BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- MTV released Tueday its new music video game "Rock Band," at 170 U.S. dollars including the game software and cotrollers shaped like a guitar, drum set and microphone.

More a rock band simulator than a game, the title takes on the hit "Guitar Hero" series that has sold millions and become a cash cow for publisher Activision Inc.

In "Rock Band," four people can play together on guitar, bass, drums and vocals. Players hit buttons on the guitar or tap drums in sync with notes on-screen. Players can also sing along, karaoke-style. If notes are hit accurately, the song plays properly and the band earns points.

"Rock Band" is the headline act in Viacom unit MTV's plan to spend more than 500 million dollars on games over the next two years as it expands beyond its traditional TV base.

"Rock Band" is the crowning achievement of Harmonix, a Boston-based game studio started by MIT students seeking to make the experience of playing music accessible to the masses.

A partnership with accessory maker Red Octane resulted in the hit formula of "Guitar Hero," but the teams parted ways as Activision bought Red Octane while MTV picked up Harmonix.

"For the first time ever we had the resources to really go for it," said Harmonix head Alex Rigopulos. "For us it's a dream game. It's really sort of everything we've ever dreamed of doing."

(Agencies)