Harmonix considering Natal for RB3

By Robert Purchese Published 21 August, 2009

Third game in development now.

MTV Games is considering how it might make use of Project Natal in Rock Band 3, which it has confirmed is in development.

"The Harmonix development team are working on what is effectively the next game, or Rock Band 3," boss Scott Guthrie told MCV at gamescom this week.

"We aren't standing still," he added. "We will keep moving into new areas and look at new technologies that our platform holder partners are also developing, such as Project Natal from Microsoft. We're working with them to pull some things together."

Guthrie went on to say that MTV Games is also exploring another "major artist game" like The Beatles: Rock Band, which launches on 9th September.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (24) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • andywilkie35 #1 3 years ago

    Please don't do it Harmonix.

  • Eraysor #2 3 years ago

    Nooooooooo. Don't put waggle in my RB >_<

    And please make the major artist game be Megadeth.
    Edited by 1 at 21/08/09 @ 09:49

  • patchbox360 #3 3 years ago

    just fingers and brain for me, no jumping around being active thank you very much

  • schnide #4 3 years ago

    I don't want Natal in RB.

    I wonder if they're considering a Stones or REM: Rockband?

  • StueyBoy16 #5 3 years ago

    Stones or REM would be awesome!

  • Santino #6 3 years ago

    from a customer perspective, with dlc i dont see the point in another rockband game,

  • TopKatt #7 3 years ago

    I really hope that these games have Natal as an option as well as their usual control methods, that'd keep everyone happy at least.

  • Dizzy #8 3 years ago

    Ofc Natal is going to be in all new Rock Band games. Avatars that move based on yourself... the ultimate version of Rock band. Play guitar, jump and move around and dress up your Avatar. And the people that do not want to use it, just turn it off in the option screen. How hard is that?

  • wizlon #9 3 years ago

    I quite like the idea of Natal being a supplement to the gameplay, to enhance what is going on based on the players actions while playing using a regular controller (even it is a plastic guitar).

    Another cool idea would be a game like road rash, want to play using a controller, fine, do that, but maybe you want to fist pump and have it happen in the game, cool, or maybe punch out to the sides while playing to knock other riders off. Or just use buttons, whatever, it's all cool.

  • cianchristopher #10 3 years ago

    I hope that major artist is Led Zeppelin. Jesus, I really hope so! After that, you'd never need another music game again.

  • Doctor_What #11 3 years ago

    I just want them to sort out the dodgy framerate on RB2 for the PS3. Come on Harmonix - patch the damn thing will you. We don't give a damn about the crowd animation, get the lyrics scrolling smoothly!

  • Mortey #12 3 years ago

    "I hope that major artist is Led Zeppelin. Jesus, I really hope so! After that, you'd never need another music game again. "

    Spot on.

    Unfortunately, Led Zep won't do it (they won't let anybody have the masters, can't blame them for that), and if they do, that would be the end of Guitar Hero/Rockband games!

    Edit: I suppose they could make some money on selling the violin bow, or a double neck SG!
    Edited by 1 at 21/08/09 @ 10:35

  • M_of_the_sys #13 3 years ago

    Is Natal coming to PS3 or are EG trying to fanbait by putting this in the PS3 news?

  • BOFH_UK #14 3 years ago

    Gah, why do people jump to conclusions about how Natal will be used to replace existing controllers without a moment's thought?

    Natal is PERFECT for Rock Band, it really is. Does it replace the guitar, drums etc? Nope, why would it (for that matter, HOW could it?) when you've got all the plastic lying around anyway and you need instant recognition of input? But as an extra, as a way of taking the performances of the people playing and putting them on screen, THAT'S got huge potential. It'd add another layer on to the game (let's face it, half the fun is in looking like a total tit rocking out on a plastic guitar... why not directly link it to your on-screen character?) and could even be used to put in bonus challenges in the same way the rock out endings work now (although the 'immitate the who' one could get expensive...). You could even have an upload feature to post your performance ala singstar, only its your performance mapped over the game world to produce a unique 'show'.

  • SirDespard #15 3 years ago

    Pink Floyd is another possibility for MAJOR artist possibly. Inflatable pig as pre-order bonus?

  • Xerx3s #16 3 years ago

    Could be a good supplement to the guitar. Not my cuppatea though.

  • BadFlounder #17 3 years ago

    Pearl Jam has long been rumored to be working an a solo Rock Band game so I'll bet that is the "major artist" here.

  • Toothball #18 3 years ago

    @Dizzy:

    That sounds like a decent use of it. My band and I have been working the other way round though, copying the rock actions of our on-screen band members. Not the ones that involve jumping about or smashing guitars though. It's quite amusing after a few beers.

  • davisorle #19 3 years ago

    For those that cant think that close: Using Natal on RB will be OPTIONAL and noone will foce you to use it so why NOT if it will be available as an option for those intereted..? It's like bitching for having a steering wheel option in a racing game even if you dont have one and wont bothr nor matter to you. Are ppl that dumb or the fact of getting into developing their skill on taking advantage of the Natal is a bad thing and I didn't know of it? Specially if someone doesnt wanna waste their money on buying both RB 3 ( IF they dont have a guitar lets say or even Drums ) and you can pay only a 59.99$ for the RB 3 and being able to play drums and guitar up to 4 players anyways, since its supported with Natal without having to buy all that shit, is a BAD thing? o.O

    I know that since I am interested in Natal that this will give me a first reason to buy RB which I wasnt willing to buy their game till now and lready made it interesting for me. Till now ive played it at a friend's place cause I wasnt willing to pay for it & instrument thinking I cant spend so much time so not worth the money.

    All in all: Why cant you be glad that those things show that investing in Natal your money doesn't sound like they will not support it and waste your money? :p About their new poject I hope its for my tastes cause Im thinking of getting already something of the kind so might hit the perfect timing for me. ^^

  • Sonic_D #20 3 years ago

    If it acts as a supplement, may with the characters in game following your poses, or your cock ups that would be interested. I doubt Harmonix would make it a game breaking thing for long term fans.

    Now, Harmonix I've been nice to you here, so can I just ask WHEN ARE THE FUCKING RB2 DRUM KITS COMING OUT IN THE EU?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Ok so it may not be Harmonix's fault, maybe EA's but this is ridicuous.
    Edited by 1 at 21/08/09 @ 12:06

  • Widge #21 3 years ago

    I like the idea of it capturing movement alongside the physical instruments. Having no instruments just brings to memory the Wii Music tv advert, so you'd hope it is just that.

  • kinky_mong #22 3 years ago

    @ SonicD: Probably never now considering the Beatles kit (which is basically the RB2 kit with a fancy design) is out a few weeks time.

    I gave up waiting for the RB2 kit and just bought the first band in a box for £50 a few weeks ago. For the sake of a metal kick pedal and no wires I'd rather save the money to be honest.

  • Widge #23 3 years ago

    DJ Hero Natal which can pick up on people breaking in front of the DJ

  • Dreddnaught #24 3 years ago

    "another "major artist game""

    The Who.

    Mark my words.