Update: Harmonix has responded via the following tweet from John Drake

Evidently your purchases aren't safe in the eyes of EA -- even if they're physically located on your device! RockBandAides is reporting that allegedly after May 31st, the Rock Band iOS App by EA will "no longer be playable". Many people are speculating that this is due to short-sighted licensing deals that are set to expire, and the DRM nature of the app itself, which could deny access.

Come to think of it, in the digital era, licensing deals are pretty insanely complicated. Just look at Hulu: even though it's technically the same service, there are different licensing contracts for web, mobile, and media hub streaming. Whatever the case, if this is true, it's going to suck for everyone that bought boat loads of DLC for the game.

We've reached out to EA/Harmonix for comment.

Rock Band iOS App “No Longer Playable” After May 31 [RockBandAide]

Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)

DarkCult

EA I love you!

dunnace

... what the flying fuck?

tehTommy

I can see the app being pulled from the store if that's the case.

Elsa

it'll be interesting to see the response (if any) from EA. Certainly any game that can "expire" and is paid for, should have a huge caveat written into the description before purchasing!
Otherwise... I smell a lawsuit.

RenegadePanda

I'm out of room on my 'why I hate digital distribution' list, so thanks EA, now I have to start a new one.

mistic

Yahoo for digital distribution I guess...

Asmith906

wahaha wa ha ha ha wahaha wa ha ha ha

Chris Carter

@Adrian
wahaha wa ha ha ha wahaha wa ha ha ha

KwikPwn

I wonder how many tracks were made available as DLC for iOS?

I'm sure it's not as extensive as Rock Band's 360/PS3 DLC offerings, but this is a shit move on EA's part nonetheless.

chopper161

And this is why digital distribution is a terrible idea and it makes me sad to see that this will be the future of gaming.

Lord of the Thunder

brb sueing EA

Occams electric toothbrush

Regnier

@occams electic toothbrush: you have posted that image in every post ive seen today, i have on question. Why?

DS6220

@IV Backstab MC
He is calling shenanigans.

billy balls

More dexter themed headers please.

Andi Springthorpe

Just drop the E in the title.

Kyousuke Nanbu

@Backstab

Because he's an idiot.

lightside

Commas in the headline, please! Otherwise, I'll keep thinking that we are talking about the revenue and costs of the app.

lightside

That being said, I wonder if other non-music EA Apps are set to expire without us knowing? What if EA starts deactivating Madden 2012 when Madden 2013 comes out? What if they start releasing annual versions of other games, like Tetris???

Chris Carter

@Billy balls
K!

TheLupineOne

The tweet has been deleted. EA probably forced him to delete it.

bickle

@EAMobile on Twitter, they are are responsible, not Harmonix.

bickle

Drake's tweet hasn't been deleted, I just looked it up.

Hasney

Wait, just the original?

I don't have that, but I do have Reloaded which will probably have the same BS happen, just on the future.

billy balls

@chris Lmfao thank you, this is why you have joined Dale as my other favorite blogger on this site. But seriously, more dexter'S LAB themed headers

Hasney

EA just said it was an "error". Kinda weird since it was a very specific in app message, but I guess we'll see.