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Rock out to these Guitar Hero 5 features
Have you ever been so lacking in patience that you just want to jump right in while someone is playing a Guitar Hero track? Well, a new feature in Guitar Hero 5 (aka Guitar Hero World Tour 2) lets you do just that. There's also the option to play any four instruments you like, but we already knew that. Also, feel free to pause at the part where it shows all the band names and dream about what tracks will be available -- or you could just check out the full "unofficial" set list right here.
Rumor: Guitar Hero 5 drum set to look an awful lot like Rock Band's
Is the drum kit above (to the right) what Guitar Hero 5 will be shipping with when it hits this September? We're not 100% sure, but a trusted source at our sister site Engadget sent in the blurry shot, leading us to believe it could very well be. The new set bears a strong resemblance to that other full band music/rhythm game -- hey, there's even a lower bar support where the kick pedal could possibly hook on! Additionally, as Engadget rightly points out, the system controls have been moved in front of the pads. The back of the set allegedly features two kick pedal jacks and a "mysterious black mini jack" as well. We've asked for comment from Activision for confirmation of the set and have yet to hear back.%Gallery-63471%
Face-melting deal: GHWT guitar and mic for $50, today only
Everyone's favorite plastic peripheral purveyor, Red Octane, is having a bit of a deal today. The normally $60 wireless guitar and $20 wired microphone for Guitar Hero World Tour (across all platforms) are being offered together in a $50 package -- today only! If you're less than impressed by the GHWT deal from today, why not get into your fancy schmancy time machine and head back to yesterday when you could've gotten an even better deal? Oh, what's that -- you don't have a time machine? Guess you're stuck with the $50 dollar deal over at Red Octane's website then, fancy pants.
Guitar Hero 5 box art revealed (find the guitar!) [update]
It's not like the previous Guitar Hero boxes set the world on fire, but the recently revealed box art for Guitar Hero 5 is ... well it's definitely different. At least the previous boxes had, you know, guitars on them. As one Joystiq blogger put it, the Guitar Hero 5 art looks more suited to an expansion or a DLC voucher than it does to a full release. Still, we suppose we can appreciate the backstage insider appeal it exudes. Besides, it's not like there are many people left that are unfamiliar with the title at this point.See the full monty after the break.Update: It looks like there is a guitar on the box. See if you can find it!
Retailers list DJ Hero for $120, handful of other Activision titles detailed
Pegging the release date of DJ Hero as October 27, GameStop is listing the game with a $120 price tag across all consoles -- turntable peripheral in-tow. While we are, at very best, suspicious of any release dates or price tags attached to retailer listings, both GameStop and Amazon have details on not just DJ Hero, but also Guitar Hero 5, Band Hero and, strangely, Modern Warfare 2 (in Collector's Edition form, priced at $80). Those with a keen eye and a nose for all things "exploitable" will note that these titles all come from mega-publisher Activision, making us wonder if the company has simply released the information to retail before anyone else.Considering the price for Tony Hawk Ride (and its living room-destroying peripheral of $120), a precedent for unproven peripheral pricing has certainly been set. We've asked for comment from Activision regarding the release dates and pricing, though had yet to hear back as of publishing.
Neversoft interested in bringing turntables to Guitar Hero, making large amounts of money
We've already seen a bit of guitar in DJ Hero, but apparently it might not just be a one way street: Neversoft (developer of the Guitar Hero franchise for Activision) hinted to Eurogamer at E3 that they're interested in bringing the DJ Hero turntable to future versions of Guitar Hero. They also aren't ruling out the possibility of bringing drums to DJ Hero -- which seems to us an even more exciting prospect -- and we're sure in a few years time you'll be able to direct wire Activision to your bank account and fill you living room to the brim with more-or-less interoperable pretend instruments.[Via Joystiq]
Neversoft would like to add turntable support to Guitar Hero
During E3, we got to check out the folks from FreeStyleGames playing DJ Hero -- Activision's upcoming rhythm/music game -- using blasphemous guitar controllers in-tandem with the ubiquitous plastic turntable (seen above). While Activision is still keeping mum on whether or not the ability to use guitars in all tracks of the game (none the less vocals) will be shipping with DJ Hero, apparently the folks working on the game think including their turntable in Guitar Hero titles "Sounds like a great idea!"In fact, both the DJ Hero team and Neversoft (developers of the Guitar Hero franchise) seem open to the idea of cross-game instrument implementation (say that three times fast). GH director Brian Bright told Eurogamer, "We would love to integrate in the future," speaking to the cross-franchise possibilities with each game's respective peripheral. So if we can use a turntable, have a group of folks on various instruments, and get someone spitting hot fire into a mic, what's the point of Def Jam Rapstar again?
Sixth European Track Pack invades Guitar Hero: World Tour
For those of you stuck in the Guitar Hero: World Tour bus, looking for some new tunes to crank out, know that some international influence is about to rock your copy of Activision's game. The sixth European track pack is now available for download, and includes the following songs: Placebo – "The Bitter End" (France) - 160 / $1.99 / 200 Wii Points Loquillo y Trogloditas – "Cadillac Solitario" (Spain) - 160 / $1.99 / 200 Wii Points Finley – "Adrenalina" (Italy) - 160 / $1.99 / 200 Wii Points You can download each track individually for the listed price, or if you would like to grab them all together in one fell swoop, you can nab the pack for 440 or $5.49 on Xbox Live and PSN, respectively.
EB Games hosting huge Guitar Hero and Rock Band sale
If you're one of the few people left on this planet whose living room, den and foyer aren't littered with fake plastic instruments, it's time for your induction. EB Games is doing a huge online sale right now for slightly "worn" copies of nearly every peripheral-centric rhythm title to come out of Activision and Harmonix. Act quickly, and you can pick up the PS3 or 360 version of the Rock Band 2 SE Bundle or the PS3 or PS2 version of the Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit plus free 3-day shipping for just $94.99.You could also pick up the other discounted items -- the original Rock Band bundle, Guitar Hero II, Guitar Hero III and Guitar Hero Aerosmith -- but the resulting necessary architectural extension of your gaming den might strip the deal of its cost efficiency.
Watch Neversoft play Guitar Hero 5 on a stage in LA
Before Travis Barker and DJ AM took leave of the stage here in LA, we were promised Guitar Hero 5 in action. And we got it! Neversoft's "official" band took to the mic, two plastic guitars and two drum sets, in order to regale us with their rendition of Wolfmother's "Back Around," repeatedly showing off the new drop in and out feature. Though the plastic peripheral performance was a bit less than enthralling -- especially considering the fact that we just watched an actual musical performance -- we've been promised a DJ Hero performance up next. And yes, video is forthcoming!
Guitar Hero Smash Hits demo rocks Xbox Live
Those of you looking to check out Guitar Hero Smash Hits, know that a demo for the title is available now on Xbox Live Marketplace. If your internets are particularly tired today, or your hard drive can't bear the massive 498 MB in space needed for the demo, you could always just play one of the other previously released Guitar Hero games. Just saying ... [Thanks, Mike W!]
These are the artists rocking out in Guitar Hero 5
When Activision announced Guitar Hero 5, we knew little more than the game would include some notes, and possibly a popular ditty or two. Now, we know all sorts of stuff, like the proposed "Band Moments" and the game's release date (9/1/09). But, we still haven't seen anything on what we've all wanted to know: The included artists. Now, we're happy to report that would-be rockers and rockettes now have a definitive list of talent featured in Activision's latest cash generator music rhythm game. And, it's staggering. So much so that we were forced to place the info past the break, for fear of an avalanche on the front page.
Guitar Hero 5 starts the party on September 1
The website for Guitar Hero 5 opened, revealing the release date for this year's biggest Guitar Hero sequel: September 1. Expect to somehow end up purchasing it whether you want to or not, just like every Guitar Hero game.If you'd like more info on this inevitable purchase, Gamespot posted, in addition to some new screens and brief footage, some details on the game's new "Party Play" mode. This feature is designed to allow total flexibility in social situations. Party Play allows you to start the game with no players, using a playlist of Guitar Hero music as a sort of jukebox. When people decide they want to play a song, they can pick up an instrument, push a button, and begin playing immediately. This is also where the game's instrument flexibility comes in. Party Play is designed to allow any combination of instruments, in case you want to play Barbershop Quartet Hero.%Gallery-63471%
Guitar Hero 5 getting Music Studio tweaks, Band Moments
We've got just a few more notes to add to your compendium of Guitar Hero 5 knowledge this morning. First, we learned today that the game will add Band Moments, which rewards the band for hitting certain strings of notes together. (Note, both guitarists must rub their shoulder blades together with totally gnarly looks on their faces to activate.) These will be placed in songs from the game's 85 different artists, more than 25 of which have never appeared in a video game before, we're told.Also, the GHMusic Studio will be getting a redesign, though no further details are offered. We always thought the studio was a cool idea, but we didn't play with it much in World Tour. Did any of you create any masterpieces with it? What would you like to see changed?%Gallery-63471%
Guitar Hero 5 lets you cram 4 drumsets into your living room
You already know Guitar Hero 5 is coming, but did you know it'll let you amass even more little plastic instruments? The new game offers the ability to create any combination of rock you want. Three microphones and one guitar? Okay. Two drummers and two guitars? No problem. Four drummers? Insane, but yes. We just hope that doesn't mean a Guitar Hero 5 Super Mega Ginormous Box Set: Limited Edition with four of everything is coming. Also new to the game is RockFest, which has five competitive head to head modes that are playable "online or in your living room." Er, aren't most people online in their living room? Other tweaks: you can play the entire set list from the moment you pop the disc in, no more unlocking songs, and all of the Guitar Hero: World Tour DLC will be playable in GH5. Thanks for not locking us out of the music we've previously paid for.Of course, there are some new songs coming as well. So check out the only two screenshots we've seen so far in the gallery below, and head over behind the break to peep the tunage.%Gallery-63471%
Guitar teacher claims music games helping his business
Anecdotally speaking, the guitar teaching business has never been better for Bo Moore, a West Pennsylvania guitar teacher. Speaking with The Tribune-Democrat, he says, "We're so busy right now, and I think these games have been a big factor behind it," referring to the likes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band inspiring young musicians to pick up the real thing after playing the plastic equivalent. Quick, somebody tell Prince to chill out!Moore says he's seen a 35 percent uptick in guitar lessons over the past two years, an increase he attributes to the mainstream ubiquity of Activision and EA's rhythm-based music games. In fact, around 80 percent of the over 100 students currently enrolled with him have taken to the guitar. Unfortunately for those teaching other instruments, business hasn't been so hot. Moore claims, from conversations he's had with other teachers, that business is down if you're not teaching the guitar. "We need more kids learning to play woodwind instruments ... we need more piano players," he says. The piece's author opines that titles like "Xylophone Xanadu" might help to push kids into other instruments, though we all know Sitar Hero is going to be the one to do it.[Via GamePolitics]
Guitar Hero: Metallica faceplate bundle will be Europe exclusive
Activision Blizzard has announced that European territories will be receiving an exclusive "Solo Guitar Game" bundle when Guitar Hero: Metallica launches on May 22 (May 29 in the UK). The bundle will contain a copy of the game, a wireless guitar controller and the exclusive faceplate which you can see in the image to the right.By now, ardent followers of the rhythm genre should have more peripherals than they can count, but it doesn't end there. With four new games having just been announced, there'll be plenty more plastic instruments -- and DJ decks -- where that came from.
Activision announces Guitar Hero 5, Band Hero and DJ Hero for fall
Activision continues to "exploit" its Guitar Hero franchise this year with three new full titles coming this autumn. The newly announced Guitar Hero 5 will offer "the ability to drop in and out of songs and change band members, instruments and difficulty levels on the fly." The press release contains no other details regarding the game, but you can bet it'll be pretty similar to Guitar Hero: World Tour. Band Hero is the second of Activision's Hero trifecta for this fall. Don't be confused, Band Hero is completely separate from Guitar Hero. Except it's very similar -- it's Activision's attempt at a family-oriented Guitar Hero game, rated E10+, and will be facing off against Harmonix's Lego Rock Band later this year. Finally, DJ Hero is something we've been hearing a lot of murmurs about for a while. It will feature "diverse music genres including hip-hop, R&B, Motown, electronica and dance" and will include the turntable controller, images of which we posted earlier. Apparently the title "transforms players into DJs who rule the club scene by creating original mixes of popular songs and music from the world's most exciting artists and DJs." We have to wonder, does the world need this many heroes?
German ratings board rates Guitar Hero: Van Halen
Unfortunately, we've got a fairly strict policy against lengthy headlines -- otherwise, we would have given this post the title it properly deserves: "German ratings board Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) tries to rate Guitar Hero: Van Halen, finds music therein to be far too awesome, spontaneously explodes." Try fitting that into an RSS feed.Yes, the USK recently reported that it has rated the rumored rhythm title, which it actually calls Guitar Hero headlining Van Halen, for the PS3 and 360. If this rating guarantees the title's existence, we can't wait to hear absolutely everything about the game before Activision decides to formally announce it six months from now.[Via Kotaku]
First round of Guitar Hero: Smash Hits tracks revealed
And the Guitar Hero games keep on coming! The latest, Guitar Hero: Smash Hits, culls the cream that has risen to the top of each Guitar Hero game and injects them into one über Guitar Hero. Instead of throwing all of the tracks out there for one and all to see, Activision held open voting to see which of the previous games' included tracks would be revealed first (gee, thanks!). The winner was the original Guitar Hero.Head past the break for the first list of tracks, along with some links to YouTube videos for your sampling pleasure.%Gallery-46942%
