GHIV recipe will add a pinch of Rock Band

by Dustin Burg { Apr 22nd 2008 at 10:30AM }

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is set for release in June, but as most of you know it isn't the next true installment, it's an expansion upon GHIII so to speak. But that's where Guitar Hero IV comes in, the next true stand alone sequel and word from Activision is that it'll be a lot more like Rock Band. Oh joy!

Talking to Conde Nast Portfolio magazine, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick mentioned that Guitar Hero IV will "include a lot of other instruments" including a microphone for vocals. Hence the Rock Band comparison. Kotick also mentioned that GHIV will be the "first game we've had in which we can use local content and local bands", possibly allowing them to release local band DLC to select markets.

So, there you have it. Guitar Hero IV (not the Aerosmith edition, that's something entirely separate) will feature additional instruments and local content while still retaining the Guitar Hero name. Maybe, to clear up any confusion, they'll drop the "IV" and simply go with Guitar Hero: Rock Band Edition ... eh?

[Via Game Stooge]

Tags: activision, ghiv, guitar-hero, guitar-hero-4, guitar-hero-iv, neversoft

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tony @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:36AM

So basically what everyone figured... copying Rock Band to death.

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:48AM

So basically they're copying a game that copied them in first place.Even though RB is probably better anyway...

Mark @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:16PM

Jakub, you know that Hamonix made GH and Rock Band, right? It's hardly copying when you made the game in the first place.

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:26PM

Exactly...so if RB is based on GH then what's wrong with GH4 copying RB?

Deezul @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:55PM

And both are copying Guitar Freaks...

D Boy Flex @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:38AM

Too little, too late. I don't think I am gonna rejoin the GH bandwagon, unless they do something novel, like RB did. Unlikely. Harmonix was the brains behind GH originally and now RB. Whoever is doing it now is just not a leader in music gaming creativity.

Josh Smith @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:39AM

I can get behind local bands distributing content but why lock it to a specific region. If the band is truly "local" it shouldn't be about licensing restrictions.

"Yeah, We're the 'Sympathetic Vomiters', and we only want to release our song to Ohio and the lower half of Michigan, our label, 'Mom's Garage' is pretty restrictive."

Even if it means different world markets, that doesn't sound like something new, If anything they should push for no restrictions on markets.

Chapter11 @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:29AM

Wow, seems like they are trying to hold on to fans. I personally won't touch any guitar hero game that doesn't have Harmonix backing it up. Rock Band FTW!

skrilla @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:47AM

any bets that the next tony hawk will use "flick it" controls??

SugarDaddy @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:16AM

I've always felt the guitar in GH is way better than the guitar in Rock Band. It's both more challenging and more natural to use. Plus Rock Band has some of the worst music compared to Guitar Hero. This is great news.

AxFactor @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:39AM

I too could get behind the local band idea, but one problem...I live in North Dakota, who really cares about our local bands? We'd probably get Minneapolis stuff but big whoop.

Really though, I have boycotted GH until they actually follow through with their DLC and stop making us buy another game altogether. They also need more Hendrix, really Legends of Rock? It shoulda been "GH3: Featuring Slash" as he was the only one, annnddd.....there was no Hendrix!

wlraider70 @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:54AM

JeSuZ CiclE @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:04PM

Damn when will people learn, GH3 was a giant load of ass compared to 1 and 2, because.....drum roll please, it was made by the tony hawk developers, Rock Band was made by Harmonix, the wonderful people behind GH1 and GH2.

The only problem with Rock Band is that it doesnt have the brand awareness that Guitar Hero does, thats why Activision was so happy to gobble up the Guitar Hero name and, Whore it out for all its worth.

Guitar Hero D.S. 'nuff said

mike k. @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:06PM

You know I could care less about this, because they don't support the rock band instruments. Why should I buy more freaking accessories until I've got a whole orchestra in my house if only 4 people can play at a time. Only way I'll buy the GH stuff is if they get their head out of the sand, and open up support for most any controller to play their game.

AxFactor @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:16PM

@SugarDaddy

I do agree with the guitar argument, I do play Rock Band with the GH3 guitar as it feels more comfortable, BUT GH3 DOES NOT have better music than Rock Band!!!!

Good songs for GH3:
"Welcome to the Jungle" - Guns N' Roses
"Rock and Roll All Nite" - Kiss
"Bulls on Parade" - Rage Against the Machine
"Rock You Like a Hurricane" - Scorpions

Rock Band:
"Detroit Rock City" Kiss
"Don't Fear The Reaper(Don't Fear) The Reaper" Blue Öyster Cult
"Enter Sandman" Metallica
"Wanted Dead or Alive" Bon Jovi
"Tom Sawyer" Rush
"In Bloom" Nirvana

I'll stop there as I think I proved my point.
NOTE: I did not include songs that appear on both games

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:37PM

In your opinion.While I generally agree that RB has better songs overall(Dani California FTW!), GH3 Song List seems a lot better suited for a guitar.But then again I don't really know any of the GH2/GH songs so I can't tell whever they sucks or not.

Josh @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:48PM

There's not one song in Rock Bank that's even remotely close to as intense as Through the Fire and Flames on Expert. Also, the hammer-ons and pull-offs in GH3 >>>>>>>>Rock Band's.

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:03PM

True...as much as TFAF(and Dragonforce) suck imo, this song is perfect as GH3 final song.

Deezul @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:47PM

There are some great instrumental songs that won't be on Rock Band, that ARE on GH. Frankenstein, Cliffs of Dover, for example. Yes, it's nice that RB uses all four intruments, but live a little, Harmonix. I'm sure every vocalist at a concert doesn't mind the occasional instrumental track to give the him/her a break from singing.

AxFactor @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:50PM

I do agree with that GH3 songs are suited for the guitar since that's the games focus. But I've always had a problem with their choice of songs. I mean GH 1 had a good selection, GH2 eh, GH3 I was only excited for 3 songs and disappointed by the obvious misses.

I was waiting for some Metallica, Don't Fear the Reaper, and Rock Band delivered on their 1st outing. I can't be too mad @ Rock Band for no Hendrix, but in GH1 they had a Spanish Castle Magic, ok not bad, but there are so many others; Voo Doo Child, Purple Haze, Star Spangled Banner. I know I'm comming off as a Hendrix fanboy, but I've studied Rock History as my enrichment courses during college and Hendrix is the most obvious thing missing here.

I mean I love Rage Against the Machine, but Tom Morello is not a legend of rock, he is however an innovator and very creative, but he's not there yet.

AxFactor @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:56PM

@ Josh

(yea I'm bored at work)

Green Grass at High Tides is an intense song, but the point of these games shouldn't be to make you dizzy with colors and puke from motion sickness.

Through the fire and flames is hard, but woo hoo, the game as a whole should be some of the greatest songs in history being paid a tribute. Most people are buying these games due to songs, I mean if Rock Band didn't have DLC Tuesday, I may not be as big as it is today, in my opinion.

The point is that if your going to put out these kinds of games, have good songs, be innovative, and encourage people to want to play real music.

Also I'd like to see more musical diversity. I'm not saying rock is bad, just something difference would be nice once and awhile.

neech uk @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:37PM

so does that mean that wen this gets released in the uk it will be £180 aswell?

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:26PM

I expect it to be in 60-ish, like the other game.

EDW @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:48PM

so now we'll have Rock Band 2 (assuming it comes out this year) and Copy Rock Band. why even release two games, other than the different soundtracks?

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:01PM

idiots.

Adam @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:58PM

GHIV GIVES YOU THE HIV

Roxxorsmash @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:45PM

From what I've seen, 90% of people that purchase guitar hero 3 only did so because it was the popular thing to do. Seems its become a trend more than anything else. I mean, come on. If Harmonix wanted to, they could easily have made Rock Band ridiculously challenging. Difficulty has no place is serious discussions, because Rock Band isn't difficult by nature. It's a completely different game: it's cooperative, whereas GH is competitive, hence the difficulty.
Also: I will never buy another GH game again. 3 was horrible. Once you go RB, you never go back.