Guitar Hero IV to Include Drums and Vocals?
According to Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, instruments other than guitars, as well as vocals, will be coming to future installments of Guitar Hero. There are also plans to include music from “local bands” depending on the region in which the game is released. He had this to say on the matter:
It’s not just about guitars. We’ll include a lot of other instruments, vocals. It will help us expand internationally. It’s the first game we’ve had in which we can use local content and local bands.
The most obvious potential addition would be a drum set similar to what is seen in Rock Band, helping to bridge the gap between the two games with regard to what they offer the player. My feelings on this situation are mixed. Based on the lacking guitar compatibility between the current versions of these two franchises, it seems unlikely that any new peripherals will be compatible between two games. I don’t know about other gamers, but I am not willing to purchase another drum kit. Yes, I have four sets of Nintendo Bongo controllers, but I admit that was probably a mistake. I appreciate the chance to have yet another game to rock out on, but the entry fee is probably going to be too steep to justify a purchase. However, I am sure that Activision is banking on being able to snatch up Guitar Hero enthusiasts who have not yet made the Rock Band jump.
In addition, I think it would be wise for Activision to really emphasize the new direction the series is going to take and change the game’s title to “Band Hero” or something similar. “Rock Hero” would obviously result in consumer confusion, but staying loyal to the Guitar Hero name is going to keep the focus squarely on the guitars. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the game released standalone, with guitars only, and with all of the instruments. While this could damage the peripheral adoption rate, consumers who only want to play the guitar would have that option.
That said, I see no reason to buy another game that lets me simulate the experience of being in a rock band now that I have Rock Band. Harmonix has fostered loyalty in me since the days of Frequency and Amplitude that is hard to shake. Activision and Neversoft would have to do something really special to get me to get back into the Guitar Hero franchise, and mimicking Harmonix isn’t quite special enough.
Tags: activision, guitar hero, harmonix, neversoft, rock band
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The whole point is that at this point, the Guitar Hero franchise would just feel like a cheap knock off of Rock Band. Look at it this way, Rock Band is not only about the game, but it is more about the downloadable content, and as of today, Guitar Hero is getting its ass handed to them quite well by Rock Band.
The other thing is that the name of the game is Guitar Hero. Adding in more stuff would kill the name branding that the franchise has. Maybe an add on back called Band Hero would work instead. But you won’t get much sell through, because I want to know who has room for two different drum sets?
Heheh I’d agree four sets of bongos are a mistake.
yeah i really see no reason to pick this up i dont really need two rock bands. and they will have to go lower than the $170 price point in my eyes to move any units of this game because everyone that wants a rock band type game has it now.
they must have seen all the money that rock band s making and trying to get in on some of it
Well to be honest, what else can you do with the franchise? It only seems logical to add instruments. Do you think they can keep up with just guitar when Rock Band has already pass them up with other instruments.