GamesRadar - Guitar Hero World Tour

R.E.M, Blind Melon and Metallica Support Guitar Hero: World Tour Launch (News)

Oct 9, 2008

With music ranging from one of the first and most influential alternative rock bands, R.E.M., to the timeless GRAMMY award-winning rock anthem "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield, Activision today announced a rich and diverse lineup of launch week downloadable content for the highly-anticipated Guitar Hero® World Tour. Available exclusively on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for two weeks starting October 30, the R.E.M. Track Pack features three songs, which can also be downloaded as singles, from the band's newest album, Accelerate, "Horse to Water," "Man-Sized Wreath" and "Supernatural Superserious."

Available at the launch of Guitar Hero World Tour...

Guitar Hero World Tour - Hayley Williams (Video)

Oct 3, 2008

Guitar Hero World Tour - Zakk Wylde (Video)

Oct 3, 2008

Most Anticipated Wii Games of October (News)

Oct 1, 2008

Nintendeals writes:

"October is turning into quite a busy month for Nintendo Wii gamers as over sixty games are set to release...

Which ones are worth a closer look, and which ones make good beer coasters?"

Guitar Hero World Tour (Screenshots)

Sep 29, 2008

Guitar Hero World Tour strums on the Wii (News)

Sep 29, 2008

Activision releases over a dozen new images from its Guitar Hero World Tour videogame. Scheduled for an October 26 release in North America, it will allow new instruments apart from the classic guitar : a microphone and a drum. In addition, a studio mode is available where users can create then share some tracks (without voice) online.

Crazy Rock Band vs. Guitar Hero Price War (News)

Sep 26, 2008

Gameplayer has unearthed an interesting development in the pricing of Rock Band and Guitar Hero this Christmas that could change the way music game fans approach their purchases.

Free Guitar With Guitar Hero World Tour (News)

Sep 19, 2008

According to UK retail sources, Gamers who preorder and purchase the Guitar Hero World Tour 'super bundle' which includes the game, guitar, drum kit and microphone will receive a bass guitar controller worth 50 quid absolutely free.

Activision pooh-poohs Rock Band's Success (News)

Sep 19, 2008

Ever since Sunday, Rock Band 2 has been the talk of the town. Xbox 360 owners have been digging deep into the game's new set list, as well as the online battle of the bands, instrument challenges, and revamped World Tour mode. You'd think that maybe we've all started to forget about a little franchise known as Guitar Hero, but according to Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, you'd be wrong. He would like to take a moment to remind you that Guitar Hero is still the world's number one music franchise.

Guitar Hero World Tour - Sting trailer (Video)

Sep 18, 2008

Activision gives away free guitars (News)

Sep 18, 2008

MCV: Publisher tells MCV of 'biggest ever pre-order incentive' for new Guitar Hero

Guitar Hero Outselling Rock Band 6:1 - Activision (News)

Sep 18, 2008

Guys who run gaming companies are the kind of people who don't like to let you die wondering. In a classic piece of schoolyard pouting, Activision boss Bob Kotick would like to let you know that Guitar Hero is doing well."We're outselling [Rock Band] 6:1," says Activision boss Bob Kotick.

Slash Leaks Guitar Hero: Hendrix? (News)

Sep 17, 2008

1UP writes: "In a Rolling Stone interview with Slash, the legendary guitarist discussed his new solo project, his random sexual conquests at a David Bowie concert, and -- here's the kicker -- a potential Jimi Hendrix-focused Guitar Hero.

Referring to the evolution of the Guitar Hero brand since he was featured in Guitar Hero III, Slash said the following:

"Well, having the Aerosmith guys do it was very cool 'cause Aerosmith's one of the bands I was heavily influenced by. And Metallica's doing it, that's great. Those are two ones that I think gives it some credibility. And they're doing a Hendrix one, which is great."

Now, this statement should be taken with more than a grain of salt. Remember that this is a musician we're talking about -- not an Activision representative -- and he may simply be referring to the inclusion of Hendrix's music and likeness in Guitar Hero World Tour. After all, it's not like it's his job to be totally clued-in on game industry happenings. We'll try and get a comment from Activision sometime today."

Guitar Hero DLC Subscription Being Evaluated by Activision, Plans to Make Lots of Money (News)

Sep 17, 2008

Shacknews writes: "Activision is considering a subscription service to deliver new songs monthly for its music-rhythm series Guitar Hero, according to Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith during Activision Blizzard's Analyst Day event yesterday. As Griffith explained:

Looking even further out, we're exploring new models, like an annual pass subscription where players can subscribe and get a certain number of songs downloadable each month.

No further details, such as a price or a start date for such a program, were made available. The plan would, however, be just part of Activision's plan to "monetize" the Guitar Hero series. "

'Guitar Hero' movie isn't happening...yet (News)

Sep 17, 2008

Director Brett Ratner has been plenty vocal about wanting to develop a movie based on the game Guitar Hero. But Activision, the company that owns the franchise, isn't going for it. "I'd really like to do it, but they're not letting me," he tells EW.com. "I expressed my interest, but because it's such a success, it's like now there's no reason to make a movie about it."

Ratner is a big fan of the game, incorporating it into videos he's directed for Miley Cyrus and Mariah Carey, and he envisioned a story about a small-town kid who dreams of fame and wins a Guitar Hero competition. "The game is wish-fulfilling, everyone can be a rock star."

But despite the setback, Ratner is not giving up hope. "I might prevail," he says. "I usually do."

Ted Nugent joins Guitar Hero: World Tour (News)

Sep 11, 2008

Eurogamer reports that Ted Nugent, the rocker that likes to shoot animals but doesn't drink or do drugs, has become the latest rock star to join the ranks of Guitar Hero: World Tour.

He, hopefully complete with cowboy hat and sleeveless top, will be both playable and open to battle challenges or co-operative jams.

Nugent also comes complete with 1975 smash hit "Stranglehold", one of many songs released during nearly 50 years of recording, which claimed over 35 million sales.

Tool Confirmed For Guitar Hero: World Tour (News)

Sep 8, 2008

Kotaku: Stop asking, Tool fans. Actually, stop endlessly whining, because you've got your wish: Tool will be appearing in Guitar Hero: World Tour. Not literally appearing, mind you, as they won't be in-game characters, but they will have an in-game arena, which they co-designed and which will highlight "the art style that has become a staple in their music videos, live shows and album artwork". The songs featured are all of the more recent variety (no Forty-Six & 2, sorry), with Parabola and Schism from Lateralus joined by Vicarious, from 10,000 Days.

Wii Controller Links Rock Band and Guitar Hero (News)

Sep 6, 2008

GiN Reports: "The ezJam Combo Guitar Controller for Wii is the first guitar controller for the Wii that works for both music videogames Guitar Hero and Rock Band. With ezGear's proprietary DC2 Dual Connect technology, the ezJam Combo Guitar Controller contains everything you need to play either game and is ultra-responsive to meet the most intense shredder's needs. The ezJam Combo Guitar Controller comes with upgraded ezSpring chrome strum bar and chrome whammy bar, a fine tuned multi-axis tilt sensor and ezGear's standard Supra10 10 fret feature. The ezJam Combo Guitar Controller comes with the Guitar Controller, a wireless receiver, and neckstrap."

Play Tool on Fake Instruments (Guitar Hero) (News)

Sep 5, 2008

Edge writes: "Songs from Grammy-winning progressive metal band Tool will be part of Guitar Hero World Tour's growing roster of rock tunes, Activision announced Friday.

"Parabola" and "Schism," both from the 2001 album Lateralus, will be included in the game, along with "Vicarious" from the 2006 album 10,000 Days.

Activision also said Police frontman Sting will have music featured in the game. The singer/bassist is offering his voice and likeness for the title as an in-game character."

Sting playable in Guitar Hero World Tour (News)

Sep 5, 2008

Eurogamer writes: "Sting is the latest in a long line of rock-stars to be playable in Guitar Hero World Tour.

That's according to The Sun, to whom the former Police frontman admitted: "I tried to play Guitar Hero and I'm not very good. My kids can do it."

His nod of approval follows deals to replicate Jimi Hendrix, Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde and Billy Corgan in the Q4-bound game."

Aussie Guitar Hero World Tour full pricing revealed! (News)

Sep 4, 2008

Activision Blizzard have finally announced the pricing for the Australian version of Guitar Hero: World Tour for all consoles. The Wii version kicks off from $79.95AU for the game by itself and goes up to $159.95AU for a Guitar and the game. The most expensive option is the "Super Bundle" which contains the drums, a guitar, microphone and of course the game for $319.95AU. While that's just $80AU short of a Wii it's a lot cheaper than the $500AU that Rock Band is rumoured to cost when it arrives here. Guitar Hero: World Tour will hit Australian shelves on November 12, 2008.

AusGamers Reveals Australian Price and Street Date For Guita5r Hero World Tour (News)

Sep 4, 2008

AusGamers has revealed the Australian release information fro Guitar Hero World Tour including bundle prices and a street date.

Wayne Kramer, Sex Pistols, And Motorhead Re-Record For GH: World Tour (News)

Sep 3, 2008

Kotaku writes: "The only thing better than original master recordings in a rhythm game is having the original artists go back and do the whole thing over again, and Guitar Hero: World Tour is boasting three separate re-recordings on its set list when the game hits store shelves. In addition to The Sex Pistols' "Pretty Vacant" and Motorhead's "Overkill", MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer has recruited a little help and hit the studio to re-record the classic "Kick Out the Jams". The new recording uses the original vocals from singer Rob Tyner from 1968, with Kramer, Alice in Chains (the press release says Alice "and" Chains) guitarist Jerry Cantrell and former Guns 'N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke."

The Smashing Pumpkins to Debut New Single 'G.L.O.W.' as Part of Downloadable Songpack Exclusively for Guitar Hero World Tour & New Trailer (News)

Sep 2, 2008

In-Game Model of Vocalist and Lead Guitarist, Billy Corgan, and 'Today' from Four Times-Platinum Album Siamese Dream To Rock On-Disc at Launch. Also inside is the Billy Corgan Trailer.

Guitar Hero World Tour – hands-on (Preview)

Sep 2, 2008

Los Angeles may be a town known for the highest excesses of rock n’ roll debauchery (with legendarily wayward rock acts such as Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses synonymous with the city) but Activision’s headquarters – a dull grey box located in sleepy Santa Monica – is hardly the most thrilling place in the world to get our hands on with Guitar Hero World Tour for the first time. ...

The Smashing Pumpkins will release their new song "G.L.O.W" exclusively through Guitar Hero World Tour. (News)

Sep 2, 2008

In an absolute first for music the song G.L.O.W will be released on Guitar Hero before, not only Rock Band but before anywhere else.

Guitar Hero World Tour dated down under (News)

Sep 2, 2008

GameSpot AU reports that GH: World Tour will land down under on November 12.

4 new Guitar Hero IV tracks unveiled (News)

Sep 2, 2008

Wandering around the Activision's Activate event in New Zealand today, we've managed to sneek a peek at the set list and get some official confirmation of some awesome new tracks for Guitar Hero IV...

Guitar Hero: World Tour Release Date (AU/NZ) (News)

Sep 1, 2008

Button Masher writes "At the Activate event in Auckland (which is still under way) Activision has announced the release date for Australia/NZ as the 12th of November. With the release of Rock Band still uncertain in NZ and even Australia it looks like Guitar Hero: Word Tour will be the first full band game to release in NZ."

Guitar Hero World Tour Wii Drops Line 6 (News)

Aug 31, 2008

A quote from Brian Bright from Vicarious Visions, project director of Guitar Hero World Tour for the Wii: "The Wii doesn't use Line 6 effects in real time BUT we exported at least 10 different guitars sample sets for the Wii. So there will be many different guitar sounds and I believe all the keyboard and drum kits are on the Wii."

Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero World Tour Instruments Not Going to be Compatible on the Wii (News)

Aug 30, 2008

Brian Bright, project director of Guitar Hero World Tour explains why the games' peripherals will not be compatible.

GH dev mocks Rock Band cymbals (News)

Aug 28, 2008

It was never going to be pretty - and with Guitar Hero World Tour set to go head to head with Rock Band 2 this autumn, the rock 'n' roll royal rumble has begun in earnest.

Speaking to Eurogamer last week at Game Convention 2008, Guitar Hero director Brian Bright scorned Harmonix' attempts to match the feature set of the World Tour drum kit, while ostensibly clearing up the mystery surrounding the rumoured new peripherals for Neversoft's title.

"I don't know how far ahead they planned that - we obviously revealed [our drum kit] much earlier than they did," said Bright, referencing Harmonix' plan to release separate clip-on cymbals for Rock Band set-ups.

"I've a feeling there was a: 'Oh s***! There's cymbals! How can we put cymbals on our kit?' That would be the easiest way without having to rewire everything and re-engineer the entire circuit board."

Guitar Hero World Tour to Feature Partnerships with Prominent Music Instrument Manufacturers (News)

Aug 28, 2008

After raising the bar of authenticity with every release in the Guitar Hero franchise, Activision Publishing, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero World Tour is cranking it to 11 by featuring several of the most influential instrument and equipment brands in the music industry.

Guitar Hero World Tour: Online Subscription Fee for PS3 and Wii Versions? (News)

Aug 28, 2008

Activision press release reveals an online charge for the PS3 and Wii versions of Guitar Hero World Tour. What could this subscription fee relate to?

Guitar Hero World Tour's Mystery Peripheral is Not a Keyboard (News)

Aug 27, 2008

Alright, all you people that bet on keyboard for the mystery peripheral coming to Guitar Hero World Tour's Studio mode -- it's time to pay up, as Neversoft's Brian Bright has said that that accessory won't be added to the World Tour instrument lineup.

"No, there are reasons why we haven't included a keyboard controller. Not all of our songs have keyboard parts, so we didn't want someone to come into a game, pick up the keyboard controller, and then have nothing to do in any of the songs that are selected. We wanted a big mix of music in World Tour and adding a keyboard controller would either have limited our choices, or the players'.

A keyboard controller deserves to be introduced with its own game. This is something we're thinking about." -- Guitar Hero World Tour project director Brian Bright to Joystiq

Mystery peripheral of of World Tour's Studio mode aside, are you guys getting giddy over the thought of playing Keyboard Hero in the future as Bright deviously hinted at?

No New Peripheral For Guitar Hero: World Tour (News)

Aug 27, 2008

Contrary to the rumors, Guitar Hero: World Tour won't be shipping with a new instrument. Just a guitar, microphone, and drum set, like Rock Band. Bad news for all of you who were hoping for an electric violin. However, there is some truth to the rumor.

Mii freestyle announced for Guitar Hero World Tour Wii (News)

Aug 20, 2008

Red Octane has announced a Wii specific game mode for Guitar Hero World Tour called Mii Freestyle.

Guitar Hero World Tour newest songs list reveals 43 out of 85 tracks (News)

Aug 17, 2008

It's been reported that the game will feature "over 85 songs" on the final soundtrack for the game! So far 43 songs and their artists have been revealed for the Guitar Hero World Tour soundtrack by Activision. VGB has compiled a list that includes videoclips for each song.

Ozzy Osbourne to Headline Virtual OZZFest Lineup in Guitar Hero World Tour (News)

Aug 10, 2008

After performing in countless sold-out arenas and amphitheatres throughout the world, rock's defining frontman Ozzy Osbourne – who has sold over 100 million records worldwide in his four decade career – will be playing to a new audience this fall as he makes his videogame debut in Activision Publishing, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero World Tour.

Budding rockstars around the world will have the opportunity to live out their ultimate fantasy on the virtual OZZFest stage, playing as Ozzy, or alongside him, as he wails to iconic rock track "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley," both from his quintuple platinum debut solo album Blizzard of Ozz. OZZFest, now it its 13th year, has also been created digitally as an in-game venue exclusively for Guitar Hero World Tour to host the heavy metal rock legend.

Joining Ozzy in Guitar Hero World Tour as a playable character is his lead axe-shredder and founder of Black Label Society, Zakk Wylde, performing their hit track "Stillborn."

In addition to Metallica releasing their highly anticipated Death Magnetic album in its entirety as downloadable content in both Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and Guitar Hero World Tour, the 2008 OZZFest performers and GRAMMY winning recording artists will be appearing for their on-disc encore with "Trapped Under Ice." Finally, taking the Guitar Hero stage for the first time is fellow OZZFest artist, System of a Down with their 2006 GRAMMY for Best Hard Rock Performance winning single "B.Y.O.B."

When the house lights go down this fall, a new generation of guitarists, drummers and fearless frontmen will come together and rock with Guitar Hero World Tour. The latest installment in the #1 best-selling video game franchise of 2007, Guitar Hero World Tour transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero's signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireles...

Osbourne to star in new Guitar Hero World Tour (News)

Aug 9, 2008

Ozzy Osbourne will appear as himself in Activision's upcoming Guitar Hero World Tour.

Interpol to Appear in Guitar Hero: World Tour (News)

Aug 8, 2008

Interpol have apparently been confirmed for Guitar Hero: World Tour according to an article in magazine, Stuff Magazine. The song they'll have in the game is Obstacle 1.

Is gaming already the new music industry? (News)

Aug 8, 2008

From gameplayer: "the negotiating power of the games companies stem from their control over the track lists in their titles… The game publishers have the power. So, in a sense, they ARE the music industry."

"Beat it" coming to Guitar Hero World Tour (News)

Aug 6, 2008

New Guitar Hero: World Tour tracks confirmed via Stuff Magazine scans at the GH forums.

* Steve Miller Band - "The Joker"
* Interpol - "Obstacle 1"
* The Doors - "Light My Fire"
* Michael Jackson - "Beat It"
* Linkin Park - "In The End"
* Smashing Pumpkins - "Bullet with Butterfly Wings"

'Guitar Hero' continues to play sweet music for Activision (News)

Aug 1, 2008

Activision Blizzard Inc. on Thursday reported that Activision Inc.'s first-quarter profits more than doubled on strong sales of the "Guitar Hero" franchise and the game based on the animated movie "Kung Fu Panda."

The first quarter ended before the closing of Activision's merger with Vivendi Games, creating Activision Blizzard.

In the quarter, Activision earned $59 million, or 18 cents a share, up from $27.8 million, or 9 cents a share, in the first quarter a year ago.

In the quarter, Activision logged $654.2 million in sales, up from $495.5 million a year ago.

GuitarFun 2.9 beta : homebrew Guitar Hero clone released (Play online) (News)

Jul 29, 2008

New version of Guitar Hero like this compatible with the music of "Frets on fire" for Wii developed by Hermes. In the new version you can play online.

Guitar Hero: World Tour Setlist A [Beautiful] Fake (News)

Jul 24, 2008

Game Informer reports:

"A list of songs has been floating around online today, purportedly comprising the Guitar Hero: World Tour setlist. With songs from bands like Tool, Pink Floyd and Thin Lizzy, it looks like a music-game lover's dream. Well, the folks at Activision and Red Octane are pinching us all awake with the announcement that it's a fake. We spoke with a representative who confirmed that, while some of those songs are indeed in the game (Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher," for one), the bulk of it is wishful thinking and pure speculation.

And we were so looking forward to the boss battle with bassist Sting, too. Drat."

Hendrix Coming to 'Guitar Hero' (News)

Jul 18, 2008

"Foxy Lady", "Purple Haze" and "Little Wing" have been confirmed by the estate of the late Jimi Hendrix to be appearing in Guitar Hero: World Tour.

E3 2008: Activision wants to make Rock Band Instruments compatible with Guitar Hero: World Tour (News)

Jul 16, 2008

During Activision's unofficial E3 Press conference on Tuesday evening, two developers commented about future Guitar Hero games being compatible with other instruments that haven't been designed with Guitar Hero in mind, like Rock Band's instruments.

Drum kit showdown (Feature)

Jul 15, 2008

You’ve heard what you really sound like when playing Rock Band . The spastic clacking of plastic instruments is enough to drive your neighbors insane. So when we recently had the opportunity to see the new drum kit for Guitar Hero: World Tour, we were immediately impressed with how quiet it played. After the demo, we filmed one of the developers wailing away on the kit. Then, back at the office, we filmed ourselves thrashing ...

Destructoid Exclusive: Rock Axe, the guitar controller to end 'em all (News)

Jul 14, 2008

Dick McVengeance of Destructoid says,

"Let's face it: the Guitar Hero controller is not the ideal item for the game. It'd be nice to hold a full-sized guitar in your hands. We've seen people build custom controllers and put them on eBay, but those were one-off deals, and usually rather expensive."

Music Studio in The Next Guitar Hero - POD by Line 6 announced (News)

Jul 12, 2008

Alan Tsang of PS3Fanboy says,

"Not to be outdone by the onslaught of Rock Band 2 information leaking out, Activision has officially announced a collaboration with Line 6 to integrate the Line 6 POD into the new Music Studio in Guitar Hero World Tour. The Music Studio is a feature that will allow you "record, edit and share their own rock 'n' roll anthems." No vocals though, sorry! The POD, on the other hand, basically allows the player to change guitar tones using amps, cabs and effects. You can go anywhere from acoustic to heavy metal with this baby."

Guitar Hero World Tour (Preview)

Jun 30, 2008

We’re going to party like it’s 1984. With Guitar Hero World Tour, the latest all-singing, all finger-tapping edition of the Guitar Hero franchise aims to deliver the party vibe. This year’s game is about the social experience of joining together to rock… so let’s jump! Why the Van Halen references? Because they’re just one of the new bands confirmed as exclusive to Guitar Hero World Tour, others include ...

Beatles Likely Coming To Rock Band and Guitar Hero (News)

Jun 23, 2008

Representatives for The Beatles are currently in talks with both Mtv Games and Activision to bring the massive catalog of The Beatles songs to the game industry.

The deal is said to be worth several million dollars and could be finalized as soon as a few weeks from now. As long as the controlling interests of the Beatles recordings agree, a final deal would likely be announced around E3.

Wii Fanboy: Guitar Hero World Tour can save DLC to an SD card (News)

Jun 21, 2008

Wii Fanboy: "Vicarious Visions' Karthik Bala has once again confirmed paid downloadable content in the Wii version of Guitar Hero World Tour, though current Wii guitar games have left us doubtful of any feature. Furthermore, you'll be able to save your songs to a "Rock Archive" on an SD card, and even play songs from the card without copying them over first. But ... but isn't that completely impossible?

Bala also confirmed that despite the new guitar's wacky gimmickry, your old Guitar Hero III (or Guitar Hero: Aerosmith) guitar will work just fine, and that "any USB microphone should work." With all these features, Vicarious Visions is going to have to be really creative if they want to disappoint us."

Joystiq eyes and ears-on: Guitar Hero: World Tour (News)

Jun 20, 2008

Kevin: "Electronic Arts invited us out to the House of Blues last week, which was a fitting place to give us a first look at Guitar Hero: World Tour in action. Though we didn't get to play it, we did watch the folks from RedOctane take a spin through all the new features. Suffice it to say, this isn't simply Guitar Hero: Rock Band ... which is what we thought it might turn out to be. Read on after the break to find out why you'll soon have a closet filled with enough peripherals to make your own one-man band.

The first thing we noticed about the setup was the drum set ... well, obviously. You've probably seen the photos by now, but these drums have three pads, a bass pedal, and two elevated wedges that serve as a high-hat and a cymbal. Now you can supply the "badump CRASH" sound effects for your own jokes, just like you've always wanted to. RedOctane let us know that the drum kit will be wireless (no word on how many batteries it'll take yet) and feature velocity-sensitive drumpads, stick holders, and may (or may not, hello third party!) come with a circular insert for the bass-kicker, so you can display the name of your band. The one they had on it simply said "Guitar Hero", but we'll wager someone will jump on this."

Activision Pays the Wii some attention...Finally (News)

Jun 20, 2008

Activision is finally giving Wii the attention it deserves with Guitar Hero 4.

Tony Hawk Balance Board, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, More Leaked (News)

Jun 16, 2008

We got some word on game that you have not heard from in a while.With Guitar Hero: World Tour new details an unannounced upcoming RockBand game. Take a look at all the great details.

Guitar Hero fans are 'untalented pretenders', says singer (News)

Jun 6, 2008

John Mayer has criticized Activision's Guitar Hero, because "it makes it easy for untalented people to pretend they are good at playing the instrument," Rolling Stone magazine reports (via site Entertainment Wise).

The singer-song writer claims that no game could ever match the enjoyment of playing a real guitar. Evidently the concept of "game" is lost on him.

"Guitar Hero was devised to bring the guitar-playing ...

Activision's Kotick Speaks on Vivendi Merger, Guitar Hero (News)

May 29, 2008

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick spoke at The Wall Street Journal's ongoing D: All Things Digital conference in Carlsbad, California, largely to present Neversoft's recently-announced Guitar Hero: World Tour, and Gamasutra has full highlights of his speech.

See Guitar Hero drums in action (News)

May 27, 2008

Activision has released a video showing off the new drum kit controller set to ship for Guitar Hero World Tour, and it's much better than Rock Band's, promise.

As you can see demonstrated by drum men of blink-182, The Police and Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Guitar Hero drums are velocity sensitive and have two cymbals. So basically the harder you hit it, the louder the sound. That's what a drum kit does anyway. ...

Rock Acts Ringing Up Sales Via Video Games (News)

May 26, 2008

Games like "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero III" have proved their ability to breathe new life into classic rock sales. But can they do the same for new music?

Last month, Motley Crue decided to find out. The band placed its new single, the title track from "Saints of Los Angeles," for sale as a downloadable track on "Rock Band" well in advance of the album's release date, which has been pushed back to June 24. The only other place to obtain the track was iTunes.

According to data provided by the band's management, Tenth Street Entertainment, the track was downloaded more than 47,000 times via the Xbox 360 version of the game alone in the first week after it became available.

By comparison, the same track received slightly more than 10,000 downloads via digital services like iTunes and Amazon, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The coolest, funniest gaming images on the web (Feature)

May 25, 2008

If evidence were ever needed of how culturally important games are these days, it's in the world of art. Between painters, photographers, comic writers and sculptors, the internet is packed to bursting with artists paying tribute to gaming and putting their own spin on our favourite iconography. Here's some of the best stuff we've found. ...

GameStop shows price, release date for Guitar Hero World Tour pre-order (News)

May 24, 2008

Destructoid writes: "If you head on over to GameStop.com and search for "Guitar Hero World Tour", you'll be presented with this page, which has twelve different listings for the game. You can pre-order the game now; GameStop is currently showing a release date of October 27th, with the bundle costing a whopping $189.99 on the PS3, 360, and Wii (the PS2 bundle is listed at $179.99). They're also offering a guitar-only bundle, which is set at $99.99 on all four systems, and the game by itself (standard pricing of $59.99 for PS3/360 and $49.99 for Wii/PS2)."

Guitar Hero IV renamed due to it's contraction? (News)

May 23, 2008

Polish gaming site suggests, that Guitar Hero IV was renamed (to Guitar Hero World Tour) due to it's contraction - "G HIV".

Activision reveals additional Guitar Hero: World Tour details (News)

May 22, 2008

Activision has official announced the development of Guitar Hero: World Tour, which will be the fourth release for the Guitar Hero series. For the first time in a Guitar Hero game, and in order to match EA's Rock Band, Activision will include a newly redesigned guitar, with an electronic drum kit and a microphone.

Guitar Hero World Tour revealed! (Preview)

May 22, 2008

Hot on the heels of Konami's Rock Revolution reveal last week, we have the first (video and) screenshots for Guitar Hero: World Tour. Guitar Hero: World Tour is being developed for Activision by Neversoft, the crew most famous for the Tony Hawk games and Guitar Hero III. World Tour will be the third game on the market to feature singer, guitar, bass and drums - apparently music is the new FPS. Guitars and mics are standard fare - it's the drum kit that deserves the most scrutiny, as it is the main way to tell the three games apart. Guitar Hero: World Tour's kit has three heads, two cymbal pads, and a kick, putting it snugly between Rock Band and Rock Revolution in terms of complexity. ...

Guitar Hero World Tour allows recording, online play, more (News)

May 21, 2008

VG247: Activision's fully announced Guitar Hero World Tour, as you can see on Eurogamer.

This is the official name for Guitar Hero 4, apparently, and - as we all now know - will feature vocals and drums as well as guitars.

Van Halen, Linkin Park, The Eagles and Sublime are all confirmed for the game, which also includes Music Studio, "a full compliment of tools to create digital music from scratch". Once recorded, you can perform your track in-game, or upload and share it with your friends online via the new GHTunes service.

There'll also be full online play in a Battle of the Bands mode.

There's a full feature on Guitar Hero World Tour here and the launch trailer after the break, in addition to the announcement.

It's out this autumn for PS2, PS3, Wii and 360.

Guitar Hero IV gets song creation, multiple instruments (News)

May 13, 2008

Neversoft's Guitar Hero IV will feature custom song creation and multiple instruments when it launches later on this year, says a US report.

According to Shacknews, the latest issue of Game Informer has spilled the first details on Guitar Hero 4. The forth title in the series will expand the musical peripheral offerings to include drum and vocal gameplay, in addition to bass and guitar.

The song creation process is a ...