Official Rock Band Thread

[chronovore]

Depeche Mode pack!
NIN pack updates!
The Fray...
Joe Jackson...

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Liberace!

[close]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I'm out of piano players... 

[close]

[Mr. Gundam]

• Spoon – “Trouble Comes Running”
• Spoon – “Don’t You Evah”
• Spoon – “I Turn My Camera On”
• Spoon – “Got Nuffin”

Tomorrow.

[chronovore]

Friend just tossed these to me in chat:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2010-06-10-rockband10_VA_N.htm

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Development of Rock Band 3 began immediately after the September 2008 release of Rock Band 2, says project director Daniel Sussman at Cambridge, Mass.-based Harmonix.

As work continued, the music category's slide in sales made the design team deepen their focus. "We saw a kind of staleness in terms of game-play innovation," Sussman says. "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.

"We are adding a new instrument (a 25-key, fully functioning MIDI keyboard) and we're adding a whole new mode, which is designed basically to answer that staleness factor."

The result, he says, is "an experience that is both accessible to players who are just getting into this thing, and builds something for the hard-core player who is maybe a little bored with where music games are."

Sussman and several key members of the Rock Band team (Harmonix senior designers Sylvain Dubrofsky and Dan Teasdale, and public relations gurus John Drake of Harmonix and Jeff Castaneda of MTV Games; you can see them all playing the game in the accompanying video) recently demonstrated Rock Band 3 for USA TODAY's Game Hunters and offered a test drive of the new keyboard controller, as well as the game's new authentic Pro mode aimed at helping players develop skills usable on real instruments.

"Everybody who wants to keep playing on the instruments they already have, we have enhanced new features and new gameplay for you," Dubrofsky says. "It's up to you to decide where you take this."

More on the advances for Rock Band 3 (due for the holidays for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS):

•Better story. Design your own characters and session musicians from improved character models and watch their story unfold throughout the game. Your band members are seen getting into the van to go to a show, and practicing as well as performing. They even appear as you choose songs to play. "It is a really cool way to make sure you are always in the narrative no matter which mode you are in," Teasdale says. "The entire game is essentially one story of your band."

Everything you do earns achievements in the goal-based career mode. "Previously our career modes weren't really about getting better as a Rock Band player, it was about investing time," Teasdale says. "We developed this entirely new career mode based around unlocking achievement-like goals to show your progression through the game, and also give you incentives to get better.

"We have hundreds and hundreds of these goals across instruments and gameplay modes and across (downloadable content). It is a really great way to finish Rock Band in your way, based on your skill, and not on some predetermined path of songs."

•More fluid gameplay. Players can jump in or out of songs without interrupting a song already in progress. They can also change instruments or difficulty settings during a song without pausing. "It's a really cool way to get rid of that friction that players have when they are in a party situation," Teasdale says.

Another party-friendly mode, "road challenges," is described by Teasdale as "taking Rock Band 1 and 2's band world tour (mode) and merging it with Mario Party. We tried to find a way to get the core experience people had playing the band world tour and the things they really enjoyed, like getting the van or getting random set lists, and putting that into a setting that you can finish in an evening instead of a week. So now we have all these tours which are actually you going on a tour of the East Coast or touring across the world, and you are finishing that in three hours or whatever time you think you have to play."

•Revamped song-filtering system. With the Rock Band library expected to grow to about 2,000 songs by year's end, it has grown too big for simply scrolling. With the new system, "you can say, 'only show me songs in Rock Band 3' or 'only songs under three minutes' or 'Eighties metal songs from my (downloadable) collection,' " Teasdale says. "It's a really cool way to take your full library down to a manageable list of songs."

Not to be forgotten, the keyboards' addition — along with carrying over the three-part harmonies from The Beatles: Rock Band and new Green Day: Rock Band games — means that "you can play as a seven -player band," Teasdale says, "which is an amazing experience."

•Rock Band Pro. This new music learning mode lets players develop real-world music-playing fundamentals for keyboards, guitars and drums. More realistic music notations replace the standard color-coded notes during gameplay. For guitar, numbers flow down the screen along six guitar strings, telling you where to place your hands on the neck and when to strum.

Two new guitar controllers in the works have actual strings where you strum; one is a full-sized, fully functional six-string Squier Stratocaster from Fender. "It can tell where your fingers are based on technology in the neck and the bridge of the guitar. No buttons," Drake says. "While you're playing it, it feels exactly like playing a real guitar," because that's what you're doing.

The other is a Fender Mustang Pro controller from accessory maker Mad Catz with a field of buttons in each fret. As your fingers compress the smaller non-colored buttons on that guitar's neck, your finger positions are represented in the game's display. "You can go from plucking single notes to power chords and bar chords, we have crazy stuff like tapping and slides," Dubrofsky says. "If you ever had any aspirations of connecting with the music in a deeper way ... you are really going to like Rock Band 3."

For drums, three new cymbals are added to the standard four drum pads, and you are forced to play the correct cymbal at the right time. "It really immerses you more. You feel more like a drummer," Dubrofsky says. "It's not only for expert levels. You can come in on easy and actually play Pro drums. We have all the different levels established. It's actually really fun. You are playing up on the high hat or down on the snare, and it feels more like a kit than ever before."

On keyboards, Sussman says, "we're actually utilizing the full two-octave range that the keyboard controller has. Everything that you are playing, whether you are playing on easy or expert, is accurate musical information. The track looks like a real keyboard track, and you are playing notes on the keyboard that if you were to step away from the game and were to play on a real piano, they would be the right notes."

Pro players can use the mode for private practice or incorporate it while others play the game's standard arcade modes. "You can be an expert keys-player playing with an all easy band, no problem," Drake says.

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http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2010/06/rock-band-3-the-songs-announced-so-far-/1

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Rock Band 3, which adds keyboards to the music game setup, will feature keyboard parts in most of the planned 83 songs on the game disc when it hits stores this holiday shopping season.

"There's this whole other world of music where keyboards plays a prominent role that has been largely neglected (in Rock Band games) because of instrumentation," says Harmonix CEO and co-founder Alex Rigopulos. "The introduction of keyboards ... gives us access to a new world of content."

See our full coverage including a video of the Harmonix developers playing the game here.

For the partial song list, announced today (by decade), click below:

2000s
Combat Baby -- Metric
Dead End Friends -- Them Crooked Vultures
Get Free -- The Vines
Lasso -- Phoenix
Me Enamora -- Juanes
Oh My God -- Ida Maria
Portions of Foxes -- Rilo Kiley
The Hardest Button to Button -- The White Stripes

1990s
Been Caught Stealing -- Jane's Addiction
In the Meantime -- Spacehog
Plush -- Stone Temple Pilots
Walkin' on the Sun -- Smash Mouth

1980s
Crazy Train -- Ozzy Osbourne
Here I Go Again -- Whitesnake
I Love Rock and Roll -- Joan Jett
Just Like Heaven -- The Cure
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
The Power of Love -- Huey Lewis and the News
Sister Christian -- Night Ranger

1960s-1970s
Bohemian Rhapsody -- Queen
Break On Through -- The Doors
Crosstown Traffic -- Jimi Hendrix

About the game, Rigopulos says, "if you are a really casual player, you just like to play at parties or whatnot, we are offering a bunch of great new seamless party play. If you are looking for something new, of course we are adding the vocal harmonies and the keyboards, which lets up to seven people play together and is a helluva lot of fun in a social party context.

"If you are someone who is looking for a deeper challenge either because you are an expert player looking for the next level of challenge or because you actually have musical aspirations, there is the Pro game play (mode), which is really going to start to close the gap between simulated music and real musicmaking."

Readers, jazzed about Rock Band 3 for the keyboards or new Pro mode?

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[DJ_Tet]

As a guy who has played guitar off and on for about 15 years, gaining a modicum of talent along the way, I'm really excited about this.  I was in the market for a new electric guitar, I'd gladly buy one that could interact with a Rock Band game.  Talk about the ultimate practice partner.  Hopefully they allow for the guitar to function 100% on master mode, if I could play with the fingerings on the screen that would be a great tool for me personally.

I'm psyched about the keyboard too.  Glad to see these games slant into a more realistic direction.  I think it will be good for music in the long run.

Hope to get a Pink Floyd game at some point, that would be a natural for these new instruments.

[M3wThr33]

Still no guitar straps.

[fistfulofmetal]

Looks hooooot. Love how they're doing keyboard. How it shifts to the left and right.

Also interested in the high end guitar. They're probably gonna reveal that at E3.

Hopefully they have it all in a bundle. I think RB3 is a good time for me to refresh all my hardware (still have RB1 drums)


...but I bet it's gonna be expeeeeensive.

[archie4208]

DIO

Metric

[Eel O'Brian]

 

[Shino]

Looks hooooot. Love how they're doing keyboard. How it shifts to the left and right.

Also interested in the high end guitar. They're probably gonna reveal that at E3.

Hopefully they have it all in a bundle. I think RB3 is a good time for me to refresh all my hardware (still have RB1 drums)


...but I bet it's gonna be expeeeeensive.

I'm not sure if it's on the E3 show floor for attendees to play, but I know that they have press appointments to go try the game out.

As for the perifs... I have 1 RB guitar, 1 3rd party crap guitar, and a set of RB2 drums... upgraded those from Microcenter one day when they were running a deal for them... $30 for a brand new set... jumped on that.

I would love a package with the keyboard and a guitar.
Need to get the cymbals now too.

[chronovore]

Drums are already too hard for me. Adding new targets to hit is not exciting for me. Hell, I want them to add SUPER-EASY mode like in Lego Rock Band, where the kick pedal is automatic.

[archie4208]

Drums are already too hard for me. Adding new targets to hit is not exciting for me. Hell, I want them to add SUPER-EASY mode like in Lego Rock Band, where the kick pedal is automatic.

I'm sure that will be retained in RB3.  HMX is catering to the ultra casuals and the ultra hardcores at the same time. 

[cool breeze]

Drums are already too hard for me. Adding new targets to hit is not exciting for me. Hell, I want them to add SUPER-EASY mode like in Lego Rock Band, where the kick pedal is automatic.

I can do drums on hard but it is still a bit of a struggle for me only because of the foot pedal.  Keyboard shouldn't be too hard to pick up assuming I don't need to be doing things with my feet.

[archie4208]

Bemani is slowly being topped in every way possible.

Western Music Games with superior music

You gotta love the bitter Bemani fanboys in these types of threads.  Give it up, weeaboos.  Nobody wants to play some crap when they can play ROCK AND ROLL

[chronovore]

Drums are already too hard for me. Adding new targets to hit is not exciting for me. Hell, I want them to add SUPER-EASY mode like in Lego Rock Band, where the kick pedal is automatic.

I can do drums on hard but it is still a bit of a struggle for me only because of the foot pedal.  Keyboard shouldn't be too hard to pick up assuming I don't need to be doing things with my feet.

Just wait for the Jerry Lee Lewis DLC!

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

[fistfulofmetal]

In my heyday I was Expert Drums and Expert guitar. I can still do expert guitar no probs but I havent played drums in probably over a year. Totally pumped to play keyboard. totally fuckin pumped.

haven't been this excited to play a music game since RB1

[archie4208]

Oh man.

[cool breeze]

^
was just about to post that

($150)

The pro stuff seems...interesting.

$130 for the keyboard and game seems a bit much but I'll most likely still go for it.  I need to hear more on the pro stuff.  I feel like when it goes that far, I might as well learn guitar myself.

[chronovore]

The keyboard and game is a confirmed bundle?

[fistfulofmetal]

(Image removed from quote.)

Oh man.

sheeeeit. that's got me all giddy and shit.

i hope they have a deluxe "Pro Bundle"

[archie4208]

The keyboard and game is a confirmed bundle?

Yeah.  $129.99.  The "sorta real" guitar is $149.99.

Edit:  It seems that the majority of drum songs from the old games will be compatible with RB3's pro drummer mode, while keyboards and guitar seem to be unlikely.  I really want Doolittle to be pro guitar supported.  :'(

[cool breeze]

you can also pay $40 for an adapter that lets you use any midi keyboard



there is also the even higher end guitar that is a real guitar, but with sensors or something.  no price on that.

[archie4208]

Nah.  Just the guitar.  There are a new set of symbols (that will hopefully work this time) that will retail for $40.

And yeah this game is going to be fucking expensive, but I'm still going to buy it all. :'(

[Mr. Gundam]

I'm just getting the game. No keyboard for me. Two guitars, drums and mic is enough.

I do need to get a replacement guitar, though. Probably just get a RB2 guitar when they drop in price.

[fistfulofmetal]

this has shot up to numero uno on my "Most Anticipated game of 2010" list. The only thing that will top this is if HL2: Episode 3 gets a release date.

Even tho I really want the pro drums, i'll be content for keyboard and pro guitar.... for now

[archie4208]

Nah.  Just the guitar.  There are a new set of symbols (that will hopefully work this time) that will retail for $40.

And yeah this game is going to be fucking expensive, but I'm still going to buy it all. :'(

How do the Cymbals work, do they attach to existing drum sets? I have the Rock Band 1 drums so I'm wondering how this is all going to work.

Also, $150 for just the guitar is fucking crazy. I hope MTV markets Rock Band 3 and the pro mode correctly. Otherwise I see a lot of kinda real guitars sitting on shelves for many months.

You need at least RB2 drums to use cymbals.  You might want to wait and see if some RB3 drums get announced, though.

[fistfulofmetal]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/16/rock-band-3-squier-stratocaster-plays-both-real-and-virtual-guit/

WOW
Now I may want... the real guitar

[archie4208]

[youtube=560,345]kQKqrC9cT_s[/youtube]

Pseudo confirmed. 

[ManaByte]

The Fender guitar and the game interface for it is fucking awesome.

[CajoleJuice]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/16/rock-band-3-squier-stratocaster-plays-both-real-and-virtual-guit/

WOW
Now I may want... the real guitar

holy crap

[ManaByte]

Yea that's the demo I saw today. It's

[chronovore]

What's the "real" guitar controller cost?

[CajoleJuice]

I think I saw $150 somewhere.

Yep.

http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/06/11/rock-band-3-pro-guitar-box-art-and-pricing-revealed.aspx

[cool breeze]

that's actually the cheaper "pro" guitar that uses buttons for $150.  It still uses buttons (102 of them) and while it had midi out, it isn't the real deal.

the one in that video that is a real guitar with the strings and sensors doesn't have a price yet; expect it to be much more expensive.

another video of the real guitar: http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/28567/rock-band-3/videos/e310_rb3_inv_061610.html

[ManaByte]

$249-$299 is the rumor. 

[CajoleJuice]

oh

oh god

actually, i don't even know why anyone would get that "cheaper" one, then

[ManaByte]

Engadget is wrong. The REAL guitar isn't made by Mad Catz. The actual guitar is made by Fender. Mad Catz is doing the keyboard and the $150 guitar.

[CajoleJuice]

God that is fucking awesome

fuuuuuuuuuuuu

[CajoleJuice]

A writeup on it

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/109/1098680p1.html

[fistfulofmetal]

god help me i'm gonna end up dropping close to 500 us dollars on Rock Band 3 this Fall  :'(

[fistfulofmetal]

http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/28567/rock-band-3/videos/e310_rb3_inv_061610.html
playing Dio on the real rock band labeled strat
harmonix wants me to spend all my money on them. fuckers

[ManaByte]

Posted in another thread, but it fits here too:
[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

[Joe Molotov]

Next week is Miley Cyrus DLC. Good jon, Harmonix.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

It doesn't even have Party in the USA, fail.

[close]

[archie4208]

Next week is Miley Cyrus DLC. Good jon, Harmonix.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

It doesn't even have Party in the USA, fail.

[close]

I hope they keep up with the fail DLC until RB3 comes out.  I'd be very upset if Sabbath or CCR isn't pro guitar compatible.

[ManaByte]

They say they'll have 2000 songs by the time RB3 comes out. Currently at 1600+. So that'll be 400 songs of fail.

Raffi and Barney DLC next month.

[archie4208]

I thought it was 2000 by the end of the year.  Regardless, I hope they are holding the good stuff for post RB3.

[Joe Molotov]

At least I can still get my Creed and Third Eye Blind fix on RBN.

[ManaByte]

I thought it was 2000 by the end of the year.  Regardless, I hope they are holding the good stuff for post RB3.

Harmonix said 2000 by RB3 release at the demo at E3.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

Posted in another thread, but it fits here too:
[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

Why is Beatles:RB at E3?

[Joe Molotov]

To distract people from the fact that they just released Green Day Rock Band.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

Why can't we have more Beatles RB goodness? Fuck you harmonix, traitors.

[chronovore]

They say they'll have 2000 songs by the time RB3 comes out. Currently at 1600+. So that'll be 400 songs of fail.

Raffi and Barney DLC next month.

I'm pretty sure they know what their final song format is. I'm guessing that each track will be, or has already been, shipping with the additional gameplay information for RB3 compatibility.

[archie4208]

Next week's DLC:  Six classic songs from

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Nickelback

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[Mr. Gundam]

 

[chronovore]

Miley Cyrus and then Nickelback? Harmonix is trolling us.

[fistfulofmetal]

pumping as much crap out as possible to get the maximum profit before RB3 bombs.

[ferrarimanf355]

Nickelback? I'll admit to liking their songs. You can mock me now.

[chronovore]

Nickelback? I'll admit to liking their songs. You can mock me now.

I wasn't aware that they had more than one song. I thought they just recycled it:
[youtube=560,345]Qs4tNeGyTyI[/youtube]

[Mr. Gundam]

The New Pornographers song "Crash Years" (Neko on vocals) got added to RBN the other day. Hopefully we get it on the PS3 as soon as the 30 day exclusivity is up.

[ferrarimanf355]

Nickelback? I'll admit to liking their songs. You can mock me now.

I wasn't aware that they had more than one song. I thought they just recycled it:
[youtube=560,345]Qs4tNeGyTyI[/youtube]

I just like "Rockstar" and "Animals".

I never saw that video before, though.

[chronovore]

Yeah, I think the two songs overlaid is actually more interesting musically than either song on its own.