I just wanted to get people's thoughts on the newest wave of music games with plastic instruments. While I've never thought of them as anything more than stupid fun with friend, the latest Rock Band 3 peripherals have piqued my interest

http://www.plasticaxe.com/2010/06/11/exc...-functionality/

Seems like they are making midi controllers rather than game controllers now and moving towards more realistic gameplay. I already know it won't ever replace real lessons, but perhaps it'll be a fun supplement to them. If anything the keyboard and hybrid guitar look like they will be cheap-ass (ie affordable) alternative to the more functional midi-controllers, but again it's still too early to tell (how much? how long 'till they fall apart?)

What does everyone else think? Complete shit? Cool stuff? Pointless?

I have a few friends that own Rock Band and Guitar Hero. They are into them a lot, anytime I see them, they want to play...

I just look at them as a game, nothing more... and I don't have any video game systems, I'd rather do the real thing...

It's funny, my cousin owns Guitar Hero and he tells me he's pretty good at it, so he wants to play "real guitar" and he thinks he should be good because he's already good on Guitar Hero, so he came over for a short little "intro to guitar" lesson, and he found out how hard the guitar really is... mainly because it hurts! lol

I think its great - there is a guy who has a version with a real guitar already but I'm sure the market will respond to Rock Band 3 much better. The big issue for real players will be latency.

I think Guitar Hero and Rock Band are cool because they make kids want to play real instruments....and playing real instruments is cool.

A couple years ago I got guitar hero as a Christmas present, about 5 days later I bought my first guitar. Some of my friends bought guitars too but it didn't take long for them to go back to the game. Alot of people like to knock it but I see games like guitar hero as part of the reason that I picked it up in the first place, it might be plastic but it briefly makes you feel like a musician playing great songs.

Fender announcement for Rock Band 3, will be shown this week.

http://www.fender.com/news/index.php?display_article=529

Here's a short demonstration: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/16/rock-...d-virtual-guit/
I have to admit, this does look kind of cool. It's like real-time tabs on screen. Methinks you will be getting even more students in the not so distance future.

Check out this GuitarWorld interview with the man who played the guitar for Guitar Hero, Marcus Henderson.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2669642376687223365#

I've always thought it has a lot of potential for drum lessons. Some touch sensitive pads and watch these kids go to town.

Wikipedia has a bit of info on developing tracks for Rock Band through the Rock Band Network and XNA Creators Club license

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Band_N...thoring_process

I don't know if it would lend itself to courseware development though, given the money required (both to develop and to download the songs). The article makes it sound like you'd get into an Apple AppStore situation, where they may reject songs/tutorials for unknown reasons (only songs allowed?).

Pebber, are you asking me?

Not sure if there are any other Daniels here... :D

peb,

if you design a guitar hero/ rock band video game... i will buy it (and probably multiple copies at that) on PURE principal!!!!

Hi guys,

Watch this, it's maybe not exactly plastic, maybe not even a game, but it's still fun to take a look at these "guys" , showing what happens if you only practice and even forget eating & breathing :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4HkMRV2sf8

awesome dude, general grievous makes a better drummer than a sith imo.
wonder if they have any groupies as well?