Guitar Hero rumored to add peripherals

by Candace Savino { Apr 23rd 2008 at 3:00PM }

There are rumors abound that Activision will be adding new instrument peripherals and a microphone to Guitar Hero IV, because of statements made by Activision's CEO Bobby Kotick in a recent interview with Conde Nast Portfolio. Should these bode true, though, we think this is a questionable move by the company. Although Rock Band is widely hailed as the better game, it seems lazy for Activision to turn its franchise into exactly (or at least, almost exactly) the same thing.

Let's think of the other negatives. Since Guitar Hero and Rock Band guitars are incompatible with the competing game (thanks to Activision), we can assume that if drums become a part of the GHIV experience, they will be, too. This means that people who want to own both will not only have to deal with a mountain of guitars (supposing they enjoy a good bout of local multiplayer), but also two drum sets cluttering up their homes. Moreover, this blogger has come to think of Guitar Hero as "the poor man's Rock Band," meaning that you don't have to pay an arm and a leg (just an arm) to get it. It's not cheap, but it's cheaper. Should the series turn into Rock Band, however, that will take away its economic edge.

Now, there could be good things about this rumored change. If Activision added some unique instruments (maybe a keyboard?), the game could offer something that Rock Band can't. Should it turn into nothing but a clone, though, we can't say we support that.

Kotick also mentioned that the game will include a feature that utilizes local bands, but what the CEO meant by this has yet to be clarified.

[Via Joystiq]

Tags: activision, guitar-hero, guitar-hero-4, guitar-hero-iv, rock-band

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dreganfyre @ Apr 23rd 2008 3:10PM

One major upside: No need to buy Rock Band for Wii. :)

KidSqueek @ Apr 23rd 2008 3:15PM

I played RockBand for the first time about 2-3 weeks ago, that is the same idea that popped in my head, "it would be cool if they had a keyboard." The thing is that it has too many keys, but then the guitar has many frets so probably it would work with a layout of a real keyboard (just the like the other instruments) but only make use of like five middle keys.

Anyways back to the RockBand jocking. Yeah, I personally can not see how this would end up because Guitar Hero is meant for GUITARs, it is not RockBand Hero or Band Hero or Rock Hero or Guitar/Drums/Mic/(Keyboard) Hero!!!

lewisj82 @ Apr 23rd 2008 3:23PM

I think I read somewhere that they were going to add a guitar pedal that plugs into the port on the guitar... anyone else hear/see/read anything like that?

TheWarlock @ Apr 23rd 2008 3:24PM

They should add the Trumpet to the list of over-the-top instruments that they have in RockBand. How about a Harmonica? Hold on, here is an idea, why don't I just learn to play a real instrument to have fun with? Oh wait, nevermind, that's what RockBand is here for.

Thank you RockBand for the artificiality of quick solutions and for the insidious manipulation of human desires for commercial purposes.

Timdogg @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:20PM

I would welcome a Rock Band clone!
GH' s guitar is better and
GH's frets are better!

Bring on Guitar Band Hero!!!

philadelphonic @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:28PM

keytar.

Jumbo @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:49PM

drummitar.

Brento @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:58PM

Why not come out with a Jethro Tull Flute Hero game exclusive for the Wii? The wannabe Ian Anderson can hold their wii remote to their lips and rock out to Aqualung. Im sure Ron Burgundy would be the first in line to get one.

Wraith_242 @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:30PM

Honestly i prefer GH because there songs are alot better then RB and i can never so as good at RB. And if GH added drums or anything else that would be totally tight!!

Tom @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:59PM

Or I'll play real guitar in a real band, kthxbai.

Matt B @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:16PM

It wouldn't be a bad idea if the instruments are interchangeable. But that'll never happen thanks to Activision's stubbornness and blindness.

Jesse @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:49PM

What if GH does clone Rock Band and when it comes out for the Wii (assuming that it will) they don't screw up on internet play!? If this were the case I would be all for it because as it currently stands I refuse to purchase Rock Band for the Wii. In other words if Guitar Hero does "Rock Band" correctly for the Wii I will purchase it no question.

Brento @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:12PM

Question of the day: How many suckers do you think bought GHIII guitar and then the Rock Band disc only to realize the hard way they'd have to buy another guitar. Or better yet; how many bought a GHIII game for the one system and then the Rock Band disc for another and was completely perplexed that it didnt work. The fact alone that this happens makes being a videogamer that much more fun!

Brento @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:16PM

Why not a Harmonica Hero game using the Wii remote to the lips? They could have The Who-Baba O'Reilly, Van Morrison-Baby Please Dont Go, Johnny Cash-Orange Blossom Special (faster than kissing a duck-Folsom Prison blues version), The Doors-Road House Blues, CCR-Bad Moon Rising, and Led Zep's Nobody's Fault.