MIDI sequencer is GH World Tour 'secret instrument'

by Richard Mitchell { Sep 17th 2008 at 6:30PM }

After debunking the rumor that a keyboard peripheral was headed to Guitar Hero: World Tour, Neversoft has revealed to Shacknews that the secret is actually a feature -- not a peripheral -- that will allow users to transfer MIDI data to the game using a MIDI sequencer. So, in a manner of speaking, the new peripheral is whatever instrument you want. At least, that's the case for the PS3 version of World Tour, which will allow users to transfer MIDI data to the drum, guitar, keyboard, bass, or drum tracks. The 360 version, unfortunately, will be limited to the drum track thanks to "hardware issues." Well crap.

Still, Neversoft's Brian Bright informs Shacknews that the feature isn't something that most World Tour players will utilize, saying, "it's going to take an FAQ on the Guitar Hero site--it's not something that your average user is gonna do." Geez, you'd think composing music on a PC and transferring it to a game console via a MIDI sequencer would be a snap.

[Via Joystiq]

Tags: activision, ghwt, guitar-hero, guitar-hero-world-tour, neversoft

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Shadowfire56 @ Sep 17th 2008 7:28PM

First post FTW!!! :D

Wow, that was productive...

Robert Cat @ Sep 17th 2008 8:18PM

No mention of sing-along MIDI for the microphone?

CyberKnight @ Sep 17th 2008 8:23PM

Well duh, this *confirms* the keyboard peripheral for GH:WT.

I don't recall anyone ever specifying whether the keyboard would be ebony & ivory or QWERTY...

ifalldownstairs @ Sep 17th 2008 8:27PM

i understand that there are some things about the 360s hardware that devs don't like (lack of hard drive and regular DVDs) but the idea that drums tracks can be used and nothing else is complete bullshit. The technology is the same for uploading MIDI tracks either way, i doubt hardware issues have anything to do with it. I wish I knew the real reason

Wii60 @ Sep 18th 2008 6:58AM

Well, I'd bet it's Microsoft.

They've done a lot right this gen, but a bit wrong too. Second only to the RRoD issues, I'd say that the way they lock down everything in the console is another. Like how Unreal Tournament can't get mods like the PS3 can, or how the PS3 can install Linux. Usually it isn't an issue, but for some of this higher level stuff, its just unfortunate. Sure, I'd rather be able to use this feature than not, but I won't lose any sleep over it.

I'm not saying that Nintendo and Sony aren't bad about locking down peripherals and machine access as well- just that MS does it the most.

Nick Spacek @ Sep 17th 2008 8:58PM

Why does Microsoft have to be so stupid about hardware compatibility?

Kindergamer @ Sep 17th 2008 9:21PM

Jeez, Acti! I just want to hit buttons.

Chase @ Sep 17th 2008 9:38PM

Well, that's rather bothersome.

kevin @ Sep 17th 2008 10:02PM

see for once us the ps3 owners dont get pwned by the devs i mean really you guys get to play wit devs you get awesome betas we dont have u have that extra gta 4 extra update. AND one of our valued exclusives goes to you now even though i hate final fantasy... so dont be sad or mad because ps3 gets the advantage for once. seriously

Jake @ Sep 18th 2008 4:06AM

2008 is being the year of gimped 360 versions. This is now about the 7th gimped 360 version of a recent game. Early on the PS3 got the gimped versions.

To me that says the 360 is reaching it's limits, and the PS3 is breaking out of it's early "hard to code for" cycle.

joeybeast @ Sep 18th 2008 12:05PM

Please enlighten us on all the gimped 360 games.

Jake @ Sep 18th 2008 2:34PM

Gimped 360 games (all worse than their PS3 counterparts).

GTA IV
Burnout Pardaise
Guitar Hero World Tour
Starwars Force Unleashed
Rage is severely gimped on 360, and making the PS3 version gimped to match.
Madden 09, better on PS3

Those are all of the top of my head. There are plenty more. last year was about the Xbox having the slight edge over the PS3 versions, the tables have clearly turned now, sorry it upsets you so much. Perhaps if the xbots did not make such a big deal last year, then people wouldn't be throwing it back this year.

Some reading:

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20282

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/game-consoles-smackdown/65241-epic-developers-reaching-limits-xbox-360-a.html

http://www.psu.com/Far-Cry-2-to-feature-smoother-graphics-on-PS3-News--a0004674-p0.php

joeybeast @ Sep 18th 2008 5:02PM

WOW, I have no idea GTA IV on xbox is gimped because it runs at 720P as to 640P on PS3.

Here's the fine print on your Gamasutra article:

"The preceding is the views and opinions of one person and not of EEDAR, The simExchange, GamerMetrics, or Gametrailers."

So what Epic claims that they are reaching the limit of the 360? They are just trying to sell the Unreal Engine.

I'll be damned if I think an article from PSU is impartial.

Star Wars: Force Unleashed?
Madden 09?

How about this, PS3 games have mandatory installs and hence GIMPED.

Jake @ Sep 18th 2008 5:21PM

"joeybeast said...

WOW, I have no idea GTA IV on xbox is gimped because it runs at 720P as to 640P on PS3."

That's OK, many people are fooled by Microsoft into thinking the be-all and end-all is resolution. Clearly it's not. The textures and framerates in PS3 GTA IV is so much better than the resolution drop.

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/935461-post11.html

Michael Paul @ Sep 18th 2008 8:31AM

When did MIDI start requiring ultra-powerful features only available on the PS3? Are we sure the answer isn't Platform Exclusivity...

lorddshadow @ Sep 18th 2008 6:53PM

well if it is, i wouldn't be complaining if i were you. 360 got rock band 2 a month early, so why can't ps3 have an exclusive feature? heck, other major games like gta4 and fallout 3 have 360-exclusive content. so you're gonna have to get used to it.

tiremfej @ Sep 18th 2008 8:57AM

I'm sure it isn't hardware issues. I'm sure it's sharing issues.

Miller Peterson @ Sep 18th 2008 10:39AM

Just to be a little anal, I think what's being talked about is a MIDI interface, not a sequencer. Sequencers as the name suggests allow you to edit and playback sequences, while an interface just lets you plug in a MIDI cable.

joeybeast @ Sep 18th 2008 12:02PM

Yes, I can now finally have my non-gaming friends over and play the game with this non-threatening MIDI controller.

spyder @ Sep 18th 2008 1:16PM

Yay, get to use my Roland TD-20 with modding anything ;)

Greg @ Sep 18th 2008 2:56PM

That's just crap..

petrov @ Sep 19th 2008 12:59AM

big deal, the songs can only be 3 minutes long anyway, and they are taken down if they sound like a real artist's song. that makes this song creator gimped, not the 360's version. go ahead ps3 fanboys, laugh it up, because when you get the game you will be forced to actually write your own music. good luck making a song as fun as anything on rock band 2 or gh4 for that matter.