Reinventing Music Games with Rock Band 3

Harmonix and MTV Games decided not to wait until E3 to let us know all the new features and developments with their upcoming game, Rock Band 3. How does this sound for you music game aficionados? It comes with an 83-song setlist and of course access to the nearly 2,000 Rock Band tracks spread across the various games. In addition to the three-part harmonies added in The Beatles: Rock Band, now you can add a keyboard to the mix, which will come in handy when you’re plowing through The Doors’ “Break On Through.”

There are also new party and social game modes available, including party shuffle and a convenient drop-in/drop-out capability from any game screen. And the new Rock Band Pro scheme allows you to actually develop your musical chops while playing. The Pro Drums supports three expansion cymbals (the newly-released wireless PRO-Cymbals Expansion Kit from Mad Catz includes hi-hat, crash, and ride cymbals), the new Pro Keys features pitch-accurate performance across two octaves (C3 to C5, fully supported by Mad Catz’s new wireless keyboard controller), and the Pro Guitar features notated guitar and bass performances.

Speaking of guitars, a slew of new controllers have been announced, including this Wireless Fender Mustang PRO-GuitarController from MadCatz. The controller has a button-based neck, and a six-string strumming area. The guitar also operates as a fully functional MIDI guitar. But if you really want to go pro, the Rock Band 3 Squier by Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller is a full-sized, stringed instrument. The guitar uses technology built into the neck and fingerboard to track finger positions in real time. Each string transmits strum data, meaning you’re actually playing instead of just pushing buttons. As Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos says, the guitar “…will allow players to enjoy the addictive fun of the rhythm gaming with Rock Band while simultaneously developing skills on a real musical instrument, helping to close the gap between simulation and reality.”

Heck, now all we need is a Get Record Contract game add-on and we’re set!

Comments

• Anonymous
  June 15, 2010
  Wow this is so beast, am for sure going to get RB3!!!

• Anonymous
  July 14, 2010
  Wow this game sounds so awsome I am a big fan of guitar hero sounds like your takeing it to the next level good job guys!!!

• Anonymous
  July 19, 2010
  Now we need to add an actual 'Real Guitar' Lesson pack. Almost there, almost there...

• Anonymous
  July 21, 2010
  HAVE DARE ON IT PLEASES!!! I WANNA PLAY THE PIANOS!!!