Activision has finally given out some new juicy details on what’s likely to be the best rock-em-up yet.

Ok, so, the instruments first -

The guitar will have a touch pad on the neck just below the normal five fret buttons and lets you tweak lenghty notes and also slap the bass (”I can call you Eddie, and Eddie when you call me you can caaaalll meeee Aaaaaaaaaal”). There are reports that the recording parts of the game will also utilize the touchpad somewhat.

When you use the guitar as a bass you’ll also be using an open strum as a 6th note (I’ve only just started hitting the bloody orange!).

The drums we’ve already heard a lot about - apparently the drum has been in the works for more than 2 years, pre-Rock Band, but a lot of emphasis was put into getting the right amount of input from real drummers (as opposed to the imaginary ones that play in my dreams while I bump and grind with Daisy Duck…just leave it at that). To quickly rehash, your talking the same sort of set up as in rock back, but with cymbals/hi hat and a nice stand that fold up all neat into one piece to hide behind the sofa when you hav a girl over (or when your girlfriend enters “the games room”)

There will be no chance to use the DLC from GH3, but thats ok, as there’ll be 85 master recordings to choose from, and no doubt 1000’s more when the music store gets going.

A few songs and bands were also confirmed for the game, including:

* “Santeria” — Sublime
* “Rebel Yell” — Billy Idol
* “Everlong” — Foo Fighters

Also making the soundtrack, are Linkin Park, Van Halen (please be “you’ve got the touch” I believe in you Rodimus), and The Eagles, though specific songs have not been revealed for those artists. Paul Simon has not been confirmed YET.

Noone knows the cost yet (well I’m sure someone does, but noone who’s telling). At this rate, I’m not sure it matters, so long as it’s not more expensive than Rock Band.

Filed under: G, Game Previews, Guitar Hero III, Main, Playstation Network, Rumors