# Realistic Gamer Guitars Mad Catz Enhances Realism in Gaming Keyboards and Guitars for ‘Rock By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-06-20 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rock-band-3 References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5565453/hands-on-with-rock-band-3s-pro-guitar-and-keyboard-keytar) & [vgrevolution](http://www.vgrevolution.com/2010/06/e3-2010-rock-band-3-hands-on-impressions/) Mad Catz has officially partnered with Rock Band 3 to create two new realistic instruments, a 102 button-laden guitar and a keyboard peripheral. Buttons on the guitar take the place of frets and strings, but because their placement is the same as a real guitar, players can actually learn to play. The MIDI keyboard has 25 keys, and when played in Rock Band 3 ‘pro’ mode, all 25 keys are used, which, like the guitar interface, teaches game players to be music players. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 42% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Realistic Gaming Instruments:** Mad Catz creates realistic guitar and keyboard peripherals that can also teach players to play real music. - **Music Video Games:** Gaming companies are creating more ways to learn and play music through video games. - **Integrated Learning and Play:** Game accessories are incorporating educational elements to make learning more engaging. ### Who This Affects Most - **Gaming:** The gaming industry is innovating by creating peripherals that can teach real world skills. - **Music Education:** These realistic gaming instruments provide a new, interactive way for people to learn and enjoy music. - **Edtech:** The incorporation of educational elements into gaming peripherals represents a potential space for disruption in the education technology industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Headstock-Topped MIDI Guitars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/midi-guitars.md) - [Game-Themed Retro Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/higround-2.md) - [Minimalist MIDI Guitar Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/midi-guitar.md) - [Connected Musical Chord Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chord-machine-akt01.md) - [Mechanical Game Console Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/megalodon-hitbox.md) - [Precision Rubber Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seaboard-rise-2.md) - [Console-Branded PC Peripherals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kbd-h75.md) - [Hexagonal Music Composition Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/music-composition-keyboard.md) - [Musician-Themed Online Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fortnite-festival.md)