Not content with upping the ante in the rhythm-action genre, are working on another secret side-project, while completing work on for and EA. What's more, we learn that this new offering won't be based around matching beats. Shock.

News of the new project was first spied on the Game Developers Conference 2008 roster, at which designer Chris Foster of Harmonix will talk about the difficulties of moving from a well-loved formula onto something new. It emerges that Foster's new project will create music algorithmically, with the developer presumably set to reveal the revised formula for an ambitious new music title.

We also hear talk of "unique input mechanics", so there is a possibility that unusual controllers could be making a return - even if the game won't focus on pre-recorded tracks as with Rock Band.

Details and specifics are scant, then, but there seems to be a possibility that this game is related to Harmonix's Beat Boy trademark, which uses algorithmically created music taken from MP3s. The software was originally conceived for handheld platforms. More on this soon.

By Luke Guttridge