Rock Band 3 Dev Diary Explains 'Bridging the Gap' Between Real and Fake Musicians

Rock Band 3 attempts to take things to the next level with its "Pro" mode, a setting that shifts control inputs from simple color-coded buttons to something more recognizable to real musicians.

Xav de Matos

September 9, 2010 8:20 AM

Rock Band 3 attempts to take things to the next level with its "Pro" mode, a setting that shifts control inputs from simple color-coded buttons to something more recognizable to real musicians.

Alongside this change, the game includes adds keyboards to the franchise. Although the new peripheral will allow players to play on simple tracks reminiscent of current music games, Harmonix believes playing on "Pro" mode will "make the keyboard come alive."

According to Harmonix boss Alex Rigopulos, the goal of the new "Pro" mode is to provide new challenges to veteran Rock Band players and to "conceptually" continue to "bridge the gap between simulated musicianship in Rock Band and real musicianship in real life."

We'll find out if the developer's new plan works when Rock Band 3 launches on October 26 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS.

Xav de Matos

Xav de Matos was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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swings1940

 reply
September 9, 2010 8:46 AM

How much is the pro guitar going to cost already! PRE ORDER PLEASE!
- michiganbob
  
   reply
  September 9, 2010 8:58 AM
  
  Seriously. This is the only reason I haven't pre-ordered the game yet.
- XAVdeMATOS
  
   reply
  September 9, 2010 9:03 AM
  
  They announced prices a while ago, it's also linked in this story
  
  http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/64234
  - Johnnsen
    
     reply
    September 9, 2010 9:05 AM
    
    Quote from said article: "The fully-stringed Rock Band 3 Squire by Fender Stratocaster controller has not yet been priced." This is what I wanna know. I'd guess around 300 dollar.
    - XAVdeMATOS
      
       reply
      September 9, 2010 9:11 AM
      
      Sorry, I misunderstood as the comment asked for the Pro Controller price... which has been revealed.
      - swings1940
        
         reply
        September 9, 2010 1:22 PM
        
        I forgot about the mustang. I should of specified more, but I meant the stratocaster.
    - valcan_s
      
       reply
      September 9, 2010 9:26 AM
      
      :( damnit Oct is pretty soon --> http://www.engadget.com/photos/rock-band-3-fender-mustang-pro-and-squier-stratocaster-guitars-up-close-and-impersonal/#3084149 I am getting worried.
      
      Man they better have made a bunch of them... if it anything like the Guitars and Drums for RB2 the availability is gona be way way worse I fear.
    - CruelLEGACEY
      
       reply
      September 9, 2010 9:50 AM
      
      A regular squier guitar sells for anywhere from $200 - $400 depending on which exact model you get.
      So the question then becomes "how much extra will the Rock Band electronics add to the price".
      I'm actually hoping the guitar ends up in the $400-$500 range, because anything cheaper than that will have to be a really crappy guitar.
- valcan_s
  
   reply
  September 9, 2010 9:16 AM
  
  I found this one --> http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Mustang-PRO-Guitar-Controller-Xbox-360/dp/B003RRTXYW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1284048893&sr=8-5
  
  Its pro but I want this one the real Guitar --> http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/16/rock-band-3-squier-stratocaster-plays-both-real-and-virtual-guit/
  
  If anyone can provide me with a pre order link to the real pro guitars and bass for RB3 I will buy you 1x any PC game you want from D2D or Steam.
  - RageQuit
    
     reply
    September 9, 2010 10:34 AM
    
    http://www.amazon.com/Fender-Squier-Rock-Band-PRO-Guitar-Controller-Xbox-360/dp/N00bHX0R/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1284048893&sr=8-5
    
    I'M such an asshole.
    - valcan_s
      
       reply
      September 9, 2010 12:10 PM
      
      LOL I was almost ready to ask you want game you wanted :(
      
      --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOVNu2bLzN8