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Harmonix has partnered with peripherals company PDP to manufacture new Rock Band 4 hardware due to release this autumn.
The game’s current hardware manufacturer Mad Catz will continue to support and sell the current guitar and drum controllers, although it isn’t clear when production of the current accessories will stop, or how PDP’s controllers will differ.
In a statement released last night, Harmonix CEO Steve Janiak explained that the developer needed to “partner with a truly world-class manufacturer that can operate at the scale that Rock Band requires,” adding that PDP “has a well-deserved reputation for innovation, customer satisfaction, and quality”.
“They have the logistical and technical expertise to support Harmonix’s ambitious plans for the future of Rock Band,” he said, “with new hardware alongside a major Rock Band 4 feature update coming this Fall.”
“Rock Band is the premier music platform for console players,” added PDP CEO Chris Richards. “This will be a great partnership and gaming fans should get ready to experience new, innovative hardware products for Rock Band 4 and Rock Band VR.”
In an FAQ on the game’s site, Harmonix said that it will “announce more details” on new PDP guitar and drum controllers “later this year at PAX East and E3”. The company has no plans to bring back Keys or a Pro Guitar, however.
It doesn’t mean that Rock Band 5 is in development, either, Harmonix says, stating that “PDP will be a partner for the ongoing development of Rock Band 4”.
Last month, Mad Catz’ former chairman, CEO and SVP all resigned just days ahead of the company’s latest financial results. The company’s new CEO Karen McGinnis later said that sales of Rock Band 4’s guitar bundle were lower than expected “partly due to an aggressively priced competitor product”.
Source: Harmonix
