Source: Blabbermouth.net

Video footage of ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell talking to IGN about Ubisoft‘s new Rocksmith 2014 Edition — the next installment of the hit Rocksmith brand that has taught 1.4 million people worldwide how to play guitar — can be seen below.

Rocksmith 2014 Edition will be available in October, and allows players to plug any real guitar or bass directly into their Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the Sony PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, PC or Mac to begin their musical journey.

The first Rocksmith is already the fastest way to learn guitar according to a national U.S. study by Research Strategy Group Inc. Another study conducted by Toluna Group reported that 95% of Rocksmith players say it improved their guitar skills. In Rocksmith 2014 Edition, players will experience an even more efficient and enjoyable method of learning guitar.

With a completely redesigned interface and all-new features, Rocksmith 2014 Edition is tailored to better teach the key elements of guitar playing, and to make learning faster and more fun than any other method. A new fully customizable “Riff Repeater” lets players select any section of a song they want to play, and adjust the difficulty and speed on-the-fly. A new “Master Mode” makes playing by memory more approachable and new “Guitarcade” mini-games have been created to hone specific guitar skills. With these flexible and deep practice tools, it’s never been easier for players to play their favorite songs on guitar or bass.

Rocksmith 2014 Edition also features a new track list with more than 50 hit tracks, including “Stone” by ALICE IN CHAINS, “Walk This Way” by AEROSMITH, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by BOB DYLAN, “The Chimera” by THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, “Don’t Look Back In Anger” by OASIS, “ultra soul” by B’Z, a famous pop-rock Japanese band. Many more hits will be announced in the coming months.

On stage at E3, Ubisoft demonstrated Session Mode, a groundbreaking technology that enables players of any skill level to play guitar with a virtual band that jams along with them. Players can select the style of music and the particular instruments they’d like to accompany them and the rest happens dynamically, adapting live while they play.

Cantrell said: “Rocksmith‘s new Session Mode feature is one of the most innovative music technologies in recent history and gives you the experience of playing with a real band that actually adapts to you. The new Rocksmith 2014 Edition teaches real techniques for players of all skill levels.”

“In only one opus, Rocksmith has established itself as one of Ubisoft‘s best-loved brands, with high player satisfaction scores confirming it is highly effective and enjoyable,” said Geoffroy Sardin, EMEA Chief Marketing & Sales Officer at Ubisoft. “We are bringing Rocksmith back, it’s better than ever, and it’s a brand we want to continue to build.”

Everyone who pre-orders any version of Rocksmith 2014 Edition from selected U.S. and EMEA retailers will get “Cherub Rock” by THE SMASHING PUMPKINS as a free bonus song which will be downloadable when the game is available.

For additional information about Rocksmith 2014, visit www.Rocksmith.com.