Rock Band begins its European invasion this week as Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a division of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced that Rock Band has shipped to retail and will be available in the United Kingdom, France and Germany by the end of the week.

Rock Band will have an exclusive launch window on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft beginning on May 23. Rock Band will be available for additional platforms later this summer.

Rock Band is an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune, mastering lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals. With more master recordings than any other music game, Rock Band features some of the world's biggest rock artists and spans every genre of rock ranging from alternative and classic rock to heavy metal and punk.