Although I will say that the star power activation works way better with the Wii-mote than in the other guitars. You can just lightly lean to the side (useful if playing while sitting on a bed) and have it trigger rather than having to whip the thing violently upwards. I also never had the Wii-mote trigger star power when I wasn't trying to, unlike the Rock Band guitar which triggers when I'm just sitting there not tilting it.

NinjaMarion

@NinjaMarion:
And while I think the people who will really have to pay more are rare, your point does stand. They are charging the same for less in the Wii's case.

The dumb thing is they were probably specifically trying to make a way to showcase one more neat thing the Wiimote does, and as a result I bet it cost them more to design than just modifying the interface a bit for a PS2/PS3/360/PC guitar.

fuchikoma

@fuchikoma: I actually agree that most people will have at least two remotes, so if they wanna use that, fine, it'll only affect a small portion of people. The problem is the fact they're charging the exact same $70 that they're charging on the other systems, when the other guitars are fully functioning on their own and these aren't. If they're gonna require a $40 controller for this version, there's no way in hell it should be $70. Even the Rock Band controllers are only $60.

NinjaMarion

@NinjaMarion:
@NinjaMarion:
I guess in theory I can see that happening to a few people, but you'd pretty much have had to buy a Wii just so you can play Guitar Hero and nothing else. That's really stretching it.

As it is for me, I have it on a couple non-Wii platforms, but only a single guitar for each since I don't know that many GH players. On the other hand I have a Wii and got another Wiimote with Wii Play because it was, and still is for me, pretty easy to find someone who wants to play a multiplayer Wii game, which most are.

fuchikoma

You have to admit though that the drum controller for GH4 is velocity sensitive, which means it will actually be able to tell how hard you are hitting it. Which will not only mean you can be more expressive while playing, but you can also use the drums as a fully fledged entry level drum controller for actual music creation, which is worth the price of the bundle alone.

As much as I prefer rock band over guitar hero.. this has me contemplating a purchase.

Polite_Society

another reason for me not to consider this.

JDWRudy25

@fuchikoma: Ummm...you DO realize that some people may want to play multiplayer GH3, right? And that if you buy a second guitar, that it will cost $70...a mere $20 less than buying the game and guitar as a bundle, and the exact same price as the guitars on the other systems. However, unlike those other systems, if you only have one Wii remote, that $70 has bought you a useless, plastic shell that won't play a thing until you plop down an extra $40 on another remote. Thus, if you had no use for a second Wii remote prior to GH3, you've gotta drop $110 just to be able to play two player, as I said in my previous post. Nice try with the sarcasm though.

NinjaMarion

@BassForever: What exactly sounds 10x better than Rock Band? I'm all for the "stuido" mode but with all I've seen or heard there is nothing else that excites me about this game. I love the gutiar hero series as a single player going for a "high score" experience. I don't know how well it will translate into the "Party" game band experience. I just hope that Activison pulls their head out of their ass on their DLC model.

Pornosaur

@fuchikoma: Umm...you DO realize that you can use a second guitar to play bass, right? And that for the bass, you would need to buy a second guitar for $70. And that with that $70, you still would not be able to use that guitar unless you already had multiple Wii-motes. Therefore, if you only had one Wii-mote for whatever reason, you're out $110 just to be able to play GH3 with a friend. But nice try with the sarcasm.

NinjaMarion

HohohoHAHAHA... Fuck no!

ca$h

@NinjaMarion:
Haha, yeah... because I bought my Wii without any controllers. Damn that Guitar Hero for making me run out and buy one! I was just going to sit there and look at the menu screen forever!

fuchikoma

does everyone not remember when amazon, and numerous others listed rock band as $199.99?

I suspect this price will be changing in the near future.

ajacy

"They also offered an extra alternative to buy EVERYTHING or just the game, something it's competition did not do."

@figaro1010: Nope. Rock Band was available as a game-only since day 1.

FanDam

I already sold one arm and one leg to get Rock Band here in England. Even if I managed to get this, I'd have no limbs left to play it...

WalkOnWater

so far is for activision 1€=1$ (well, for most companies) so i think it would be 180€ in europe. sold 4 me, i'm NOT buying that shit of rock band (ok, it's good game but the price...)

Angusslo

Guitar Hero fails at life!

Fireblast

One question- Are the drums actually worth it... Or will i have to replace them every god damn month because the production quality is so piss awful.

>>>BTW<<< For anybody who hasn't noticed yet', An official Rock Band Drum set SILENCERS have been released.DO N O T buy them!!!!!! I was so happy to see them this morning in the store, I bought them in a flash. A complete waste of $20, They indeed almost completely eliminate that annoying Clackity Clack of the drums, but their so soft that they just absorb the hit no matter how hard. I even taped my sets to be extremely sensitive w/o the silencers, but it still barely counts a hit...

Just saving some of you drummers out there some $$$....

King Seafoam

@kagai: You said "requiring you to buy a whole new set". So yes, you did say you would have to buy a new guitar, although if that is not what you meant, that's fine. In any case, the new features will most likely be identical to Rock Band's (it's additional five fret buttons, that won't be required for normal gameplay), which is definitely not something most people would shell out more money for. Most Guitar Hero players just want to play the game and could care less about much else, hence why they always complain about the pick on the Rock Band guitars and whatnot. The added functionality means nothing to them.

On the sequel talk, sure they could do one, but it's Harmonix, not Activision. They won't make a sequel just because it's the next logical way to make more money. They have a certain passion for their games, and are not concentrated on money when they make things, like Activision. A big selling point for Rock Band was that with the DLC you could pretty much keep playing it forever. You continually grow the game's song list to your liking and make it a better and better game. If they make a sequel, they may be able to carry over DLC and use the same store, but you'll lose all of your Rock Band 1 stuff. They could keep making DLC, giving you all the songs that could show up on a sequel, or they could make a sequel, and force you to lose all of your old Rock Band 1 songs when playing it.

It might seem obvious to make a sequel because that's what has always happened with rhythm games, but it's just different with Rock Band. The only plus you get with the sequel is perhaps a song creation mode (if they went the route of copying Guitar Hero, unless they already thought of their own). Otherwise, it's just more songs that they could just release over the online store and track packs.

Plus, notice how they numbered the Track Packs coming for Wii and PS2. Number 1 isn't even out yet. It wouldn't even make sense to make a number 2 as it would probably be out late this year, the same time when you would expect a Rock Band sequel.

There's plenty of reasons for them to continue supporting Rock Band 1, and there's the simple reasons that they'd create a sequel as well. We'll see what happens (or what doesn't happen).

Mit

@figaro1010: Uhh, Difference is that the proprietary controllers for consoles work with every game released for the console (dualshock for metal gear, uncharted, etc), where as these plastic toys only work for their respective games.

You apparently aren't in the same boat that most of us are in: We bought GH2 or 3 for the 360, picked up rockband and have a full set (and probably have 2 ps2 plastic guitars as well). Finding room for one drum set in my living room was pretty silly; finding room for 2 is insane (since they will likely not be compatible, citing Activision/GH3's stance before).

From a "I don't own anything, or just own GH3 for the 360/ps3", then this is a FINE deal. But most of us have been on the Guitar Hero/Rockband-wagon since GH1/2. I'm up to 5 guitars...

And if you just want to be a fan of the Guitar Hero as a series, try to remember that Rockband is the actual successor:

GH1 / GH2 / 80's(?) / Rockband <- Harmonix Devs
GH3 <- Neversoft (?) Devs

Red Octance (hardware guys) stayed with the GH branding (for now, anyway).

Phokal

WHY

Darthvinder

I thought it was named Guitar Hero because it was about guitar playing? Somehow I think trying to turn Guitar Hero into Rock Band isn't such a great idea ... plus, so many extra, unnecessary peripherals. The more a game has, the more I'm immediately turned off. Maybe I'll just buy the game, though ... if the tracks are good.

GamerBunny

Here's the thing... I just bought RB. It's a great game.

I'm sure World Tour is going to be a great game too.

But here's the thing: if you already have Rock Band, are (what are likely) better drums and studio mode going to make you shell out another $170?

For some people, the answer will probably be yes. For other people, the answer will be no. Not unless Guitar Hero goes above and beyond the bar set by Rock Band.

That's even before Rock Band 2 enters into the picture.

thefais

I don't see how anyone who bought Rock Band is going to buy this.

Too little, too late.

bostonwolf

eh, screw it. I'll just download the ps2 version.

darknessgp

Wow, I love how these posts bring out the RB/GH Defense Force. Come on people, can't we all just get along. Oh wait, this is the internet, what am I saying?

Anyway, I'll echo resetbutton here and wait till it's just drums + game on Wii. I already have a guitar and a mic(curse that High School Musical game to the deepest levels of Hades), and Rock Band on Wii isn't as totally awesome as the other versions.

dslsd64

what's with you guys?..if you think the price of Rock Band for what you get isn't worth it then you're crazy..and i will happily pay $189.99 for World Tour because I have always thought Guitar Hero peripherals were of a way higher quality than Rock Band..even though I lvoe both games..on the other hand..my apartment is filling up with plastic instruments.

qBIRD

Guess I now have to buy Rock Band.

Thorax

Sooo it'll be about $600 in Australia then?

Honestly, even if we get the US price adjusted to the AU dollar (HAHAHAHAHA) I would still never ever spend that kind of money on ONE GAME.

They're fucking themselves over really. If you price it too high, leaving the game not so popular compared to just the guitar bundle, it'll become rather dorky to own the full band set ;)

Passa

@DoubleOh187: So true

mcrproductions

@figaro1010: but you could buy rock band alone with no extra periphals

MINIBOSS

Europe's going to shit bricks when we find out what it costs over here.

Mister Adequate

Or you flamers could wait for an official price. Remember Rock Band? The price was all over the place before the official announcement. Chill out.

The Magnificen7

@DoubleOh187: Hah. If you count the Wii-mote in the price of a Wii guitar since it won't function without one, that puts the price of a GH3 Les Paul controller for Wii at $110. I bought my shitty Squire starter pack with an amp included for less than double that.

Pretty soon, the "Play a real instrument" crowd'll be on the right side of the argument simply because it'll be cheaper to do so.

NinjaMarion

@figaro1010: As far as point A, I was just going on what you said, which is that GH is offering the option of buying everything or just the game, "something it's competition did not do"

For point B, all of the peripherals are overpriced, although GH is the worst offender of this with their $70 shells that cost the same as their guitars on other systems that actually have all the functionality in them already. But thats not even what I meant by overpriced. Whatever this new guitar element is, it won't change the gameplay so drastically that the old guitars will suddenly be useless. The old guitars WILL work. The fact they will work makes the bundle with everything be overpriced and forcing the customer to pay more than they should. They should have a bundle with the game, mic, and drums, because that's what a very large portion of their customer base will need. We already have enough damn guitars. We don't need any more.

And yeah, it can be argued that those people can just buy the stuff separately, but that's not fair to them. To buy the game, mic, and drums separately will end up costing nearly as much as the whole bundle. I understand the point of the bundle is to get you to buy it with the enticement of a little money saved, but my point is that more people (Or at least more of the actual GH fans... the people that have supported the series all along) would benefit from a bundle with just the new stuff, rather than a bundle with guitars they have eight of already.

NinjaMarion

i'll just get the drums and game. i'll wait. i have rockband and guitar hero 3. which is enough for me.

resetbutton

Prices for pretend rock video games are quickly approaching the cost of real instruments.

DoubleOh187

Whether or not it ends up being more expensive than Rock Band isn't as important as the fact that no matter what the price is, I've already dropped my $150-$200 bucks on another game that does the exact same thing differently.

NeoStarr

I'm guessing the drum + game will cost something like $130-140 (for the Wii version). Shieeet that's a lot.

reddevil3

Crap, I got in too late to make a joke about "Mike" being included..

Sorry, not enough room for another set of drums, and I absolutely don't want another guitar (just for playing video games with) in this house. I'm sure there are countless people who think differently though...

We've all seen how they are "improving" upon the drumming aspect (Travis Barker himself said that he is able to drum though a song on expert with his eyes closed because it's so accurate), but how will the guitar aspect be improved? Solo keys?

like I said, looks like it'll be good.

aR-Tard

I'm just checking, but are we doing MUSIC GAME fanboy bullshit now? Has it really gotten to this?

GettinMyGooseOn

@figaro1010: They also offered an extra alternative to buy EVERYTHING or just the game, something it's competition did not do.

wait what?

Rock Band sold the game as standalone from the get go.

Boy Howdy

And it's officially only bought by the desperate, the rich, or the people that already have a million guitars and will only buy a tiny piece.

justhesh

People need to learn to read, apparently the new GH4 guitars have some sort of new feature to them to expand the gameplay, course thats just a rumor. Everything about GH4 sounds 10x better then Rock Band, and if this price estimate is lower then the old RB estimate, chances are the real price will also be lower.

BassForever

Worlds of no.

Anyone with the ability to see ahead knows how this goes. Rock Band will release a sequel, all of the old instruments you already own will work on it, and they'll put in their own versions of the stuff that's in GH: World Tour. And going on history, I'm definitely willing to bet Rock Band will do it all better.

mva5580

@NinjaMarion: Well actually..
A) Rock Band DID release a game only edition at the same time as the special all instruments edition. GameStop was taking pre-orders on both...apparently no one bitched about that enough.

The point is, GH is offering game only, game and guitar, and the bundle with all. They are offering more choices for purchase here.

B) As opposed to Rock Band not overpricing their crap? I'm not saying GH isn't overpriced. But to say that in the context of a Rock Band vs. GH argument is kinda hypocritical. Especially as I have always found the Guitar Hero guitar to be a much better instrument. I would definately pay more for it than the Rock Band one.

And as I said before, the new guitar is supposed to offer something more that the old ones don't in terms of gameplay. I get that it may be a gimmick to milk those who already own the older versions, but if they can actually create a more in depth experience and give me more fun with the new gameplay elements, I'm all for it.

figaro1010

I don't know about ya but I don't think all our fighting back in forth even matters... I'm just assuming but the "kotaku community" here is probably more of hardcore gamers.. We do know why the wii is making money and its not cuz of us. So i believe that guitar hero 4 is probably gonna be successful at any price point. Kinda like how people keep buying jordan sneakers cuz of the name even though some are god damn ugly!!!

I think i'ma buy it.. just hold out for the game and drums when its sold separately.. I dunno i said this before but I really look at these games as new "ALBUMS" not different brands of music games..

b1t0

Price isn't an issue for me with this game, as long as it has that awesome of a kit, it'll be worth it.

My predictions for Rockband now are to include one or more of he following features in RB2 to keep up with GH4:
-New peripheral (most likely keyboard)
-Making the Phase software to work with your music as mentioned in previous interviews.
-Adding a create-a-song option as well.

Nessman

Could be $20 cheaper and I wouldn't buy it. Still don't see the need for a second band game.

steve86uk

Now they're both too expensive. Weird though since RB + guitar was so much more than the GH3 bundle.

But I don't really want the other instruments, I've played identical games with almost identical instruments, so I'll probably just get the inevitable software only bundle for $60 or something and it's no different. Yay.

fuchikoma

why's it cheaper on ps3?

Milkham

I will just be picking up the game. No need to get the other stuff at this point, someone is going to make a fix for the rockband drums to work with this, I just know it.

Sir_Crocidile

@DragonSphere:

Yea I understand it sucks that the guitars don't work for both games, but I've played both titles and I like them both. I can understand liking one title more than the other, but bottom line is both products are fantastic. The crazy amount of hate towards these titles is unnecessary and a terrible part of the industry IMO.

Just because people can't afford both is a really dumb reason to hate a product. Choose one and be happy with what you can afford.

Bones_Jackson

AH WHAT NOW CONSOLE NUBBIES! :P I jk.

I could buy a new quad -core processor for the price of one of your games. I think they are seriously gouging on what they think people will pay for a videogame. Then again there are PC games in the past that cost 200 bucks.

@Candlejack: Yep I think I'd rather buy a real guitar.

Chewbenator

Well if this really has DLC for the Wii version then I'll most likely get it over Rock Band for Wii, as I already have a GH3 controller. I'd rather get Rock Band but the lack of DLC kills it. [Wii]

Lunar

@Communist_Gamer: I agree, Guitar Hero III totally turned me off of the series, playing it at a friends house and hearing the average music compared to it's former titles was such a disappointment.

Klopfer123

You Know I read the article in GameInformer in fact i have it on my desk. The drums seem to be of better quality, quieter and have a natural feel to them. With the added cymbal it has a gmaeplay option to release your star power at anytime by hitting both cymbals at the same time... neat-o and it's wireless to boot. anyhoo I'm really excited about the new create a track mode and the wide variety of character creations, including ageing your character. they say that it is more like playing a real guitar with the option to have open notes, there is a bar across the track that means you just strum without hitting a colored button. kinda like the pedal note for the drums in RB. which means there are now six notes to be played on the guitar.

AnonAMoose

Wow, and I thaught the Rock Band Bundle was expensive.

Game Only Please.

HALO-32

I'd sell activison stock right before launch if they don't just have a game and drum set bundle. Seriously between ps2 and 360 I have a total of 5 guitars plus a Rock Band guitar. I don't want... another guitar.

Pornosaur

Not a chance in hell, Activision, not a chance in hell.

XenonXylophone

Gee, these people should realize that Rock Band was pricey because it was good. Guitar Hero is trying to take that glory and so far, is failing.

More, tonight at 10.

Crimson_Ryan

@figaro1010: I don't see how that's a positive that they're releasing with game or everything but Rock Band didn't.

A: Rock Band had no previous releases, so game-only release would have been just about the most pointless thing ever, and I guarantee the internet would have bitched about how stupid it was that they were selling the game by itself with no instruments.

B: The GH package with everything will be overpriced, useless crap to all of the most loyal GH fans, proving yet again that Activision seems to love screwing its Guitar Hero customers. Activision's done their best to fuck customers trying to keep guitar-buying to a minimum by doing their best to stop guitar usage between RB and GH. Now in addition to that, they're releasing a full band GH or game only. Most real Guitar Hero fans have at least two guitars already. Plenty probably have even more, most of which are useless because they're from last-gen systems. Rather than releasing an edition with the game, drums, and mic, perhaps at a $50 less price point, and then just releasing standalone guitars, they're releasing the giant, super-expensive mega-jumbo pack and making customers pay for guitars they don't need.

Bottom line is the game's not out yet... it may turn out amazing and worth the wait and crap they're putting customers through. So far, however, it looks very much like they're doing everything they can to fuck anyone that may have ever even played the competition, and even plenty to try and fuck loyal GH customers that wouldn't go near Rock Band if their lives depended on it.

NinjaMarion

New instruments? What's next? Pianos? Trumpets? Violins... Seriously, Violin hero would be awesome though.

vx2

More expensive, the drum machine looks ridiculous, and with no vocals? Suckers.

KosherInfidel

$20 bucks for a wireless set of drums and guitar is not bad. How much do you think Rock Band 2 will be when they show up wireless?

darthraiderj

@Mit: @Mit:

If you want to take full advantage of the new guitar features, because the new guitar has more buttons, then you're going to have to buy a whole new set, so my facts are clear (and I didn't say anywhere that you couldn't use old GH guitars with the new game).

Then, you say Rock Band's instruments will be compatible across sequels, then you say they won't make any sequels, they'll just release more DLC songs...well, which is it? You've seriously got to be kidding if you think that RB won't make a 2 or a 3, etc. You create renewed interest, and revenue, with new games. They'll make sequels and they'll have cool new instruments...it'll be interesting to see if this type of vitriol comes out against RB at that time.

kagai

@infamyRISE:

This is the only situation I could ever imagine myself purchasing this game in. I hate singing, and I don't like it when other people sing. Honestly, they better have some DAMN good songs for me to pick it up, because I'm having way too much fun with Rock Band right now.

adamonfire

The problem for me is not the principle of getting a new and expensive setup, but it seems very clear after playing both RB and GHIII that Harmonix got the better designers and GH has a lot more producers concerned with gimmicks (like those gaddawful boss battles) instead of honing the musical experience (like RB). Maybe GHIV will be better but they seem to be presenting more of a "business" strategy by trying to crowd out RB by offering another incompatible drum product to use their brand name advantage. I reserve my judgment for when these games come out but do not think user-creation is all it's cracked up to be (how are you going to "compose" with five freaking buttons?!?). I just fear GHIV is going to fall flat here...

GettinMyGooseOn

At least the Wii version won't be a shitty PS2 port ala Rock Band, still probably won't let you download songs but online should be intact

excel_excel

@Bones_Jackson: amen brotha! love all music games! except rock revolution.

this very easy for me to say because i dont have bills to pay and i have plenty of room for peripherals.

zakky venom

I only want the game and the drums. If you can't use the "OLD" guitar that came with the 360, no purchase for me.

Alazar

If the GH 3 gibson guitars for the PS3 are compatible with GH 4, I might just buy the game alone and wait for a drumset later on like how RB sold them separately.

If the guitar isn't compatible then Activision sucks ass.

FusionHype

@DragonSphere:

Think of it more like a console developer is making a new console every 2 years, and that console is exactly the same as the previous console, but you have to have it to play newer games. You would much rather just use your old console for the newer games.

Consoles offer a lot more than the same functionality as older consoles though, and have a helluva lot longer play-lifetime than a plastic guitar and a rhythm game do.

Mit

Great use of "bones" instead of dollars. That should be utilized more often.

Damn guitar hero for straying from its roots.

Tchaikovsky08

i love rock band, but this game has my interest, and im a fiend for any rhythm game.

i will be preordering this today, a little goes a long way and october 27th is quite far off, a bit of each paycheck until then should cover it. its only really expensive if you buy the whole thing at once. thank god for the 5 dollar down policy =)

zakky venom

I just wondering if Guitar Hero: World Tour will support the Rock Band Light a Smoke Stage Show? If not...I'm not buying it.

Seriously though, you can place me in the "really want this game, but where am I gonna store it," crowd as well. The new drum set looks f'n awesome IMO. However, I think I'll wait and see how the Rock Band guys are gonna rip me off with Rock Band 2 first before I buy into GH:WT.

Keeko_ca

I am genuinely concerned now.

From here, it's easy to see that companies may continue this pattern of trying to one-up each other by releasing increasingly complicated and fancy products in this little subgenre/niche.

At some point, people are going to burn out on it, and perhaps on rhythm games in general. That would be very upsetting, because there are so many things that could be done with the genre that...aren't.

Morii

@kagai: "We'll see if Rock Band 2 or 3 allows all their instruments to play across all of their games. I doubt it."

I don't. Quite positive they'll allow all of their instruments to play across all of their games (should they even make a sequel). Harmonix has always been about backwards compatibility, hence why all their PS2 Guitar Hero guitars work with PS2 Rock Band, and their 360 Guitar Hero guitar works with 360 Rock Band. Anything else that doesn't work is the fault of Activision. Also, you can use old Guitar Hero guitars with this new Guitar Hero World Tour, get your facts straight.

The only thing I see attractive about this game is the song creator, because I'm sure some insane people will make some absolutely fantastic stuff with that. Rock Band could make a sequel and add that, but I have this feeling that they don't plan on making any sequels, and that they're just going to keep releasing DLC, which would be bad for them (although it makes sense, if they were to make a Rock Band 2, you could probably keep all your DLC from Rock Band 1, but you'd be losing all the songs that came with Rock Band 1, and I think they would like for you to always have all your songs).

We'll see if they really let you share songs with anyone though. I can really see that cutting into their DLC money. Perhaps they'll only allow the sharing of original music with anyone, and make everything else only able to be distributed through friends.

This price is also most likely correct. Activision charges up the ass for Guitar Hero. They sell Wii guitars (shells!) for $70. Ludicrous. I can't see them making a deal such as $170 for this bundle. It'll be $190 at the least.

Mit

The fact that the drumbset is both wireless and velocity sensitive is maybe worth the 10USD extra. When the time comes and this game is released and we see what harmonix has for rockband I will decide wich of them i will buy.

I don't care much for DLC mostly because the crappy PS3 online store doesn't let me buy things in mexico and i have a wii, but there's the space problem and the fact that i already have GHIII on PS3. So we'll see what happens on the fall. For now, GHIV has won me over with the drumbset and the music creation tools. Not enough to preorder, I'll wait until it is on retail and reviewed.

Falsoman

@kagai: well i can't speak for everyone, but most of the "hate" is really coming from those who already have RB... and it's hard to see why Activision would alienate that crowd by requiring another set of plastic instruments, I mean they could only benefit in software sales if compatibility was guaranteed right? To those who haven't purchased RB, then it's more of a moot point, depending on how they feel for the GH series or even Konami's offering (which is also contributing to the problem).

Why divide the market rather than to try to get their games to as much people as possible?

DragonSphere

@Len Bias Cocaine Surplus: Very True.
Then again, depending on how user friendly the "make your own" stuff is, it may be a moot point, especially if you can download other people's content.

I'm sure there is a reason people are whining about not being able to use instruments on both...I wonder how many of these people have multiple consoles? What..It's okay for the console manufacturers to release proprietary inputs for its own product and us not to pitch a stink, but when a developer/publisher wants to cash in on the same thing? CRAZY!! Come on people, this is nothing new.

Someone set me straight, but I just can't see the difference...

figaro1010

Pass. Rock Band is still great, and they've supported the hel out of it. If the crappy DLC for GH3 is any indication as to what we can expect for this new one, no thanks.

Also, I really don't need a drum set that's even MORE complicated.

Torgo

guitar hero... As far as I'm concerned they are dead. Nobody who bought the full Rock Band set should buy this set.

Demonbird

@Roto13: Seeing as how the drums are going to be using a different number of inputs, looks like you'll be waiting for a long, long time. No way in heck either game changes to match the other one, thus also rendering their old drum kits obsolete.

Carl Everett's Fossil Collection

@def PD: @Len Bias Cocaine Surplus: exactly. at their current price model of $2.50/song, GH is gonna be hard pressed to win over those of us who've downloaded a bunch of songs on Rock Band already. god knows why their current pricing structure is more expensive than RB at the moment.

@Bones_Jackson: well if you haven't noticed, both games are using their own proprietary instruments, so unless you have a burning desire (and the cash) to have two plastic drum sets along with a plethora of guitars
it's hard to imagine someone embracing both....thus the dichotomy. essentially, since this alienates the RB PS3 (if previous compatibility history with the 360 holds true) crowd, people are either going to go with one game or the other but certainly not both.

@Clarke: and last I checked at least Harmonix made an effort to appease those that already had GH3 with a patch, but Activision cockblocked it because of "failed negotiations" (probably some ridiculous amount of compensation that Harmonix seemed to refuse to pay and rightly so).

DragonSphere

@Len Bias Cocaine Surplus: Amen to that. Guitar Hero's been nothing short of awful for DLC, whereas Rock Band releases at least three new songs every week. Activision's going to have to do a LOT to try and show me that they're going to change that to make me even think about changing my mind.

Carl Everett's Fossil Collection

You know what? I'm not buying either Rock Band OR Guitar Hero IV until I can use the same set of instruments for both. I bought Guitar Hero III because I didn't feel like buying a whole bunch of controllers.

Roto13

I'm starting to go broke from these music games. As interesting as Guitar Hero World Tour looks, I'm going to sit this one out.

GunSavior

$189.99..?

Fuck that.

SmooveRN

Everyone has been hating on this game from the get-go and I really don't understand it. Why should they allow their guitars to play on a competitor's game? Hell, why should I have to have 3 game consoles in my house...why can't MS, Sony and Nintendo get together and make one system? Give me a break. These are companies trying to make money.

Also, you bought GH 2 for the 360, then you wanted to get GH 3 but you NEEDED that wireless guitar...why is it Activision's fault that you didn't want to use your GH 2 guitar with just a GH 3 game?

Now, they are adding features to their guitar along with a mic and drums requiring you to buy a whole new set...Boo Hoo...it's the nature of this type of game. If you don't like the merry go round, go ride on a swing. We'll see if Rock Band 2 or 3 allows all their instruments to play across all of their games. I doubt it.

kagai

The drums and guitar are wireless in this package, as opposed to in Rock Band (on the 360 at least). That is probably where the extra price is coming from.

BananaKid

If I was in the business to spend this kind of money on a single game, I'd just go ahead and buy the real goddamn thing (an instrument).

I don't know about you, and I do know some people absolutely love these games, but to me the price is just an insult. The entire "rhythm game" genre can go screw itself.

DDR is heaven compared.

Candlejack

"Presumably these all include the game, guitar, drums and a mike." a Michael McWhertor maybe?

anyways this will still be the first music game peripheral set I will be purchasing. I just played Rockband and Guitar Hero at friends' houses

GodzillaVsJapan

@Clarke: Not this again. GH guitars work in Rock Band because Rock Band is an "open platform" while GH is not. Activision purposely used a closed system to how their guitars work so no third party guitars would work wit GH, thus forcing everyone to have to buy their guitars to play GH.

OtherAdam

Nice to see that "mike" is packaged with this, I love that guy...

wildmatt

@Doomstink: yup, pretty much.

salmonax

Feel that odd sensation on your nipple? Yeah, that's the sensation you get when you're being milked, folks.

Face it: GH3 was not anywhere near as good as GH2. Rock band was every *inch* as good as GH2. Put your money where the fun is, not where the packaging says to.

GH is going to bleed their audience dry; they're going to use the Starbucks "build as many of them as we can" approach and leave no oxygen for their competition. Meanwhile, we get the gaming equivalent of shit coffee.

Just stop, folks. Stop and think about whether or not you *really* want to support this. One of these things is not like the other, one of these things is not the same...

gblock

Isn't it a bit too early to start the HATE war?
Relax, nobody knows anything about this yet.
As long as we fight for such trivial things there will always be war and hate in the real world, let's all join hands and start spreading world peace from the internet. A lovely kotaku community will end all wars.

Automageddon!

@Clarke: Yeah I think thats because Neversoft would have to patch Guitar hero for the instruments to work with their game, much like Harmonix tried to do for the PS3 version of Rock band. That was until Activision said no, unless they were willing to pay.

ciabb64

Fuck this game.

robotleawesome

To the people who are complaining about compatibility, last time I checked the Guitar Hero Guitars work for Rock Band on Xbox 360 and PS2 whilst the Rock Band guitars only work on Rock Band for all systems.

Clarke

Uhh, How about no. If I was going to spend that kind of money, I would just shell out a little bit more and buy another console. I would consider getting the guitar and the game, if the guitars didn't get gradually more expensive.

RPGJunky

And a UK/EU release date wont be announced til 5 months after realise and double the price most likely HORRAY ahah ah well finally got Rock Band now :D

kopakauk

I just wish they do a Drum and Mic bundle only since a lot of people already have a Guitar. From a business sense it'll sell a lot more to the GH3 owners. Hope they do release one like that and this is just speculation of the bundles they'll be from Gamestop.

daknight

@okrangerbob: I'm assuming you purchased gh1 and 2 on ps2 then moved on to 360, correct?

Konstrix

Im glad im done with the GH series. Same with Rock Band. Rhythm games are entertaining but im not gonna shell out all that money when i already bought GH1 with guitar, GH2 with guitar and GH3 with guitar.

okrangerbob

@Bones_Jackson:

The dichotomy is that Activison is making it impossible for people to buy both games with thier propitiatory hardware and refusal to support third party (RockBand) guitars. They also blocked PS3 users from using the Guitar Hero guitars on RockBand.

Activison and Red Octane is more interested in making people buy a new guitar every fucking year than the music.

BaronVonCrogs

@figaro1010: The only thing I'm waiting for is DLC. It has to be amazing to get me to think about giving up Rock Band. And since I have 130 songs (not counting the Cars album I'm about to buy) GH is going to have to do alot to get me to give up Rock Band

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus

What the hell. What's up with these corperations gauging consumers on these music games?

I can't wait until guitar hero finally craps out and dies. The prices they are charging consumers for these cheap plastic instruments is pathetic, and the games never really change...just clones of something else, in this case rock band.

fenderfuel08

The GH series is going to milk the shit out of the (little) DLC they're releasing. My guess is that it'll be similar to the pricing structure of GH2 XBL & GH3.

def PD

I think its funny that people are freaking out over a $10 difference. Get over it. Plus these aren't even the official prices from Activision.

Also I love the absolute dichotomy that Rock Band and GH has created among fans. Why is it so hard to enjoy both games? They are both great franchises and both are worth purchasing. GH didn't automatically become garbage once Harmonix left...its still a very solid game. Rock Band is just as good, but it was focused more on a multiplayer experience. The GH series needed to evolve in order to survive so why bash them for it? If they didn't try to one up Rock Band people would have bitched...now that they are trying to one up rock band people are bitching. It doesn't make any sense to me...

Bones_Jackson

Jesus people...

I read the spread in the GI this month and from what I read it looks to be a better title in almost every respect...If you are going to blatantly ripoff a title, seems to me that would be the way to go (hello rockband!)

The new guitar hero WILL support the older guitars, but there is some new "thing" the new guitar does that they haven't announced yet cause they think it will be copied... so who knows. Besides Guitar Hero has had the better hardware from day 1 anyway. I'll pay $20 more for a guitar that won't crap out on me.

I'm just happy someone finally added a "make your own tracks" to one of these titles without having to go into debug mode or whatever.

They also offered an extra alternative to buy EVERYTHING or just the game, something it's competition did not do.

When this releases, I'm getting rid of my rockband.

figaro1010

That 10 dollar difference is absolutely massive

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus

What the fuck? If they want any chance of going against Rock Band, they need to have the price of World Tour be equal to that of Rock Band, at the highest. Ideally, it should be cheaper.

People who already own Rock Band, which is nearly everyone within the target audience of World Tour, are already going to be annoyed at having to have another set of plastic crap in their rooms, so the only way to offset that annoyance is to either have amazing features (hard to tell at this point) or a great price point (apparently not true from this story).

As it is, Guitar Hero: World Tour is going to have a hell of a time luring people back from Rock Band.

kylenalepa

Something to keep in mind - Rock Band was priced at $200 for a long time on Gamestop. These prices are not official.

Struct09

Hah... waiting for Rock Band 2.

Ignatius

If Activision would pull its head out of its ass and allow for 3rd party (specifically Rock Band) peripherals, then I might consider picking this up. As it stands now, probably not.

StupidDufus

Remember when Gamestop listed Rock Band at $200?
[kotaku.com]
Now it's all coming back to you isn't it.

Clarke

If I remember correctly, Rock Band showed up as a $199 preorder everywhere for a few months before the price was announced... I can't imagine, given the already sort of iffy response this has gotten (Some love it, some swear they'll never buy it) that they'd launch with any sort of price difference.

Although part of me envisions this kind of like a salmon swimming upstream-- people on the intertubes keep screaming they won't buy another drum kit/etc/etc but it just keeps chugging along. We'll see what huge announcement is made between now and launch that they'll hope will change all of our minds.

(put me firmly in the "Would love this but there's no way I can fit yet ANOTHER set of plastic instruments in my apartment" camp)

Justin42

Yep.

Go out of your way to make sure your drums have an extra input/color than the competition. Push away the people who would happily buy the game disc since they already have the hardware.

Good fucking going. I hope that RockBand releases a patch that lets people use this new drum set on their game as an act of good faith.

BaronVonCrogs

@Clarke: Yeah, a little too soon to break out the torches.

Xul

@Clarke: Correct, but retailers such as GameStop usually always get the retail information for products before an official press release goes out. That way, by the time the general public finds out, GameSpot is already setup to immediately take pre-orders at the correct price.

It's the way business works.

AndrewMP

these are very tentative prices.

Grumps

Yeah because Gamestop is the most reliable place for this info. You people do realize activision hasn't announced the price yet. Heck they haven't even announced a release date yet.

Clarke

I bought Rock Band on the day it came out(i.e. last Friday, a saddened UK gamer) and my affiliation is sticking with this after Guitar Hero 3 was the most offensive pile of shit I've ever seen of a brand I once loved (if I can love brands at all).

Unless this has OK Computer I'm hoping it will die a sad lonely death. But in EU with Rock Bands few advertising campaigns, I can see it winning.

Communist_Gamer

And to make things worse, I doubt Rock Band Drums are compatible with Guitar Hero (with them having six buttons as opposed to five). I think they made a mistake by trying to one up RB with a "better" drum pad and instead alienated a huge sales group (the "already own rock band" crowd). Good going Activision.

Doomstink

Although their current sales likely don't demand it, MTV should cut the price of their Special Edition by another $20 for the Holiday season. With a $40 price difference, and a huge library of songs already available on Live (and really, I'd imagine that's where they make all of their money from, not the hardware itself) they could establish themselves as the favoured brand.

AndrewMP

And Rock Band just secured its place in my house.

Ruglia

Good call, Activision, make it more expensive than the established title you're so blatantly ripping off. That'll make the game fly off the shelves.

KainReborn

$20 for an extra drum pad. Didn't realize they were so expensive.

jjpember

Where's the game and drums combo? I absolutely refuse to buy my 7th guitar (For the GH series alone). No Game & Drums , no sale.

infamyRISE

The hell?

I'll just buy more RAM for my computer instead.

PatMan33

I just want this game to be difficult.
That's all.

Konstrix

Wow, so those of us with GHIII controllers can't just buy the game with the drums and mic? Fuck that.

Tyber_Zann

More expensive than Rock Band? WTF? And what's the european price going to be like? 300€ (without game)?

EvilFiek

I didn't buy GHIII so I might give this a go....sounds better than rock band

TenPoundTerror

@OtherAdam: Um, actually there are third party guitars that work with Guitar Hero moron. It's just that they don't allow their guitar to work with other games. And why should they? Everyone complains about GH for that but no one says anything about how awful the Rock Band guitar is when that is the real problem.

Also,

+ Watch video

The drums are looking pretty decent in there. They can also tell how hard you hit them for the song creation mode? Sounds pretty good but let's hope it works well in practice and these things don't break easily.

Ghar