Harmonix Breaking New Innovative Ground With Rock Band 3
See Full ImageWell, 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
6/10/2010 10:40:09 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (21 posts)
Nynja
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 11:08:37 AM
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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
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mexgeo86
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 11:17:23 AM
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1 up, 0 down
spiderboi
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 11:29:26 AM
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1 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 12:29:32 PM
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spiderboi
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 12:42:37 PM
*hides and prepares self for flames for mentioning Band Hero*
"But it's fun"
*dodges a tossed flaming torch and a huge fork*
0 up, 1 down
Clamedeus
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 12:40:17 PM
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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.
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kraygen
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 12:50:41 PM
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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
0 up, 5 down
Dancemachine55
Friday, June 11, 2010 @ 8:10:01 AM
0 up, 1 down
CaptRon
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 2:19:33 PM
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0 up, 1 down
JMO_INDY
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 2:57:17 PM
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1 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 2:58:59 PM
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"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/
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556pineapple
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 4:04:13 PM
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Anyway, back to my acoustic six-string ;)
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Dancemachine55
Friday, June 11, 2010 @ 8:14:15 AM
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.
3 up, 0 down
CharlesD
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 4:08:10 PM
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0 up, 1 down
johnld
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 4:25:20 PM
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Phoelix
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 5:34:21 PM
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Wow! I didn't think there was much else for them to do in terms of new additions to gameplay.
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Mavfan321
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 7:27:57 PM
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Dancemachine55
Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 8:18:05 PM
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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!!!
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___________
Friday, June 11, 2010 @ 4:10:40 AM
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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!!!!!
2 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Friday, June 11, 2010 @ 8:15:00 AM
... 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
2 up, 0 down
Underdog15
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Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 11:00:57 AM