Guitar Hero IV gets a name, official features, and release date-ish
By Joshua Fruhlinger 
posted May 22nd 2008 3:33PM
posted May 22nd 2008 3:33PM
When it comes to sussing out info on Guitar Hero IV, we've seen blurry images and scanned pictures, but now Activision is getting all official on us with a Fall release date and complete feature list. So here's what we know: Guitar Hero: World Tour (as it's called) will include a drum kit with cymbals, a new guitar controller, and a microphone. In terms of game modes, look for a Music Studio music creator that will let you compose, record, edit, and share your own music -- fear that -- and an 8-player "Battle of the Bands" should keep things interesting both on and offline. They're calling it "The Guitar Hero experience reinvented" and we can't argue with that, at least until the game actually comes out in Fall 2008 for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and PS2. Peep the official trailer and Lenny Kravitz ubiquity after the break.
[Via Boy Genius]
I see people's playing it in video game stores but I still don't understand what's all the hype about this game? Someone please enlighten me about this particular game that seems to be attracting so many people?
It's supposed to "simulate" playing a guitar..
As parodied in the South Park episode "Guitar Queer-o"
Tangible air guitar.
It's fun, but playing real music is a lot more fun IMO.
It's an interactive music game that's innovative, as far as North America goes. In Japan, they've had Taiko Drummer and the like for years, and Dance Dance Revolution has made it to North America pretty successfully too.
As for everyone else who rags on Guitar Hero and makes bullshit statements like "Why don't you just go out and learn a real instrument?", then why don't you go out and play a real sport instead of playing sports games? Why don't you go out and kill someone instead of playing GTAIV? Lame.
You do NOT want to go out and kill someone... that's murder... trust me on that one.
I think it's fun because there is awesome music, and the fact that if you miss a note it messes it up kind of makes it personal.
it makes average, sheltered, talentless people feel like they are capable of being artists.
Well, James Cameron (if that IS your REAL name), next time you see it in a store, how 'bout you saunter over, pick up the axe, and find out what all the fuss is about. (There's an "easy" setting for beginners.)
You might not hit all the notes, or you might have quite a knack for rhythm games. Either way, you'll know by the end of the first song what the appeal is and whether or not it's for you.
@JC
yeah, so... why don't you go out and play a real sport instead of playing sports games?
i dunno, i've played guitar hero and it's ok, just dance mat but with a bit of plastic in your hands instead of under your feet
obviously both things have merits, like some days i'd prefer a kick-about with my mates and others i'd want to play some fifa...
but yes, i do prefer playing real music to playing guitar hero. sorry.
it's incredibly addictive!!!
too little, too late.
The Wii version of this is probably better than the Wii version of Rock band.
I think Activision should've been more interested in trying to innovate rather than imitate.
as someone who always mooched Rock Band sessions off of people in my dorm and nerds out with the expert lvl tracks in GH, i'm intrigued. However, i'll agree they need to step up their tracklist game on this one.
They're calling it "The Guitar Hero experience reinvented" and I'm calling it "Rock Band."
lmao
lol exactly what i was thinking when reading this
ps2? really? come now... it is 2008.
Best selling console that's still being sold.
Makes sense to sell content for it.
a person who spends ~$100 wont go out and pay $200 for a game (which is probably what it will cost because of the drums and stuff)
@ jason
You're looking at it from a consumer's point of view, which is understandable - I see the validation of your thoughts. However, to the manufacturer, if there exists a healthy consumer base, then why not profit from it?
I'm a recent GH fan. Got hooked playing GH2 & GH3 on a buddies Xbox360. Next day I bought two copies of GH3 for my Wii, so I could have two guitars ASAP.
I'm going to sell my two Wii GH3 units and buy a PS2 along with all the exisiting GH products, plus GH:Aerosmith and GH4. Seems the cheapest way to get all versions of GH on one system.
Since I don't own a PS2, PS3, Xbox360 and really don't play any console games the PS2 is the cheapest way to go. Don't want to spend the $$$ on a PS3 or Xbox for features I won't use.
You'd be amazed how many people don't have current generation systems and still buy games like this for PS2. They're out there, believe me.
Great!
Can't wait tillw e have to buy the bass guitar, the brass instruments for ska, another mic for the duet, the wind/string struments for classical genre, and a grand piano to acompany the guitar solo.
Wait!?! I gotta buy this stuff thats all 100% incompatible with rock band! GREAT!
I would so buy a plastic trombone.
Activision. Copying. Harmonix. Yawn.
Seriously, though, all they can think to do is to add drums and a mic? So much for originality.
here is a new one.
U are the weakest link - goodbye!
Copying? Are you kidding me. Rockband copied Guitar Hero! They just happened to beat them to the punch when it comes to full line of instruments. Everyone knew Guitar Hero would eventually do it; it just took longer than it did Rockband.
As for reinventing, I totally agree. This new song creator is going to be a lot of fun. Just look at how creative people online are. Now just imagine how many great songs are going to be created by these people! It is going to be a limitless number of downloadable FREE tracks now. That is definitely a 'reinvention'.
Uhh you realize the group that created "Rock Band" were the original creators of "Guitar Hero" right? So they didn't really copy anything, they simply took the next step first.
That being said, "Guitar Hero IV" sounds cool. I really like that fact you'll be able to mix your own songs, but what's the likelyhood that you'll be able to use "Rock Band" instruments in the new game. I'm going to guess less than 5%.
Harmonix created guitar hero then sold the naming rights to Activision and went on to create Rockband. So really Rockband is a build on GH but GH4 is a copy of Rockband.
And it's really not going to sell if people already own Rockband and the controllers won't work with GH4 and vice versa. Too much clutter in my apartment already.
Harmonix begat Guitar Hero I begat Guitar Hero II begat Rock Band.
Activision stepped in with Guitar Hero III but it's generally agreed that Rock Band is the spiritual sucessor to Guitar Hero II.
Also, the limitless free custom charts will not have vocals available.
Yes, copying. Rock Band was developed by the team behind GH1 and GH2. Activision bought the license for the GH series after that. Ergo, Rock Band wasn't 'copying' GH, it was the actual (though a different franchise) 'sequel' to the games.
There was no word of other instruments than guitar for the GH series under activision until Rock Band was proven to be a bonafide hit. Before, activision was promising more deals with artists and bands, but not an extension of the 'you use a guitar controller' platform to a 'you use multiple instruments' platform.
The music in the music maker is just gunna sound like MIDI with a realistic sound engine.
So it's gunna be sucky sounds being made by a kid who doesn't know shit about music theory. Just great.
blah blah blah.
The ORIGINAL was Konami's Guitar Freaks.
It was out long before Guitar Hero.
Oh and they also make this game called DrumMania. To go along with KeyboardMania.
The drums has already been done. Looks kind of lame because hearing people play the drums and singing is annoying in the living room.
It's also annoying almost everywhere else.
Well, at least we will be able to input the great songs from previous versions that they leave out of the GH IV set list.
Or at least download them once someone else does it.
I think GH4 will be released before Activision sends me a replacement disc for Wii GH3. Hey Engadget, can you run a poll to find out if anyone has received their replacement disc? I sent mine in on March 23rd and I still don't have a replacement, although they have sent me two guitar faceplates which are of course completely worthless without the game. I don't even know how many times I've called and emailed Activision at this point. Worst customer service ever!
I have got mine short time after sending to them. Faceplate also is very nice. Very nice to send me faceplate, because game is much better for sounding in my house.
Why don't they add a keybaord to distinguish themselves from Rockband?
YEah.. then we all can be Jan Hammer and do "Axel F", the theme to "Miami Vice" and other electronic hits from the 80s
Or better yet, the cowbell.
Well, that commercial sure will sell a lot of units.
Where is Violin hero?
Why not add a mic stand for those who can multi-task.
I likes the way you think
You can use the Xbox 360 headset as a mic, which means you can rock the house on the guitar or drums while singing your heart out.
@Brian:
Dude, this is ACTIVISION. They're gonna make you buy a separate headset.
Brian B
I did that last night! :D I got 4 stars. It does get hard to do both.
Does anyone know if you can use your (PS3) GH3 guitar with the disc-only version of GH4? If not, I'm skipping it.
I just wanna know how much it's gonna cost here in Europe. It'll be how I decide between Rock Band/GH IV
finally, Are You Gonna Go My Way on a guitar game! This is one of the most recognizable riffs in all of rock. What a great classic song.. can't wait to rip it.
Here's how it will go for sad Activision - At some future date they will announce that GH IV will be coming out on exactly X/X/08. Approximately 2-4 weeks before X/X/08, Harmonix will announce Rockband 2, which will include almost all of GH IV's features, allow backwards compatibility for their huge DLC library, and go further in features than GH IV. At that point, nobody will buy GH IV.
God I Hope so. Copycats be DAMNED!
Agreed. I hope Harmonix beats the crap out of those Activision Copycats! Although....i am tempted by the setlist, Van Halen, Eagles, Zeppelin, all master tracks?!?! I think i might just have to buy GH IV...but i will try to resist!
How about a Saxaboom for the ska songs?
i dont get it! why are they calling it guitar hero 4 instead of rock band 2??? since all of the previous gh only include guitars.
Because Rock Band and Guitar Hero (3 onwards) are manufactured by two different companies?
"Why isn't this Whopper called a Big Mac???"
This question might seem remedial, if not already posed, but will the current PS3 guitars be compatible?
Guitar Hero III Bundle: $90
Rock Band Bundle: $170
Guitar Hero IV Bundle: $250?
Realizing that the peripherals are not cross-compatible: F*cked Up.
GH3 was ungodly, only 12 year old boy who spends 8 hours a day to beat expert, difficult, and was not enjoyable at the higher end. Rock Band is just right. I hope they don't mess this one up.
Wireless drums? can you guys find out?
Yes. According to the latest Game Informer.
needs more cowbell
exactly!
Cowbell Hero www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlqLLZQLNiA
That trailer is teh ghey
I don't understand why everyone has to be such fanboys about Rock Band, it is a great game I played it at my friend's house, but competition is good and the whole create your own singles is very intriguing. I'm interested and can't wait for more information.
I really want to beat that damn last assolo in Metallica's One at Difficult Level. Argh!
I have the same problem as you
Triangle Hero - Summer 2008
300 song setlist
Rick out with your favourite starts such as, Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven
all new boss battles
(plastic triangle included)
so since the guitar hero creaters are adding new instruments and they will still have guitar boss battles does that mean that there will be drum battles and sing-offs.
Looks great, also i hope they have that song from the Ad on Guitar hero, it sounds good. Because I seem to remember the GH3 Ad show Velvet Revolver - Slither. Which actually wasnt on there, (But i think it was DLC, not sure as i have it on wii)