Filed under: Guitar Hero World Tour

Guitar Hero: World Tour tops Rock Band 2 in by 2:1 in 2008

by Richard Mitchell { 9 months ago }

GameSpot reports that the NPD Group has released the overall sales data for both Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour for 2008 and World Tour has come out on top. Breaking it down, across all SKUs and every platform, Guitar Hero: World Tour managed to sell 3.4 million copies in North America, while Rock Band 2 sold 1.7 million copies. It's important to remember that Rock Band 2 had a staggered release schedule, hitting each platform at different times, while Guitar Hero: World Tour landed on each platform simultaneously.

Furthermore, the numbers don't take into acount the sales of the original Rock Band, which can be had at a lower price than the sequel (an important consideration in today's economy).

[Via Joystiq]

Forbes writer defends "knockoff" slam against Rock Band

by Xav de Matos { 9 months ago }

Earlier in the week, Forbes writer Peter C. Beller became the industry's latest whipping boy after taking ironic (and comical) shots at Harmonix for knocking off Activision's Guitar Hero to develop Rock Band. Calling Rock Band "a shameless knockoff of Guitar Hero," many chalked the remarks up to a journalist swallowing public relations fluff, often served to the gaming unaware in hopes to strike a cord with the readership of an unrelated industry publication.

Surprisingly, Beller has come to the defense of his statements saying, "If you define knockoff as "a copy or imitation of someone or something popular" the way Merriam-Webster does, then I think Rock Band fits the bill nicely." Beller continued, explaining he is aware Harmonix was the development team behind both titles but made the statement to outline that Activision has strong competition regardless of how profitable its franchises are. Unfortunately, in the statement made to GameDaily, Beller failed to explain why his editorial was so slanted. In fact his statement failed to explain anything, really.

GH World Tour DLC: Aussie rock lives!

by Dustin Burg { 9 months ago }

Australian rock has just made its way to Guitar Hero World Tour thanks to today's released Aussie Track Pack downloadable content. Three songs from artists Silverchair, Wolfmother, and The Vines are individually available for 160 Microsoft points or as an Aussie Track Pack for 440 points. It's Aussie rock without the kangaroos or bitey crocs.

Aussie Track Pack - 440
"Tomorrow" by Silverchair - 160
"Dimension" by Wolfmother -160
"Outtathaway!" by The Vines - 160

[Image]

Forbes profiles Activision CEO, calls Rock Band "shameless knockoff"

by Xav de Matos { 9 months ago }

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is this month's Forbes magazine cover boy, where the business mag recounts his journey from sandwich delivery boy to billionaire CEO. Surprisingly (read: Not really), Kotick describes himself as not being interesting in games personally but has been more than happy to build Activision Blizzard into one of the industry's leading companies. One quote sending the games industry into a laughing dizzy is the line, written by Forbes itself (hold back the tears): "EA also teamed with MTV to sell Rock Band, a shameless knockoff of Guitar Hero that added drums, bass and a microphone to the world of make-believe rock stars."

We suppose the irony should be that Guitar Hero was first developed by Harmonix, the company responsible for Rock Band. Maybe we should be laughing that it was Harmonix that took the music genre into the group setting, which led Kotick's Activision to follow suit and create Guitar Hero: World Tour. But honestly, we just think the irony is that Forbes is a shameless knockoff of Fortune.

[Via Videogaming247]

Guitar Hero DLC: Travis Barker track pack

by Xav de Matos { 9 months ago }

World renowned drummer Travis Barker from such bands as blink-182, +44 and Transplants has been graced with his own dedicated track pack today in Guitar Hero: World Tour. At 440

for the entire three-song pack or ~~140~~ 160

per track, gamers can rip through three very different Barker sets at different times in his 15 year career. The Travis Barker DLC consists of:

Jump in to check out videos for this week's content.

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'The Boss' Springsteen is coming to World Tour

by Dustin Burg { 9 months ago }

Activision just announced that Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen will be making his video game debut on Guitar Hero World Tour later this month. Tuesday, January 27th to be exact. The Springsteen DLC will be released as a FREE download through February 4th and include the tracks "Born to Run" and "My Lucky Day" off his latest album Working on a Dream. If you wait until after February 4th to download the Springstreen tracks, expect to pay 320 MS points.

Free content is free content and we aren't complaining, but would we be in the minority to have asked for the song "The Wrestler" as part of the free DLC giveaway? Heck, we'd even pay the $2 going rate for that track.

[Via press release]

Another European invasion hits Guitar Hero: World Tour

by Xav de Matos { 10 months ago }

Earlier in the month Activision released the first of a two-part European track pack for Guitar Hero: World Tour fans. While we're sure the music was swell the only real comment we got when we posted the first track listing was that one of the songs picked from one of the bands was terrible. Anyway, part two of the European invasion has landed on Xbox Live with each track asking 160MS points. This week brings us:

European Track Pack 02:

"Degenerated" - Backyard Babies (Sweden)
"Por La Boca Vive El Pez" - Fito Y Fitipaldis (Spain)
"Johnny" - Di-Rect (Netherlands)

Anyone planning on grabbing these tracks? You know, we used to listen to Di-Rect when they were totally underground ... they're just too well known now.

World Tour DLC: Travis Barker, Rascal Flatts, Oasis and more

by Dustin Burg { 10 months ago }

Activision just revealed their plans for Guitar Hero World Tour downloadable content for the month of January, announcing musical tracks from bands including Oasis, Hinder, Travis Barker, and Silverchair among others. Also, interestingly enough, World Tour will be following in Rock Band's country footsteps by offering up three country tracks the week of January 8th. Yee-haw! Check the break for a listing of all upcoming World Tour DLC.

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The Eagles take flight as GH: World Tour DLC

by Richard Mitchell { 10 months ago }

Guitar Hero: World Tour players listen up. You've got some brand new DLC to download today, and it comes in the form of an Eagles track pack. Yes, you can finally play something other than "Hotel California." That's right. Just sit back and let the relief wash over you. Feels good, doesn't it? You can pick up all three tracks for 440

($5.50) or download individual tracks for 160

($2.00) each. The tracks available are:

Eagles Track Pack (Download from Marketplace)
"One of These Nights" (Download from Marketplace)
"Life in the Fast Lane" (Download from Marketplace)
"Frail Grasp on the Big Picture" (Download from Marketplace)

World Tour free DLC offer is alive, it's really alive!

by Dustin Burg { 10 months ago }

Last week, we mentioned a new Guitar Hero World Tour holiday offer where, with purchase of a World Tour bundle before December 31st, you can score five free downloadable tracks. We're pleased to inform you that the offer is now available and your free DLC awaits.

To participate in the offer, simply make your way to World Tour's free content download redemption page and enter both your World Tour serial number and owner ID from your manual. Then, like magic, you'll receive your free tracks. And seeing that we don't have a World Tour bundle handy, we weren't able to proceed through with the redemption process. So, we aren't entirely sure how you select the five DLC tracks or if it's a pre-selected bundle. It's like blazing new trails.

[Thanks, Adam O.]

Acti offering free DLC with World Tour bundle

by Dustin Burg { 11 months ago }

From now through December 31st, Activision is ~~bribing~~ enticing those in the market for a musical game this holiday by offering up free downloadable content with purchase of Guitar Hero World Tour.

According to the official Guitar Hero website, those who purchase the World Tour bundle by December's end will be treated to five downloadable tracks. Exactly which tracks, we aren't sure. The promotion isn't yet live, but if you already own or are purchasing the World Tour bundle, keep this page bookmarked for future promo details. Can't complain about free music, right?

[Via Shacknews]

World Tour adds Euro and Nirvana DLC

by Dustin Burg { 11 months ago }

As part of the Guitar Her World Tour's plan for December DLC world domination, new Nirvana and European music has make its way to the Xbox Live Marketplace. In total, there are six new tracks available a la cart for 160 Microsoft points or as Nirvana or European three packs for 440 points. To be honest, we've never heard of the European bands (sorry, we're not that musically hip), but are well aware of the three Nirvana songs. A few we'd highly recommend. Click towards the fold for a breakdown of today's World Tour new music additions.

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Nyko's 'Metal Pedal' for RB and GHWT takes licking, keeps kicking

by Richard Mitchell { 11 months ago }

click to enlarge

Have you be cursed with the world's heaviest feet? Do you leave footprints in concrete? Do you go through Rock Band or Guitar Hero bass pedals like tissue paper? If you answered yes to the third question, Nyko has your solution, the Metal Pedal. The pedal is compatible with Guitar Hero: World Tour as well as both the original Rock Band and Rock Band 2 and is metal plated to stand up to your torturous kicking. Unfortunately, the Metal Pedal isn't hitting stores until January 2009, so you'll have to wait a bit before you can fork over the $20 price tag. Of course, as Joystiq notes, you could always try the DIY alternative, the Pedal Metal.

Now, if you answered yes to the first two questions, well, you're on the wrong website. Sorry.

[Via Joystiq]

Gallery: Nyko Metal Pedal

December World Tour DLC: Nirvana, Eagles, Pumpkins and more

by Dustin Burg { 11 months ago }

Activision just announced all the Guitar Hero World Tour DLC that'll be headed our way in the month of December including three song track packs from Nirvana, The Eagles and The Smashing Pumpkins.

You can view a breakdown of each week's World Tour DLC after the break and be sure to note that the December DLC releasing fun starts tomorrow with three The Smashing Pumpkins songs. Also, just in time for the holidays, there will be three rock reggae tracks available on the Marketplace for free. Each other track pack will cost 440 Microsoft points or 160 points individually. Keep rockin'.

Continued →

Rock out to a Guitar Hero World Tour Weekend

by Dustin Burg { 11 months ago }

Taking the stage this Friday, November 28th is an Activision and Xbox Live sponsored Guitar Hero World Tour Weekend that's full of rockin', rollin' and prizes.

During the World Tour Weekend, you'll have the chance to play with a handful of the game's developers in a Sunday Game With Developers session and get the opportunity to score some sweet World Tour swag in the Play & Win giveaway. Simply register prior to the weekend's fun to be eligible. Oh, and don't forget to stock up on guitar picks, because it is customary to toss one out into the crowd after every performance.