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Gibson's Rock Band lawsuit ends in settlement, one way or another
Back in 2008, Gibson Guitar hoped to cash in on the Rock Band craze with a slate of patent infringement lawsuits of dubious quality, and though the firm lost to Activision a year later, its suits against Harmonix, Electronic Arts, Viacom, and six major retailers stirred something in Nashville's rock gods. Though exact terms weren't disclosed, the parties reached a settlement in a Tennessee federal court this week, and plan to bring the lawsuit to an end by June 14th. Meanwhile, we hear Harmonix v. Konami is meeting a similar end; retailers should be able to sell cheap plastic guitars with a infinitesimally cleaner conscience in a little over three months.
Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock axe gets the fingers-on treatment (video)
We saw this flame-adorned guitar imitator in pictorial form just a couple of days ago, but now the GH: Warriors of Rock controller has been investigated in full detail and on video. Notable changes include an easier to hit star power button, a flanged strum bar, and the replacement of the touch pad on the neck with a battery compartment (which will store the Wii Remote on that console's version). See if it lives to up to its promise of being a shredder's best friend in the video after the break. [Thanks, Dan]
A closer look at the new Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock axe
Was your taste of the new peripherals in Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock not enough? Well, the attached video should satiate your desires for now, as it actually shows you how the customization works -- sans hands! It's all very Transformers like. If all of the CGI wizardry in the video, found after the break, isn't your style, feel free to give our high-res images in the gallery below a looksee. Just don't look too closely -- we wouldn't want you transforming into a ManBearPig or something. %Gallery-94721%
Guitar Hero out on iPhone now
Wait, isn't Guitar Hero out for the iPhone already? I guess it wasn't (competitor Rock Band came out months ago), but as of the keynote yesterday morning, it is now. Activision has finally released a version of the very popular music game for Apple's device, and the early reviews are pretty good. Unlike most of the music games on the iPhone, you can actually use the multitouch screen to "strum," in a minimal imitation of the game's guitar controller. The game also offers up customizable rockers, and it's Facebook-connected as well. The soundtrack is pretty impressive, too, although the pickings are slim without in-app purchases. There are six songs to play right away, from Queen to Rolling Stones to Weezer, and then you can buy various 3-packs of songs from different bands like Protest the Hero and Vampire Weekend. The app itself is priced at just US$2.99, so it looks like Activision is aiming to compete with the $6.99 Rock Band by going cheap and making it up on the in-app purchases. Which is actually not a bad idea -- this way, you only have to pay for the songs that you want rather than a big song list that you're not interested in. Otherwise, the app seems like a respectable version of the console game on Apple's handheld. It's a little late, given that competitors have all released their own versions already, but it's priced and featured accordingly. If you've still got room for another music game on your iPhone, it's worth checking out.
Guitar Hero on iPhone today
From the "I could have sworn this was already a thing" file: Activision just revealed during Apple's WWDC 2010 event that its venerable Guitar Hero franchise is headed to the iPhone today for $2.99. The new version, which includes tracks from Queen and The Rolling Stones, has you tapping notes and swiping the screen in place of strumming. Side note: If you didn't already have this information, it means you're not following the Steve Jobs' WWDC keynote, and we're going to need you to leave your nerd badge with Sheila on the way out. %Gallery-94634%
Farmville and Guitar Hero announced for iPhone
You knew it was bound to happen sooner or later -- Farmville is heading for the iPhone. But that's not all, Activision was also on hand at WWDC to announce an iPhone version of Guitar Hero, which packs classic rock from the likes of Queen and The Rolling Stones, and is available in the App Store today for $2.99. Check out a shot of it after the break, and look for Farmville to be available by the end of June -- or don't, it's up to you. Update: Guitar Hero press release, with the complete tracklist and add-on packs, is now after the break. %Gallery-94573% Check out more from WWDC 2010 in our liveblog!
Activision unveils gnarly new Guitar Hero axes for Warriors of Rock
Some of you might be surprised that a game as simple as Guitar Hero is on the precipice of its sixth iteration, and others still will just want to know what the latest axe is going to look like it. Well, behold! Today we're witnessing the debut of the new "shredding-friendly" design, replete with cutaway sections in the body and an aggressive, modern look. The cutaways are possible thanks to an internal redesign concentrating the electronics into the neck and fretboard, which will also allow you to swap different bodies around the controller parts. Yes, that does mean you'll be able to play without any body appendages at all, if you wanna be all contrarian about it. Another design, a GameStop exclusive, is also on show, and you can see it just after the break.
Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock unveiled with trailer
Though alerting the general public of Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock's existence has been taken care of, Activision provided new details about the upcoming music title in an official announcement today. Warriors of Rock will include a newly-designed guitar controller inspired and born from the game's unique art style and specifically made for "shredding." With this controller (or presumably with one of your countless old plastic guitars), you'll play over 90 "guitar-shredding tracks" included on the disc -- which Activision notes is the largest on-disc collection for a music game yet. Apparently, it'll involve shredding. The Gene Simmons-narrated Quest Mode will take players from the CBGB club in New York City to "the molten lava fields of rock treachery" to defeat "The Beast." In more gameplay-related news, developer Neversoft is adding a Quickplay+ mode, featuring 13 challenges for every song on the disc -- and every DLC song released since Guitar Hero World Tour. Challenges include Band Streak, High Score and Power Challenge, in which players choose any two previously unlocked "warrior powers" to attempt "ridiculously high scores." The first set of announced tracks is posted after the break.
Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock confirmed, detailed
And just like that, Nintendo Power has officially outed Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. According to Neversoft's Brian Bright, Warriors of Rock will retain "all the cool features" from Guitar Hero 5, including the ability to play with any combination of instruments. This time around, however, the team strove to "hand-pick" the songs, which will focus on "guitar-centric rock 'n' roll" as Bright explained that "so many more people play Guitar Hero on guitar than any other instrument." Picking up on the rock focus, the game's story and aesthetics revolve around heavy metal. Bright mentioned being inspired by heavy metal album covers "with rivers of chrome and guys on horses with bat wings and stuff." In fact, the game's quest mode is narrated by Gene Simmons (you don't say) and tells the story of the struggle between "the Beast" and "the demigod of rock." Said demigod is defeated, so it's up to players to find the demigod's legendary guitar and amass "an army of warriors to be able to defeat the beast." Boy, that sounds awfully familiar. The article also reveals that Vicarious Visions will once again develop the Wii version, and expanding the DS-based Roadie mode. You can read the full story in the latest Nintendo Power, on sale June 8.
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: Warriors of Rock' coming this holiday, according to Amazon.com listing
It looks like Guitar Hero 6 may have found a new name. A listing on amazon.com may have leaked Activision's next foray of the Guitar Hero franchise: Warriors of Rock for Wii, PS3 and 360. Unless Activision plans on releasing two Guitar Hero games in the same time frame (not unlikely), Warriors of Rock is likely the new moniker for Guitar Hero 6. The SKUs will come in three flavors: Standard, Guitar Bundle and Super Bundle (which will presumably include drums and a microphone). For better or for worse, we can't help but conjure up images of Activision's former baby, Brütal Legend, when thinking about the new subtitle. Perhaps Activision has figured out a way to use plastic guitars in a way Tim Schafer could not? [Via Siliconera]
Report: Guitar Hero 6 dropping playable musicians, will work with previous DLC
Details about the upcoming sixth iteration in the Guitar Hero series (that is, if you don't count various spin-offs) have begun landing on the web from Official Xbox Magazine UK, reports GoNintendo. As Kiss' Gene Simmons proclaimed earlier this year, it seems he'll be emceeing the game. Alongside his appearance, Queen, Black Sabbath and Metallica's Lars Ulrich will also be showing up, though rather than being featured as playable characters, the various rockers will be recruitable characters for guidance through the game's campaign ("Quest Mode") -- that whole multiple lawsuit thing certainly couldn't have hurt Activision's decision, right? Maybe most important of all is the inclusion of legendary New York City club CBGB (& OMFUG) as the game's "only real-world location" (at least to this former CBGB attendee), but we suppose you're probably more interested in hearing that "previous DLC" will allegedly be playable in number six ... or whatever. Activision wouldn't confirm the details with us, but you OXM UK subscribers are welcome to re-confirm the report's legitimacy in our comments section below. [Via MTV Multiplayer]
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 'Guitar Kit' and game on sale at Amazon today
Whether you're in the market for a new music-rhythm game or want to get into this whole Guitar Hero thing on the late-late, Amazon has a pretty sweet deal going on today. In the "Guitar Kit" bundle, you can snag a guitar controller and a copy of Guitar Hero 5 for $38, while a new copy of the game itself will only set you back $20. Becoming a faux-rocker has never been so cheap and just think about all of the DLC you'll be able to enjoy with that extra cash. Just saying! [Via Cheap College Gamers]
Activision fails to have No Doubt lawsuit dismissed
If the whole West, Zampella and Activision kerfluffle is no longer satisfying your desire for daily litigation drama, we'd like to point you to an old friend we haven't heard from in a while. We speak, of course, of the No Doubt vs. Activision lawsuit, in which the former accused the latter of infringing on its right-of-publicity by allowing their in-game Band Hero avatars to be used to sing other recording artists' songs in the game. According to the LA Times, Activision recently attempted to invoke freedom-of-speech protections under the 1st Amendment to have the case dismissed out-of-hand -- a tactic shot down by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Kenji Machida. Though Activision has the option to appeal this decision, it looks like the folks from No Doubt might have a chance at taking back their intellectual property and forming a new studio under EA. Wait -- we mixed them up again, didn't we? Yeah, we did.
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.
Activision quietly restructures senior management
An article from the LA Times reports that Activision Blizzard Inc. has quietly made some internal changes to senior management and internal organization within Activision: one focused on the military game Call of Duty, another handling internally owned properties like Guitar Hero and the Tony Hawk series, and a third handling licensed properties. Why these changes weren't relayed to investors or the press is still unknown, but it's likely due to the fact that they could be interpreted as a sign of weakness. Activision has seen flagging sales for two of its former cash-cow franchises, Tony Hawk and Guitar Hero, and a recent very public scuffle with Call of Duty creators Jason West and Vince Zampanella following their ejection from their positions as heads of Activision's Infinity Ward studio painted the studio in a negative light with gamers. This kind of restructuring could point to turmoil within the company, an image that an industry juggernaut like Activision would want to avoid. So, what do these changes mean for Blizzard, and for World of Warcraft? Activision got a hold of us to say "nothing at all" -- the restructuring was for Activision's side of the business only. It's important to remember that Activision-Blizzard is an umbrella company that contains two separate divisions: Activision Publishing and Blizzard Entertainment. Activision restructured into three different units, but Blizzard remains independent.
'80s Track Pack available now for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero
As expected, the '80s Track Pack for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero is now available for download on all the various consoles, featuring three respectable songs from the decade of New Wave and hair bands. Well, two or three, depending on how you like The Go-Gos. The entire thing is available for 440 on Xbox Live, $5.49 on PSN, or 550 Wii Points, and the individual songs are as follows: "Girls, Girls, Girls" by Motley Crue (160/ $1.99 / 200 Wii Points) "We Got the Beat" by The Go-Go's (160 / $1.99 / 200 Wii Points) "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger (160/ $1.99 / 200 Wii Points) Say what you want about "We Got the Beat," but we won't tolerate hating on the Crue or Night Ranger and, from the looks of those hairstyles above, they won't either. These songs are available now for both games, so get yourself mo-tor-in' on over to the store if you want 'em.
Pick up Guitar Hero 5 at a Guitar Hero 3 price today
Looking to add 85 new songs to your Guitar Hero library? Want a game that's made for "Party Play?" Oh, sure. Admit it -- you just want to make the ghostly Cobain avatar do your musical bidding. Well, whatever the motivation, you can pick up Guitar Hero 5 (the game only) for a pretty reasonable $28.99 today, thanks to Amazon's Deal of the Day. While supplies last (or through the end of the day), the discount is applied to the Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, and PS2 versions of the game. Guitar Hero 5 is worth investing in especially if you're loaded down with PS2 instruments and don't want to buy new ones for another console -- there won't be any more Guitar Heroes for PS2, after all. So, if you want more music, this is pretty much your last chance, all you PS2 holdouts! [Thanks, Jared]
Zoom G2Nu and G2.1Nu guitar effects pedals offer direct USB recording
Zoom is kind of like Mitsubishi -- it sort of does it all. Months after shipping one of the greatest pocket audio recorders every known to man, the company is now hitting back with none other than a pair of guitar effects pedals. The G2Nu and G2.1Nu boards both feature 100 preset guitar sounds, 20 of which have purportedly been given the almighty thumbs-up from Steve Vai. If you're curious about differences, the latter adds a built-in expression pedal for additional control, but frankly, the expected capabilities aren't what we're interested in. Both devices sport integrated USB ports that enable them to operate as audio interfaces; in other words, axe slingers can record directly to their computer through this box, and the 1.9-inch display helps you keep track of what's going on. Regrettably, pricing and availability details have been conveniently omitted, but we suspect it'll be hitting Sam Ash, Sweetwater and the rest of the gang soonish. %Gallery-88115%
