Rock Band 4 online multiplayer "very much on the table", but no ETA

Rock Band 4 developer Harmonix will continue to add features via free updates as we move into 2016, but can't make any promises about online multiplayer.

The latest Rock Band 4 update confirms that much-missed features practice mode and setlists are on their way back via an upcoming free update in 2016. Harmonix said both feature require a fair amount of work but will release "as soon as possible".

The other major item on players' wishlists is far less certain: online multiplayer is a major ask.

"Online play with Rock Band is a big deal given the amount of different combinations of player (four potential instruments, different difficulties, song affinities between players, etc)," product manager Daniel Sussman wrote on the Harmonix Blog.

"There is a ton of testing necessary as well technical back end to work through in order to provide a fun, stable experience."

In addition to this, Harmonix would want to make sure the experience developed on or improved that of Rock Band 3, incorporating feedback from the earlier title - which means more work.

"Adding this functionality is very much on the table but we’re not yet sure where it fits in our roadmap," Sussman added.

To help Harmonix figure this out, the developer will be distributing an online survey asking for player opinions on what's important to online play.

Harmonix is also working on other future features, including some brand new surprises and Xbox One support for ION drums. Don't hold your breath for these, though; the January update will be "modest in scope", with stability, performance and bug fixes; more information will be provided close to release.

You can expect to hear about exporting previous on-disc game libraries pretty soon though; Harmonix had made this a priority, and may even skip a few weekly DLC drops in January in order to expedite release of this feature.