Online multiplayer will be a paid expansion for Rock Band 4

Rock Band 4 owners will have to pay extra if they want to play the game online.

Developer Harmonix has confirmed expansion plans for the game in place for later this year, part of which includes synchronous online multiplayer

This is just one of the exciting features included as a part of our first big expansion pack coming in the fall,” it said. Online multiplayer will be available shortly after that for everyone who has the expansion.”

Of the mode it added: Synchronous online multiplayer will be like Quickplay, modified to provide a fair and streamlined experience for console friends looking to play Rock Band 4 together online. We’ll be implementing enhancements on the back end (think of it like our secret sauce) that’ll address issues for folks who don’t have the exact same DLC libraries and the like.

Back in the Rock Band 3 era, it was sometimes (often) a nightmare to have one person pick every single song, or have that one jerk troll the band when trying to compromise on the next track to play. This secret sauce will help avoid some of the more difficult areas from the previous generation.”

The studio has also teased a number of additional, unannounced expansions for the game.

Rock Band 4 has dealt with its fair share of challenges since its arrival last year. Having admitted last year that some of its staff were guilty of posting positive reviews for the title on Amazon, Harmonix this year had to abandon plans to release a PC version after a failed crowdfunding drive.

It has also had to contend with parting ways with former co-publisher Mad Catz.