Giant Bomb News

Wait, Really? Rock Band 3 To Support A Keytar?

Maybe it won't need more cowbell after all.


 Also of note to all you harmonizers out there--there are three mics in that logo.
 Also of note to all you harmonizers out there--there are three mics in that logo.

Ars Technica's "mole"--a solid secret informer who has often slipped out good information ahead of proper announcements--has informed Ars that Rock Band 3 will support an instrument with keys, but it won't be a keyboard as the Rock Band 3 logo screen buried within the Rock Band: Green Day demo seemingly teased. Think keytar, the digital shredder of choice for any proper glam metal band. 

The mole also pointed out that Mad Catz would be the sole company behind the manufacture of the instruments alongside the rest of the game's plastic necessities, as previous reports implied. In an interesting twist, though, the guitar might get some sort of realistic boost; the mole told Ars that Rock Band 3 will ship with a "pro" mode that somehow teaches users how to play the real thing, which seemingly indicates that the Mad Catz hardware might be more lifelike.  

Take this with a grain of salt, regardless of the mole's reliability. MTV and Harmonix are remaining silent, and as of yesterday's report, are encouraging us to "stay tuned" for Rock Band 3 announcements at E3. I think I might just do that. You know, pay attention to E3. I heard that was a big thing.

TDoton May 26, 2010 at 5 p.m.
keeeetar
dezvouson May 26, 2010 at 5:01 p.m.
More peripherals!
SilenceUKon May 26, 2010 at 5:01 p.m.

god i hope not
masternater27on May 26, 2010 at 5:01 p.m.
I'm sure Alex N. over at screened would know!
Rhaknar is online on May 26, 2010 at 5:01 p.m.
Mad Catz? well, they make good sticks now at least
wolf_blitzer85on May 26, 2010 at 5:02 p.m.
Man is Jeff behind you guys cracking the whip? You guys are pumping out article left and right and it is awesome! 
  
I'm pretty excited for RB3 and the addition of a keyboard just sounds awesome.
Kurtdyoungon May 26, 2010 at 5:02 p.m.
Nice, I was wondering how it was gonna work, a keytar would make perfect sense.
TobyD81on May 26, 2010 at 5:06 p.m.
Okay, that's all fine and good, but how many songs are going to use it? Need more details...
gunslingerNZon May 26, 2010 at 5:07 p.m.
Oh god another piece of plastic junk!
 
Hopefully they include this song in the game then:
 
raiz265on May 26, 2010 at 5:07 p.m.
so its a reverse rockband-guitar?
Kyreoon May 26, 2010 at 5:14 p.m.
I'm pree sure it's called something else... but Keetar sounds fun.
gbradingon May 26, 2010 at 5:16 p.m.

Now I have heard everything. This is getting frankly ridiculous. I could endorse a keyboard, but a keytar? Seriously now. Coming next, Sitar and Tambura peripherals!
hagridoreon May 26, 2010 at 5:16 p.m.
Nnnoooooo!
RoujinXon May 26, 2010 at 5:20 p.m.

Finally, proper Rush songs on Rockband. 
Landonon May 26, 2010 at 5:20 p.m.
lol wut?
angelfan91on May 26, 2010 at 5:23 p.m.
@RoujinX:
Yes, it bugs the hell out ouf me when I play Tom Sawyer and there's tambourine.
Ben_Hon May 26, 2010 at 5:33 p.m.
 
  
You all know you want keytars.
Elazulon May 26, 2010 at 5:34 p.m.
@RoujinX said:
" Finally, proper Rush songs on Rockband.  "
It's only proper if I can play the keytar with my feet, while playing guitar.
Cronoon May 26, 2010 at 5:34 p.m.
If only Mad Catz was spelled with an 'S' would be easy to spoof it as "Mad Scat" scat meaning feces of course... like the products they sell.  Damn you Mad Catz for having that crazy cool Z fails afe!
RoujinXon May 26, 2010 at 5:40 p.m.
@Elazul said:
" @RoujinX said:
" Finally, proper Rush songs on Rockband.  "
It's only proper if I can play the keytar with my feet, while playing guitar. "

Imagine the youtube possibilities!

Dig Deeper into Rock Band 3

Rock Band 3 spices up the brand with the addition of a keyboard peripheral as well as "Pro Mode," and offers eighty-three new songs to rock out to.

US Release Date: Oct. 26, 2010

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