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Activision claims Guitar Hero only 'on hiatus,' gets new DLC
A dramatic reinterpretation: Activision CEO Bobby Kotick: But we killed the Guitar Hero franchise. Miracle Max: Ooh-hoo-hoo, look who knows so much. Guitar Hero is only mostly dead, which means it's slightly alive. See, mostly dead I can work with. Even your own veep Dan Winters just said the franchise was only "on hiatus -- we're not ending it." Kotick: But we disbanded the Guitar Hero business unit! Miracle Max: Didn't you hear me? Slightly alive. Now, all dead? Well, if Guitar Hero was all dead there's usually only one thing that you can do ... Kotick: What's that? Miracle Max: Go through its catalog of unreleased DLC and gather up the loose change.
Nine more DLC tracks make it to Guitar Hero
The good news is that Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock DLC continues, thanks to enthusiasm from fans. The bad news is that the DLC schedule's life has been extended just long enough to enable the release of Trapt's "Headstrong." Perhaps the series is better off dead ... Okay, that's not fair to the eight songs in today's "Mega Pack" that aren't "Headstrong" -- or to the fact that for DLC that we didn't think would exist a couple of weeks ago, a nine-song pack is pretty generous. Check out the full lineup after the break.
Guitar Hero and DJ Hero DLC supply over after February
There's been some considerable debate on these here internets about the status of the Guitar Hero franchise. Thanks to "continued declines in the music genre," Activision yesterday announced that it plans to not only "discontinue development on its Guitar Hero game for 2011" (read: cancel it) but also to "disband Activision Publishing's Guitar Hero business unit." But what about the DJ Hero franchise, and the promising DJ Hero 3D, you ask? "We will release no new music or skateboarding games," CFO Thomas Tippl said of this calendar year. It certainly appears the franchise is dead, but some insist it's simply taking a year off. They'll keep making DLC, right? Right? "We will release the previously announced DLC track and mix packs for February, but - unfortunately," a FAQ answer on the official DJ Hero website states, "we will not be able to release new DLC packs beyond what we already have." The question specifically asked, "Are you still going to make new DLC for Guitar/DJ Hero?" Of course, existing DLC will remain available (for now) and existing games will remain available at retail (for now). Perhaps most telling is that one FAQ question and answer was duplicated twice, at the beginning and end, bookending the official response with a rather ominous message. "Does this mean you're no longer making Guitar (and/or DJ) Hero games?," it asks ... twice. "Over the past two years, we have seen rapid declines in the music genre, and unfortunately, based on current demand, we simply cannot continue to profitably make these games given the considerable licensing and manufacturing costs." As a means of punctuation, that sounds awfully definitive.
Ten new, totally gnarly tracks released for GH: Warriors of Rock
Activision and Beenox have really outdone themselves with the 10-song February Mega Pack DLC for Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, available today on 360, PS3 and Wii. Acknowledging that this is the year's most tender, loving month, the two have eschewed the game's core musical genres, adding selections from gentle songsmiths like Nick Drake, Iron and Wine, Damien Rice, and -- oh? No, they're not doing that? The ten songs are from rock outfits Marilyn Manson, Children of Bodom and Black Label Society? Well then. Check out the full list after the jump to see what decidedly un-tender tracks you can grab for 1440 Microsoft Points ($17.99 or 1800 Wii Points) in the February Mega Pack.
Nine Inch Nails headlines new Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock tracks
Reznorites rejoice, as a hefty dose of Nine Inch Nails has been delivered to Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. The January Mega Pack features three songs by NIN, including "Head Like a Hole," "Closer" and "The Hand That Feeds." The pack also includes three tracks by A Day to Remember and four additional singles by HIM, The Used, Hawthorne Heights and The Damned Things. The ten-song pack can be had on Wii for 1800 points, Xbox 360 for 1440 MS Points or PS3 for $17.99. Tracks can also be purchased individually for 200 Wii points, 160 MS Points or $1.99, respectively. The tracks are available now on Xbox 360 and Wii and should hit the PSN once it updates later today.
Guitar Hero celebrates Rocktober with free track pack and Rocky Horror
Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock may be composed of "ancient gameplay mechanics shrouded in a campy heavy metal veneer," but for those who picked it up on Xbox, it's about to be that, with three free songs. Which is objectively better. A three-track pack is available today for Gold members, featuring Disturbed's "The Infection," Muse's "Resistance," and My Chemical Romance's "Na Na Na." It's free now, and will be available for purchase by Silver Live users on October 19. On October 26, Activision will release a seasonally appropriate DLC pack: three songs from the Rocky Horror Picture Show! Soundgarden doesn't really have anything to do with Halloween, but selected individual tracks from the "Telephantasm" album will also be available for purchase that day -- though Activision didn't mention which tracks. See the list of known DLC after the break. [Image: Rockyhorror.com]
Guitar Hero Monthly: August DLC
With Activision planning to launch Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock in September, this month allows you to build up your collection of forwards-compatible DLC, or simply bolster last year's Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero. Expect 15 DLC tracks throughout August from bands The Used, Sum 41, Weezer, Megadeth and P.O.D. As always, make your way past the jump to see the full list of songs, release dates and prices.
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: July DLC
This month, the Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero DLC party starts off with a high-pitched bang, with three solid Queen tracks hitting the storefront later today. That bang becomes a guttural scream the week after, when Avenged Sevenfold drops a few songs. That scream becomes an "eww-ah-ah-ah-ah" one more week later, when Disturbed throws its hat in the ring. Finally, Shinedown will have some songs added to the service. (We don't know enough about their musical offerings to continue the metaphor.) Click past the jump to see the full list of songs, release dates and prices.
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: June DLC
[flickr] June's shaping up to be quite a packed month for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero DLC aficionados. On top of a free pack of national anthems for Xbox 360 and PS3 users -- you haven't lived until you've rocked out to Germany's national anthem, "Lied der Deutschen," by the way -- three separate band track packs will be available. These will feature Stone Temple Pilots, Alice Cooper and All Time Low. Head past the break to check out the full list of DLC. We have a feeling that Spanish foreign exchange student staying with your family this summer is going to be pumped to play some "Marcha Real."
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: May DLC
It's the beginning of the month, which means it's time to run down the list of Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero DLC. In May, we're getting three separate track packs -- the last week of the month seems to be void of anything new, for some reason. Like alternative pop ensembles like Snow Patrol and Alpha Rev? How about classic rock troupes such as Steve Miller Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd? How about Love in an Elevator? No, we mean the Aerosmith song, not that time you were trapped and -- forget we said anything. Head past the break for the full list of DLC for May.
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: April DLC
Next month's musical lineup for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero is as wide and varied as a kiddie pool full of Sweet 'n Salty Chex Mix, bringing in tracks from Fall Out Boy, The All-American Rejects, Phoenix, Blur, Saving Abel, and Black Sabbath. However, there's one track in particular that stands proudly above the rest -- one which will surely soon skyrocket to the top of the "Most Played" charts. You know, that song that everyone requests at every concert. What? Dolly Parton's "9 to 5?" What kind of concerts have you been going to? No sir -- we're talking about "Free Bird," which will be available tomorrow, barring some horrific April Fools' Day shenanigans. Check out the full list of tracks, along with their release dates, past the jump.
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: March DLC
Next month's Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero DLC should satisfy would-be rockers of all types, offering an eclectic mix of -- oh, there's totally some Flogging Molly! Sorry, we just had to get that out of our system, because St. Patrick's Day is next month and because, man, Flogging Molly is totally awesome. There are four distinct track packs coming next month, featuring OK Go, Blink-182, the aforementioned Molly Floggers and an '80s track pack -- because nothing says March like a dusty old denim jacket with the sleeves cut off and some Night Ranger.
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: February DLC
Things took a step towards the alternative in last month's Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero DLC offerings, but it seems February will see the games' downloadable music get back on the path of straight-up rock. We'll be seeing new (old) jams from 30 Seconds to Mars, Breaking Benjamin, Third-Eye Blind and Black Sabbath. We personally can't wait to see Taylor Swift cover Ozzy's part on "Sweet Leaf." All track packs will be available for $5.49 on PS3, 550 Wii Points or 440 on Xbox 360. In addition, all songs will be available seperately for $1.99, 200 Wii Points or 160. Head past the break for the complete list of February's downloadable songs.
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: January DLC
If you've been jonesing to play along to a song performed by a fictional, cartoon heavy metal band, then look no further: Activision has announced a downloadable Dethklok song coming this month to the Guitar Hero line, as part of a metal track pack. On the opposite extreme, January will see a Vampire Weekend collection released for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero to coincide with the band's new album, as well as a three-track Creedence Clearwater Revival set and a collection of songs from "up-and-coming blues masters." (We assume that these so-called masters are real people and not cartoon characters.) All tracks packs will be available for $5.49 on PS3, 550 Wii Points, or 440 on Xbox 360. In addition, all songs will be available a la carte for $1.99, 200 Wii Points, or 160. Head past the break for the complete January DLC lineup.
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: December DLC
Activision is pulling out a majority of the stops for the last month of 2009, adding a highly varied assortment of tracks to Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero throughout the next 31 days. Included are track packs from OneRepublic and The Fall of Troy, an "Indie Rock" pack which includes songs from Spoon, Pavement and Nada Surf, a "New Years Rock" pack which features music from Taylor Swift, Maroon 5 and No Doubt, and finally, a totally free song which will arrive shortly before the holidays: Steve Ouimette's version of "Hark The Herald Angels Sing." These songs follow the franchise's usual DLC pricing structure: Each single track will cost 160 ($2, 200 Wii Points), while each track pack will cost 440 ($5.50, 550 Wii Points). For a full list of song titles and release dates, just click past the break.
Guitar Hero 5: November DLC
Sure, November may lack the phonetic building blocks which allow the word "Rock" to be tucked in there somehow, but that doesn't mean it won't bring any hard-rockin' jams to Guitar Hero 5. We've got the full list of DLC that's coming to the game next month posted after the jump, including selections from Lenny Kravitz, Metallica, KISS and others. One bundle, the "Neversoft Thanks the Fans Track Pack," will be absolutely free. The other packs, will follow the 160 ($2, 200 Wii Points) per song, 440 ($5.50, 550 Wii Points) per three-song pack pricing structure of last month's releases. In addition, on Nov. 5, players will be able to import 61 of Band Hero's tracks into Guitar Hero 5 for 400 ($5, 500 Wii Points), or 69 of Guitar Hero 5's tracks into Band Hero for 480 ($6, 600 Wii Points). Hooray for sharing!
Guitar Hero 5: October DLC
Activision has announced all of the forthcoming Guitar Hero 5 DLC tracks for ... Rocktober! Queens of the Stone Age, Billy Squier and Wolfmother are the featured track packs next month, along with some themed collections later in the month. Each pack will cost 440 on Xbox 360, $5.50 on PS3 and 550 Wii Points on Nintendo's console -- each track will also be sold separately for the respective console's $2 equivalent. Check out the full list of artists, tracks and release dates after the break.
Guitar Hero 5: September DLC announced all at once
Activision has announced a few weeks' worth of Guitar Hero 5 DLC today. Following tomorrow's release of The Rolling Stones tracks, selections from Street Sweeper Social Club, AFI, Editors, The Faint, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs will be available in weekly updates. The full release list is available after the break. Activision announced the first month of DLC along with something called the "Guitar Hero Music Library," which, we believe, is a fancy marketing-style way of describing the collection of music you'll be able to build out of DLC, imported tracks, and on-disc content in Guitar Hero 5.
Guitar Hero World Tour Monthly: Wings, Bob Seger, Shins, Incubus, Ryan Adams
Much like it did last month, Activision Blizzard has announced three new DLC packs for Guitar Hero World Tour due out in February. Let's hope this remains a dodeca-annual affair.Acoustic Track Pack (440 / $5.49) "Drive" - Incubus (160 / $2) "New Slang' - The Shins (160 / $2) "Wonderwall (Oasis cover)" - Ryan Adams (160 / $2) Wings Track Pack (440 / $5.49) "Junior's Farm" (160 / $2) "Hi Hi Hi" (160 / $2) "Jet" (160 / $2) Bob Seger Track Pack (440 / $5.49) "Old Time Rock and Roll" (160 / $2) "Her Strut" (160 / $2) "Get out of Denver (live)" (160 / $2) The Acoustic Track Pack is coming Thursday, February 12, followed by Wings and Seger on the two Thursdays after that, respectively, for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii. Check out videos for the first trio after the break.
