Fresh Rockband details simply rock

by Dustin Burg { Jun 15th 2007 at 11:15AM }

Over at NeoGAF, Sallokin posted brand new Rockband details that come from next month's issue of Game Informer. Highlights from the article include descriptions of all the instrument peripherals (sorry, no pictures), confirmation that the microphone doubles as a tambourine during longer guitar solos, extensive character customization, and the idea that the whole band doesn't fail when one member doesn't live up to their rockstar status. Also interesting to note is that Rockband branded guitars will include five additional fret buttons (ten total) for special solo sections. The article also confirms four songs from the game (all master tracks) including Weezer's "Say It Ain't So", Black Sabbath's "Paranoid", The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again", and Nirvana's "In Bloom". Make the jump for random tidbits of Rockband info that may make you say "Guitar Hero III who?".

Tags: harmonix, mtv, rock band, RockBand

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tony @ Jun 15th 2007 11:21AM

I'm bothered by this guitar change. I already spent almost $150 on GH2 for the 360... I know they said you could use these for Rock Band, but obviously this makes it so it's going to be dumbed down.

I suppose if these guitars work with GH2 and GH3 I won't mind... I just don't want four different guitars sitting around my apartment.

Hey Apples @ Jun 15th 2007 11:49AM

I think Activision is going to find all those IP rights to the Guitar Hero series are pretty hollow if Rock Band can deliver.

The true brains in Harmonix stand poised to deliver a true "GH killer" with the proper executation. Many of the ideas proposed seem very well thought out and creative.

It's too early to tell anything, but I stand impressed so far.

mirage @ Jun 15th 2007 12:15PM

If they can manage to keep all or at least most of the tracks as masters then they will have guitar hero beat hands down!

Iced_Eagle @ Jun 15th 2007 12:26PM

If this lives up to at least half of the expectations that people want, then hello Guitar Hero Killer.

Can't wait for this!

Tim @ Jun 15th 2007 12:50PM

I play Guitar Hero by myself quite often. Rock Band.... not so much? Sounds like a lot more money and a lot more stuff for not so much reward. I know me and all my friends just want to play the guitar. How are we going to fill in that vocalist spot? And I can see being the guy that buys the drums or something, but can you imagine being the unlucky bitch who has to buy the microphone AND something else? Unless vocals are really that cool for you.

cRANKbALL @ Jun 15th 2007 1:47PM

the innovation in this article is through the roof- I can't believe how good this game sounds *orgasms all over article*

Stan @ Jun 15th 2007 1:48PM

If they nail the online play, this could be huge. I'm very excited for this now. GH3 better bring it if they want to stand a chance.

eurotransient @ Jun 15th 2007 3:01PM

What I want is a mic stand so I can do the vocals and the guitar part at one time. That would truly make this the greatest game ever. Assuming, of course, they execute the whole thing properly.

I'm not sweating the extra buttons too much. From the sound of it, the effect is more in the ability to pull off finger tap solos. It sounds more like a bonus than an essential part of the game. I don't see why these wouldn't be able to map to the existing five buttons on the X-Plorer controller. In any case it's a moot point for me, since I've wanted to play GH with a Fender guitar since day one.