Guitar Hero adding more instruments: Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea?

[Geoffrey42]

Over at Gamasutra, they've got some comments from an analyst group named Janco <a href=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=14930>(link) where they basically state that they think Guitar Hero will follow a "natural" progression of adding more instruments.

Some days, I have to wonder what analysts are thinking. First of all, it's called Guitar Hero. Yes, we know Accordion Hero is coming soon (fingers crossed), but that's not Guitar Hero, now is it? Also, I can only handle one set of fake drums, and 2 fake guitars. If both Activision/RedOctane and EA/Harmonix start pumping out various plastic renditions of the same instruments, I will have to choose a path, rather than buying BOTH of their softwares (this is why want Rock Band guitars that work with GHIII, and not some lame proprietary lockout to push high-margin peripherals).

I truly hope that Janco is just pulling this out of their nether regions, and doesn't have any true indications from Activision/RedOctane that this is true. Following exactly what your competitor is doing, without innovating in a different direction, is a hard game of catch-up. You have to beat them at what they've already got practice doing. It would be EA/Harmonix's game to lose, not Activision/RedOctane's to win.

So, what's anyone else think? Am I the only one who thinks Janco is smoking some dank product? And am I the only one who thinks that it's a bad idea to begin with on Activision/RedOctane's part?

 

[Virgil]

Well, they may decide differently after the disappointing reception of Sousaphone Hero [http://www.theonion.com/content/news/activision_reports_sluggish_sales]. I hope they at least reconsider the release of Cowbell Hero [http://www.gamespot.com/news/6146944.html] though.

Analysts generally don't have any 'inside' information of note to lead them to conclusions, so I wouldn't expect this to be an indication of any actual decisions. That said, if Rock Band does well, I wouldn't be surprised to see more instruments from the Red Octane camp as well - if not as a part of Guitar Hero directly, then probably as part of some other, compatible franchise.

 

[Geoffrey42]

Personally, I'm holding out for Trombone Hero, so I can finally join the ranks of those who disdain the various ________ Hero's, and ask why people don't just go get the real thing. I mean, I spent 9 years playing and practicing (and at least a grand in cash when you factor in the student trombone, the real trombone, the marching shoes, and the Silent Brass) so that I finally sounded decent enough to not be embarrassed playing solo, why shouldn't everyone else!

True, as you say, analysts typically don't have any 'inside' information, but they're not always wrong. The question remains, even if it wouldn't surprise you, do you think it would be a good idea?

 

[Logan Frederick]

No, it's not a good idea. Red Octane and Activision need to focus on maintaining the awesomeness of Guitar Hero and delivering a cutting-edge guitar experience rather than introduce rushed sidekick instruments. A jack of all trades is a master of none, unless you're name is Rock Band.

 

[Virgil]

I abstain from judgment until I have a chance to play Guitar Hero III - if they manage to somehow make La Grange less than awesome, then they should not be allowed to make games anymore. At all.

On the other hand, I think I'd like to see a piano-based game with more of an entertainment slant, and less MIDI, than Piano Wizard [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_59/351-Piano-Wizards] from somebody. As a part of Guitar Hero? I don't know. It doesn't really matter what a game is branded as in the end, as long as the game is good.

 

[Geoffrey42]

Much like I was saying in the original post, I don't want to have to choose between two different, incompatible sets of guitars, drums, etc.

But, Virgil, you bring up a good point, insofar as there are all sorts of instruments that haven't been done, and so long as one of them gets to it first, and the other stays out of the market, I'd be content.

Also, the thought comes to mind when you say more piano, less midi based, as part of guitar hero... all I can think is: Keytar Hero

The thought both excites and frightens me.

Edit: I just realized that Activision missed the best opportunity it will ever have to introduce the Keytar. Guitar Hero Encore: Rock the 80's. The time has come, and passed. They really dropped the ball on this one...

 

[Cordelia]

It's a god-awful stupid idea. What they need to do is just crank out song compilation after song compilation...basically, That's What I Call Guitar Hero. Don't fix what ain't broke, ya ijits.

 

[Geoffrey42]

As long as "That's What I Call Guitar Hero" doesn't only have 30 songs, with no unlocks, and still costs 49.99.

I agree though, that it would be a good direction to take. One other thing that would be nice is a persistent save/entity across those compilations, sort of like Singstar. I could unlock guitars in one, and use them across the games; same for characters, outfits, etc. It would be extra-special-fun for the OCD collectors.

 

[Goofonian]

so I can finally join the ranks of those who disdain the various ________ Hero's, and ask why people don't just go get the real thing.

I get really mad at people that say that. The difference between playing guitar hero and a real guitar is so extreme that they barely even deserve comparison.
I expect that sort of ignorance from my friends that know nothing about videogames (or guitar playing for that matter) but I would have expected more from a gamer.

That sort of attitude is why all the anti-game idiots seem to think that kids will start thinking "why don't I stop playing manhunt and just go kill people with a real axe?"

and we wonder why videogames get a bad rap.........

 

[Geoffrey42]

I expect that sort of ignorance from my friends that know nothing about videogames (or guitar playing for that matter) but I would have expected more from a gamer.

Just to make sure we're on the same page, you know I was being sarcastic, right? The "...but I would have expected more from a gamer." implies that you thought I was serious? Or were you referring to other gamers that you know who espouse this silliness?

 

[Goofonian]

Sorry, must have missed the sarcasm there. My bad.

 

[Geoffrey42]

I actually do play the trombone though (or did, it's been hard to be motivated since I left my last ensemble). I was just using it as an example: I love me some Guitar Hero, and I'm feverishly plotting how to go about saving enough money to purchase both a new console (PS3 or 360) AND Rock Band. I'm a sucker for peripherals, what can I say. Since the only real instrument I play is trombone, the only way I could ever really be in league with all of the jerks who get on every Guitar Hero/Rock Band thread and go "Why waste all that money on a game and go learn the real thing? It's way more rewarding!", is if they made Trombone Hero. Then I could take the moral high ground, and troll the forums to make everyone else angry.

Really, we just need to make sure Tim Buckley over at Ctrl+Alt+Del gives us new comics for each new music peripheral to throw back at the trolls. Maybe garotte with a mic cord? Curb slam on a drum kit? Heck, with Rock Band, it could be 4 guys beating up the troll with fake instruments.

 

[John Funk]

I don't think ANYTHING could make anything Tim Buckley does funny.


And hooray for Trombonists!

 

[Monkeybone]

Checking out older threads... A year ago, were the nay-sayers right?

 

[NeedAUserName]

The clue's in the name "Guitar Hero" imagine saying, "Oh yeah I just beat Guitar Hero 4 on the drums", if you wanna play more instruments get "Rock band" not Guitar Hero

 

[Monkeybone]

For my information, was Rock Band and Guitar Hero made by the same people, or were they seperate altogether? I never was much into the franchise, but I like the idea of seeing whether people saying 'no, it's dumb' might have made a bad call.

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

Basically, after 80's edition, HMX handed the Guitar Hero franchise to Activision, and made Rock Band. So, yes and no.

 

[shufflemonkey16]

Until someone makes a Guitar Hero action adventure title, I am officially retiring from the music genre of gaming.

Also, I'm not so crazy about the next guitar hero having more instruments. They're basically just lamenting that Rock Band was able to come up with the idea first and trying to make a cooler looking drum controller that's more complex, but essentially fails more at mimicking basic rock drumming mechanics.

 

[NeedAUserName]

For my information, was Rock Band and Guitar Hero made by the same people, or were they seperate altogether? I never was much into the franchise, but I like the idea of seeing whether people saying 'no, it's dumb' might have made a bad call.

Rockband was made by a separate company

 

[SecretTacoNinja]

I don't really care. I'm still waiting for 'Ocarina Hero' or 'Cello Hero' .