Guitar Hero IV to Include Drums and Vocals?

By Matthew Kellar | April 22, 2008

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.