I know the screen was posted of the drums in Game Informer, but since I have the magazine now I thought I'd outline some of the details. They seem to have studied Rock Band and ripped the best ideas and made a lot of improvements. I'll just make a list even if it contains stuff we already knew. 1. Drums/vocals being added. Drums have 2 cymbal pads, 3 standard pads, and a bass pedal. Apparently this is more like a real electronic drum set. It will also be quieter than Rock Band drums. 2. All instuments now wireless (Rock Band has wired mic and drums). 3. Create-a-song (without vocals) with youtube sharing (like LittleBigPlanet). Unclear if Wii and PS2 will support sharing considering the lack of hard drive. Still, a robust feature it appears. There are a lot of options. You will originally be able to upload 5 tracks, and with good ratings from users you "get signed" and can then upload up to 10 tracks and possible more. 4. Create-a-rocker, similar to Tiger Woods' character customization combind with Neversoft's experience with Tony Hawk's Create-a-Skater. 5. New, unknown feature on guitar. GI saw see-through notes that Neversoft wouldn't give away how they would be used. One developer said: "It's so f----- rad, we're trying to patent the s---. We're getting some legal stuff taken care of." GI speculate's it could be fret-sliding ir brief widows for improvisation. It's definitely a new feature on the guitar itself, though, so we'll see. I assume they'll reveal it at E3. 6. Onscreen HUD that Rock Band uses for 4 band members. 7. Bass career mode (something not in Rock Band). They have apparently tweaked the formula there as well, adding a line similar to drum bass in Rock Band, which GI says simulates the open E string on a real-life instrument. 8. Drum star power activated by hitting both cymbals at same time, so like Guitar, you can use it any time. You are then given a chance to improvise. 9. Drum "encores," or solos after the main song is over. 10. Boss Battles from GH3 tweaked: less attacking and more call-and-response. Battle Mode kept for online play, though. 11. Promise of more DLC, an admitted weakness of GH3. They say they are adding resources to accomodate more DLC. They have been busy with GH3 and Aerosmith (and catching up to Rock Band). 12. Promise of more songs on the disc than any other disc-based music game, all master tracks. Van Halen, The Eagles, Linkin Park, and Sublime confirmed so far. 13. Career mode a lot more flexible than the current Rock Band. You can switch leaders and instrumens and you get more choice over what songs you have to play.

That list is amazing, I can't wait for the game.

Rock Band is coming out in the EU next week (23 May). I actually plan to pre-order it today, but after looking at this Guitar Hero 4 details, I am rethinking. Are you guys 100% sure this GH4 stuff is true?

The reason I love these games is for me to improve my drumming. I was wondering what you guys think? Will the GH4 drums or the Rock Band drums help my drumming more? Also, any idea whether GH4 will ship simulatneously in NA and EU or do I have to wait almost a year like Rock Band?

EaglesEye379 said: Rock Band is coming out in the EU next week (23 May). I actually plan to pre-order it today, but after looking at this Guitar Hero 4 details, I am rethinking. Are you guys 100% sure this GH4 stuff is true? The reason I love these games is for me to improve my drumming. I was wondering what you guys think? Will the GH4 drums or the Rock Band drums help my drumming more? Also, any idea whether GH4 will ship simulatneously in NA and EU or do I have to wait almost a year like Rock Band?

Well, the developer seems pretty confident that they will be able to implement all the features mentioned above, but I would go ahead and get Rock Band. GH4 is a long way off and might not be available in EU right away as you are afraid of. Rock Band, as it is now, is awesome, and the DLC is great. I hear EU is getting some unique songs so that's a plus as well. As for which drum kit is more accurate...the high hat is nice, but looking at google/images I see that most kits come with 4 standard pads like Rock Band has. They also have a cymbal, but GH4 only has the 3 main pads. I think either way you'll be good to go. My plan is to get both if GH steps fulfills all the promises listed above. Edit: Also, Rock Band 2 is probably coming out this year as well, so I'm sure we'll be hearing about their plans soon. It won't cost as much since all the Rock Band 1 instruments will be compatible.

windbane said: EaglesEye379 said: Rock Band is coming out in the EU next week (23 May). I actually plan to pre-order it today, but after looking at this Guitar Hero 4 details, I am rethinking. Are you guys 100% sure this GH4 stuff is true? The reason I love these games is for me to improve my drumming. I was wondering what you guys think? Will the GH4 drums or the Rock Band drums help my drumming more? Also, any idea whether GH4 will ship simulatneously in NA and EU or do I have to wait almost a year like Rock Band? Well, the developer seems pretty confident that they will be able to implement all the features mentioned above, but I would go ahead and get Rock Band. GH4 is a long way off and might not be available in EU right away as you are afraid of. Rock Band, as it is now, is awesome, and the DLC is great. I hear EU is getting some unique songs so that's a plus as well. As for which drum kit is more accurate...the high hat is nice, but looking at google/images I see that most kits come with 4 standard pads like Rock Band has. They also have a cymbal, but GH4 only has the 3 main pads. I think either way you'll be good to go. My plan is to get both if GH steps fulfills all the promises listed above. Edit: Also, Rock Band 2 is probably coming out this year as well, so I'm sure we'll be hearing about their plans soon. It won't cost as much since all the Rock Band 1 instruments will be compatible.

 Thanks windbane. So it looks like the GH4 has an extra pad, and looks a bit more like a drum set, but Rock Band one is just as good. Yes I cant wait 1.5 more years!