guitar hero iv
Latest
GHIV recipe will add a pinch of Rock Band
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is set for release in June, but as most of you know it isn't the next true installment, it's an expansion upon GHIII so to speak. But that's where Guitar Hero IV comes in, the next true stand alone sequel and word from Activision is that it'll be a lot more like Rock Band. Oh joy!Talking to Conde Nast Portfolio magazine, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick mentioned that Guitar Hero IV will "include a lot of other instruments" including a microphone for vocals. Hence the Rock Band comparison. Kotick also mentioned that GHIV will be the "first game we've had in which we can use local content and local bands", possibly allowing them to release local band DLC to select markets.So, there you have it. Guitar Hero IV (not the Aerosmith edition, that's something entirely separate) will feature additional instruments and local content while still retaining the Guitar Hero name. Maybe, to clear up any confusion, they'll drop the "IV" and simply go with Guitar Hero: Rock Band Edition ... eh?[Via Game Stooge]
Guitar Hero IV to get drumkit, microphone?
Hey hey, what's this? Not only is Activision CEO Bobby Kotick quoted in this month's Conde Nast Portfolio saying that future versions of Guitar Hero will have "other instruments" and "vocals," but our crew over at Joystiq says that a source within Activision has confirmed that Guitar Hero IV will feature a microphone and drumkit, and that Activision is planning on pumping out new downloadable content as often as "weekly" once Guitar Hero: Aerosmith comes out in June. These aren't particularly surprising developments, considering how well Rock Band went over, but here's hoping Activision and Harmonix can set aside their differences at least long enough to make those drumkits compatible -- as anyone with Rock Band knows, they don't exactly disappear in a living room.Read - Interview with Activision CEO Bobby Kotick in PortfolioRead - Joystiq post about Guitar Hero IV
Guitar Hero IV will feature other instruments and vocals
If what Activision's Bobby Kotick has stated in the latest issue of Conde Nast Portfolio magazine is true, then "Guitar Hero" could soon become a misnomer for the series. Guitar Hero IV could be branching out to "include a lot of other instruments, [and] vocals". Not a bad idea, except it's been done before. Judging from Guitar Hero III's low quality controller build and its lackluster downloadable content, we don't really expect Guitar Hero IV to be much of a Rock Band beater. Especially when you consider Harmonix' superior ability to create note charts. Who knows though, maybe Neversoft will feature an instrument not currently available in Rock Band - that's the only real way we can see the franchise becoming relevant again.
Rumor: Guitar Hero IV adding vocals, drums, regular DLC
IGN reports that the May issue of Conde Nast Portfolio magazine sees Activision CEO Bobby Kotick revealing a future direction that would put his company's Guitar Hero franchise on equal footing to last year's newcomer, Rock Band. Upgrades include additional instruments (including vocals and, we hear separately, drums), as well as "local content" from "local bands." This corresponds with information Joystiq has received from a source close to the company, who tells us that multiple instruments – including a microphone and drumkit – will be a part of the next Guitar Hero game, likely to be called Guitar Hero IV despite its focus on multiple instruments (other potential names: Band Hero and Rockstar Hero). Also, our source reports that Activision insiders are proud enough of their drum peripheral to say that it will be "superior" to Rock Band's (we know, shocking).Perhaps just as importantly, Activision's weakness in downloadable content could be resolved as early as the release of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith this June, when content is expected to be released regularly, perhaps "even weekly." Also contributing to the company's positive outlook on DLC is the pending merger with Vivendi, potentially giving it unparalleled access to that company's Universal Music Group, the largest family of record labels in the music industry.We've asked Activision to comment on this story. If anyone close to the story has any additional information to share, you know where to find us.
Def Leppard in Guitar Hero IV confirmed
We're sorry to doubt the messengers of Rock Gods, but we finally got our own confirmation that Def Leppard has indeed contributed three songs to Guitar Hero IV. While not replaying the full interview, Rockline Radio's website did provide a stream of the bandmates talking specifically about the game. "We're gonna have like three songs on Guitar Hero IV," said guitarist Phil Collen, before specifying "Photograph," "Animal" and "Rock of Ages." We've gone ahead and embedded the music videos after the break for those who want to rock out in this post.
Def Leppard confirmed for the Guitar Hero after next
It seems entirely bizarre to us that we're talking about not only the next Guitar Hero but the Guitar Hero after that - both of which are due out this year. Especially when you consider that the tracklists for the two games probably won't come close to the content available on the Rock Band platform by the time they're both out. Regardless, it seems that after we're done with Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (otherwise known as DLC-on-a-disc) we can look forward to rocking out the legends that are Def Leppard on Guitar Hero IV.This news was leaked out by the band members during a radio interview and has yet to be confirmed by either Activision or Neversoft. The tracks that will be included are said to be "Photograph", "Animal" and "Rock of Ages". We're excited to see this awesome band's music finally hit rhythm games, but we'd have preferred to see them in Rock Band. If only so we could practice drumming one handed.
Rumor: Def Leppard to pour some sugar on Guitar Hero IV
Not to take away from the status of British rockers The Answer, but we'd say the newest band to attach its name to Guitar Hero IV has just a tiny bit more street cred (we're talking, like, 5-6 inches more combined hair). While being interviewed on Rockline Radio, Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen apparently confirmed that at least three of the band's top singles will be included in the next Guitar Hero installment not subtitled 'Aerosmith,' reports Guitar Hero News. Collen named: "Photograph" "Rock of Ages" "Animal" Unfortunately, Rockline will delay the replay of the interview until after Def Leppard's new album releases on April 29th. "We strongly recommend that you listen to the show live," reads a posting on the Rockline website. (Aw, thanks -- we'll be sure to add your show to our presets...) So, anyone catch the live broadcast?
Activision: 08 brings Bond, Guitar Hero, Spider-Man
Activision's recent conference call had about as many surprises in it as a holiday gift from Grandma. After setting record sales in 2007, both confusing and otherwise, Activision revealed plans for new entries into the Guitar Hero, Spider-Man and Tony Hawk franchises in 2008 as well as their first attempt at the James Bond license, with an adaptation of the latest Bond film, Quantum of Solace, in the pipeline.According to a report in Variety, gamers should mark their calendars for up to three Guitar Hero releases, two add-ons and Guitar Hero IV in the fall, two game adaptations of the Dreamworks film Kung Fu Panda and one for the upcoming Madagascar 2, and new sequels to Tony Hawk, Call of Duty, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Spider-Man and the aforementioned Bond game. In fact, we recommend you keep your 2007 calendars and simply change the 7's to 8's. It would just be easier.[via Joystiq]
Activision's 2008 promises more Guitar Hero, James Bond, Spider-Man
Activision's recent conference call didn't consist entirely of gloating about those record holiday-quarter sales, as the publisher also took the opportunity to outline some of its plans for 2008. It seems we're in for quite the party, albeit one where you'll actually remember everybody's name. Guitar Hero? James Bond? Tony Hawk? Spider-Man? Yeah, we've met.According to a Variety report, the aforementioned party will see multiple performances by The Instrument Protagonists, due to promote two Guitar Hero "add-ons" in Spring and a full sequel in Fall. While party animals debate the game tie-ins to animated films Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar 2, suave gentleman will attempt to decrypt James Bond's film adaptation, Quantum of Solace. A roughly equal amount of solace will be found by the comic fans huddled around the punch bowl, as new Spider-Man and Marvel Ultimate Alliance games are expected to knock on the door at some point during the festivities.Finally, don't expect Tony Hawk to be turned away (he's on the guest list), especially since he's bringing his friend ... uh ... Call of Duty? We honestly don't know where we're going with this analogy. [Via The Cut Scene]
Guitar Hero IV coming this year, no one surprised
We really need some sort of "Shocker!" category for posts like this. A British band called "The Answer" have revealed that their music will be included in the next edition of the Guitar Hero franchise, which will be out before the end of the year. Watch as we remain unsurprised and, to be honest, completely indifferent to the news. Guitar Hero has largely been made irrelevant by Rock Band and we only expect things to get better for the game with the inclusion of over 200 songs coming in the next year.No doubt Guitar Hero IV will still sell well when it's released at the end of the year, but in the meantime Rock Band will have sold many more million downloadable songs (judging from how quickly it reached the 2.5 million download mark). Activision is keeping tight-lipped about the whole thing, with no official game announcement having come yet. No doubt we'll hear about it during GDC or E3 later this year.
First official song from Guitar Hero IV uncovered
Wouldn't you know that not only can we safely say that Guitar Hero IV will be releasing by the end of the year, but that The Answer's "Never Too Late" will be a part of the game's setlist. How do we know? Well, from a rather unlikely source. UK band The Answers and their record label just put out a press release confirming their inclusion in Activision's upcoming GHIV which also confirmed the game's 2008 release date and the first official track on the setlist, their song, "Never Too Late". Interesting stuff indeed. We'd also be lying if we didn't say that we're a bit worried by the fact that the Guitar Hero franchise can churn out a sequel this quickly all while holding back a very strong competitor.[Via Joystiq]
