Topic: New Rock Band...

Well,
It turns out Harmonix have been sending out surveys to Rock Band owners, asking them questions about the future of the series. Would a current-gen version need to be compatible with existing peripherals? Would your DLC need to work with the new version? etc. etc.

This is probably about the fourth time that they done it (hence me not writing it up as news) but it's looking pretty likely that a new title is on the horizon. Given that my e-kit is sitting there looking at me as if I've neglected it, I'd be really, REALLY happy if they came up with a new version that I didn't need to buy any new adapters or peripherals for.

Anyone else up for some new Rock Band?

Yeah I got the survey too

I'm totally down for this if my instruments still work

I think I'd fork out for a new guitar if required, but I'd be massively surprised if my drumkit didn't work. Just a Traps E500 kit that connects via USB. If it works with Rock Band 3, then I imagine that it'll work with any future titles. Providing they use the same mappings and whatnot, that is...

I would probably buy a new guitar too. I was really into these games. Kinda peaked at Beatles Rock Band for me.

I've always greatly preferred Guitar Hero to Rock Band because I only really care about playing the guitar, but I'd still be excited for the series to come back. I just hope there's a better selection of downloadable tracks soon after release. I don't care much for the mainstream tunes (some are fine and fun, though), so I'd like to be able to build a library of music that I actually really like. Would it be smart for Harmonix to take a digital route with new Rockband? Download the game for free, like Pinball FX2, and purchase the music you want a la carte? Or would that be too confusing considering you'd still need to buy peripherals in store? Maybe there could be retail bundles, too?

Honestly, I'm not exactly sure how I feel about a new Rock Band. I just don't know what they could to improve upon the same old formula. I sort of like the idea of the series becoming a platform like Pinball FX2, one that supports your old instruments or even real guitars.

I stay away from the guitar in any music games as it seems like this completely unnatural experience. When I play (actual) guitar, I don't imagine color-coded nodes flying towards my face. That being said, I've always loved hitting the skins. This was a trend in my mind, it'll NEVER hit the heights it once did. The Beatles killed it (though what a great game).