According to a speech given by Harmonix co-founder and CEO Alex Rigopolous at the Consumer Electronics Show this year, there will be no Rock Band 3 in 2009.
“We’ve actually made a choice to break out of the annual release cycle for Rock Band this year,” Rigopolous told CES attendees. “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.”
Rigopolous thinks publisher EA would be willing to market and sell another Rock Band this year if Harmonix was to deliver it, but they aren’t pushing. “I’m sure they’d take [Rock Band 3] if we gave it to them,” Rigopolous said, “but they know how important this series is and they’re willing to give it the time it needs.”
While Rigopolous ruled out a full sequel in 2009, that doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be any new Harmonix music games this year. A Beatles-themed game is in the works at Harmonix, but, according to Gamasutra, it’s not part of the Rock Band series.
Another interesting non-revelation: When asked whether a keyboard peripheral would be joining the Rock Band fake-instrument arsenal, Rigopolous replied “Maybe.”
Do you have any thoughts on what Rock Band 3 could add to improve the already stellar Rock Band franchise? Maybe a Guitar Hero World Tour style music editor or a glockenspiel peripheral?
