15 Things We’ve Learned at E3 about Rock Band 3
If I really tried to quantify it, I’m sure there’s MUCH more than 15 things we’ve learned, but let’s start with this. If you’ve been following along closely on the site and on Twitter, I don’t think any of this should come as a surprise to you, but I want to make sure we’re all on the same page before we move on.
- The video we saw at the beginning of the Rock Band 3 E3 demo is probably the opening cinematic for the game. Gone is the CG car dueling characters, and with new REAL instruments comes a more sophisticated, realistic opening to the game with a powerful, iconic song highlighting some of the new features from the game.
- The new “overshell” lets players drop in, drop out, change difficulty, and from what I’ve been told, even advance songs in a playlist on the fly. (Source)
- Improved scoring system keeps track of individual scores even while playing in a band. (Source)
- Incredible song sorting and filtering by categories such as Song Difficulties, Number of Vocal Parts, Song Lengths, Song Location, Song Ratings, Decades, Genres, Pro Guitar Support, and Keys Support. You can also rate songs via the lighter system added in with the Rock Band Network. Once rated, you can filter you library on your own ratings. (Details)
- By launch, the Rock Band library (including RBN) is expected to be over 2,000 songs! (Source)
- The game comes with default setlists (such as “Drummer’s Delight,” “Your Secret Shames,” and “Endless Setlist 3″) similar to those in previous games, but you can also create and save your own setlists based on the song sorting/filtering options. Once created, you can share with your friends. You will also have the ability to create and save your setlists online on RockBand.com and play them on your console. (Source)
- Party Shuffle mode starts playing random songs in Rock Band, and let’s you jump in/out as you wish, as well as let’s you skip to the next track (sounds like a de facto “Jukebox Mode”). (Source)
- Pro Guitar and Pro Bass both in Rock Band 3 using the Mustang and Squier controllers. (Source)
- In addition to the 22 songs already announced, Yes – Roundabout will also be finding it’s way into the game. (Source)
- Stage Kit will be supported. (Source)
- ION Drum Rocker will be compatible with Pro Drums. (Source)
- “Shaky arrow glitch” and “strum limit” have been fixed. (Source)
- DLC with Pro features, harmonies, and Keys will start when the game is released. (Source)
- Bladder of Steel won’t be back, but will have a “spiritual successor.” (Source)
- Rock Band Country Track Pack 2 is coming, presumably before the release of Rock Band 3 (due to it’s lack of Keys icon). (Source)
Anything big that I missed?! Add it in the comments!
And since you’ve been so good and read until the end, here’s a FREE DLC code for the PS3: MQAH-JGB8-BRJT. More PSN and XBL codes to come! Codes courtesy of Harmonix and @thebeststeph! Thanks!
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My question is, if I have a song for DLC for RB2 and they go back and add the keys in and pro mode, do I have to rebuy the song to get the updated track info?
RockBandAide Reply:
June 21st, 2010 at 2:33 pm
1. I don’t think they’re going to do that. 2. If they do however, you won’t HAVE to rebuy it, but you will miss the new added features.
I don’t know if they ever mentioned this or not but do you know if there will be 5 avatars on screen in the final game because right now there are only ever 4 at once?
Polite Reply:
June 21st, 2010 at 9:00 pm
I’ve seen pictures on this site of a screen with four lanes and a vocal track, and five avatars in the background.
I’m curious about the drums. Is it the same hardware? Any differences besides maybe a fresh coat of paint?
non_zero Reply:
June 21st, 2010 at 4:05 pm
No new drumset, at least not directly from them. They’re just pushing the RB2 drum kit paired with the cymbal expansion kit. They’ve said they’re focusing on the software and all instruments will be done by third parties (or just MadCatz… I forget.)
Probably would have been good to mention what the free DLC was in case somebody got a repeat, haha
RockBandAide Reply:
June 21st, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I just redeemed one of the Xbox ones for myself. It is actually a code for 160 MSP, so the PS3 is probably the same thing.
Kirksplosion Reply:
June 21st, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Whoa! Almost missed that little tidbit at the end. =)
Aw. Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 4:40 am
Whatever the code is, it’s not valid anymore.
No I think you misunderstood my question (I stated it poorly). I’m gonna buy RB3 the day it releases, so songs I own now in my DLC library, will not be updated with new track info for pro/keys?
RockBandAide Reply:
June 21st, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Doesn’t sound like it. If so, we’d probably have to pay for it. No official word from Harmonix yet on this.
ElektraFi Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 8:11 am
I thought I saw an answer to this mentioned in either the stage presentation or the additional Q&A with Dan Teasdale. From what I recall though, the majority of your current DLC will not be updated to support pro/keys. There may be a few exceptions, especially with the new DLC coming out between now and release.
“# Improved scoring system keeps track of individual scores even while playing in a band. ”
I don’t see how this is possible with band-only features like Band Unisons. Band Unisons cause you to get more overdrive than you would playing solo so the scores aren’t really comparable. Unless they’re just talking about base score, in which case I don’t see how that’s useful.
non_zero Reply:
June 21st, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Oh, unless they’re just talking about in the summary at the end of the song like they do in GH5. But I don’t think actual solo scores are possible outside of that context.
Gokuroro Reply:
June 21st, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Since the sum of every instruments (vocals don’t do scores in “All instruments mode”
) equals the total of the song, I suppose it really is as you said. Just the equivalent of the score in that song with that band.
This means, no way to put those values in score boards.
Hopefully this question hasn’t already been answered, but will the drop in/out and change difficulty feature but applicable in online band quickplay?
The Secret Shames setlist is genius, that’ll be my Lady Gaga/Miley Cyrus/Busted repository XD
This game seems to be getting better and better by the day
am I the only one who found all the features from Guitar Hero 5 song sorting, combined with Rock Band ones? oh and like 2 or 3 new ones. Still getting the game though
non_zero Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 1:58 am
Even with all those sorting options it was still somehow hard to use GH5′s sorting system.
Little usability things like it jumping back to the beginning of the list after every song — ruined the whole thing.
Is it really super secret to know if we’ll be able to re-create our beloved bands with the new overhaul? I’ve caught glimpses of familiar things, but nothing to make me super happy and certain yet.
It just wouldn’t be the same to not be able to re-create the band that’s been ‘alive’ since RB1 and RB2.
Technically, shouldn’t that be The Endless Setlist IV?
I mean, with Lego and all…
Not liking the bit about no scores for vox on All Instruments Mode to be honest… does it have to do with not being able to select a difficulty for the vocals?
And my hope is that they will go back over time and upgrade older DLC; I’d be happy to pay a flat rate at release and get the DLC upgrades as HMX releases them, for example.
dylanevl Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 10:55 am
As someone who enjoys singing way more than scoring, I couldn’t be happier with the no-points-for-vocalists change.
Is that code dead already?
moviepyro512 Reply:
June 21st, 2010 at 11:30 pm
I’m curious too. How do these codes work? Do they only work for the first person that uses them, or do they work for everyone for a limited period of time?
ElektraFi Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 8:05 am
Codes are usually on a first come, first serve basis. Once they’re used by someone, they become invalid.
so this could mean some potential van halen in rock band 3 or rock band dlc? that would be sweet I always did want to play right now on rock band (well any van halen on rock band)
chedita Reply:
June 21st, 2010 at 10:57 pm
o whoops wrong post