Rock Band 3
A rhythm game introducing Pro mode for realistic instrument play.
Rock Band 3 is a 2010 rhythm game developed by Harmonix, initially published by MTV Games and distributed by Electronic Arts on October 26, 2010, with a re-release by Mad Catz on November 23, 2011. It is the third main installment and seventh console release in the Rock Band series, distinguished by its Pro mode that simulates playing real instruments, including support for MIDI-compatible keyboards, electronic drumkits, and a real Fender Squier guitar modified for the game.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Daniel Sussman, Josh Randall
- Producer
- Michael Verrette, Robert W. Lindsley
- Designer
- Dan Teasdale
- Sylvain Dubrofsky
- Brian Chan
- Casey Malone
- Programmer
- Avida Michaud
- James Wiley Fleming
- Dan Schmidt
- John Eskew
- Geoff Pitsch
- Artist
- Peter A. MacDonald
- Writer
- Helen McWilliams
- Series
- Rock Band
- Released
- October 26, 2010 (NA)
- October 28, 2010 (AU)
- October 29, 2010 (EU)
Facts from the source article.
Development
The rhythm game genre saw nearly a 50% revenue drop in 2009, with titles like The Beatles: Rock Band and Guitar Hero 5 falling short of projections. This was partly attributed to the late-2000s recession and consumer fatigue with new instrument controllers for similar gameplay. Harmonix designed Rock Band 3 to capture the playing experience that started the phenomenon, according to project director Daniel Sussman. CEO Alex Rigopulos stated the ambition was to re-energize and advance the music game category.
At a closed media event before the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Harmonix called the game a disruptive title. The team also considered a ground-up rebuild of the Rock Band platform to improve player interaction with the game and music library. The keyboard controller was included to address staleness; Basic keys were designed to be party-accessible and easy for existing players, while Pro keys aimed to be fun by playing accurate notes. Pro mode was intended to give existing players new challenges, particularly those wanting a deeper connection with music, said senior designer Sylvain Dubrofsky.
Sussman noted the combination of old and new modes offers accessibility for newcomers and depth for hard-core players, but that Pro mode is a different experience from five-button simulation, not a track to expertise. The inclusion of Pro mode at higher difficulties shows the potential ceiling of the experience.
Soundtrack
The full soundtrack includes 83 songs, with a mix that emphasizes the keyboard peripheral. The setlist was formally announced after the 2010 Gamescom, where it was accidentally revealed during a video interview. The Nintendo DS version has a 26-song subset. Harmonix released new downloadable songs weekly, starting with twelve songs from The Doors.
Downloadable songs include keyboard and vocal harmony support within the base cost (about US$2 per song). Pro guitar and bass tracks are sold separately for an additional US$1 due to the cost and effort of authoring. Songs released after Rock Band 3 are not compatible with earlier games due to format changes. Most songs from previous Rock Band games—both on-disc and downloadable—are playable, giving over 2,000 songs at launch.
Rock Band Network content is playable in all game modes, unlike in Rock Band 2. Rock Band Network 2.0 allowed songs with harmonies, Basic and Pro keys, and Pro drums, but not Pro mode real guitar and bass due to complexity and lack of qualified testers.
Reception
Rock Band 3 received universal acclaim from gaming journalists, who considered it a major jump from Rock Band 2 and a pinnacle of the rhythm game genre. Matt Miller of Game Informer called it a culmination of Harmonix's efforts to bring music to the masses. Ben Kuchera of Ars Technica described it as the new state of the art for rhythm games, hard to fault. Joystiq's Griffin McElroy asserted it is the greatest rhythm game ever made and possibly the only one needed.
Reviews praised the incorporation of realistic instruments and the educational aspect of learning to play them through the game. Chad Sapieha of The Globe and Mail said the game brought players a hair's breadth from moving beyond make believe, while Seth Schiesel of the New York Times stated that Harmonix tore down the wall between music games and real music. The keyboard peripheral was praised as small and light with multiple play options; Johnny Minkley of Eurogamer called it gaming's next must-have shame-maker.
Many reviews noted that non-Pro keyboard charts were similar to the five-button guitar method, with real enjoyment coming from Pro mode. IGN's Hilary Goldstein noted the keyboard allowed expansion into songs like Warren Zevon's Werewolves of London or Elton John songs. Sam Machkovech for The Atlantic added that keyboard-heavy songs made the soundtrack better.
More in Song Library
Elsewhere in Rock Band
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced