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Heroic sacrifices: The companies behind Guitar Hero
The Guitar Hero series touched many people, and not just by strapping plastic guitars to them. As the series reached its absurd heights of success, it caused more game developers to enter into the service of note charts and extreme rocker-dude 3D models. And now that Activision has stopped production on the Guitar Hero series and closed that business unit, we can look back at how it affected the people who made it -- the companies who either moved on or were chewed up and spat out by the Guitar Hero monster.
Report: RedOctane founders staying with Activision
Though music game pioneer RedOctane may have all but evaporated in the recent round of Activision layoffs, it seems that the driving force behind it, founders Kai and Charles Huang, will remain with the publisher, according to a report from Develop. Though they're not fleeing, we've been given no hints as to what the Huangs will be doing now at Activision. Ever the optimists, we breathlessly (and no doubt foolishly) await a console follow-up to In the Groove.
Activision shuts down RedOctane, Underground Development
Activision wasn't done after yesterday's round of layoffs. Kotaku reports that RedOctane, the former music game peripheral company that originally published Guitar Hero before being purchased by Activision in 2006, has been shut down, with only the staff directly involved with instrument development remaining at Activision. In addition, Underground Development (once called Z-Axis), who worked on Guitar Hero Van Halen and the Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX series, has been shut down completely, the site reports. An Activision rep confirmed the news, telling Joystiq that "As part of our overall strategy to release fewer SKUs for Guitar Hero in 2010 we are closing the Underground studios and relocating RedOctane to our Santa Monica headquarters under the leadership of David Haddad." We didn't realize there would be such an immediate and drastic downside to Activision's plan to tone down its music game releases.
Mad Catz pulled out of Guitar Hero before it hit big
Think of the original Guitar Hero, and two names pop immediately to mind: Harmonix and Red Octane. A third name that you might not be aware of: Mad Catz. Speaking to Kotaku, Mad Catz CEO Darren Richardson has revealed that peripheral maker was originally part of the Guitar Hero project. Mad Catz was responsible for the Xbox version, but eventually decided to pull out of the project thanks to a lawsuit filed by Konami -- which resulted in Guitar Hero being exclusive to PS2. Furthermore, Mad Catz actually paid $300,000 to remove itself from the project, only to see it grow into the gigantic success it is today. Says Richardson, "Everyone else made hundreds of millions and we paid money to not be a part of it." Ouch.
Review: DJ Hero
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/DJ_Hero_is_fresh_by_every_conceivable_definition_of_the_word'; DJ Hero could end up being the most divisive video game ever created. It flies proudly in the face of certain qualities I've come to expect of the casual-aimed rhythm genre -- qualities such as accessibility, recognizability and general ease of play. Activision's latest possesses none of these characteristics: It's got a sheer learning curve, it exclusively features music that has been mashed into an indistinguishable pulp, and it's easily the most difficult peripheral-based rhythm game I've ever played. (Dance Dance Revolution notwithstanding, of course. These legs just weren't made to flail.) Everyone who plays DJ Hero will either hate it to its core, eject the disc and toss in a more familiar musical standby, or, if they possess a certain collection of odd inclinations, they'll fall wildly in love with it. I fall into the latter group, though the small assembly of friends I recently had try their hands at the game fell firmly into the former. Yes, those people aren't writing this review, but I thought it important to note their existence. For my part, I found DJ Hero to be fresh by every conceivable definition of the word. %Gallery-64592%
Harmonix founders detail the company's failure-ridden road to success
Believe it or not, things weren't always going so well for Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchise developers Harmonix. Starting out in 1995 as a "music tech" company, founders Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy took four years of "misstarts and product concepts that never made it anywhere" before they had any success. Talking to CNN Money, the two detail five years of strange, misguided, or ill-informed ideas that eventually somehow lead to The Beatles: Rock Band.First up: "The Axe," something that Rigopulos describes as "a joystick music improvisation system." In so many words, you moved the joystick around and various sounds were produced. Unsurprisingly, only 300 were sold -- "a horrendous failure that led to a painful lesson," Rigopulos says. "You can't really build a business on an entertainment experience that only keeps people entertained for 15 minutes." Second, the two tried breaking into the (at the time) $10 billion Japanese karaoke market ... and met with resounding failure once again. Luckily for us, lessons learned overseas came back with the duo and Harmonix became a game company. Rigopulos and Egozy quickly changed their company's focus from "music tech" to "gaming," creating Frequency and Amplitude soon after. Though the games didn't directly lead to the financial success achieved later with Guitar Hero and Rock Band (GH didn't get off the ground until RedOctane approached Harmonix in the early oughts), both helped the now major developer to get a foot in the door.
Guitar Hero 5 axe takes an evolutionary step forward
We've already noted drum alterations and turntable possibilities for Guitar Hero 5, so lets complete the set with some info on the new axe. The first major change is an utterly unnecessary but all the same appreciated white pick guard, which is paired up with a moody red paintjob for the body. Internal signaling has gone digital to minimize latency, while the strum bar has been tweaked for the sake of reliability. Ease of use has also been addressed through the addition of colored dots to the neck of the guitar and slight reliefs on the top, middle, and bottom fret buttons to allow full sensory awareness of the pseudo-guitar at all times. Eager rockers can get it alongside their annual copy of Guitar Hero this September.
Pick up Metallica/Smash Hits Guitar Hero bundle for cheap
Yet another crazy music game fire sale from RedOctane today: For $49.99 on PS2, $59.99 on Wii or $69.99 on PS3 or 360, you can pick up a two-pack of Guitar Hero: Metallica and Guitar Hero: Smash Hits.As an added bonus, you'll also get a free Guitar Hero World Tour shirt. Now, you should by no means wear this in public, but if you need to work on your car or play the Super Sloppy Double Dare home game, it's a nice perk.
Today only: get Guitar Hero Smash Hits with drum, microphone for $99
If you already have a Guitar Hero guitar sitting around (at this point, it's statistically likely), RedOctane is offering an opportunity to finish your band kit and get a new(ish) game for a great price. The company's website is selling a pack containing a copy of Guitar Hero: Smash Hits, along with a drum set and a microphone for $99.99, with free shipping. That's the exact same price the company is charging for just a drum set!This package is, inexplicably, only available for Xbox 360 and Wii, and is only available today, so you don't have too much time to think about how weird it is to sell a Guitar Hero bundle with everything but the title instrument.
Activision appoints former Yahoo COO to head of Guitar Hero unit
According to a press release sent out by Activision this morning, Dan Rosensweig, former chief operating officer for Yahoo! and Ziff-Davis executive, is now the President of Guitar Hero. This means that Guitar Hero is now a sovereign nation, and we can expect a mass defection of teenagers. Oh, wait, the press release says that he's the President and CEO of Activision's Guitar Hero business unit. Rosensweig is now in charge of RedOctane, the former accessories maker and game rental service that is now the division of Activision producing the Guitar Hero games -- as well as, the press release notes, the "soon to be released DJ Hero(TM)." Kai Huang, RedOctane's founder, will "continue working at RedOctane reporting to Mr. Rosensweig." Ouch.
Rumor: Activision preparing Guitar Hero: Van Halen
Psst. You wanna be privy to some exclusive, top secret information? Though it may sound like our usual brand of preposterous, blogger rabble rousing, we have reason to believe that Activision is working on ... another Guitar Hero game. It's true! Sources say that this next Guitar Hero will come out after the next Guitar Hero comes out....Alright, so we have a few more details beyond that evergreen speculation. Let's switch to third-person! Joystiq has been informed that Activision's next artist-oriented Guitar Hero release will be based around Van Halen. According to Joystiq's source, the game is set to arrive sometime after Guitar Hero: Metallica and will include several songs hailin' from the Californian rock band's catalogue, including "Jump," "Panama" and "Hot for Teacher." You can also expect a smattering of songs from other bands, like Judas Priest's "Pain Killer," Tenacious D's "Master Exploder" and Weezer's "Dope Nose."Activision was unable to lend the leaked information any more credence, saying, "The RedOctane/Guitar Hero team is currently focused on the upcoming release of Guitar Hero Metallica, as well as the recently announced titles Guitar Hero Greatest Hits and Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits, and does not comment on speculation or rumor." We didn't bother asking if Creedence is in it.
The modern hits in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits
In an interview with IGN, Vicarious Visions confirmed that the new DS Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits will not be compatible with the DSi. "Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits was developed prior to the Nintendo DSi release and supports the more than 27 million DS Units that have already been sold in North America," Vicarious's David Nathanielsz said. "The game requires a GBA slot – either on the original Nintendo DS or the Nintendo DSLite – to play." Surprise! Of course, the team is looking into DSi compatibility and is "very excited about the possibilities open to us in the future."In less obvious news, IGN posted the "preliminary" tracklist for the third DS Guitar Hero, which now features a nonlinear "fan request" based progression. 12 of the game's 25+ tracks were revealed, in addition to Sum 41's "Still Waiting," Franz Ferdinand's "The Fallen," and Finger Eleven's "Paralyzer," revealed by the ESRB.%Gallery-47080%
DLC limitations mean no Hendrix for Guitar Hero: World Tour
Activision made a statement over the weekend about the nature of their Guitar Hero: World Tour "track pack" downloads and what it means for the Wii version. Pressure from two outside parties has constrained the DLC catalog, unfortunately. Some labels or artists will only give Activision the rights to distribute track packs, with individual sale of the contained songs prohibited. And for some reason, according to the statement, "the Wii's infrastructure only allows us the ability to release single songs as DLC."That means that some artists will have to be excluded from the Wii's DLC offerings entirely. Like, for example, Jimi Hendrix. Because of these restrictions, none of the Jimi Hendrix tracks from the PS3/Xbox 360 set will be available. So it won't just be the limits of your ability that keep you from playing Hendrix songs.[Thanks, Ferco!]%Gallery-23491%
Activision gives sensitivity training to Guitar Hero: World Tour drums
Some Guitar Hero: World Tour players are reporting sensitivity issues with the drums -- basically, that they have to pound the hell out of them to register a hit. If you're tired of having to go all Keith Moon all the time, Activision and Neversoft have a solution for you, and it's kind of an unexpected one: drum sensitivity tuning software.Activision has released Windows-based tuning software which will allow players to connect their drum kits to their PCs and manually alter the sensitivity of each input. If that doesn't help, provided your overworked (but totally buff) arms can deal with the searing pain of motion long enough to lift the phone, you can report your sensitivity issues to Activision online or by phone at (310)255-2050.%Gallery-23491%[Via Joystiq]
Amoeba Music in Guitar Hero: World Tour and vice versa
Activision has made a deal with Amoeba Music, an independent California music store chain, that instantly imbues Guitar Hero: World Tour with indie cred that would otherwise be hard for a massively marketed corporate product to come by. Of course, this is part of that massive marketing effort, so maybe it could be seen more as Amoeba selling out than Guitar Hero gaining indie cred. In either case, it seems pretty cool to us: an Amoeba location will serve as an in-game venue, allowing players to pretend they're rocking out in a record store.The promotion extends into the real world as well: if you preorder the game from one of the real Amoeba Music stores, you will receive a free t-shirt when you go in. It's not a free guitar, but it's also not nothing.%Gallery-23491%[Via GoNintendo]
Activision considering subscriptions for Guitar Hero DLC
Activision is not satisfied with the current methods of making money from Guitar Hero, which are sadly limited to selling the game to people and then selling extra songs. According to a statement made by Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith at the Activision Blizzard Analysts' Day event, the company is looking to branch out into new ways of convincing people to pay more to play something they've already bought. Specifically, a subscription model, separate from the early rumor of a subscription-based online play scheme."Looking even further out," Griffith said, "we're exploring new models, like an annual pass subscription where players can subscribe and get a certain number of songs downloadable each month." Now, we make fun of the greed that motivates the annual release schedule, new instruments, piles of DLC, and pretty much everything else about Guitar Hero, but this is actually a cool idea. Like a Netflix for Guitar Hero songs.%Gallery-23491%
New Smashing Pumpkins single to debut in Guitar Hero: World Tour
Actiblizzion has announced that '90s fixture the Smashing Pumpkins have recorded a new song, "G.L.O.W." specifically for release as a Guitar Hero: World Tour download, marking the first time a new song has debuted in a music game under those specific circumstances. The track, which will be included on an album later, will be released as part of a three-song DLC pack, along with "1979" and "The Everlasting Gaze." The first in-concert performance of the new song is above, thanks to some dude who took a camera to a Pumpkins show!The deal isn't just for DLC, however: Billy Corgan will appear in-game -- and as a playable character in career mode, even -- and the wonderful "Today" will be included on the disc. We hope it introduces the Pumpkins to some of the youngsters who may be surprised to learn that a long time ago, guitars had strings on them and could be used to play any song.%Gallery-23491%
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!
Guitar Hero III: Legendary low price
Even if you're holding out for Guitar Hero: World Tour, or if you just have Guitar Hero: Aerosmith for some reason, 60 bucks for a copy of Guitar Hero III and a guitar is a nice deal. The Les Paul alone costs $60 from RedOctane's website, and it doesn't come with "Paint it Black."The deal gets even more awesomer when combined with the current "buy one, get 20% off" Wii game deal. We aren't Toys R Us policy experts, and we don't want to guarantee that the store won't give you some kind of trouble if you try to double-dip deals, but you can probably get a cheap Guitar Hero and a second cheap game.[Thanks, Emre!]
Wii Warm Up: Guitar Super Hero
Logitech and Activision announced that "premium" Guitar Hero: World Tour instruments were on the way yesterday. We have yet to see or hear any real details about the items, so we don't know exactly in which ways or to what degree they'll be enhanced versus their standard RedOctane counterparts. In the meantime, we'd like to ask what kind of "premium" features you would want out of guitar and drum controllers? More accurate size? Higher-quality materials? Real wood guitars? Mother-of-pearl dragon inlays? Also, how "premium" do you want these to go? How much are you willing to pay for a high-end guitar controller? %Gallery-23491%
