Red-Octane
Latest
GH: World Tour snatches up new Oasis album DLC
Guitar Hero: World Tour isn't even out yet and it's already gathering a strong amount of downloadable content. UK pop rock artists, Oasis, join the DLC crowd with the sounds of their latest album, Dig Out Your Soul. Three tracks from the 2008 record will be available for download off the PS Store on November 6 as a three-song track pack or as individual tunes. The November 6 pack includes: "Bag It Up," "Waiting for the Rapture" and "The Shock of the Lightning." Meanwhile, the rest of you who wish to play the album in its entirety will have to wait for an indefinite date in 2009. Guitar Hero: World Tour goes to retail by October 26.[Via press release]
Activision clarifies Guitar Hero World Tour pricing
With no pricing details explicitly stated before, it wasn't surprising when a few people were confused and contacted us about Guitar Hero World Tour showing up as a $240 bundle on Red Octane's official site -- especially when the company doesn't seem to be offering a non-deluxe bundle. The special bundle adds to the normal instrument and game package: a t-shirt (Male XL only), battery charger, key chain and guitar case. The standard pricing for GHWT, direct from Activision: $190 for the full band kit on PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. $180 for the full band kit on PS2. $100 for the guitar/game bundle on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. $90 for the guitar/game bundle on PS2.
Guitar Hero: World Tour's 86-track song list fully revealed
The powers that be must be watching over us. Yesterday we made a simple and polite request to see the full set list for Guitar Hero: World Tour and (amazingly) here it is sitting on our laps. It just goes to show, it never hurts to ask now does it? In addition to that juicy info, check out the delicious packshot pictured above. Taking a look at the list (posted after the cut), we're now quite enthralled by the musical entities gracing World Tour. It looks like it's going to be a cutthroat race towards rhythm game supremacy with Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2 neck and neck ... oh right, and there's Rock Revolution, too.[via press release]
10 more tracks revealed for Guitar Hero: World Tour
While it is all good fun compiling a list of sparse reveals and slowly making our way towards a full set list for Guitar Hero: World Tour, we really just want to know the entire track list by now. It's a simple and polite request, we think, and hopefully the details will trickle in magically. However, until then, we'll have to rely on more short bursts of info.This time around, we've got another 10 tracks to show off. Nine of which were revealed by Rolling Stone, and the 10th track (revealed in a press release today) is Ted Nugent's "Strangehold" -- which the artist himself will appear in-game alongside Sting, Ozzy, Billy and Jimi. As for the other nine, they're songs from bands like Dream Theater, NOFX, Filter, The Stone Roses (pictured), and Steve Miller. See that list after the break.[Via Joystiq]
Four more GH World Tour tracks leak, Aussie release date revealed
It may seem odd that we're still talking about leaking Guitar Hero World Tour tracks, especially when we've had a full set list for the competing Rock Band 2 for months now (heck, we've had the whole thing ranked by difficulty for a week). Nonetheless, four more included tracks were revealed at an Activision press conference in New Zealand. The newly revealed songs (as reported by Gamespot) are: "Prisoner of Society" by The Living End "La Bamba" by Los Lobos "Scream Aim Fire" by Bullet for My Valentine "Our Truth" by Lacuna Coil In addition, the event revealed a Nov. 12 release date for the game in Australia. With 64 tracks already confirmed by various sources, we have to wonder when the rest of the reported "over 85" tracks will finally be revealed.
Classic rockers re-record tracks for Guitar Hero World Tour
Who says you can't teach old bands new tracks? (Insert groans from audience). Activision sent word today that the Guitar Hero World Tour track list will include three classic songs that have been re-recorded just recently. First off, MC5's 40-year-old classic "Kick Out the Jams" has been "updated and modernized" by MC5's Wayne Kramer, with help from Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell and Guns 'N' Roses Gilby Clark. The Sex Pistols will be offering up a newly recorded version of 1969's "Pretty Vacant" and Motörhead came back to the studio to re-record their 1979 hit "Overkill" for the game.Activision is casting these re-recorded classics as a way for fans to get "a unique experience of old yet new legendary sounds." Still, we have to wonder if the decision might have had more to do with missing or incomplete master recordings, a problem that afflicted the "Who's Next" DLC that was planned for Rock Band. Either way, it's nice to see some classic rock stars coming together to support a thoroughly modern interpretation of their songs. If only they all felt that way.
Guitar Hero: World Tour gets lots more Pumpkins to Smash
Smashing Pumpkins fans will probably have an urge to smash some poor defenseless squash in delight upon hearing this news bite. Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan will appear as an in-game character on Guitar Hero: World Tour (due out this fall). He'll be bringing us back to the tunes of the early 90s with the SP hit song "Today."In addition to the on-disc content, a Smashing Pumpkins DLC pack has already been set. Included in the DLC will be a brand new single called G.L.O.W. which will debut "exclusively in the game." Other older tracks come from differing Pumpkins eras, such as "The Everlasting Gaze" of early 2000 and "1979" of the late 90s. The three-song track pack will be available sometime after the game launches. [Via press release]
Neversoft: Keyboard not added to Guitar Hero: World Tour
In a simpler time music games involved a jug labeled XXX and a whole lot of imagination. Today music games are a thriving multi-million dollar segment of the gaming industry where countless tracks and instruments are included to crowbar the money directly out of our wallets. One instrument that won't be forced down our throats in Guitar Hero: World Tour is a keyboard peripheral ... yet. According to Neversoft's Brian Bright, who allegedly told G4 that a new peripheral was coming to Guitar Hero World Tour only to have them speculate it would be a keyboard, has confirmed to Joystiq that they have bigger ideas for a keyboard title. "A keyboard controller deserves to be introduced with its own game. This is something we're thinking about." So, what about all the keyboard sections in the song creator? Bright says, "there are reasons why we haven't included a keyboard controller." He elaborates that not all of the songs have keyboard parts so, "adding a keyboard controller would either have limited our choices, or the players." Keyboard Hero confirmed? It had better happen, how else can we test our chops at "November Rain?"
GC 2008: Activision demonstrates music creation in Guitar Hero: World Tour
To say that Guitar Hero: World Tour has a lot of content is now an understatement. The game is so ridiculously full of goodies, fans are likely going to explogasm when they watch the video above. It goes into incredible detail, showing off the music creation fun you can have in Activision's latest installment in its popular franchise. Whether you're mixing drum loops for your tracks or turning your guitar into a keyboard (could this confirm a keyboard peripheral is inbound?), it looks like you won't be bored with Guitar Hero: World Tour anytime soon after its release.%Gallery-23491% There's been a lot of Guitar Hero news lately. Like the confirmation that Miis will be included in the Wii game (as well as an explanation of how they'll be incorporated). Also, don't forget to check out which tracks have been confirmed for the game so far!
Rumor: Another Guitar Hero World Tour peripheral
G4 claims to have gotten "the hot word" on a new Guitar Hero World Tour peripheral from Neversoft's Brian Bright who "wouldn't go into detail about what it will be," though he apparently said the new peripheral was "specifically for the game's Studio mode."We've reached out to Activision for some kind of comment or confirmation; however, until then, speculation seems to be the name of the game. G4 is guessing keyboard, which is all well and good. And who knows, it may well be a keyboard. We're not oracles here. But as long as we're just guessing, why not guess a little bigger, y'know? That's why we're happy to announce Joystiq's official guess for the rumored new Guitar Hero World Tour peripherpal: keytar.
Guitar Hero's Mii Freestyle mode explained
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Guitar_Hero_s_Mii_Freestyle_Mode_Explained'; Vicarious Visions has confirmed that Guitar Hero: World Tour on the Wii will have not only all of the content found in the other versions, including DLC, but it will also have an exclusive "Mii Freestyle" mode, which we first heard about yesterday. But it goes beyond just having Miis in the normal Guitar Hero game.Mii Freestyle mode is actually an exclusive game mode in which players can create music on the fly using Guitar Hero guitars and drums -- or the Wiimote and Nunchuk as air drums, Wii Music-style, if they want to for some reason. The instruments lay down predetermined notes or sequences onto the familiar Guitar Hero note chart according to the style of music chosen. It's sort of a jamming version of the Music Studio found in the game. Vicarious Visions' David Nathanielsz calls the mode "a helpful bridge between the core game and the Music Studio in Guitar Hero: World Tour for Wii owners."The Wii World Tour, then, has all of the features of the other versions, plus a new exclusive mode. The only thing the other systems have on it now is graphics, which matter very little in a music game. Barring accidental monaural sound output or something, the Wii version will now be the superior version. Take that, Rock Band!%Gallery-23491% I want to read about Guitar Hero all ni-i-ight, and eat Guitar Hero cake!
The DS Life: Guitar Heroics
No, the above clip isn't our primary subject for this week's The DS Life, but it is related and, not to mention, totally awesome.Looking for a more console-authentic experience with Guitar Hero: On Tour, Hack A Day reader Eric Ruckerman modified a wireless Guitar Hero PS2 controller to fit a Nintendo DS and wired the peripheral's buttons into the system. He also added a transmitter to play the game's sound through his home sound system.Pretty slick, but how can he see the notes coming down on the screen? A mirror would help! Anyway, step past the post break for a shot of Eric's setup and a photograph of someone playing Guitar Hero: On Tour with more traditional controls.See also: The DS Life: While My Guitar Grip Gently Weeps
Rhythm game peripheral compatibility made simple
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Guitar_Hero_Rock_Band_Instrument_Compatibility_Matrix_v3_0'; With SCEA bringing word of cross-peripheral compatibility for PS3 rhythm games yesterday, consumers looking for that "one music set to rule them all" seems to be a reality drawing closer. However, making sense of the fickle plastic instruments jungle is still quite a daunting task and knowing where each individual peripheral fits into the mass is still a convoluted process. Making life easier on all of you, Joystiq have provided a simple to read chart which clearly illustrates compatible peripherals across all platforms -- behold the Instrument Compatibility Matrix, version 3.0. Color-coded and accompanied by lots of visuals, hunting for that perfect set to fit your needs couldn't be more convenient.
Warner Music wants more from Rock Band, Guitar Hero
Warner Music has said that companies like Harmonix and Activision will need to shell out more cash to license songs for games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Warner Music leading man Edgar Brofman told Reuters that considering each company's game is completely dependent on the content the music industry owns and controls, "The amount being paid to the music industry ... is far too small." Brofman compared the significance of rhythm music games to the industry shifting introductions of MTV and iTunes. Even though it has been reported that royalties for content sales in music games are much higher than other services, such as iTunes, we're surprised it took this long for the industry to start sobbing about getting paid. If licenses change, could this spell an increase in downloadable content prices? [via CVG]
Lars won't confirm Guitar Hero: Metallica (spoiler: it's happening)
It's alright Lars, you don't need to keep it a secret any longer. With or without your intimations, we all know Guitar Hero: Metallica will be joining the pantheon of geriatric rock simulators right alongside that other game, probably next summer. But if you really just want to get it off your chest, go right on ahead ...When asked about the existence of the aforementioned game by MTV News, Metallica drummer and lead Napster-hater Lars Ulrich said, "... if somebody's gonna follow [GH: Aerosmith] up ... we're talking, and its exciting, and the people at Guitar Hero and Activision are rapidly becoming our best new friends in the world. You can put the rest of it together yourself." We took a moment to put those various pieces together and, sure enough, they basically assembled the retail packaging for the game. For further evidence, hit up the video after the break.
Rumored GH World Tour set list is fake
We hope you weren't excited by the supposed Guitar Hero World Tour set list that was 'leaked' yesterday. Activision and Red Octane have made it known that the list, which included artists like Tool and The Doors, is a fake. A representative informed Game Informer (see what we did there?) that while some of the songs on the list will make it into the game, namely Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher," the majority of the list is "wishful thinking and pure speculation."But hey, we know it will have "Hot for Teacher," right? That counts for something. Now all we have to do is get Activision to confirm the rest of the set list ... one song at a time.[Via Joystiq]
The DS Life: While My Guitar Grip Gently Weeps
The discs, colored green, red, yellow, and blue, tumble towards her, spilling like candy from a tipped box of Sprees, almost too many of them to catch. Her fingers lift then push, then lift then push over and over again above the corresponding frets, more mechanical than graceful. Imagine a pneumatic robot hand, and you will understand the choreographed taps of her digits; it is as if they learned to dance from footstep diagrams.She does not sing the lyrics or hum the melody or tap her feet with the rhythm, she has attempted to faultlessly play this track enough times that she is long past enjoying the song. Truthfully, she has always loathed "Rock and Roll All Nite" as a shallow anthem. This time, though, Gene Simmons is singing her victory, as she is only a few chords away from a perfect score.
Guitar Hero III sale makes economic sense
Whether you don't yet own Guitar Hero III or just want to pick up another Les Paul guitar, you might find yourself shopping at Circuit City this week. The retailer is selling bundles of the game for the low price of $59.99, which is the same price (and even cheaper, depending on where you find it) as a standalone guitar. If interested, you can either drive yourself over to a brick and mortar store or check out this deal online. It might be worth it to have an extra guitar for when Guitar Hero: World Tour rolls around, after all.[Via CAG]
GH: World Tour secures Hendrix tracks and avatar
Today, Activision and Red Octane are probably strutting around their swank offices with chests held high, because we just got word that they have secured Hendrix for inclusion in Guitar Hero: World Tour.According to cbc.ca, Activision has secured the licensing rights to include two of Jimi Hendrix's songs for World Tour including "The Wind Cries Mary" and a live version of "Purple Haze" that was recorded back in 1969. Though, if those two tracks don't float your boat, Acti promises more Hendrix DLC post release. But, not only will two Hendrix tracks make the World Tour cut, but we also learn that the game will feature an in-game Hendrix avatar featuring his likeness. And so the Guitar Hero versus Rock Band battle continues ...[Via Eurogamer, Thanks Boff]
Three DS news items you might have missed
With several major press conferences yesterday and a deluge of media assets, it's easy to miss all the smaller news items that popped up. We've rounded up three of them for you so that they won't be completely forgotten!1. Retro Game Challenge logo! Yep, there it is, right above our post. It doesn't look too different from the Retro Game Master DVD logo, but we'll find any excuse to talk about this wonderful, nostalgic title. In fact, keep an eye out for our hands-on impressions from the E3! For now, you can check out five new screenshots in our gallery below or have a look at the Retro Game Challenge sell sheet past the post break.2. Zoo Games is working on a Puzzle Quest clone? Any time we see the words "puzzle" juxtaposed with images of fantasy-type warriors, as was the case with Puzzle Kingdoms, our minds immediately go to last year's surprise hit, Puzzle Quest. Though developer Infinite Interactive already has two official Puzzle Quest clones in the works, the hybridization of RPGs and puzzle games are addictive enough that we don't mind seeing knock-offs. We hope to see more than just three pieces of character art for Puzzle Kingdoms soon! 3. Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades coming out less than six months after Guitar Hero: On Tour? Alright, so you might have heard that Vicarious Visions is preparing a Guitar Hero DS sequel for the holiday season, but if you stop for a minute and think about it, you'll realize that the original game came out only three weeks ago! That's a shorter gap than the time in between Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith's releases (8 months) for consoles!%Gallery-27519%%Gallery-27789%
