Today, Harmonix has officially announced features and a partial track list for Rock Band 3. While there will be a total of 83 songs included in Rock Band 3, only 22 of the songs have been announced:
2000s:
• Metric, “Combat Baby”
• Rilo Kiley, “Portions for Foxes”
• Them Crooked Vultures, “Dead End Friends”
• The Vines, “Get Free”
• The White Stripes, “The Hardest Button to Button”
• Phoenix, “Lasso”
• Ida Maria, “Oh My God”
• Juanes, “Me Enamora”
1990s:
• Jane’s Addiction, “Been Caught Stealing”
• Smash Mouth, “Walkin’ on the Sun”
• Spacehog, “In the Meantime”
• Stone Temple Pilots, “Plush”
1980s:
• Dio, “Rainbow in the Dark”
• Huey Lewis and the News, “The Power of Love”
• Joan Jett, “I Love Rock and Roll”
• Night Ranger, “Sister Christian”
• Whitesnake, “Here I Go Again”
• The Cure, “Just Like Heaven”
• Ozzy Osbourne, “Crazy Train”
1970s:
• Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
1960s:
• Jimi Hendrix, “Crosstown Traffic”
• The Doors, “Break On Through”
Rock Band 3 will also boast complete compatibility for music exported from Rock Band, Rock Band 2, track packs, AC/DC Live: Rock Band track pack, LEGO Rock Band, and Green Day: Rock Band and all released DLC. It is assumed that Rock Band Network songs will also be playable in Rock Band 3.
With nearly 2,000 songs available by the time the game launches, Harmonix has taken it upon themselves to redesign the music library. Players will be able to create and save setlists, and trade them with their friends (in-game and through RockBand.com). New song filters allow players to find the music they want to play while hiding songs they don’t. A recommendation system will suggest songs from the now-gigantic Rock Band music library based on personal preference.
Up to seven players can play together using the harmonies system introduced in The Beatles: Rock Band and using the new keyboard peripheral. In addition, there will be a new Rock Band Pro mode:
• Pro Drums supports three expansion cymbals, with gameplay differentiation between toms and cymbals.
• Pro Keys features pitch-accurate keyboard performance across a two-octave range, displayed on an easy-to-read keyboard track.
• Pro Guitar features notated guitar and bass performances, available for play with either the new Fender™ Mustang™
PRO-Guitar™ simulated guitar controller from Mad Catz or the Rock Band 3 Squier® by Fender Stratocaster® Guitar Controller that is a real guitar/controller hybrid. The Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster is a fully functional, full-sized, six-string electric guitar that also functions as a game controller.
Click here to view images of the new instruments!
By now, it’s no surprise there will be a keyboard peripheral, after teasing it in the Green Day: Rock Band demo. What is surprising is that in addition to the official keyboard peripheral, there will also be an adapter released, allowing those with MIDI keyboards and drum kits to use the instruments they already have. Have no worry, though, Rock Band 3 will support all previously released Rock Band instruments and most 3rd party instruments as well.
Rock Band 3 will have new party modes that allows you to start playing faster, including party shuffle, persistent drop-in/drop-out and difficulty selection from any gameplay screen. The one-again revamped career mode will feature more than 700 goals and rewards along with seamless leaderboard integration. There will also be social networking features that will allow you to share your experience in the game on Facebook and Twitter.
Rock Band 3 will be released Holiday 2010 for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, and DS. I expect to see more from the game at E3!
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