Members of Rock Band 3 game development house Harmonix stopped by the house of USA Today writer Mike Snider to show off the upcoming game and its new instrument, the keyboard.
We first learned of a keyboard figuring into Rock Band 3 gameplay a few weeks ago in a teaser advertisement on Xbox Live. What we didn’t know was what the keyboard would look like or how it would function. Keyboardists and wannabes out there will be pleased with the result.
The following video shows off a prototype of the new keyboard controller in action. As you can see it looks just like a miniaturized real keyboard with all the appropriate ebony and ivory keys. Because it’s a MIDI keyboard, it can be connected to a computer and used as a real instrument completely outside of the Rock Band 3 game.
A new Pro mode will require the player to utilize all 25 keys. Pro mode will also work with the drums and a pair of new sold separately guitars, one of which being a full-sized and fully functional Fender guitar.
Rock Band 3 is due in stores this holiday season for Xbox 360, PS3 and the Wii. With the keyboard and three-part harmony carried forward from The Beatles Rock Band, Rock Band 3 will support up to a seven person virtual band.
