines. Unfortunately, Harmonix Project Director Daniel Sussman said the company has decided to pass on a PC version, partly due to a perceived lack of demand.

"There are a few reasons," Sussman said, according to Eurogamer. "For players who want it on PC, really you're looking at a new audience that hasn't played before, and I don't know to what degree there is an audience for new players who have never played Rock Band before on the PC. That's one piece of it."

The company also has some security concerns.

"There's something comforting about the closed network that comes along with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One," he said. "That's important to our partners in the music industry. Not to say that's an unsolvable problem."

In a follow-up statement, Harmonix offered a glimmer of hope — albeit a small one — for a future PC version.

"As Daniel stated, the security in question is related to licensed music in the game," the company said. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have robust functionality in that area. It's added security that's handled by the platform holders."

"In the case of more open platforms like PC, we're responsible for that. It's something we can build. It's not off the table for the future, however we're first focusing on delivering Rock Band 4 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One this holiday."

:story: PC Magazine