Rock Band Survey Teases "New Rock Band Experience"

Rock Band developer Harmonix on Friday released a new survey that asks fans for feedback about a "new Rock Band experience." The survey, which Harmonix released via email blast and on Twitter, asks fans to give their thoughts on all manner of items related to what is probably Rock Band 4.

The survey starts off by asking which Rock Band games you've played in the past, and which you enjoyed the most. It also asks about console preferences, and things like what plastic instruments you already own, how often you played during peak times, how many DLC tracks you bought, and why you enjoy Rock Band.

But where things really get interesting is the third page, which asks players to rank the features they find most important for a "new Rock Band experience."

Options Include:

• Fixed campaign mode
• Competing with the world through leaderboards
• Local multiplayer
• Online multiplayer
• A Variety of venues to play in
• Regularly updated in-game events (Tour Challenges, Battle of the Bands, etc.)
• The ability to create and customize your own character
• Pro instruments and Pro lessons
• Compatibility of existing DLC
• New weekly DLC
• Compatibility of existing hardware
• A large on-disc soundtrack

The survey also asks, assuming the "new Rock Band experience" was compatible with existing hardware, if you would consider buying the game only, the game bundled with one instrument, or the game bundled with a full set of instruments.

Finally, the survey asks if you'd be inclined to preorder a new Rock Band game no matter what or only if Harmonix tossed in bonuses like songs or character outfits.

This survey should not be taken as an indication that Harmonix is indeed working on Rock Band 4. In fact, the Cambridge, Mass.-based developer has said that the game is not in development, even though the studio has "grand plans" to revive the franchise some day for Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

A Harmonix representative told GameSpot today about the survey: "From time to time, it's important for us to reach out directly to our audience to see what they're most interested in and excited about."

"As we've said in the past, this is a series that is near and dear to us as a studio," the developer went on. "We're always thinking about it, as well as actively supporting the community. What the plans for the future are remain to be seen, but feedback from our fans is always valuable; we appreciate folks taking time out to let us know what they’re thinking."

Harmonix communications manager Nick Chester said in October that Rock Band will return "when the time is right."

"We love Rock Band, it's in the company's DNA," Chester said at the time. "We own the IP. And when the time's right we will absolutely come back to it. There's a whole bunch of factors to take into consideration before jumping in that pool again, but there's a desire for it, absolutely."

The most recent Rock Band game was Rock Band Blitz, which was released in 2012 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Just this week, Harmonix launched the first new DLC tracks for Rock Band in 21 months.

What would you like to see from a new Rock Band game? Let us know in the comments below!