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Apple might be developing a 'Pro Mode' to speed up Macbooks
Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro was a return to form for the company, especially when it came to portable power. (We did call it the "ultimate MacBook," after all.) Now, Apple might be developing another way to speed up its notebooks: a new "Pro Mode" that users can manually turn on and off. As 9to5Mac reports, the new mode is referenced in the Catalina 10.15.3 beta build, though it doesn't appear as a working feature just yet.
You Rock strums its way into Rock Band 3 Pro mode
Those seeking the upper echelons of virtual guitar wizardry have a third option now -- the You Rock Guitar, which is now compatible with Rock Band 3's Pro mode. So long as you've also got Mad Catz' MIDI-Pro adapter handy, the multi-touch fret board sounds like a solid middle ground between the uber-realistic Squier Stratocaster strings and the tiny toy-like fret keys of the Mustang Pro, and at roughly $200 street it's priced right between the others as well. PR after the break, and find our early impressions of the You Rock here.
'All' Rock Band 3 DLC to include Pro keyboard and drums, Pro guitar sold for $1 more
Harmonix had previously hinted that DLC for Rock Band 3's "Pro" mode would a bit more expensive than the vanilla offerings because it required "a lot more work to do." Speaking with IGN, MTV Games' Paul DeGooyer clarified exactly how the pricing will differ for the upcoming sequel. He explained that "all DLC released for Rock Band 3 will be fully Rock Band 3-compatible, which means it'll come with Pro Mode for keyboard and drums, harmony mode, etc." However, Pro Mode for guitar will be sold separately. "If you're not interested in Pro Mode for guitar, you can still get the DLC that should conform to our current DLC pricing, and you get Pro Mode for all your other instruments." The cost of Pro guitar will be $1, the interview reveals. "The alternative would be of course to include it (in the regular download) and up the price for everybody, which I don't think is really fair," DeGooyer argued. Additionally, he reveals that not all DLC tracks will even offer Pro notes for guitar, saying certain bands' "guitar parts wouldn't rise to the level that they would need to have pro mode authoring associated with them." Ouch. There are plans to retrofit earlier DLC with Pro tracks, however DeGooyer was unable to clarify how the process would work. Apparently, the studio is having trouble making a system that "recognizes people who have already purchased" DLC in order to "be able to supply the updated file at a discount."
Preview: Rock Band 3 Pro mode
Just playing a guitar isn't hard: you buy a guitar, look at a book to learn a few chords, practice putting your fingers in the right places, and strum away at a song. But playing a guitar professionally is very hard; it takes time and practice and dedication. Likewise, Rock Band is a good time: figure out when to strum, and wail away on some pop tunes with your friends. But Rock Band 3's Pro mode isn't kidding around. It's got a difficulty curve almost as steep as the real thing, and while you still probably won't be able to play stadiums after beating a song on Pro Expert, you'll have a very good idea of what it takes to do so. We got to play a couple of songs with the Mustang Pro Guitar controller shown off by Harmonix and MadCatz at E3 this week, and it's a beast -- each string of 17 frets on the guitar is an individual button, and there are six strings where the strum bar sits. Harmonix really wanted to make a real guitar as a controller (and it eventually did with the Fender Rock Band 3 Squier), but that "comes with a little bit of baggage of its own" in the form of tuning and calluses. We asked if the developer tried a touch-based system, but reps passed on confirming any prototypes, instead saying that the 102-button setup was the best solution it found. %Gallery-94904%
Report: Rock Band 3 features keytar, 'Pro' mode
Given that Harmonix already teased the inclusion of a new instrument in Rock Band 3 -- the keyboard -- we almost feel like we've been taken for a ride. That is, if today's report from Ars Technica's mole on the game is correct and the keyboard is actually a keytar. "What?!" you cry. Much like Frankie, we must say, "Relax!" because, well, we're totally on board with the concept. Just think about the possibilities! The Ars report also alleges the addition of a "Pro" mode "that will require proper technique, and may lead to actual skills on guitar and bass." Perhaps that mode will have some tie to the peripherals, which will all be assembled by Mad Catz, apparently, (as hinted at earlier this year); meaning EA would only handle the distribution of game discs. Though Ars' mole has been accurate with rumors in the past, without confirmation from MTV Games, Harmonix, EA, or Mad Catz (yes, we tried -- only MTV Games responded, saying, "We do not comment on rumors or speculation"), this report is still, unfortunately, unconfirmed.
