Harmonix Music Systems, along with MTV Games, in a partnership with Fender Musical Instruments Corp., recently announced the release of a new guitar-controller hybrid for the upcoming Rock Band 3, called the Rock Band 3 Squier by Fender Stratocaster. Just knowing that, I could quickly relate to the fact the controller is a full-sized and completely operational electric guitar, with strings, embedding the technology needed to be used as a game controller for the Rock Band 3, and I should have also known it's inclined for the game's Pro mode gameplay.

"This groundbreaking partnership with Fender ushers in a new era in rhythm gaming, providing countless music fans their first opportunity to enter the world of real musicianship," said Alex Rigopulos, CEO and Co-Founder, Harmonix Music Systems. "The Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster will allow players to enjoy the addictive fun of the rhythm gaming with Rock Band while simultaneously developing skills on a real musical instrument, helping to close the gap between simulation and reality."

An upside of this is the mixed functionality, enabling customers to start playing the guitar without needing the game, rather than sticking to the title. That is innovative to me, my friends, because in this digital era where we find ourselves attached to the computer, this is an alternative.

The Squier was announced because the Rock Band 3 will also feature a new type of gameplay, namely Rock Band Pro, which immerses the player even more, as it requires learning string and fret information on the guitar, as well as differentiated cymbal and tom notation for the drums and full pitch accuracy for the keyboard.

"We've heard countless stories about how Rock Band has inspired folks to pick up and learn to play guitar," stated Mark Van Vleet, SVP of Business Affairs at Fender. "This instrument and the Rock Band Pro gameplay contained within Rock Band 3 are uniquely poised to open the doors of musical enjoyment for music lovers around the world. Quite simply put, this is a huge step forward and a momentous occasion in guitar instruction and music entertainment."


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