Separate Rock Band instruments coming "ASAP"

via Computer and Video Games


In a recent interview with Next-Gen, Harmonix head Alex Rigopulos assured us that his studio will deliver individual instrument controllers for the upcoming Rock Band post-haste.

"The highest priority is to make sure that as many people as possible can have the multi-instrument band experience this holiday," he said. "We are working diligently to get individual instruments into the channel as soon as humanly possible and we have a huge effort in place to make this happen."

Although he didn't give a specific time frame as to when individual instruments will be shipping, Rigopulos hoped to ease worries among anxious gamers that they'll have to wait for an extended period of time for non-bundled instruments.

Rock Band, published by MTV Games, will launch in November as a $169 bundle for Xbox 360 and PS3, which includes the game, a guitar, microphone and a drum kit (and a USB hub for the wired Xbox 360 version). The PS2 version will retail for $159.

"Also, note that standalone software will be available at launch," Rigopulos added. "Harmonix supports open platform standards in our game design, so people will most likely be able to use their existing peripherals with Rock Band. Furthermore, we know that many, many friends are planning to purchase a Rock Band bundle together, along with extra copies of the software, and then share the individual instruments among them."

No prices for the separate instruments have been announced. The game allows for a bassist, guitarist, singer and drummer to play simultaneously. Rigopulos' statements are part of a Next-Gen interview running this week.