Well Activision's big announcement today turned out to be something we were already aware of, the official revealing of the next game in the acclaimed Guitar Hero series, Guitar Hero World Tour. Nevertheless, there's a stack of delicious new details to be digested.

We've updated yesterday's trailer with a new lush hi-def version for download, but more importantly we now have the low-down on the game's new features. Here's the big ones:

• newly designed more responsive instruments, including a microphone and a bigger (more expensive) drum kit than EA's Rock Band.
  
• An all new music studio allowing players to compose their own tracks and share them online
  
• 100% master tracks (no cover versions). Soundtrack to include Van Halen, Linkin Park, The Eagles and Sublime (and presumably Lenny Kravitz from the trailer).
  
• dynamic character creation and instrument customisation interfaces.
  
• eight player multiplayer (four vs four).
  
• The Wii version will offer downloadable content, the first game on the platform to do so.

The first batch of screenshots from the game can be found in our new online gallery for Guitar Hero World Tour.

Do you sing as well?

There's a mic, yeah.

Cool.

Guitar hero ...hmmm
So So over it

wow so... the BIG announcement was that they are ripping off rock band because it's better than GH3 was. I do like the drumkit render though. Seems a little over the top though. Mabye putting 1 of the symbol like pads onto a rock band drumkit would be better.

EDIT - hey with a bit of luck, this will see a release date sometime before rock band does in AUS. it sure seems likely.

last edited by DM at 11:08:39 23/May/08

With any luck this'll allow the ability to use the Rock Band instruments, and Rock Band will do the same with these. It'd be a really stupid move on both company's part to not allow this, I can't see anyone shelling out for 2 sets of plastic instruments, but I can imagine people buying both games if there's cross-compatability.

I dunno about those drums, sure, its got 1 extra pad than the rock band ones, but the set as a whole looks way cheaper and not as good as the rock band ones.

Unless this works with rock band peripherals (which is doubtful, seeing as how theres an extra pad on the drum set), I'll pass.

What? DLC on the Wii version?

I'm more suprised than you think@!


Will laugh if this comes out before RB does in Australia.

I must confess, I am already so over platform specific downloadable content. I don't want to get an inferior product because of some deals cut with some console manufacturer - I'm sure as s*** not going to go out and buy a Wii just so I can get DLC. I already _know_ my console can handle DLC, so the reasons I'm not getting it cannot be technical. WHY DO THEY MOCK US SO!

f*** rock band, they've taken too long to release in Aus, I'll be getting this instead just out of spite, not to mention the fact you can make your own music with this one, plus the motherf***ing EAGLES! sold

I'm gonna buy both and have twice as much fun as you Wet!

so ner...

Yeah, I agree with WetWired, I was excited for Rock Band about a year ago. They've proven that they don't want my money with the stupid delays and sodomising prices that they want to charge us. I really don't give a f*** about it anymore, so I'll probably just get this instead. At least we'll probably get it the same time as everyone else.

I'm sure as s*** not going to go out and buy a Wii just so I can get DLC. I already _know_ my console can handle DLC, so the reasons I'm not getting it cannot be technical. WHY DO THEY MOCK US SO!

I think you misinterpreted. There was nothing saying 360 and ps3 wouldn't be getting downloadable content, only that the wii version would be getting it as well, where it had missed out with GH3 (and ever other game, ever).

that drum kit looks f***ing retardo

you would have to break it apart to put everything in the right position to play it properly, ie

http://popblog.exteen.com/images/drum/drummania5_arcade.jpg

I imported Rock Band, because at the end of the day, Harmonix just make better rythym games than Activision and whoever they hire to copy Guitar Hero/Rock Band. After playing Guitar Hero 3 for a while, and going back to Guitar Hero 2, it was immediately obvious to me how much better and how much more fun GH2 was. Harmonix = win, Activision = fail.

Also, Activision fail at downloadable content. Look at downloadable content for GH3 (which came out before rock band btw), compared to Rock Band. Activision have released, what, 15 songs for GH3? Maybe? And some of those are pretty mediocre at best. Rock Band is currently up to about 120 downloadable songs, with more coming out every week.

not to mention the fact you can make your own music with this one

I remember seeing an interview with Harmonix guys when Rock Band came out, and they were talking about how they're making a system where people can author their own tracks for Rock Band (using a program you run on your PC I think it was from memory), then you can submit them to Harmonix, and they'll put the best ones up for download. Haven't heard much about it lately, so I dunno, maybe its been put aside as something for a sequel or maybe its still in the works, but it still sounds like a better solution than some gumby, crippled in-game interface for authoring your own music imo.

Oh, and thats not even mentioning Activision's stance on not allowing their peripherals to be used in any other game. Harmonix had a patch to let Guitar Hero 3 guitars work in the PS3 version of Rock Band, written and ready to go, and Activision blocked it. Personally I'd rather support an open platform, than closed proprietary bulls***.


last edited by Khel at 12:55:17 23/May/08

Do you find it kind of ironic that you're sledging one product to support another that's published by Electronic Arts?

Yeah, it makes me feel a whole new kind of dirty. No matter how much I scrub, and scrub, the dirt won't come off, the taint is in my soul. But the writings on the wall, I can't deny it, Rock Band is the most fun I've ever had with my pants on.

And in some cases with your pants off.

After just reading the OP, this is kind of appealing for songwriters like me. Consider myspace's and youtube's impact on promoting people's original music: if you could also make it fun for other people to play the music that you've written, then you're gaining heaps more popularity.

I'm going to keep a very close eye on this.

Fingers crossed the Eagles song is Life in the Fast Lane, although I can't seeing it being anything else. Hotel California is a great song, but I can't see it being played on Guitar Hero.

What's the cheapest place to import PAL Rock Band for xbox 360?

PAL Rock Band isn't cheap at all unfortunately :( Its out in the UK now, thats probably your best bet, but after exchange rates, it works out to be about $350 AU or so, before shipping.

I got mine for PS3, so it was region free, and got it from the US for $190 + $110 shipping, which is probably cheaper than what you'll pay when it comes out here anyway.

Edit: Actually, check this out. Looks like its in Brisbane too, and you can go pick it up in person, solves the whole shipping problem.



last edited by Khel at 16:01:39 24/May/08

MMm, interesting, dunno if I can justify $389

Last I checked, ETA for Rock Band is Sep? Some people are now saying June?

Wouldn't it be $170-ish when it comes out?

Yeah if your american. they had to pay like $170ish US for everything. Europe has to pay like $170 for the instruments alone, and then another $100 for the game itself. I really hope that doesn't happen here

I don't think they've announced a price yet, but predictions are $350 or so when it comes out here. I mean, Guitar Hero was $150 - $170 depending where you bought it, and that was just the game and 1 guitar.

Rock band will be more than $300 here, for sure. f***ing bulls***.

go to haverynorman they have pricing (this forum even gave that info)

$119.61 for the game
$199.95 for the instruments

= 319.56

That' means JB will have it for

$80 for the game
$140 for the instruments

According to this the drum kit is velocity sensitive so it can tell how hard you hit them

That video was extremely gay: not once did they show the pro's actually playing the kit. They just talked about it.