Guitar Hero IV gets a name, official features, and release date-ish

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]

[James Cameron @ May 22nd 2008 3:38PM]

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?

[r3loaded @ May 22nd 2008 4:03PM]

It's supposed to "simulate" playing a guitar..

As parodied in the South Park episode "Guitar Queer-o"

[Rainier @ May 22nd 2008 4:15PM]

Tangible air guitar.

[Bunson @ May 22nd 2008 4:24PM]

It's fun, but playing real music is a lot more fun IMO.

[JC @ May 22nd 2008 4:28PM]

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.

[Patrick @ May 22nd 2008 4:31PM]

You do NOT want to go out and kill someone... that's murder... trust me on that one.

[El Taco @ May 22nd 2008 4:34PM]

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.

[Darkroom @ May 22nd 2008 5:08PM]

it makes average, sheltered, talentless people feel like they are capable of being artists.

[Lemmiwinks (SSBBFC: 0903-2436-0891) @ May 22nd 2008 6:04PM]

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.

[chezzo @ May 22nd 2008 6:16PM]

@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.

[Adam Hargrave @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:45AM]

it's incredibly addictive!!!

[me @ May 22nd 2008 3:39PM]

too little, too late.

[Ray @ May 24th 2008 11:11PM]

The Wii version of this is probably better than the Wii version of Rock band.

[epsilon343 @ May 22nd 2008 3:43PM]

I think Activision should've been more interested in trying to innovate rather than imitate.

[Bachus @ May 22nd 2008 3:44PM]

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.

[Mr Awesomer @ May 22nd 2008 3:44PM]

They're calling it "The Guitar Hero experience reinvented" and I'm calling it "Rock Band."

[tyler @ May 23rd 2008 9:03AM]

lmao

[Karma_Green @ May 24th 2008 9:02PM]

lol exactly what i was thinking when reading this

[jason @ May 22nd 2008 3:44PM]

ps2? really? come now... it is 2008.

[fistpittingnork @ May 22nd 2008 3:52PM]

Best selling console that's still being sold.

Makes sense to sell content for it.

[jason @ May 22nd 2008 3:54PM]

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)

[Rainier @ May 22nd 2008 4:19PM]

@ 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?

[TimmyTooK @ May 22nd 2008 7:25PM]

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.

[tiuk @ May 23rd 2008 11:13AM]

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.

[Greg @ May 22nd 2008 3:46PM]

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!

[ltjska04 @ May 22nd 2008 4:03PM]

I would so buy a plastic trombone.

[jawlz @ May 22nd 2008 3:49PM]

Activision. Copying. Harmonix. Yawn.

Seriously, though, all they can think to do is to add drums and a mic? So much for originality.

[gabe @ May 22nd 2008 3:49PM]

here is a new one.

U are the weakest link - goodbye!

[AlexNC @ May 22nd 2008 3:53PM]

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'.

[Red_2 @ May 22nd 2008 4:05PM]

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%.

[nmantzoros @ May 22nd 2008 4:07PM]

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.

[The 3rd Hot Dog @ May 22nd 2008 4:06PM]

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.

[jawlz @ May 22nd 2008 4:07PM]

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.

[Bunson @ May 22nd 2008 5:17PM]

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.

[rip @ May 22nd 2008 5:24PM]

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.

[m1D4W6 @ May 22nd 2008 3:54PM]

The drums has already been done. Looks kind of lame because hearing people play the drums and singing is annoying in the living room.

[gb @ May 22nd 2008 4:02PM]

It's also annoying almost everywhere else.

[Sarah @ May 22nd 2008 4:20PM]

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.

[Mike @ May 22nd 2008 4:25PM]

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!

[Francoise @ May 22nd 2008 5:55PM]

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.

[ddub @ May 22nd 2008 4:29PM]

Why don't they add a keybaord to distinguish themselves from Rockband?

[psxp @ May 22nd 2008 5:06PM]

YEah.. then we all can be Jan Hammer and do "Axel F", the theme to "Miami Vice" and other electronic hits from the 80s

[Reader @ May 22nd 2008 9:29PM]

Or better yet, the cowbell.

[Montey @ May 22nd 2008 4:30PM]

Well, that commercial sure will sell a lot of units.

[Phoenix @ May 22nd 2008 4:37PM]

Where is Violin hero?

[Brian @ May 22nd 2008 4:39PM]

Why not add a mic stand for those who can multi-task.

[Popple3 @ May 22nd 2008 4:46PM]

I likes the way you think

[Brian B. @ May 22nd 2008 5:54PM]

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.

[Sora267 @ May 22nd 2008 6:11PM]

@Brian:

Dude, this is ACTIVISION. They're gonna make you buy a separate headset.

[computer.dude.28 @ May 22nd 2008 7:32PM]

Brian B

I did that last night! :D I got 4 stars. It does get hard to do both.