When Rock Band 2 shipped last fall, only about a year after the first game in the franchise, some wondered if Harmonix was doing the right thing by releasing a sequel so soon after the first. Well, now as it turns out, Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos noted during a keynote at Billboard Digital Music Live at CES that his team will not release Rock Band 3 this year, instead taking more time to innovate.
"We've actually made a choice to break out of the annual release cycle for Rock Band this year," Rigopulos said, as reported by Crispy Gamer. "[This is] partly because the annual cycle places limits on the choices you can make as a developer. We're trying to take a long term view."
The "delay" will also enable the developer to properly focus its attention on the highly anticipated Beatles video game (which is technically not a part of the Rock Band series). As a partner on Rock Band's distribution, publisher Electronic Arts is likely hurt somewhat by the move, but Rigopulos said that EA understands. "Well, I'm sure they'd take [Rock Band 3] if we gave it to them, but they know how important this series is and they're willing to give it the time it needs," he said.
As for what innovation Harmonix could bring to Rock Band 3, Rigopulos hinted once again at the possibility of introducing keyboards to the music franchise. "The only answer I can give you to that question right now is maybe," he said regarding a keyboard peripheral.
Rock band 2
Rock Band is back and better than ever! EA and Harmonix team up again to bring you the latest Rock Band experience, complete with new musical instrument peripherals, new downloads, and new party modes! The game will also support original downloadable content from the first Rock Band, along with the original instruements. Get ready to rock all over again in late 2008! (Screenshot 1 of 22)
Rock Band is back and better than ever! EA and Harmonix team up again to bring you the latest Rock Band experience, complete with new musical instrument peripherals, new downloads, and new party modes! The game will also support original downloadable content from the first Rock Band, along with the original instruements. Get ready to rock all over again in late 2008! (Screenshot 2 of 22)
Rock Band is back and better than ever! EA and Harmonix team up again to bring you the latest Rock Band experience, complete with new musical instrument peripherals, new downloads, and new party modes! The game will also support original downloadable content from the first Rock Band, along with the original instruements. Get ready to rock all over again in late 2008! (Screenshot 3 of 22)
Rock Band is back and better than ever! EA and Harmonix team up again to bring you the latest Rock Band experience, complete with new musical instrument peripherals, new downloads, and new party modes! The game will also support original downloadable content from the first Rock Band, along with the original instruements. Get ready to rock all over again in late 2008! (Screenshot 4 of 22)
Rock Band is back and better than ever! EA and Harmonix team up again to bring you the latest Rock Band experience, complete with new musical instrument peripherals, new downloads, and new party modes! The game will also support original downloadable content from the first Rock Band, along with the original instruements. Get ready to rock all over again in late 2008! (Screenshot 5 of 22)
Rock Band is back and better than ever! EA and Harmonix team up again to bring you the latest Rock Band experience, complete with new musical instrument peripherals, new downloads, and new party modes! The game will also support original downloadable content from the first Rock Band, along with the original instruements. Get ready to rock all over again in late 2008! (Screenshot 6 of 22)
Rock Band is back and better than ever! EA and Harmonix team up again to bring you the latest Rock Band experience, complete with new musical instrument peripherals, new downloads, and new party modes! The game will also support original downloadable content from the first Rock Band, along with the original instruements. Get ready to rock all over again in late 2008! (Screenshot 7 of 22)
Rock Band is back and better than ever! EA and Harmonix team up again to bring you the latest Rock Band experience, complete with new musical instrument peripherals, new downloads, and new party modes! The game will also support original downloadable content from the first Rock Band, along with the original instruements. Get ready to rock all over again in late 2008! (Screenshot 8 of 22)
Rock Band is back and better than ever! EA and Harmonix team up again to bring you the latest Rock Band experience, complete with new musical instrument peripherals, new downloads, and new party modes! The game will also support original downloadable content from the first Rock Band, along with the original instruements. Get ready to rock all over again in late 2008! (Screenshot 9 of 22)
Rock Band is back and better than ever! EA and Harmonix team up again to bring you the latest Rock Band experience, complete with new musical instrument peripherals, new downloads, and new party modes! The game will also support original downloadable content from the first Rock Band, along with the original instruements. Get ready to rock all over again in late 2008! (Screenshot 10 of 22)
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