Remember last month when Activision's Bobby Kotick said that Guitar Hero IV wouldn't just be using the guitar anymore? That should have fired off a few warning shots across your face. Then came Activision's earnings call last week where it was confirmed that Guitar Hero IV would 'revolutionize the series'. Yup...yup, there goes another one, right there. Straight out of Game Informer's June 2008 Guitar Hero IV cover story, we've got the first scant tidbits of information surrounding Red Octane/ Activision's Rock Band clone.

It seems that you'll now be able to create your own music tracks, minus any vocal sections, in the newest installment - limit 5 per user in the beginning. Something that fans have been crying out for. After delving into your musical souls, you can gve your tune a name, make some cover art for it; and then upload it to Guitar Hero IV's "GH Tunes" service for public consumption. Fret not, gamers still stuck in the last generation. This is an Activision game, of course, and that means that they will be bringing the GH IV experience to your PS2's and Wii's, with full (yet, not quite as fleshed out) online functionality.

As predicted, drums, bass and vocals are all now present and accounted for, with peripherals for each on the way. As a result of their lawsuit, Guitar Hero IV will no longer use Gibson-licensed guitars, instead opting for custom axes like in the second title. The new drum set will be a six piece peripheral, one that includes full cymbals, and a custom microphone will mae its way to the stores as well. There goes any plans for cross-game peripheral support. Much like in Rock Band, you can create your own virtual rockstar (be it a drummer, or guitar player. What, no vocalist?), and progress through the single player mode. Game Informer also says that Activision has managed to secure ALL master tracks for each song in the game, from bands such as Van Halen, The Eagles, Linkin Park and Sublime - among others. Sound interesting? In Fall 2008, I guess we'll see how this fares against whatever EA and Harmonix are cooking up.

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dorkfish said:

Hmm, i wonder if the Rock Band peripherals will be compatible with this game. I sure hope so, because there's no way im shelling out another $170. But i'll gladly pay the $60 for the disc.

May 12, 2008

Soldier X25 said:

good news too me, nice write up

May 12, 2008