Activision to Slow Down the Number of "Hero" Games in 2010, More DLC Coming

[Neoxon]

Though they said they'll slow down, they will bring the sequel to GH, BH, & DJH. Now, they'll just focus more on DLC, which brings me to wonder if they'll actually deliver on their promise to triple the DLC in 2010.

http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/expect-fewer-hero-games-from-activision-in-2010/

[Blackjack041277]

“... but the focus on making the best-selling, most fun to play, best-reviewed games will continue.”

LOL!

[moose39]

I doubt they'll triple the DLC. With all the games released, pretty soon, we're going to run out of good songs to play.

[CommonCriminal]

So, they're going from 50 games to only 30...

[Quaszar]

But in an interview this week, the 2 bands Activision is going after are Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. Either band would be HUGE....

[moose39]

But in an interview this week, the 2 bands Activision is going after are Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. Either band would be HUGE....

Oh man, I can't even imagine what I'd do if Led Zeppelin went to Activision.

[instantdeath999]

Since I play both games, my ideal situation would be for Harmonix to get the two aforementioned bands (Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd). However, I would not mind Activision getting Led Zeppelin (they have proven their charting and animation abilities, and I think it more or less suits Led Zeppelin). However, I would definitely want Harmonix to get Pink Floyd, no exceptions. Even if it had only half of the care and attention to detail The Beatles Rock Band had, it would be mindblowing.

Pink Floyd really are a band that would demand their own game, dreamscapes, and multiple full albums. Led Zeppelin would make for a fantastically fun game all around that would be easier to do justice for (though they would really have to get the animations well on the members), and I think Activision could handle it.

[Jglaubman]

“... but the focus on making the best-selling, most fun to play, best-reviewed games will continue.”

LOL!

I don't think there is a single Guitar Hero game that got the same or higher review than Rock Band 1, 2 or The Beatles.... except Guitar Hero 1 and 2. (This is on Metacritic)

[moose39]

Since I play both games, my ideal situation would be for Harmonix to get the two aforementioned bands (Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd). However, I would not mind Activision getting Led Zeppelin (they have proven their charting and animation abilities, and I think it more or less suits Led Zeppelin). Led Zeppelin would make for a fantastically fun game all around that would be easier to do justice for (though they would really have to get the animations well on the members), and I think Activision could handle it.

Guitar Hero: Led Zeppelin really doesn't flow well with me. I don't think Neversoft could do a great job with them. There isn't that attention to detail, that great love for music AND games that Harmonix has. It's just "Oh hey, here's a band, give them the same note highway, multiplier, different menu and track selection screens, the Music Studio, and put in some Weezer."

[kiggidykev]

So they're going to focus on bringing out more DLC a week instead of releasing disc games every few weeks?

That sounds familiar.

[instantdeath999]

Guitar Hero: Led Zeppelin really doesn't flow well with me. I don't think Neversoft could do a great job with them. There isn't that attention to detail, that great love for music AND games that Harmonix has. It's just "Oh hey, here's a band, give them the same note highway, multiplier, different menu and track selection screens, the Music Studio, and put in some Weezer."

Haha, good point... there would almost certainly be some Foo Fighters to go along with them. Maybe throw in some Yellowcard and Queen, and we've got ourselves a Led Zeppelin game!!!

Yeah, I would definitely want them to both go to Harmonix, but the way I look at it is this (and this assumes patterns with the other band games continue); Guitar Hero Led Zeppelin could still be fun, though I'd be sad that, if patterns continue, there would be no DLC. GH Pink Floyd, however, would be an utter abortion. A full album band through and through.

Guitar Hero Metallica was fantastic though, but they seemed to fit the style of game.

[CloudWolf]

But in an interview this week, the 2 bands Activision is going after are Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. Either band would be HUGE....

Led Zeppelin isn't going to happen, ever.

[instantdeath999]

Led Zeppelin isn't going to happen, ever.

To be fair, I would have easily said that about The Beatles not too long ago.

[moose39]

Haha, good point... there would almost certainly be some Foo Fighters to go along with them. Maybe throw in some Yellowcard and Queen, and we've got ourselves a Led Zeppelin game!!!

Yeah, I would definitely want them to both go to Harmonix, but the way I look at it is this (and this assumes patterns with the other band games continue); Guitar Hero Led Zeppelin could still be fun, though I'd be sad that, if patterns continue, there would be no DLC. GH Pink Floyd, however, would be an utter abortion. A full album band through and through.

Guitar Hero Metallica was fantastic though, but they seemed to fit the style of game.

You know, at first I disagreed with you, but now I agree with you. While I hate GH and all of their games, maybe Guitar Hero Led Zeppelin could be fun like GH:M was.

And the Pink Floyd thing is true, only HMX could handle a band like that. They could definitely make that one of the better (and trippier) band-exclusive games released so far.

[Reygnier]

GH Metallica wasn't that great IMO.

It had good songs (it's Metallica DUH!), but that's it.

[fuselage321]

Oh man, I can't even imagine what I'd do if Led Zeppelin went to Activision.

iF ANY MEMEBRS OF LED ZEPPELIN SEE THIS, PLEASE, GIVE YOURSELFS TO HARMONIX, JUST LOOK AT THE BEATLES ROCK BAND, THEY WILL DO YOU JUSTICE!!!!!!

[citric_bullets]

iF ANY MEMEBRS OF LED ZEPPELIN SEE THIS, PLEASE, GIVE YOURSELFS TO HARMONIX, JUST LOOK AT THE BEATLES ROCK BAND, THEY WILL DO YOU JUSTICE!!!!!!

Well, John Paul Jones is going to be in a song on RB soon, so there's a start...

[toymachineSH]

GH Metallica wasn't that great IMO.

It had good songs (it's Metallica DUH!), but that's it.

Wow so good songs aren't enough?

[californication]

I don't think there is a single Guitar Hero game that got the same or higher review than Rock Band 1, 2 or The Beatles.... except Guitar Hero 1 and 2. (This is on Metacritic)

Wii: Beatles: Rock Band, The (2009) 89
MTV Games / Electronic Arts

Wii: Guitar Hero 5 (2009) 89
Activision

Oh mah goodness.

[awest505]

GH Metallica wasn't that great IMO.

It had good songs (it's Metallica DUH!), but that's it.

Truth. I'm a huge Metallica fan, but I got bored with the game after the first run through. I've probably played the RB DLC longer than the GH game.

[A New Pyro Fool]

In Activision's favor, if they actually do follow through with their 'promise,' then it'll be one less reason as to why RB is the superior music platform in the video game world, thus taking away from sales.

That makes Pyro a sad panda. :(

[instantdeath999]

I'm not so sure what the division is between the games, honestly. I mean, to me, the guitar aspects of the game play about the same... if not for the art style, I wouldn't notice much of a difference. Of course, I do prefer vocals and drums in RB.

Seems a bit odd to actually hate such a similar game. Of course, I have made it clear that if I had the choice between, say, Led Zeppelin Rock Band or Guitar Hero Led Zeppelin, I would personally go for RB. I enjoyed GH Metallica immensely (I still play it), but it just seemed to lack the personality and presentation The Beatles had... same goes for Van Halen.

[A New Pyro Fool]

I'm not so sure what the division is between the games, honestly. I mean, to me, the guitar aspects of the game play about the same... if not for the art style, I wouldn't notice much of a difference. Of course, I do prefer vocals and drums in RB.

Seems a bit odd to actually hate such a similar game. Of course, I have made it clear that if I had the choice between, say, Led Zeppelin Rock Band or Guitar Hero Led Zeppelin, I would personally go for RB. I enjoyed GH Metallica immensely (I still play it), but it just seemed to lack the personality and presentation The Beatles had... same goes for Van Halen.
Well, Activision didn't really have any competition in terms of band-centric Guitar Hero games. Now that TB:RB blew them away, GH:M has been outdone. Activision will definitely be forced to step it up next time, so I'd give them a chance.

Guitar Hero: Van Halen, however, is a joke. Let's not discuss it.

[kingtonyx]

Here are the ratings from Metacritic on all of this year's console rhythm games (excluding DJ Hero)

The Beatles: Rock Band (360) - 89
Guitar Hero 5 (Wii) - 89
The Beatles: Rock Band (Wii) - 89
The Beatles: Rock Band (PS3) - 88
Guitar Hero: Metallica (PS3) - 86
Guitar Hero 5 (360) - 85
Guitar Hero 5 (PS3) - 85
Guitar Hero: Metallica (Wii) - 85
Guitar Hero: Metallica (360) - 84
Band Hero (360) - 79
Band Hero (Wii) - 79
Band Hero (PS3) - 78
LEGO: Rock Band (PS3) - 75
LEGO: Rock Band (360) - 73
LEGO: Rock Band (Wii) - 69

[General Lein979]

^ No van halen?
Oh man, I can't even imagine what I'd do if Led Zeppelin went to Activision.They won't if anythings going to win over page its that teaches you how to play a real instrument thing that Dhani Harrison said about rb3.

[kingtonyx]

^ No van halen?They won't if anythings going to win over page its that teaches you how to play a real instrument thing that dhani Harrison said about rb3.

GH:VH doesn't have a rating, since it's not officially released yet.

[Pwnz0r3d]

I dont see how the Wii version of GH5 got better reviews than on the other platforms.

[Baanu_Rass]

Here are the ratings from Metacritic on all of this year's console rhythm games (excluding DJ Hero)

The Beatles: Rock Band (360) - 89
Guitar Hero 5 (Wii) - 89
The Beatles: Rock Band (Wii) - 89
The Beatles: Rock Band (PS3) - 88
Guitar Hero: Metallica (PS3) - 86
Guitar Hero 5 (360) - 85
Guitar Hero 5 (PS3) - 85
Guitar Hero: Metallica (Wii) - 85
Guitar Hero: Metallica (360) - 84
Band Hero (360) - 79
Band Hero (Wii) - 79
Band Hero (PS3) - 78
LEGO: Rock Band (PS3) - 75
LEGO: Rock Band (360) - 73
LEGO: Rock Band (Wii) - 69

Vindication!

[bmaninc]

Of course the games for little kids will be marked down by the older people who are let down by it.

[Jglaubman]

GH:VH doesn't have a rating, since it's not officially released yet.

It probably has way less reviews... and the reviews it missed out on were negative.

[Baanu_Rass]

Of course the games for little kids will be marked down by the older people who are let down by it.

I don't that's a very good defense. Otherwise all those shovelware games on the Wii are beyond reproach.

[bmaninc]

True enough. I think the idea of "Rock Band for kids" works in theory but doesn't quite get delivered with LEGO. They sort of needed more kids-oriented songs.

I mean. take the leap and do it right or don't do it. Free Fallin is suitable for kids, but is it really a kids song?

[hawkofva]

True enough. I think the idea of "Rock Band for kids" works in theory but doesn't quite get delivered with LEGO. They sort of needed more kids-oriented songs.

I mean. take the leap and do it right or don't do it. Free Fallin is suitable for kids, but is it really a kids song?
That was actually one of my favorite songs as a kid. :confused:

[kingtonyx]

I personally mostly love the setlist for LEGO, but I'm 29.

The setlist choice doesn't reflect on HMX though, since they basically gave TT 700-800 songs to choose from. TT is a UK developer, which is why we ended up with so many UK bands.

I get going for a good variety and including some songs for the parents too but there are classic songs that kids would know better I think. For instance, I'm really shocked that "Godzilla" didn't make it in seeing as how it's the theme for the newer Godzilla cartoon that was on KidsWB (or still is? I don't know)

[DavidRS]

I dont see how the Wii version of GH5 got better reviews than on the other platforms.

The Wii version has a couple of unique features, such as Mii Freestyle and Roadie Battle. Plus, to be honest, it is the class rhythm game on the Wii.

[moose39]

They won't if anythings going to win over page its that teaches you how to play a real instrument thing that Dhani Harrison said about rb3.

I think that could too.

[Neoxon]

I dont see how the Wii version of GH5 got better reviews than on the other platforms.

Extra modes that made it worth the cash (Roadie Battle, Mii Freestyle, etc.).

[kingtonyx]

Also GH5 brought features in for Wii that RB2 just didn't including the GHWT import and SDHC support...

[Neoxon]

So, they're going from 50 games to only 30...

They didn't release 50 (or 30), they released 7 games, which will probably now be just 3 or 4.

[Neoxon]

Also GH5 brought features in for Wii that RB2 just didn't including the GHWT import and SDHC support...

That's because they have the winning Wii card, Vicarious Visions.