( Ars Technica ) -- Information about a keyboard being included in the `` Rock Band 3 '' package was teased in the `` Green Day : Rock Band '' demo . We have now been given some exclusive information by our now-famous Mole about what we can expect from `` Rock Band 3 . '' Read on to find out what to expect from the instruments in the latest version of the game . It 's the '80s ! There wo n't actually be a keyboard peripheral sold with the game ; instead there will be a keytar-like instrument supported . For those who did n't listen to much '80s music , a keytar is a sort of keyboard with a strap , held like a guitar . The keytar will be the only new instrument for the game . We were surprised that new instruments were being released at all , since Activision had noted that they were focusing on software and not hardware in order to cut costs . We figured Harmonix would follow what seemed to be a savvy strategy in a world already choked with peripherals . Harmonix will actually be doing something similar , and the peripherals will be created by an outside company . Mad Catz is bringing the instruments . Mad Catz will be creating all the `` Rock Band 3 '' instruments and bundles ; EA will only be distributing the software . Mad Catz will be offering many different bundles with different combinations of instruments available , and there will be bundles that are exclusive to certain retailers . If you have guitars , you 'll be able to find a bundle for drums . If you need everything , that will be available as well . If a store does n't want to be saddled with huge boxes , they can simply stock the game . This will allow the focus of the launch to be kept on the software , and we 're told that there will be a `` pro '' mode included in the game that will require proper technique , and may lead to actual skills on guitars and bass . How this will work is n't known , but it 's possible Mad Catz may create a product that more closely mimics an actual guitar . All this information is firmly in the rumor pile , excluding the Mad Catz connection , but our Mole has successfully broken more stories in gaming news and peripherals than anyone else in this business , so we 're confident in this data . It also makes sense : Mad Catz has long had the license to release Rock Band peripherals , and large bundles suffer from thin margins and can be expensive to stock . Giving control of the hardware to a company who knows how to release and ship peripherals makes sense for everyone , and more bundles give retailers a new layer of granularity to stock items based on their needs . As for the keytar ? We have no clue . Expect this information to be confirmed at E3 . COPYRIGHT 2010 ARSTECHNICA.COM .
Ars Technica 's `` Mole '' reports that a keytar-like instrument will be supported . The keyboard/guitar combination will be the only new instrument . Instruments and game will be available in several bundles .