With the Guitar Hero franchise six feet under, it would take a real leap of awesome to win over the gamer herds with a new spin on the old music-gaming world. Thankfully, Ubisoft’s upcoming music game Rocksmith goes above and beyond the silly plastic toy with buttons and a “strum lever”. Rocksmith sets out to teach players how to play the guitar, in a remarkably direct way.
A quarter-inch to USB cable peripheral is included with the upcoming game, which allows would-be rockers to plug their real guitar into a PC, Xbox 360, or PS3. Users can then play along with a variety of songs (preliminary list below). Rather than employ another virtual-play gimmick alternative, Rocksmith takes an evolutionary step forward for music games by employing real instruments rather than plastic sticks with color-coded buttons.
One end of the usb converter cord goes into the console, and the other into the quarter-inch audio output jack on any electric guitar. The gameplay resembles Rock Band/Guitar Hero, with considerably more difficulty, given that participants will be instructed how to play with a visual representation of where to place fingers on the instrument.
Check out an example video, displaying the gradual – but notable – progress of practicing with Rocksmith.
Ubisoft plans to release Rocksmith in fall 2011. The game and peripheral together cost $79.99. Gameplay adapts to personal skill level, allowing the player to progress from single notes to complex chords without getting in over their head. Additionally, Rocksmith will not only present you with new songs, but will also challenge you to step away from the notes on screen and play songs by memory.
Check out the initial list of tracks Rocksmith will include in the fall release (more to be announced):
The Black Keys – I Got Mine
David Bowie – Rebel Rebel
Interpol – Slow Hands
Nirvana – In Bloom
The Rolling Stones – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Best Coast – When I’m With You
Blur – Song 2
The Black Keys – Next Girl
The Boxer Rebellion – Step Out Of The Car
Cream – Sunshine Of Your Love
The Cribs – We Share The Same Skies
The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry
Jenny O – Well OK Honey
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama
Nirvana – Breed
Pixies – Where Is My Mind?
Radiohead – High and Dry
Red Fang – Number Thirteen
The Rolling Stones – The Spider and the Fly
Silversun Pickups – Panic Switch
Soundgarden – Outshined
Spoon – Me and The Bean
Stone Temple Pilots – Vasoline
Taddy Porter – Mean Bitch
Titus Andronicus – A More Perfect Union
White Denim – Burnished
The White Stripes – Icky Thump
Yellow Moon Band – Chimney
The Animals – House of the Rising Sun
