Ben-DutkaWell, with every new Guitar Hero must come a new Rock Band . It's like a law.
But this time, Harmonix wants to leave the obviously fake plastic instruments behind and provide fans of the genre with a "real" peripheral (or two) for Rock Band 3 . According to a recent USA Today article, the keyboard will be making its auspicious debut in the newest Rock Band iteration. It will be a 25-key MIDI keyboard and although players will only utilize the standard five keys (Green, Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange) in Normal Mode, things go crazy when you switch to the new Pro Mode: here, all 25 keys will be in use with the on-screen note "shifting left and right to cover the correct keys." Furthermore, the new guitar peripheral will also take a step in the simulation direction. They'll actually boast six strings for strumming, with the neck featuring touch-sensitive pads that will mimic the instrument's strings. Harmony vocal parts, which debuted in last year's The Beatles: Rock Band will also be included, which means that up to 7 players will now be able to participate in the same song in Rock Band 3 .
Then you've got new options like drop-in, drop-out play, the ability to change your instrument in the midst of a song, new animations, and even an improved story. Said Harmonix project director Daniel Sussman:
"We saw a kind of staleness in terms of game-play innovation. Really, the main focus of Rock Band 3 development was finding new ways to experience the music and actually doubling down, if you will, on our investment in compelling game play."
Oh, and there's even a glance at the 83-song track list featured in the game; it includes "Get Free" by The Vines, "Portions of Foxes" by Rilo Kiley, "Been Caught Stealing" by Jane's Addiction, "Plush" by Stone Temple Pilots, "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne, "I Love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett, "Rainbow in the Dark" by Dio (RIP), "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, and "Crosstown Traffic" by Jimi Hendrix, among others. So who's interested in this one now ? Everyone?
Related Game(s): Rock Band 3
Sounds freakin' sweet! I hope the keyboard pro-mode will at least list the letter notes or actual notes or give the option to have that. I think that would be easier to play than corresponding with highlighted keyboard keys.
I picked up Rock Band 2 to play with my woman at home. We played it for a couple weeks and have touched it since.
Don't think I'll be picking up any more music sim games. What I really need to do instead, is pick up my Fender again.
Last edited by Nynja on 6/10/2010 11:09:10 AM
I have the first 2 Rock Bands and plenty of DLC, hopefully they sell the piano peripheral on its own so that I don't have to get the whole set. I got excited when they showed off the piano to Bohemian Rhapsody (^_^)
Awesome.. i just wish they release an alternative rock DLC. im not really into hardcore rock…
I've seen alternative songs on Rock Band 2 and through DLC. Not much and nothing pops into my head, but I know I've seen the genre name "Alternative" a couple times.
Yeah i think i see a few. On my own i would buy it, but i have to consider the tastes of my girl whom i always play Band Hero with (so sue us 🙂 BH may be cheesy but it gets the popular songs.
*hides and prepares self for flames for mentioning Band Hero*
"But it's fun"
*dodges a tossed flaming torch and a huge fork*
Never been interested in Rock Band or Guitar Hero. But i must say, that's pretty cool what they're doing with the new instruments.
I like Dio, and Ozzy. But never listened to the others. I'm more into Metal and the other genres of metal. But i do like my Scorpions, Journey, Eddie Money though.
Ewwww rock band. I'll pass.
If they ever want me to get a rock band game it needs to be Rock band Skillet, then I'd probably be drawn to it.
Last edited by kraygen on 6/10/2010 12:51:29 PM
What's a skillet? Sounds like a type of fish.
Man just pick up a real guitar. At least you won't be in seizure mode straining your eyes. With all the time I see people playing that game they could be guitar gods. but no, they rather mimic it instead of living it.
YES!!!! A KEYBOARD!!!! Some of you might know I play the piano myself and have some YouTube vids of me 🙂 and DAMN IT!!! I WANT OWL CITY ON THERE!!
Harmonix is a little late getting to the table with their new guitar, cause "Seven45 Studios" is already putting out a real "6 strings" guitar game….
"Seven45 Studios" new game is "Power Gig: Rise of the SixString", and it uses a new kind of faux guitar with real strings, and a unique kind of drum set.
http://games.venturebeat.com/2010/06/08/new-studio-aims-to-invigorate-music-games-with-the-beat-of-a-different-drum/
Oh man, this totally made my day. Hopefully it will be backwards compatible, though, because I've invested quite a bit into RB2, if not, I guess I'll still have all of my olds stuff. I also hope they don't require their keyboard, because I already have a 61-key MIDI keyboard. I've been wanting them to take the more realistic route, now I just hope they can pull it off. I don't think they'll have too many problems though.
Anyway, back to my acoustic six-string 😉
Already confirmed that it is backwards compatible. All RB1, RB2, Music Store, RBN, Lego and Green Day songs are playable on Rock Band 3.
That announcement sealed the deal for me.
At least Harmonix know the importance of letting people keep the songs they spent so much hard earned money on. We don't wanna see our music collection go to waste.
Thank you Craptivision and Red Octane for making less than half the music of World Tour available on GH5. And it was the crappy stuff too.
I previously ranted about how this style has been overdone to the max, I'm just wondering if anybody will ever get tired of this stuffs.
as for me, they can innovate as much as they want but i still wont bite. its just not my type of game. i mean i like listening to music but thats about it. this music type game never really gotten attention. its more of a party game much fitting for how the wii is a party console. i just prefer my games with a solid story and whatever instead of just play to this music.
My face just melted off.
Wow! I didn't think there was much else for them to do in terms of new additions to gameplay.
If playing the guitar with strings is like playing real guitar on expert I'll be interested. I need to relearn Crazy Train anyway.
Please bring this to Australia, day one!!!!
Oh pleeeeeease, for the love of God, bring this to Australia!!!!
I had to import Rock Band 2, and the PS3 version doesn't have the Rock Band 1 export key on the PSN, which kinda sucks cos Xbox Live does.
I want the full bundle. Mics, Keyboard, new string guitar, new better drums, the LOT!!!!!
I'm a huge HUGE fan of Rock Band. Used to love Guitar Hero, but 5 took a big downhill turn. Hopefully 6: Warriors of Rock will change that.
But am definitely getting Rock Band 3.
Penny saving starting now!!!
huh?
no, its not a law.
weve had 4 rock band games. rock band, rock band 2, rock band the beteles, and rock band greenday.
weve had 9 guitar hero games. GH1,2,3, rocks the 80s, metallica, 5, world tour, aerosmith, and the new one just off the top of my head.
anyway, im actually looking forward to this, but i hope they put more metal in there, and more old rock.
enough of this pop, RNB, bullsh*t! this is guitar hero, not rhyming words hero.
i hope they make it harder too, rock band 2 was really easy.
on GH normally i can play all the songs on expert except the last 2 groups, but in rock band and rock band 2 i can play almost every song on expert.
RB is no where near as hard as GH they need to change that!!!!!
Don't forget GH Van Halen
… and Band Hero
… and DJ Hero
… and the recently announced DJ Hero 2.
Geez Activision, talk about overkill on a franchise.
Last edited by Dancemachine55 on 6/11/2010 8:16:46 AM