Peripherals (2)

If you have Rock Band but don’t feel like you are getting the full rock star experience, then maybe you need to check out the Rock Band Stage Kit by Performance Design Products. According to the box the kit housed within is an “interactive light and smoke stage show”. I’m pretty sure no one will disagree with me when I say that no good can come from this. For US$99 you can pre-order the kit right now from Gamestop or wait until it is released on June 26.

via Destructoid

Nyko will be releasing the Front Man, a guitar controller for the PlayStation 3 compatible with both Rock Band and Guitar Hero III in March. The Front Man features are as follows:

# Compatible with Guitar Hero III and Rock Band
# Up to 80 hours of continuous play time from three AA batteries
# Wireless technology for cordless gaming up to 25 ft. away
# Built-in tilt sensor & responsive whammy bar
# Bi-directional strum bar
# Responsive and durable fret buttons
# Interchangeable pick guard for custom look
# Unique directional pad design for convenient menu navigation
# Effects switch for Rock Band play

No pricing information has been announced as yet.

via 1UP

Ion Audio have set up their prototype Rock Band drum kit on the show floor at CES, complete with cymbals and rubber drum pads which allow you to rock out without the horrible wood-on-plastic tapping.

Release depends on consumer interest, and there is no word on a price. Personally I’d drop anything up to US$100 to rock out without being concerned I’m about to snap the kick in half, or sever a soldered connection inside one of the pads.

Hit the jump for video of Chris from Gamerscore Blog testing them out on Black Hole Sun - and bask in the quietness.

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It’s 10:30pm, you’ve got two mates on the way over to play Rock Band, and you’ve nearly snapped your kick pedal in half thanks to the kick fills in Faith No More’s Epic on Expert. If, like me, you’re a little more McGhetto than McGuyver, you’ll scout around the house and find the dregs of a roll of gaffer tape along with a broken chopping board that should have been thrown out months ago. Then you’ll rig up something like this bad boy.

Intel have been speaking to Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo regarding what chips might power the next round of consoles. But in their discussions with Nintendo, Intel’s chief technology officer Justin Rattner reportedly speculated on a novel input system for the Wii’s successor. While such comments should be treated with as much caution as possible, one can’t help but feel optimistic:

We imagine some future generation of [Nintendo’s] Wii won’t have hand controllers…You just set up the cameras around the room and wave your hand like you’re playing tennis

DigitalSpy via MaxConsole

Don’t let the tacky promo material deter you: here is a peripheral that has the potential to deliver a new level of immersion to up-off-the-couch gaming. Digital Imaging company 3DV systems has spent the last two and a half years developing the ZCam - a camera for the PC which tracks motion in three dimensions.

The company claims the device will lend itself to a myriad styles of games. In an eyes-on interview with Reuters, 3DV Chief Executive Zvika Klier controlled an airplane by simply moving his hands from side to side, activating machine-guns and dropping bombs by raising his thumbs . He also demoed a boxing game, swinging in the air to deliver punches and ducking to avoid his opponent’s blows.

The ZCam is said to be ready for mass production in 2008, and should enter the market priced similarly to other gaming peripherals.

via MaxConsole

If you are a fan of the old-school brick-bashing game Arkanoid then this paddle controller is a must. The Taito Paddle Controller DS slots into the DS’s GBA slot and comes in multiple colors to match your DS. Play-Asia currently have the Arkanoid/Paddle bundle in stock for US$49.90.

via BBPS

Nyko are set to provide the means to look like even more of a git than usual, with their new Wireless Nunchuck offering you complete unrestrained movement of your gangly, uncoordinated arms. Luckily, Nyko have thought about possible lawsuits and have included a Wiimote-style wrist strap. There is no word on pricing or a release date yet, but Nyko have said they will release that information at the next CES.

via Wii Fanboy

Apologies to anyone who got their hopes up after reading our recent post regarding a patch for Rock Band on the PS3 adding GHIII Les Paul support. As you’re already no doubt aware, it’s not here yet.

According to Destructoid, a “trusted source” has informed them that the reason for the delay is a concerted effort by Activision to prevent the release of the patch, including legal action. I’ll be watching this one closely, as my imported copy of Rock Band arrives on Monday - so stay tuned for more news as it happens.

After two weeks of solid rocking, the yellow drum pad on OXM’s Rock Band drum kit was toast. Despite EA’s generous replacement policy, they decided to take matters into their own hands. If you’ve got the prerequisite skills with a soldering iron, this step-by-step guide looks like a much better solution than waiting for a replacement to arrive (and the only one for importers) - although it won’t help with the issue where multiple rapid hits don’t register on certain pads.

via OXM