Activision CEO: Instruments, vocals coming to Guitar Hero

Bobby Kotick tells Conde Nast Portfolio that the billion-dollar-franchise will soon have "a lot more" options for making music. The question is: When?

For a while, its been known that more instruments were coming to the Guitar Hero franchise. Before it was bought by Activision in 2006, the series' publisher RedOctane had registered the titles "Keyboard Hero" and "Drum Hero." The following January, its new owner plunked down for the titles "Guitar Villain" and "Drum Villain." Then, just this past February, the soon-to-be-merged megapublisher trademarked the title "DJ Hero."

Despite the lengthy paper trail, Activision has made no indication as to which Guitar Hero game would bring other instruments into the mix. Meanwhile, original Guitar Hero developer Harmonix has received critical accolades and millions of content-download dollars for its own platinum-selling rhythm game, Rock Band--which lets gamers play drums, bass, or guitar as well as sing.

This month, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick decided to remind the world that, yes, new Guitar Hero developers NeverSoft are working on expanding beyond the series' guitar and/or bass repertoire. Speaking to business magazine Conde Nast Portfolio, the executive said that "We'll include a lot of other instruments [and] vocals" in future installments in the franchise. He did not say whether or not the next such installments, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith or Guitar Hero IV, would include multiple instruments, and Activision reps had not responded for requests for comment as of press time.

Beside the promise of expanding Guitar Hero's band, Kotick also broke down some of the game's demographic information. "The age appeal is something we've never seen before: Seven-year-olds who have no idea who Aerosmith is are playing the band's music on Guitar Hero," he explained. "So are 45-year-olds who spent a good portion of their lives following the band around." The executive also said that an estimated 40 percent of Guitar Hero players are women.

Finally, the Conde Nast Portfolio piece gave a little bit of history about Kotick's entry into the game business: In 1990, he bought a 25 percent stake in then-ailing Activision with some $440,000 in borrowed funds. Later this year, Activision will merge with Blizzard Entertainment in a deal valued at nearly $19 billion to form a publisher with yearly revenues of $4 billion.

236 Comments

  • kboy824

    Posted Jul 8, 2008 12:25 pm PT

    This is just a freakin opinion but rock band ripped off GH first.
    To me, Rock band has a slower feel to it and sucks at song choice. In GH i can actually feel the music when i play

  • bphawk99

    Posted Jun 21, 2008 7:00 pm PT

    if i remember correctly, didnt rock band steal the guitar from guitar hero

  • bitsandbobs

    Posted May 27, 2008 9:02 am PT

    This is such a rip off of rock band! Messege to activision 'The GH developer left ages ago, give up'. On a lighter note atleast it will be better that Rock Revolution and I wounder if the Rock Band guitar/drums will work with this? Nope probably not.

  • ek11sx

    Posted May 25, 2008 10:28 pm PT

    coolman437, you should research Tom Morello, he is more of an activist than all of your "legends" combined

  • coolman437

    Posted May 25, 2008 9:16 pm PT

    if they do bosses and call them guitar legends and put a guy like from rage against the machine who isn't a damn legend, slash is a legend not tom M.

    I WANT ACDC songs damn it!

  • GredegHeado-san

    Posted May 24, 2008 10:38 pm PT

    Anyone care to explain to me how they could possibly expand this game without "copying" Rock Band?

    Actually, they're not even copying Rock Band... both are copying GitaDora, which in turn totally ripped off the concept of multiple instruments playing at once.

    Both my friend and myself independently came up with this idea before knowing about GitaDora. Good thing concepts in other genres don't come under such scrutiny... not once did I hear a complaint about Bungie for ripping off dual wielding.

  • HVPinc

    Posted May 15, 2008 9:14 pm PT

    I was gonna buy rock band drums but im gonna wait now. The extra drum peices got my attention...

  • theonerm2

    Posted May 15, 2008 6:41 pm PT

    Definately not a bad thing to add vocals and possibly drums because adding things that are good for the game can't be a bad idea. Unless they have a game only option, guitar+game option, Drums+game option, mic+game option, and an all-in-one bundle option I won't be happy.

    Also as long as they leave the main career as lead guitar they can still call it Guitar Hero.

  • XCESS_MOJO

    Posted May 8, 2008 4:50 pm PT

    are u kidding me??? Keyboard Hero?? thats so stupid, yet so many people are going to buy it. Even Guitar Villain, what kind of crap is that? Guitar Hero is Guitar Hero and that should be just it. they are already making millions per game, why try to screw up and make some dumb knock-offs of the game? they are going to mess this whole franchise up. it just stay as a guitar game. thats why its even called guitar hero not tuba hero or banjo hero or harmonica hero. this makes me wonder about the future of the industry

  • tonbert

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 8:36 am PT

    Yeah crazy fanboys pretty much describes alot of the people posting about this lol

  • frontball

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 6:12 am PT

    Hear hear, tonbert. Hear freakin hear. Internet fanboys think they got all the answers while fanboys on the Rock Band side get all scared that they're gonna lose their bragging rights. This is guitar hero's time to shine... not that it'll even be CALLED guitar hero after this.

  • tonbert

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 8:52 pm PT

    I sware you internet people can be so stupid

    GH adding every instrument cant do anything but good for the game

    Who cares if 2 games of the same thing exist they both have their differences and can both be fun

    Personally I think RB sucks at picking music and GH is better at picking a better variety

    Then also theres the fact that GH lets you have some fraction of a second more time per note so you dont butcher solos and stuff

    And GHs drum thing most likely will be better than RBs drum thing because seriously the RB drums are pretty crappy and the pedal is unrealistically hard to get up and down

    All of you are talking crap now but by the time GHIV is out you will probably all end up buying it and enjoying it anyway

    I dont get why people on the internet are so stupid about video games sometimes

    Like those stupid people that say stuff like "DURRR SAINTS ROW 2 IS EVENTUALLY GONNA EXIST SO WHY BUY GTAIV DURRR?!"

    ugh......... stupid stupid internet people

  • tjk11

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 8:02 pm PT

    Guitar Hero should be exactly what the title says it is: a guitar game. They're about 5 and a half months late if they want to add all the instruments for a band feel. What's next? Orchestra hero? Rock out on a violin with all your peeps? This is getting ridiculous.

  • Dan2002sk8er

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 10:37 am PT

    Guitar Hero is Dead.
    Long Live Rock Band.

    I haven't liked Neversoft since they ruined the Tony Hawk games with the first Underground. Now they have ruined Guitar Hero. Next Activision will Give them Call of Duty or Ultimate Alliance 2 for them to ruin as well.

  • Guerosinfe34

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 10:19 am PT

    yes,not thats just copying rock band!!!!, eso es ya no tener ideas, porke la verdad Rock Band, esta muy por arriba del Guitar Hero, reconosco ke talvez tiene unas canciones mas chidas, pero Rock Band tiene lo suyo, y eso es la diversidad de instrumentos, solo le falta, ke metan mas canciones de bandas, Como Guns n` Roses, mas canciones de Metallica conocidas claro, Sepultura, Pantera, etc pero eso de ke saquen instrumentos, es una vil copia, mejor ke se pongan a trabajar en la compatibilidad de los instrumentos, ke voy a hacer con dos baterias, cuatro guitarras y dos microfonos, heeeeeeeeee diganme!!!

  • AcrobaticMonkey

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 8:04 am PT

    woohoo not thats just copying rock band

  • rockstar_88

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 4:57 am PT

    Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

  • pedvasc

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 4:54 am PT

    how i want have a ps3.... this could be on ps2....

  • Mattyrock

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 3:10 am PT

    Ok, they're trying to cash-in on what Harmonix and EA have done with Rock Band. I think that's a bit too late now.

  • greeniejzzle

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 12:35 am PT

    Nice, I was hoping they would integrate the other instruments and vocals eventually.

  • packster

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 8:53 pm PT

    I dont care about gutair hero anymore, because Rock Band is whats hot!

  • Dumbo677

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 6:03 pm PT

    Thats just gay they should just leave guitar hero how it is

  • gocanes222

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 3:47 pm PT

    II agree xXplaugeXx, I didn't want to go out and spend 150$ on a new game that I could mainly play by myself. My brother is too young to enjoy the game and all my friends had Guitar Hero. I had always wanted to play guitar and Guitar Hero just added to that want. But I disagree with you other statement. A guitar and amp for 150$ is not crap. A Fender Squire Strat and a Fender American Strat are nearly identical in sound. The only difference in a 99$ and a 2000$ guitar is the cost of the material and the workmanship. I have a 99$ Strat and all I'll have to do is replace the pickups some time. Other than that it's a great guitar and a great deal.

  • xXplaugeXx

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 3:33 pm PT

    I disagree steve04, Though guitar hero 3 HAS sold more copies, that doesn't really mean it's a more liked game, rock band is NOT a cheap game. So the average gamer can't go out and spend 150$ on a game, BUT there's guitar hero for 70$. AND even if the two companies worked together BEFORE, they don't now and to beat the competition guitar hero is bringing in new instruments. They did sorta rip off rockband because after 3 games it seems like they would have added some new instruments, but no, they JUST NOW after Rock Band was released, officially decided to add new instruments. But hey, a company has to do whats it's gotta do to stay ahead right? And since im in the mood to argue..lolz. job153, you do have a point..sorta. I started off on guitar hero 2, then went to rock band...and now a real electric guitar. So, these games can inspire people to get into real instrument playing. And, both games really make you feel like your in a band, especially rock band, to some..it's LIKE being in an actual band. AND lastly, a guitar and amp for under 150...thhere are packs out htere...but they're crap.

  • steve04

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 2:14 pm PT

    Ok people that keep saying that Rock Band beat Guitar Hero stop. Im more of a Rock Band fan too, cuz im a drummer. But i still like guitar hero 3. And you will find that in this website itself theres proof to show that Guitar hero 3 has sold way more than rock band. the wii version in particular. just go to the sales review for march.

    And both companies used to work together. So they are not ripping off rock band. damn,

  • job153

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 2:12 pm PT

    Man, you kids should stop making a big deal about these video games and go out and GET A REAL INSTRUMENT!!!!! when Rock Band came out i could've bought a cheap guitar and amp for less. I think its time to get off the couch and actually do something.

  • 122024

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 1:18 pm PT

    i cant belive this sh1.,t they created the 1 guitar hero 2005 they dont think they can created difererent instruments in guitar hero 2 they had a lot of time and them in 2007 arrive guitar hero 3 with the guitar a again in november arrive rock band and now they will copy rock band

  • dumebuggy

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 12:52 pm PT

    What about playstation 2?

  • Timstuff

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 11:35 am PT

    Scared of Rock Band, much?

    Rock Band is where it's at. Whatever Cracktivision can come up with in terms of a fuller band experience, it's going to pale in comparison to anything Harmonix does. Harmonix actually cares about making a better gaming experience, while Activision only cares about how many sequels and semi-sequels they can pump out every year.

  • King_Chozo

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 11:34 am PT

    I think the main thing that they are going for is playing off of Rock Band's set up. Allow me to explain. Rock Band has been taking a lot of flack for having expensive instruments, and a lot of people bought just the game and played the guitar parts with the GH guitars until they could save up for drums, etc. Well, I think Activision ses that a lot of people are coming to the drums and vocal portions so they can make drum hero (or whatever) and people who have rock band drums (as long as activision makes it work with the rock band drums) will buy it moreso than people who don't have the rock band drums. In a somewhat different scenario, if you have rockband and no drums, you may want to get drum hero for the drums and game so that you can use them on both (if you can).

    I wouldn't go as far as to say they stole Rock Band's idea (because the two companies Harmonix and red octane worked together on the first 2 guitar hero games), but I would like to say they want thier piece of the pie.

  • sidious

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 10:57 am PT

    Guitar Hero is great, but they don't want to be left behind in the wake of Rock Band's success. I imagine they have no choice but to "evolve" the franchise to include more gameplay features/options. I hope they are careful not to over do it though. We don't need to see Banjo Hero or Jazz Band Hero. Just give us drums, vocals and maybe a keyboard.

  • KingSigy

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 9:33 am PT

    I don't see the added instruments doing anything for the franchise. If anything, it will be a cheap knock off of Rock Band. Here's hoping...

  • SolidSnake0084

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 6:42 am PT

    ocarina hero the legend of Zelda addition haha

  • zoe256

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 1:45 am PT

    @sean_ph: Just because they registered the names doesn't mean they were actually going to make them, seeing as they didn't make any mention of introducing other intruments in this way until now, they probably registered the names to stop cheap ripoffs being made.

  • BLaZe462

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 12:02 am PT

    banjo hero grab your sister and your banjo and rock on!

  • Russty540

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 10:15 pm PT

    they need to give it up, rock band beat them fair and square

  • GnuDonkey

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 10:11 pm PT

    What's better than Guitar Hero is this game called "guitar."

  • cheese4927

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 8:43 pm PT

    They'll probably just make series that are separate from guitar hero, like drum hero or something. Otherwise it would just be too similar to Rock Band.

  • forzaveloce

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 8:29 pm PT

    harmonica hero.

  • Sacred-Snow

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 8:20 pm PT

    that sounds retarded, i think they should leave guitar hero for what it is, and not try anything else

  • BigSmitts07

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 5:41 pm PT

    sounds interesting, wonder what instruments they will use to innovate things...itll make EA have to one up them, and then vice versa...score one for consumers =)

  • tasthomas

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 4:02 pm PT

    (read in your best German accent)
    Until zey make ein "Polka Hero" complete wis za tuba and accordian controllers, I'll keep playing mein Wolfenstein!

  • ranman1990

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 3:41 pm PT

    nothing tops banjo hero

  • primalwanderer

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 2:20 pm PT

    i think this sounds cool as here in engand rock band is completly overly priced prehaps they will make a band hero that has the same instruments but is cheap for us in the uk shame on the vampires making us buy rockband twice the price!

  • craigymail

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 2:14 pm PT

    Flute Hero! Sounds Good

  • Tbonesteak87105

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 2:04 pm PT

    whistle hero

  • Tbonesteak87105

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 2:01 pm PT

    pots and pans hero

  • R3DN1N3

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 1:58 pm PT

    I still don't and never will understand the infatuation the new generation of gamers have with games like ROCKBAND or GUITAR HERO.
    Personally, it's not worth the money and the fun factor is limited to parties.
    Not worth buying.
    If u wanna play music that bad why not CREATE a band like the good ole' days or do some "Air Guitaring"?????????
    Kids these days......

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