iOS titles Rock Band and Rock Band: Reloaded will both be removed from the iOS App Store on July 31st, EA has confirmed today.  Again.

Although you will still be able to play the game locally after the doomsday date has come and gone, the apps themselves and their associated purchases will be unavailable for download.

EA has pegged the conclusion of complex licensing arrangements it has with developers Harmonix as the trigger for the withdrawl of the two games from the App Store:

“EA’s licensing agreement with Harmonix is ending and as a result, EA is discontinuing downloads of Rock Band iOS and Rock Band Reloaded iOS on the App Store after 31t July.”, read a statement on EA’s official website.

Intriguingly, this news whiffs distinctly of an incident earlier this year in which a message was given out to people who had downloaded the app saying that from the 31st of May onward, they would no longer be able to grab it from the App Store.  Amusingly, that decision was soon changed and people thought the the worst of it was clear, only now, today, to be greeted by this message as seen below.

Bravo EA.

A great many unhappy iOS Rock Band lovers were greeted by the message above. Charming.