Guitar Hero IV drum kit gets pictured, "cymbals" and all

Game Informer is at it once more: after securing the first snapshots of Rock Band's prototype drum set and microphone last summer, the gaming mag has now produced the first image of Guitar Hero IV's kit. Apparently designers wanted this one to resemble an actual electric kit a bit more than the one bundled with RB, most evidenced by the pair of "cymbals" perched atop the trio of circular pads. Upon banging on a "first-run prototype" in the Neversoft offices, Game Informer was fairly impressed with the layout, but we're still left to wonder if these will be compatible with Rock Band (or vice-versa). Another faux drum kit in the den and we'll be struggling to maintain sanity (and a functional relationship).

[Via Joystiq]

[Joe @ May 14th 2008 11:12AM]

Pretty cool! :)

[Gorillamonk @ May 14th 2008 1:48PM]

I like this layout better. I just hope that for people that can't get their feet into the rhythm, like myself, that the kick isn't mandatory. All the colors seem to be upfront and to me that seems like more fun. Like the arcade japanese drum kits!!!

[roflercopterer @ May 14th 2008 3:39PM]

What would be pretty cool is if it can be used as a cheap midi controller, I imagine it would cost a lot less, though it would have less features.

[Jarhead2012 @ May 14th 2008 6:38PM]

What would really would be cool is if they were compatible! We all know that these things just don't magically disappear in your living room when they aren't being used!

[eKalb @ May 15th 2008 3:16PM]

I dont get it. Do you control the guitar with the drum set? or is there going to be drums in GH4? Playing drums isnt really being a "Guitar Hero". Dont get me wrong, I will still play it, it's just that this is getting a bit ridiculous. I'm still waiting for Keyboard Hero and Chapman Stick Hero to come out. Or what about Saxophone Hero? That could be cool.

[JakeB @ May 14th 2008 11:16AM]

Personally Rock Band is stil my favorite even though Guitar Hero has more songs. Simply becasue the guitar for RB is made a lot better than the cheap crappy plastic thing that Activision put with Guitar Hero 3. Activivsion, make decent controllers that can actually take the abuse that some players put on it and dont feel like a child's toy in our hands.

[Mark @ May 14th 2008 12:19PM]

Is that why the demo RB instruments are all broken and cracked at best buy while the GH3 controllers still work?

I really wanted rock band until I saw this consistently at all the stores.

[JakeB @ May 14th 2008 2:36PM]

or maybe perhaps the game was so much better people were playing RB and not Guitar Hero and were rocking so hard they broke the controllers.

Or maybe Guitar Hero hired people to break them to scare people like you from buying it. It's a conspiracy and I see right through you Activision! LOL

[Nar57981 @ May 14th 2008 3:57PM]

@Mark

The rock band drums are so crappy at the stores, because they have people playing them, who don't own them. If it's not theirs and they don't care about the owner, people are going to treat them like shit. I've seen people play mine when I have them at a large-ish party, and they basically destroy them.

But also, if the quality on the drums match that of guitar hero 3 controllers, and RB drums aren't going to be compatible (they won't), then we'd be in trouble.

[Gemini @ May 20th 2008 7:23AM]

Just because Rock Band has a PRETTIER controller than GH3, does not mean it has a BETTER controller. I've had to replace my Rock Band controller TWICE - once because the strum bar was failing to register half the time, and the other time because the whammy bar broke within a week of me getting it back from EA. In fact, I bought GH3 for one reason alone: so I could be able to play Rock Band.

As far as playing the controllers goes, I much prefer the GH3 one over the Rock Band one. I hate Activision as much as the next guy but I'm not about to turn fanboy just yet and make wildly inaccurate claims about them. Their quality control is MUCH superior to EA's.

[JakeB @ May 20th 2008 11:31AM]

@Gemini

Perhaps you should read closer, I like the game Gutair Hero, but hate the gutair. I constantly have to keep pushing the neck down to the connector so I can play the game. Don't have to do that with RB. I love both games equally, but prefer the RB gutair because I beleive it is a better made gutair. Not because it looks "prettier" but because it feels more natural. Plus, i have really long arms so playing the Guitar Hero guitar is like me trying to play the little guitars you give to 5 year olds, its annoying. It's personal favorite, not a fact. And how would you know about quality control at companies you dont work for? Just becuase you had one RB guitar go bad twice doesnt mean that all guitar controlers are like that. I've had to replace 4 Guitar Hero 2 guitars for the PS2 and 3 PS3 GH controllers. Not the same controller, but different ones. So in reality, your claim is more false than mine, cuz so far, i have had no issues with RB controllers.

[OddyOh @ May 14th 2008 11:17AM]

Meh, the hi-hat still isn't in the right place for those who prefer cross-over playing. Looks like it could be compatible with RB though, maybe Activision is tired of losing money.

[Podaman @ May 14th 2008 12:33PM]

Exactly.

They have a Crash, Ride, and 3 Toms. No. At least have a snare and high-hat, and put them in the right place. Start with that.

[Pochi @ May 14th 2008 11:25AM]

I really think having just one set of video game drums in the living room should be enough to toss any dreams of a "functional relationship" with a desirable woman out the window.

[Josh L @ May 14th 2008 12:31PM]

My girlfriend would disagree with you there.

She sings for our Rock Band, the Porno Pirates :D

[Dave @ May 14th 2008 12:43PM]

My wife would disagree as well. She's the drummer in my band, Samoan Truck Jumpers :)

[Alexander @ May 14th 2008 3:45PM]

third-ed... or whatever. Nobody does Bass like my fiance. I prefer the drums, or the vocals when nobody else is around. :D

[Alex @ May 14th 2008 1:05PM]

I'm in the Jesters of Malice with my XBL 'Cyber-buddies'.

[Alex @ May 14th 2008 1:05PM]

*That was a lie.

(Sorry for the second comment)

[Pochi @ May 14th 2008 1:10PM]

I said *desirable* woman, guys.

: )



JUST KIDDING, be gentle.

[Alex @ May 14th 2008 6:34PM]

Actually my girlfriend is the one that bought Rock Band for me. She's getting pretty good at the guitar, too.

[Chris @ May 14th 2008 11:34AM]

Now price it under £100 and sell it in Europe.

[Gorillamonk @ May 14th 2008 1:53PM]

never!

[db2 @ May 14th 2008 11:36AM]

Jesus. My wife is going to kill me if I end up with a third electronic drum kit.

[NHAnimator @ May 14th 2008 11:45AM]

You still have a wife after buying TWO?

[db2 @ May 14th 2008 11:57AM]

Don't worry, I'm just as surprised as you are.

[NHAnimator @ May 14th 2008 12:01PM]

Ahhhh... The life of the rocker. Let's just hope she doesn't mind the three groupies!

[Iridium @ May 14th 2008 11:36AM]

every time I tried to play Rock Band I kept trying to hit where the real drum would be and ended up hitting the edge of the fake drum. This setup looks a bit better in terms of ergonomics but still not quite there.

[Russ @ May 14th 2008 11:38AM]

MORE COWBELL!

[holycow @ May 14th 2008 11:39AM]

and when exactly is GH IV coming out ? I am assuming its not the same as GH: Aerosmith

[Fred @ May 14th 2008 11:39AM]

What does that even mean? You clicked the link didn't you? Mission Accomplished.

[Craig M. @ May 14th 2008 11:46AM]

What I want to know is...why would someone want to buy MORE drums if they already have the entire Rock Band set? I know I would not buy another drum set to take up more space and to waste more money on something I already have.

[Kurai @ May 14th 2008 11:49AM]

The set certainly does look sturdier then the RB set, but I still won't get it.

1. I've sworn off Guitar Hero :P
2. It's probably not gonna be compatible with Rock Band

[Truckondo @ May 14th 2008 11:58AM]

I have no need for a 2nd drum kit in my apt. I also have no need for overpriced DLC from Activision. How much are songs going to be if they have add more instrument notes to the tracks? I'll stick with Rock Band.

[Tonbo @ May 14th 2008 11:59AM]

That's the exact setup for Konami's Drummania, except the cymbals need to be moved out to the side. Looks good, but unless Activision can get over itself an allow ps3 interoperability with Rock Band there is no chance in hell I'm buying Guitar Hero anything.

[James G. @ May 14th 2008 12:05PM]

Does anyone not see how uncomfortable that bar between the set will be? Maybe its just me be that looks like it would tear your knees up after long playing sessions.

[Rich @ May 14th 2008 12:20PM]

I hope that made you feel better. Jump of a bridge and let the poor guy do his job. without his article you wouldnt have a Read link to click.

[jake18oly @ May 14th 2008 12:31PM]

I am really surprised that Activision is now trying to follow in Rock Band's footsteps. It seems like they both had their audiences. GH3 was mostly for people who like playing alone and Rock Band was for groups and drummers. How can you call something Guitar Hero when it is a Rock Band clone. In all honesty I was done with GH when Harmonix left. Now that they are playing catch up I am no longer interested.

[Paul @ May 14th 2008 1:02PM]

Wow they are seriously trying to outdo Rock Band.

[Luigi193 @ May 14th 2008 1:24PM]

You probably can't use your rockband ones in GH because the Rockband one has one less drum pad thing...

[Johan Strandberg @ May 14th 2008 1:25PM]

I love that pedal. I want to use it on my keyboard.

Think emacs: hyper-meta-leftfoot-cokebottle

[Jordan @ May 14th 2008 1:28PM]

We have a functional relationship?

[jsn @ May 14th 2008 1:50PM]

huge fan of the genre, but i'm not interested at all and it's all because of the greedy practices of activision.

[Darkroom @ May 14th 2008 1:51PM]

omg i HATE FUCKING GUITAR HERO / ROCK BAND!!!! kill that shit... christ almighty, it's all you hear about... that and what fucking paris hilton did...

FUCK YOU GUITAR HERO!

[jsn @ May 14th 2008 1:59PM]

what are you 12?

[Ian @ May 14th 2008 2:22PM]

no hes 32 but is still angry he cant beat it on expert so he swore off the game and now he dedicates his life to bashing it where ever he can.

[Interpol @ May 14th 2008 1:52PM]

Forget this crap. When's Accordion Hero coming out?

[Kate @ May 14th 2008 4:35PM]

...banjo stud?

...kazoo killer?

...french horn master?

[El Taco @ May 14th 2008 7:59PM]

Electric triangle Hero.

[Vigorousjammer @ May 15th 2008 2:25AM]

no, no, guys...
Saxaphone Hero...
"Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty
Hell yeah...