Report: 'Guitar Hero reaching its peak'

See what happens when you play too much Guitar Hero? You don't need Joystiq to tell you that the game -- heck, the entire genre has reached its peak! But how about a professional analyst?

Bullet point numero six on Electronic Entertainment Design and Research's "November 2008 Retail Sales Preview" report says it all: "Guitar Hero reaching its peak." The firm predicts a sales decline greater than 50 percent series-over-series (from Guitar Hero 3 to World Tour) this month, following a decline of 60 percent in October. "It is pretty clear that the series has already reached its peak among the mass-market audience," reflected EEDAR director of analyst services Jesse Divnich, who, in a separate correspondence, was quick to add, "I don't believe this is the end to Guitar Hero or Rock Band. They are the premium brands in the genre and even if the genre experiences some exhaustion, Guitar Hero and Rock Band are here to stay." EEDAR expects the two franchises to continue to spawn for the next 10 years.

Divnich told Joystiq that EEDAR anticipates declining sales in the entire "Music & Rhythm" genre. It's the classic iPod dilemma -- too much music! With an estimated 120 percent increase in Music & Rhythm SKUs released this holiday (compared to last), the firm is predicting an overall sales decline of 10 percent. In turn, the genre will become less appealing to developers, suggested Divnich, driving away competition. Guitar Hero and Rock Band may be yesterday's acts, but they'll still be headlining tomorrow's onslaught.