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Rumor: Activision already testing Guitar Hero IV, making room for all that cash photo

Activision have already been very clear that they intend to exploit the Guitar Hero franchise (along with Tony Hawk and Call of Duty) every damned year until humans evolve to the point where we no longer have ears. So it's no surprise that Guitar Hero IV is in the works -- that was already a given.

But according to industry whispers heard by G4's TheFeed, Activision is already in the process of conducting hands-on testing of the title. The first round of testing is set to begin tomorrow, and is said to include four to six people. TheFeed touched base with Activision for comment, but the publisher was too busy fielding angry e-mails from fans about some PlayStation 3 patch we've been reading about.

This isn't the first mention of Guitar Hero IV -- Aerosmith's Joe Perry mentioned the game in an interview earlier this year (prior to the release of Guitar Hero III, even), indicating that the game was already on the drawing board. If this does turn out to be true, it's nice to see that care and consideration is being taken with the Guitar Hero franchise, and that it won't be a yearly rush job.

Yeah, that was sarcasm -- what of it?


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35 comments | showing # 1 to 35

Polish Hill's Avatar
Polish Hill at 12/13/2007 18:43
They'll have to build a boat out of money to use on that lake of money they have going. Customer satisfaction be damned!
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 12/13/2007 18:48
I’d love to say I’ll boycott it and all other Activision games after this patch issue, but I know that’s a lie...if they include a song from AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, or the Eagles, that is.
Scrixx's Avatar
Scrixx at 12/13/2007 18:49
I'm still waiting for my Drum Hero.

Anyone? Anyone? D:
Kageroth's Avatar
Kageroth at 12/13/2007 18:49
Wonder if activision has designs on being the new EA with this move, same game different pieces here and there in the game. I'm starting to get very glad I never got into guitar hero.
itemforty's Avatar
itemforty at 12/13/2007 18:51
I'm starting to wish I didn't have ears already.
Husky Hog's Avatar
Husky Hog at 12/13/2007 18:56
lol, that would be an interesting QA job, imagine if you couldn't beat the song
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 12/13/2007 18:58
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 12/13/2007 19:01
Someone needs to make an “It Prints Money” graphic with Guitar Hero, double-time.
Peronthious's Avatar
Peronthious at 12/13/2007 19:01
It's too bad their milking this to the limit by turning it into an annual franchise. Prior to the announcement after the Vivendi merger, I was hoping it'd be primarily DLC for Guitar Hero in the future, but apparently this won't be the case. Wishful thinking, I know, but one could hope. Rock Band is looking to be a big DLC game, and these yearly updates for Guitar Hero certainly may influence purchasing decisions, especially with all the good press Rock Band's been getting.
njsykora's Avatar
njsykora at 12/13/2007 19:02
I think we're looking at a Guitar Hero 2008 kicking off now. A new songlist every year will be accepted by me but they'd better not be expecting me to pay full price for it. With Rock Band around they can't afford to rely on the Guitar Hero name, they have to prove they're better. I do wonder if they're changing developer for Guitar Hero though, no way can Neversoft deal with the pressure of Tony Hawk vs Skate and then have to get Guitar Hero above Rock Band.
DV2FOX's Avatar
DV2FOX at 12/13/2007 19:08
Make it 2 years to make it PERFECT...
Tricoden's Avatar
Tricoden at 12/13/2007 19:18
I highly doubt Guitar Hero 4 is heading in a new direction in their hands.
Tricoden's Avatar
Tricoden at 12/13/2007 19:20
Argg, I meant to say it's not heading in a good direction, not "it's not heading in a new direction"
Fading Star's Avatar
Fading Star at 12/13/2007 19:25
"Activision have already been very clear that they intend to exploit the Guitar Hero franchise (along with Tony Hawk and Call of Duty) every damned year until humans evolve to the point where we no longer have ears. So it's no surprise that Guitar Hero IV is in the works -- that was already a given."

Yay!
grrza's Avatar
grrza at 12/13/2007 19:36
So basically, GH fans are never allowed to criticize Madden ever again for just updating the roster every year. Yearly song updates should not mean sequels...
konchu's Avatar
konchu at 12/13/2007 19:37
@Peronthious: What I actually wish they would do is just make the DLC universal. So if I have GH2 or GH3 DLC make it where you can enjoy it on any version of Guitar Hero at least the new ones playing the old games DLC. I am not opposed to totally new version either new songs are normally a nice thing as long as we keep getting quality tracks.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 12/13/2007 19:43
@Ron: Bed? It’s 8:50! You must’ve had one hell of a day...
Joe Burling's Avatar
Joe Burling at 12/13/2007 19:44
Captain Obvious?
Elrando's Avatar
Elrando at 12/13/2007 19:51
Guitar Hero is the new Madden?
mdvalenz's Avatar
mdvalenz at 12/13/2007 19:53
Whats the point of DLC if they release a new game every bloody year!?! Maybe if the DLC worked on all version of the game, but you know that won't happen.

I just hope it is a full game and not an encore expansion for full price. They have the engine, they just need songs. A year shouldn't make it a rush job.
gunman2233's Avatar
gunman2233 at 12/13/2007 20:05
Try www.gametraderdirect.com for trading used games for other games. gametraderdirect.com provides shipping envelopes for your games so all you pay for is the games you receive. No extra points to purchase. Sign up for free.
TheToiletDuck's Avatar
TheToiletDuck at 12/13/2007 20:05
Gh4 better have at least... three times more cowbell.
bubuli's Avatar
bubuli at 12/13/2007 20:37
DO NOT WANT.
SourGr8pes's Avatar
SourGr8pes at 12/13/2007 21:29
Already?! 3 just came out!

Why are all these developers scared to do DLC? Is it because they fear the technology, or is it the profit margin?
dark_inchworm's Avatar
dark_inchworm at 12/13/2007 22:07
Well, on the brighter side of things, if it's already this far into development then maybe they can unfuckup their mistakes with GHIII, and perhaps introduce something new that's more substantial than the Battle Mode, which is about as fun as punching your sex partner in the genitals in the heat of the moment.
dark_inchworm's Avatar
dark_inchworm at 12/13/2007 22:08
Well, actually, doing the punching might be fun. Being on the receiving end certainly wouldn't be, however.

I actually swung a hammer at my wang once.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 12/13/2007 22:21
I'd rather have yearly installments than get raped by ridiculous DLC prices personally.
Robert's Avatar
Robert at 12/13/2007 22:22
Mehhh.*








*for now. I am sucker for more songs. Come release time, I will buy. :(
s0lesurviv0r's Avatar
s0lesurviv0r at 12/13/2007 22:34

Bam!
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 12/13/2007 23:33
Hahah
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 12/14/2007 02:46
@ Mxy
Here I was ready to complain about the fact that GHIV should be DLC, and you have to make a good point that forces me to reconsider my position. Damn you.
Alan Coleslaw's Avatar
Alan Coleslaw at 12/14/2007 06:14
I heard that in Guitar Hero IV you can do a SWITCH NOLLIE 900 TO EGGPLANT FAKIE
leshrac55's Avatar
leshrac55 at 12/14/2007 08:36
I hate to break it to all of you, but Guitar Hero was ALREADY a yearly franchise. The first one came out in 2005, 2nd in 2006, and... what do you know, the 3rd in 2007. So, Activision hasn't really changed anything, even if it does seem slightly early to be testing GH IV.

My guess is that, if true, it's not really GH IV, but rather an expansion like we saw with the "80's" expansion pack. Perhaps the rumors of an all Aerosmith GH was actually not for GH IV, but for an all-Aerosmith expansion?

It doesn't matter to me, really. Activision has sufficiently pissed me off that I won't be buying any of their games until remedied.

-Jeff
http://alinktothefuture.com
galagabug 's Avatar
galagabug at 12/14/2007 08:38
big suprise!

the mechanic for guitar hero will never change, there may be minor additions here and there, but if it ain't broke.. they can crank these guys out semi-annually if they wanted, and product quality would most likely not diminsh, unless poor songs were chosen.

cash in while you can, but this is a sure-fire way to turn a franchise into a fad.
Hitogoroshi's Avatar
Hitogoroshi at 12/14/2007 10:48
Man with DLC I really don't see the point of a yearly release.
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