@Kyle81: as long as it's cheaper than rock band and takes less time to get here (europe) I'm buying it.

fadecy

@4 8 15 16 23 42: Keyboard Hero + Children of Bodom songs? I think so!

Derigor

@RPGr: Although I think the Guitar Hero 3 guitar is probably the best quality wise, I returned it's ass when I found out that it wouldnt work as a Bass for Rock Band. Only reason I bought it anyways. I mean seriously. The weekly songs in Rock Band are what murder Guitar Hero for me... I mean the other intruments rule, that helps include friends in the mix but seeing as how I am paying for it... it's the DLC. MMMM now more metallica please. And can we get some Zeppelin? I need to play the Immigrant Song like now.

Derigor

im still waiting on Keyboard Hero.
No love for the keyboardists out there?

4 8 15 16 23 42

I think they way they portrayed GH III. The god awful ps3 servers. The horrifically bad battle mode. The so-called "legends." The attitude they had towards Harmonix when Harmonix made GH in the first place. The debacle with the controllers.

I'm now an RB girl.

I have all but the 80's GH and loved 1, liked 2, and hated 3. Doesn't seem like a good track record for 4.

And besides, what has GH III done to seriously further alone the community of GH? Nothing. A few songs every couple of months, a shoddy system, and spin off's that make squareenix not look like a cash cow whore.

There's a new cash cow whore in town and that's Tony Hawk's Guitar Hero On Tour With Legends and Old Farts.

Thanks a lot Moronvision.

VixDiesel

@QualityJeverage: Finally someone talking some sense.

To everyone else: GH is a different experience than RB; it's a little more hardcore and challenging like an arcade game.

I really hope the RB drums are compatible... I already have 5 guitars (2 for PS2, 2 for 360, 1 for RB) and the amount of plastic building up is embarrassing.

rkr215

Nevermind my comment. There was a video to go go with it but it didn't work. Without the video my comment is an EPIC FAIL

MURFEGGS

@Kyle81:

LOL, you do know that Rock Band copied Guitar Freaks and their drum game from Japan...

silenthill4vid

Wowoh. That's really good news, since I just took the plunge this week and made the decision to buy a GH guitar rather than RB in hopes of us getting "Band Hero" down the line. Because, you know, I really wanted to try the drums, but with the Wii version being crippled as it is, I decided RB wasn't worth it.

solar_tf

@Kyle81: @Terance: I meant the use of local content and local bands. Plus, what if they built off of Rock Bands idea anyways? Guys, Rock Band was a copy of Guitar Hero in the first place, but built upon that fundamental idea. So why would it be so wrong for Activision to build upon the successes of Rock Band? Could we see things like a keyboard/keytar (You know someone over there has heard the outcries for that!)and backup/duet vocals. Before you throw daggers remember who "copied" whom in the first place, and even if so, it's not such a bad thing as long as it advances that particular game genre.

my spoon is too big

Are they really still calling it "Guitar Hero" after it stops being about the guitars? Way to abuse recognizable brand names.

And knowing Activision, they'll have their own, separate peripherals that are not compatible with Rock Band. Wouldn't want RB traitors to steal your peripherals, after all.

I thought the price point was one of the major reasons people chose GH over RB? I guess the only choices from here on out will be "expensive" vs. "holy crap expensive".

Comatose Turtle

@Cchrist: To be fair, Avril Lavigne is a hard act to follow.

edgarhuntly

turntables!

MURFEGGS

I spent $40 on DLC for GH3.
It should work with GH4.

ultraViolence

@QualityJeverage: This.
I liked how GH3 focused on guitar and just raised the bar for that. That's the part I wanted to play, and I actually wanted a song I couldn't beat on hard, which they delivered, greatly lengthening gameplay over 1 & 2 for me. It would cost me $40 more to do the same in RB but then I'd only have a piece of the game when I want crazy full-guitar based tracks.

@Kyle81:
Actually, they're copying Konami's idea. Guitar Freaks, Drummania, Karaoke Revolution (ok, that's Konami/Harmonix...) The bulk of Rock Band is 1990s Konami music games.

...but, Konami missed it bigtime marketing them properly here, so everyone's going to think Activision is ripping off Harmonix - never mind that it hasn't been shown yet. You never know, maybe they'll copy Keyboardmania instead...

fuchikoma

So why in the hell are they calling it Guitar Hero still? Shouldn't it be something along the lines of Instrument Hero: Legends of Patent Infringments

AnotherGamer

I think my main beef with Guitar Hero 3 was that it may have been a bit too hard core. Rock Band imo tried to keep a decent balance between fun and challenge. Both good games, I'm just not capable of the robot accuracy of my youth anymore.

Guild_Navigator

Here's a BIG HINT Activision...
/rant
KEEP THE FRIGGIN INSTRUMENT COMPATIBILITY IN CHECK. NO MORE SCREWING CUSTOMERS AS WITH THE PS3 ROCK BAND / GUITAR HERO GUITARS!
/end rant

RPGr

@Sparden: Agreed.

Those songs are challenging because the actual song is challenging. Not because everything is triple chord.

TRT-X

Harmonix is doing better things...
just die in obscurity to the superior product. 1, 2, and 80s was great, but nothing lasts forever!

Kayeliminal Antithesis

Is it just me that doesn't pick Guitar Hero over Rock Band or Rock band over Guitar Hero?? Am I the only one who looks at both at them like new "big albums". I own them both and will continue to own the ones that come out. I buy so much DLC just for that reason. I like playing different music.. Can't we just get along! lol OK NOW BACK TO YOUR FIGHTING!

b1t0

Guitar Hero IV, now with a taiko drum, shamisen, keyboard and turntable.

Marouku

@eatrice:

On the bright side, you'd be well on your way to building your very own Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band. Hope you have a very, very big living room. And I hope Guitar Hero IV also comes in the no-frills, "Just guitar" bundle.

Sloopydrew

@jgotskilz:
Please graduate from high school and then realize that the hardest guitar songs in Rock Band (i.e. Working Man, Green Grass and High Tides) are far greater than anything Activision could drum up.

Sparden

@jgotskilz: Somebody here is typing with excitement.

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus

Forget Guitar Hero...I want Marching Band Hero so I can put my clarinet skillz to good use.

DorkimusPrime

Well now...if this means that I can import and convert my band's songs for play in GH4...then I'm in.

But chances are that's not the case. Ah well. :(

Spoony Bard

@jgotskilz: YOu do know know that Rock Band lets you play fully with just a guitar, on multiple difficulty options and with actual solos?

Kyle81

When they say local bands, they mean local to different areas. Which is what the games are sort of doing already since there's some releases by acts that Americans don't care about.

There's one missing ingredient in Rock Band: keyboards. Be they piano, Wurlitzer, marimba, whatever; they're not in the game, and they need to be. The other attachment would be some sort of wind instrument: something that could be a flute or trumpet. I see this one being much less likely.

I like Rock Band in ways I never liked Guitar Hero. My only desire is for them to really go out of the box. Let's play some blues songs, or soukous, or reggae, etc. I hope we get something like this before the end of the next-gen (PS4, etc).

FanDam

I'm not going for Band Hero if it means I need a second set of gear.

One giant drum kit + two guitars is enough for me kthxbye.

TRT-X

Local bands? Do they realize that undertaking?

ostartero

@DarkDragonDave:
You ever seen one of those pods for House moving? There ya go!
I could honestly,care less about GH,since RB came out.I do like to use the Gituar for my bass though.

enewtabie

Wow, I'm glad I gave up on Guitar Hero after II. Now Activision's just blatantly ripping off Harmonix in every way they possibly can. Sigh.

Archaotic

"It's the first game we've had in which we can use local content and local bands."

This sounds a lot like the bonus songs for GH I and II and some of the DLC for Rock Band.

As far as the copying goes, I highly doubt Activision will execute the extra instruments with the level of quality that Harmonix has. I think instead of buying GH4 I'm just going to download $60 of DLC for Rock Band.

ncsuduncan

I wonder if they'll finally allow each others instruments to work on each others games.... don't feel like buying two drums, two microphones, and four guitars.

eatrice

don't get too excited. much like the guitar fiasco, you know that Giant Axe Body Spray Bottle peripheral won't be compatible with Rock Band.

BruzeWayne

noo way?!?!?! i like guitar hero 3 alot better than rock band because well its all about GUITAR!!! I noticed rock band lets there be a little share in everything, vocals, drums!! but i feel if i really wanna rip some solos i go to GH...thats the whole fun of it!! i just hope they arent gonna copy cause thats gonna suck!! why dont they work on more important things like try to get JIMI HENDRIX Tracks in GH4! lol

jgotskilz

NO! I don't want local bands! My local bands suck! Having Di-rect as an opening act for angels and airwaves yesterday was horrible enough!

(Seriously, worst match ever. Think Avril Lavigne opening for Mettalica)

Cchrist

This has "disaster" written all over it -_-

That being said, maybe I can finally start owning people with Trombone Hero :D

WarlockSoL

Look out for the next thrilling, girl melting, hardcore version of the game.

Triangle Hero!

Edmon

What on earth are they even talking about? Local bands? Local to where? Huh?

Anyway Guitar Hero is now officially dead to me.

My local Rogers Video is having a GH3 competition that I was thinking about entering. The prize was a copy of Guitar Hero Aerosmith (which I have 0% interest in). My plan was to win the competition (and I probably would win, if it was a fair competition) and then win the new Aerosmith guitar. Turn right around and sell it back to them while saying "sorry, Activision ruined guitar hero".

dowingba

Waiting for the Nintendo statement of an external hard-drive for the Wii.....
*guy comes out from time machine*
"Don't bother"
*flicks me off and shuts hatch*
...shit.

MJDeviant

Anyone else remember when Activision called Rock Band a Guitar Hero imitator? :P [kotaku.com]

I've shared my interest for a rebreakable guitar with my friends in the past, I don't know why they all have to hate it cause it would be totally awesome to not have to buy a new guitar after every song cause you just have to smash it at the end of every song like Kevin Pereira.

cheesecake000

Copying? Copying? THIS is a GOOD THING.

The Guitar Hero franchise is stale, Rock Band absolutely destroys it and they know it, adding new instruments now allows them to actually compete with the competition.

Tons Of Fun

With Guitar Hero 3, Activision essentially "copied" what Harmonix did with the first two games.

Now they're copying what Harmonix did with Rock Band. Nothing at all surprising there.

GusherKid

More like Rock Band II, amirite?

Aethyr

@my spoon is too big: That's true... if you consider something different copying off of rock band. After playing guitar hero 3 i'm sticking to my opinion that the soul of GH was Harmonix. I'll be very happy if Activision proves me wrong though. :)

houkah

If Activision wants compatibility with the "Rock Band" instruments, Harmonix should make them pay. Let Activision have some of them "just desserts".

moose_pants

So a sequel to Rock Band was announced?

Maybe they will make "Full Orchestra Hero." I'd like to see the box that comes in.

DarkDragonDave

I won't be getting any more GH games at launch. I was horrified by GH III and wish I could have gotten my money back. Maybe when they're cheap, I'll get them but Moronvision raped the series and I'm not sure I care enough about it anymore.

VixDiesel

Normally I'd roll my eyes at the blatant "me too"-ing, but the end result will most likely be great, so I'm not complaining.

ShaggE

Remember kids, competition works.

Who cares if it's "copycat-ing?" Not me. All I know is that I already have one awesome band game, and now I could possibly have another one. Don't hate.

akashhhhh

Rock Band ftw?

PissedPS3Fan

@my spoon is too big:

If different means directly ripping off your rival game.

Terance

@my spoon is too big: What are they trying different? Now all they are doing is copying rock band's idea.

Kyle81

I actually liked Guitar Hero 3 a little better than Rock Band (The guitar play felt a little more polished to me.), but I can't see this succeeding.

I'd rather not have them dilute Guitar Hero. That was my main problem with Rock Band, all of the instruments were good, but none of them were great. It was still an excellent game, but it lacked the focus of Guitar Hero.

That's my thinking anyway.

QualityJeverage

Alot of people have been dumping on GH since Rock Band, but hey, at least they are trying something different, so color me cautiously optimistic.

my spoon is too big

"In all seriousness, the "local bands" idea is intriguing. I wonder how far they'll actually flesh that one out."

My guess is about as much as their DLC promises.

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus

And here comes the copying

Kyle81

Local bands should be cool for people in: LA, New York, Philly, Detroit, SF...

Sorry those of you in Duluth, Pennsacola, et al.

dirtybacon

I can see it now: Hillbilly Hero, complete with fiddle, banjo, whiskey jug and washboard controllers. Step aside, Rock Band!

And by local bands, they mean some creepy Deliverance dudes they ran into in Kentucky. Squeal like a pig, boy!

RubyMars

@Mr.SithNinja: We have that already with Don't Fear the Reaper in Rock Band.

I want ELECTRIC KAZOO BAND. And let's get some hot sweet Digeridoo action as well.

Spoony Bard

Well there wasn't anything original in GH in the first place, Guitar Freaks was there before, and apparently they even mention the Konami patent somewhere.

lepetitzozo

I'm still waiting for Guitar Hero: Electric Wizard. It'd be like normal Guitar Hero, except the Star Power meter would be replaced by a bong. And they'd have to sell a bong peripheral, which you'd tilt to activate Bong Power. Then the screen goes all blurry, and the song pauses for a 3-5 minute solo jam.

I'd buy it, anyway.

tsathoggua

@Xagest: Thanks for the backstory. It definately put a different spin on things.

Now I can say " Screw those copy cat douche bags! "

p.s. I still wanna see a Cowbell Hero!

Mr.SithNinja

HA, ment number 4, not II.

TheOtis

BAH! Oh how rythem games evolve!

I just miss the days of Guitar Hero II. No new game is ever going to be better then that. Too many good memories with friends and family playing that game, and that song list! Oh man, I STILL have that memorized.

I'm looking forward to number II, always loved the Guitar Hero Games. Haven't been able to stomach the price of Rock band yet, but my GF and I are probably going to go in on halfs pretty soon when we buy our condo.

I like the local band idea. It'd be rad to see more Indie bands on the track list.

TheOtis

By the way, if Activision doesn't get their head out of their ass over the compatibility of instruments with Rock Band and vice versa, they will be in even bigger trouble.

my spoon is too big

@Evil J: Thats true, WE'll have to see if in 3-4 years if Rock Band will be a little stale, good point.
@AxelHunter: I'm glad they are not slapping another band on he cover and shoving it out the door. I'm interested in seeing if they can build upon what Rock Band has accomplished. I'm not asking them to be exactly like Rock Band. I do love what both games bring to the table.

my spoon is too big

I want the new guitar hero to have a theremin and a keyboard and a mic with and the rocky horror show's soundtrack.

Falsoman

Skateboard peripheral confirmed.

Boy Howdy

Wow, fanboys/girls... chill. How many great games would there be if nobody ever copied ideas off of anyone else? And wasn't Rock Band "based" on GH in the first place? So much hate >.<

On a side note, I'm not too stoked about the idea. I liked that GH was ALL about the guitar. Flame away...

breakblossom

So long as they let me use my rockband drum kit, and not force me to buy a whole new giant box filled with fake plastic instruments that clutter my home, I'll be happy.

Spenze

I just assumed this would happened and it's pathetic. You can't have two companies making the exact same video game and expect it to work out. Face it, Activision, you lost out when you let Harmonix go. At least lose with dignity. You'll always have COD.

AxelHunter

Sousaphone Hero, anyone? No, no, wait -- bagpipes. Win!

(And yes, we definitely need more cowbell.)

janai

@my spoon is too big:

"trying something different?" This is them whining because people are discovering rock band, and they can't think of any way to beat them other than just doing the exact same thing as harmonix, who actually know something about music.

AxelHunter

@Mr.SithNinja:
Mainly because Guitar Hero 1 and 2 are made by the same people who did Rock Band (namely, Harmonix).

When Harmonix moved to EA, Activision kept the rights to Guitar Hero, and made Guitar Hero 3. Now they are adding new instruments, essentially copying Harmonix's idea by using the rights they have to Harmonix's orignal idea.

Xagest

@Evil J: COWBELL HERO FTW!!

Mr.SithNinja

@Kyle81: uuuummmm last time I checked GH was out MONTHS BEFORE Rock Band..... How are they "copying rock band's idea"?

All Rock Band did was expand on what had already been done. Why is it wrong for GH to expand out when they were out with the original concept first?

Mr.SithNinja

Let's all be honest.

If they had a Cowbell peripheral. It'd sell.

Joking aside, I gave away my copy of GHIII to someone who had neither Rock Band or GHIII but who had a PS3.

Reason being is that after getting Rock Band, my piano black PS3 guitar literally, and to use the cliche honestly here, collected dust. I had to clean it off before giving it to him.

@my spoon is too big:
PS. I think it's hard to say "copied" when Guitar Hero I was an MTV Game... as is Rock Band.

Let's be honest with ourselves. Guitar Hero got stale, and they tried to spice it up by "Tony Hawk-ing" the difficulty (i.e. making it unreasonably difficult and requiring chords that weren't necessary just to make it hard for hardness' sake) and let's not forget they tried to make it "spicier" by adding Boss Battles... which, I don't feel did anything but highlight the staleness of the franchise.

Don't get me wrong. Same thing could happen to Rock Band, but the ability for me to go "Wow, I feel like I'm doing great on guitar... let's play some drums... oh crap I suck at this, well, time to invest some practice!" and the fact that they're following up with their commitment to weekly DLC (even if some of it isn't top notch, and even if they're late on their whole album thing and their first three choices blow)... I play Rock Band at least once a weekend, it's the most requested party game, and I've seen it sell people on PS3s and 360s the way that GH used to sell PS2s.

Whether this will last? Dunno.

I do get the feeling that in a few years we'll be watching "I Love the 00's" on VH1 and both Guitar Hero and Rock Band will be brought up.

Evil J

Soon we can all sing vocals that aren't there and beat the drums when notes aren't there!

Drake Lake

It was inevitable, but in this case copying could certainly come back to hurt them because they need to have something truly unique to take people away from Rock Band.

Rock Band beat them to the market in terms of a game that gives that full experience and now all Harmonix has to do is let the DLC flow. If the next Guitar Hero is a Rock Band clone, where is my incentive to buy it? Why am I dishing out another ~160 bucks for the same exact thing I have already? There HAS to be different instruments, and, I shudder to think it, Activision & Harmonix are going to start paying off these bands to have their songs exclusively to their particular game. You KNOW it's coming. So then many of us will feel like we need to have both.

Just like systems have game exclusives, you can totally see Rock Band/Whatever-Hero having artist exclusives for their games. And I for one right now will state that the ONLY band capable of making me buy the game because they're exclusive is The Beatles. That's it.

mva5580

@ultraViolence: I honestly can't believe that's true

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus

Last time I checked it was called GUITAR Hero.

Why can't rival companies let products stand by themselves and not just placate each others wallets by copying the next big thing. Let Guitar Hero be Guitar Hero and fucking Rock Band be Rock Band.
These kinds of business tactics are so frustrating.

GrapenutsRobot

Old hat, Activision. Old hat.

Moridin

I don't care if it's a Rock Band rip-off, as long as they make a better drumkit !

Copying is not bad at all ! There's nothing illegal in it ! Still, I'll complain too if the copy is worst than the original but if it's better, I'll get it for sure !

Shteve

@akashhhhh: Except since Activision is so consumer friendly you will get the joy of having to buy all new instruments to play because your Rock Band instruments wont work for Guitar Hero.

liquid_kore

@dirtybacon: +1, well played. AS a former resident of Pensacola, FL, that viewpoint is more correct than you'd think.

my spoon is too big

lol, so its Guitar Hero: not just guitar but guitar will still be a prominent instrument edition...

Takamoto

here is hoping for DJ Hero...

TheTimeRanger

:( RB sucks..

The guitar feels like it is about to break, the solo keys are just a stupid idea altogether.... The strum bar has no tactile feed back.

The drums are meh... the orange pedal is retarded.

The singing could be accomplished by helen keller if she had Jordi's visor from the newer star trek.

GH3 is cool, atleast the guitars dont feel like paper thin plastic and the songs are harder (to play)

Gh 80's is to easy (played it the other night feel like mentioning it)

Now I fear that craptivision is going to add stupid singing into GH... gawd.. maybe even drums....

Although... a keyboard type controller would be cool...

nytestalker

but imitation
is the sincerest form of
flattery, they say.

Dorphat the Insomniac

@Mit:
Space is the big factor for me. I mean, I've come to terms with my man-childness (as has my wife; we do have a Resistance cut-out in our living room), but that doesn't mean I want everyone to know it. People come in and see the Rock Band drums, and they go "Hey, that's a kick ass game" not "how sad."

That would probably change with a whole 'nother set of toy instruments.

Evil J

On the one hand, I'd like to go off on Activision for just copying Rock Band..

But at the same time, Rock Band was just expanding on the original idea. And Guitar Hero would start to get a little stale considering.. well, not TOO much left to do but keep adding new songs.

Guess we'll have to see if they take it one step further, and shut their damn drums up. I dunno, I'm still happy with Guitar Hero III, and don't see myself rushing out to get the next itteration.

LockeEWiggin1

Activision should focus on making a kick ass set list, challenging (not impossible) and fun instead of adding more instruments.

mexfreak86

@my spoon is too big:
As for staleness...

I dunno. Maybe it's a fad, maybe it's not. I just can't help feeling like one day I'm going to see whatever-the-decades-equivalent-from-now's-Hal-Spark saying "Oh yeah, I remember Guitar Hero, oh man, then they expanded it and did Rock Band... that was crazy!" kinda like they do with things like Jellies and Day-glo shirts.

Either it's brilliant or we'll look back at it and laugh... there's very little wiggle room on it.

All I know is that both have their high points and low points (I was disappointed to give my GHI&II set to my dad when I got him a PS2 because I'd miss stuff like Texas Flood and Even Rats from the first one and Thunderhorse and Trogdor from the second; III was an easier call but damned if Ruby, My Curse, and the Foo Fighters Pack weren't fun to play).

Sometimes I feel like there is too big of a gap between Hard (which is a little too easy) and Expert on Rock Band, and let's face it, the drums are like playing the real damn thing so they're not exactly easy...

Either way, I'm siding with Rock Band because I invested less money for more hardware.

Evil J

Slew of other instruments? YES! FINALLY! Sitar Hero: Ravi Shankar!!!

/sorry. wanted to do the sitar hero joke for awhile.

MasterYong

No one who has Rock Band already is going to spend the money on another set of instruments, or spend the space in their home.

Every person that gets this instead of Rock Band though is going to make me angry >_> (because the only reason remaining to play Guitar Hero is because of its name.)

Mit

@Spoony Bard:
Tapping the top of a microphone and wailing on a cowbell with a drumstick aren't even on the same level, sir.

@mva5580:
I think of it this way... I've bought the peripherals for Rock Band. I have more invested in them, and I'm not going to pay for another drumset. So, yeah, they come out with a game compatible with the peripherals I have now, sure, I'll pick it up, why not?

If it's not compatible... I'll stick to Rock Band.

Evil J

The main negative I can see coming from this is the battle for exclusive bands. I already own Rock Band, so I'm spending money on all of these songs to play. Once GHIV comes out, EA and Activision will start battling for the exclusives. So, I've already bought all the consoles so I can get each one's exclusive games, now I'll have to buy another whole band game setup because they will have a lot of the songs I want and Rock Band will have the others. I really wish they wouldn't do this. Rock Band already has a good setup, with their updated music store and them keeping on their promise of DLC. I guess we'll also have another problem with instrument compatability too. I like competition, but this is just going to cost everyone more money.

Hamsnibit

Ah my lord, people.

Rock Band isn't "based on Guitar Hero". Guitar Hero 3 is "based on Guitar Hero".

Listen to me very carefully. I've played Guitar Hero 1 and 2 probably 1000 hours each, at least. Guitar Hero 3 is not the sequel to those games. Rock Band is.

dowingba

I'm guessing that there is no way in hell that game will be compatible with the RB instruments out of the box. How would they recoup the cost of R&D for their instruments if the people didn't have to buy them? I just think the group of people willing to buy all the instruments for GHIV AND didn't buy RB will be small.

rvcontre

local bands don't interest me as much as good bands do

sc00t420

Okay GH3 has to be the FUGLIEST game in the series, the Aerosmith version is going to make an already butt ugly band even MORE hideous, the art direction of that game has gotten progressively worse since Harmonix left and the DLC for GH has been pitiful AT BEST.

Even WITH all the problems I've had with Rockband (mostly with the guitars) I GAVE AWAY my copy of GH3 because it just sucked SO badly. Even my nephews who are die-hard GH fans went over to Rockband because they felt GH has just gotten Awful. In all seriousness Activision, just keep beating your dead horse and stop trying to suck the life out of something GOOD in the world, k?

Furiursa

As long as they don't play this "CONTROLLER INCOMPATIBILITY" bullshit across the same fucking platform, I won't rage.

yanthrax

Note that he said "We'll include a lot of other instruments, vocals. It will help us expand internationally."

That doesn't just say drums and a microphone to me. If you want to go international you're going to need Sitars, bagpipes, a didjeridu, steel drums, calabash rattles, djembe drums, xylophones, etc. etc.

Welcome to Guitar Hero IV: The World Beat!

Zazu_Yen

But if they add drums, bass and vocals the game series can no longer be called Guitar Hero. How does Rock Band sound?

kylo4

@nytestalker:
I read SO many reviews that said the same thing. I bought GHIII, then I bought RB...

The fit-and-finish on the RB guitar is better. When I have to use electrical tape to ensure that the GH guitar works right, then it's a problem.

The only reason the GHIII feels better to most is because it's heavier.

The one area I feel the GH guitar excels over the RB guitar is this: StarPower/OverDrive activation.

I finally put a little piece of felt on the select button of the RB guitar so I could push a button to activate overdrive. I can't tell you how many times I've failed a song because I was trying to revive a bandmate by flailing the guitar only to have it not activate.

Evil J

Banjo Hero with optional Hillbilly stage kit!

p.s. on a side note, remember when Activision said they wouldnt allow the guitar compatability patch and everyone said they wouldnt buy from activision again? Wonder if that will hold true....

Piblo

@Raspberry Jowls: Excellent summary!

天水

If you expand the instrument setup, you can't call it Guitar Hero. If you have more than the guitar and bass, the name doesn't work. With all due respect to the Activision heads, copying your ludicrously successful competitor isn't your best option. Perhaps moving towards towards that "DJ Hero" patent would be your best bet.

ViewtifulJason

It bothers me how many people are still confused about the development of these two series and who owns the rights. Some commenters have explained briefly, but others have ignored them. If you aren't totally familiar with the history of the Bemani series, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band then please read this.

RedOctane approached Harmonix to develop a game to utilize a console guitar peripheral that they were themselves developing early in the decade. The result was Guitar Hero. As the developers of the game, Harmonix was responsible for its actual content, but (as is typical) the rights to the game went to the publisher (RedOctane).

This relationship continued with Guitar Hero II. Harmonix developed it and RedOctane published it.

On June 6, 2006, Activision completed a buyout of RedOctane becoming the publisher of the in-development (by Harmonix) Rock the 80s, which was released a little over a year later.

In September of 2006, MTV Networks announced the buyout of Harmonix in order to have them develop rythm games under their own wing. After fulfilling their contractual obligations to Activision with Rock the 80s, Harmonix left the Guitart Hero scene.

Since the publishers typical own the rights to the games that they pay developers to create, Activision was able to continue paying to have Guitar Hero games created. They turned to Neversoft (a division of theirs), known for their Tony Hawk games among others, to develop Guitar Hero III.

Incidentally, this phenomenon is the reason why so many great series head south after a few good titles - it becomes cheaper to pay a new developer and sell the brand name instead of the quality. It's also the reason why only the even-numbered Call of Duty games are any good.

Meanwhile, MTV was having Harmonix, now a division of theirs, develop Rock Band.

The summary:

Guitar Hero: developed by Harmonix and published by RedOctane.
Guitar Hero II: developed by Harmonix and published by RedOctane.
Activision buys RedOctane, obtaining the rights to GH.
MTV buys Harmonix, obtaining the talent behind GH, but not the rights.
Rock the 80s: developed by Harmonix and published by Activision.
Guitar Hero III: developed by Neversoft and published by Activision.
Rock Band: developed by Harmonix and published by MTV Games.

Konami's Bemani series is a whole other can of worms. Both RedOctane and Harmoix have a history working within the series, but I'm frankly not sure how what Konami's response has been to the developments within the rythm genre. There's no doubt they pioneered it.

On the topic of "copying," there's a tremendously important element to the discussion that everyone is leaving out. The value of allowing copying is not in that it simply promotes competition. The value is in the fact that the competition promotes innovation. While I would never say Harmonix is copying Guitar Hero since they're the ones who developed it, it is clear that they were working off of the model created by Konami through Guitar Freaks, Drum Freaks, and Karaoke Revolution (in which Harmonix actually had a hand).

The reason why I support this move is that the execution of the guitar gameplay was clearly superior (5 buttons to 3, better interface - just play Guitar Freaks, it's awful), and they brought it home whereas Konami kept Guitar Freaks in the arcade. The drums, on the other hand, they actually simplified. Drum Freaks contained a full set. While as a hardcore gamer I prefer the Konami set up, this made the unwieldy game much more accessible to gamers-at-large. Again, they also brought an arcade game home and greatly improved the interface. In both cases, star power (or whatever they're calling it nowadays) changed the game significantly, despite being a seemingly minor addition.

The singing is more or less Karaoke Revolution.

Activision's (maybe I should say Neversoft's) track record for innovation in the genre, on the other hand, is not so great. Boss battles? Really?

I'm going to withold final judgment on Activision and Neversoft until I see what they actually do, but honestly my hopes are not very high. Unless they actually improve Rock Band's model in some way, then they will continue to be a bunch of Johnny-come-latelies in my mind.

Thank you for reading :p

Raspberry Jowls

Nice... now I won't have to buy another Guitar to avoid COMPATIBILITY ISSUES.

So now is the time to practice for:
Accordion Hero
Cowbell Hero
Wooden Blocks Hero
Flute Hero
Piano Hero
Violin Hero
Laser Harp Hero
Oboe Hero
Tuba Hero
Marimba Hero
....

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

@Derigor: If you have 360 version it will, but I'm guessing you have it for PS3.

AnotherGamer

@Evil J: I like the way you think. I'm not too skilled on guitar, in fact I can play hard on drums, and up to medium on guitar, but I mostly do vocals when me and my friends play RB. The 2 guitarists say that the learning curve is too hard for GH, but too easy for Rock Band, depending on the song. Hopefully a better difficulty system will be developed, maybe even another tier? (Easy, Medium, Hard, Expert, Impossible?) I don't know.

One thing I disagree with most folks about this deal is that Rock Band is far from perfect. It's a great great game, but there is always room for improvement. I'd lo9ve to see some new ideas to make it into these games.

my spoon is too big

I'm looking forward to this - I (Ok, my girlfriend) has REALLY enjoyed Guitar Hero 3 - and it really has held up with my friends playing it too....

I've been on here saying how excited I am (ok, she is) about Rock Band being given a UK release, and we'll be importing a copy + a set of drums from the USA - but I still have that creepy feeling something is going to go wrong with the drums.

I just wish Harmonx and Activision could be friends again.

And include a electric triangle. THAT would be awesome.

Crab_Botherer

Sorry Activision, Harmnoix did that in November.

Destroyman

I guess this reduces the odds that they'll subtitle it 'Full Plectrum Warrior.'

frostcircus

WTF is up with all you elitist "GH3 sucked" wankers? Apart from the shitty boss battles, GH3 had an ass-kicking setlist and a MUCH more intuitive and fun hammer-on/pull-off system than any of the previous instalments. Cliffs of Dover FTW!

Yeah, the DLC selection has been terrible so far (as far as quantity goes, personally I love No Doubt and Def Leppard and the Dropkick Murphys...) and as said the boss battles blew. But the actual songs themselves were awesome fun to play.

Activision killed the series? Get a life! It's strumming in time with scrolling coloured notes. It's a hard concept to get wrong...

freakout

Guitar Hero: Led Zeppelin

'nuff said

rachaza

this will suck

Quine

firsat comes guitar Hero, and then comes Everything Hero.

KM91

All these comments and not even ONE mention of Jukebox Hero.

COME OOOONNNNN!!!!

VioletArrows

I'll probably end up passing on this. I don't want to spend another $100+ on peripherals. Plus I'm starting to run out of room for plastic/toy instruments. =P

def PD

There is going to be a lot of instruments. Electric guitar. Acoustic guitar. Bass Guitar. Rhtyhem Guitar. Lots of instruments.

Oh, and vocals.

I will agree that if they think I'm going to buy a special drum set for them, they are nuts. Still, if they let you play through as "bass" hero or "rythum" hero, I wouldn't complain. Its an obvious and painless feature. And if they tossed in vocals, I'd be pleased enough even if they were overstating things. But I do kind of agree that its nice to have a guitar focused game as a counterpoint to Rock Band. Both can coexist and I'd hate to see Guitar Hero become a Rock Band clone. If they wanted that, they had their chance. They let Harmonix beat them to that, so the importance now should be on making the best Guitar Hero product possible.

BStu

@Spoony Bard: The mic being the cowbell. Rock Band is a combination of Singstar and Guitar Hero (which ripped off Guitar Freaks) along with drums. Please guys get your facts straight before you make your statement. Activision is starting to become Electronic Arts.

Fireblast

As long as they don't change the notes to those rectangular looking ones that Rock Band has I'll be happy... rock bands notes are hard on my eyes. Also I hope they continue to have difficult note charts. None of that wussy rock band poo poo.

JustOneFix

Given how completely not-fun GH3 was, I'm not purchasing GH4. No way.

I didn't enjoy GH3. I *loved* GH2 - the music was really well chosen, and it felt musical. 3? 3 felt like arbitrary button mashing.

No, it'll be RB when it comes out and I won't be looking back. GH3 lost its soul; GH4 isn't going to be able to photocopy itself a new one.

gblock

I follow Harmonix... plain and simple. And I feel (from my quick glances at the comments section) that nearly everyone here agrees with me... even if I have to fight to be heard over the chorus of "WAHH!!! Rock Band is too fun... err... easy! WAHH!!! The strum bar doesn't click to help me keep beat!!!".

That being said, if you like Guitar Hero due to your love of paleontology, then be my guest.

Raziel

First, people were knocking on Rock Band and calling it a Guitar Hero ripoff even though Harmonix was involved with RB and GH1, GH2, and GHRt80. Now Activision see how much of a success it was and is trying to ripoff Rock Band?

Then again, it's Activision. They haven't done anything original since... well, in a while.

Americo