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So yeah, this is the official box art for Guitar Hero 5 photo

When Activision sent us an email containing the official, final box art for Guitar Hero 5, we didn't expect that much. I decided, before I had seen the images, that I'd be the one to run the story.

"You know, it's only box art," I thought to myself, "so I'm there's not much to say. But I'm sure it will be interesting enough for people to want to check it out. Maybe it'll have some cool art. A dragon or a snake. Or a tiger! Maybe a snake-dragon-tiger-man with a guitar?"

Boy, was I wrong. I had a chance to see Guitar Hero 5 in action at E3, and I'll admit that the game is looking tip-top. The visuals have been given an impressive new overhaul, the announced setlist is solid, and the new modes (particularly the new suite of multiplayer features) look pretty bad ass.

But I don't know who got sick or went on maternity leave at Activision's art/marketing department when they threw this one together, but... wow. It's a box with a picture of a box on it. And they've decided to plaster the front of the box with some of the game's artists and some new features. Just... no.

Of note is that the game will feature 85 songs by 83 artists, which means the game will be doubling up on tracks by single artists, kind of like they did with Tool in Guitar Hero: World Tour. So if you particularly dislike those bands, tough luck.

Hey, it's only box art, though. I'm still pumped to play the game with some friends; I heard Tom Petty's "Running Down a Dream" like 600 times at E3 -- I'm ready to go!
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41 comments | showing # 1 to 41
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R3Y GUTI3RR3Z's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 15:58
R3Y GUTI3RR3Z
Bwhahahahaha.. oh man.
LuntiX's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 15:58
LuntiX
Worst Box Art Ever
Jon B's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 15:59
Jon B
My god, that looks so bloody lazy in terms of design.
Almost as if they made so many they ran out of ideas.

Oh, wait. Guitar Hero.
Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:01
Justice
Damn that box art sucks, the font used for the "5" is especially horrible since it doesn't suit the look of the "Guitar Hero".
DF's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:02
DF
Uh, there wasn't an officially-numbered GH4, was it? I mean, by rights, shouldn't this be GH7 or 8 by now? Counting Aerosmith, Metallica, and Bee Gees?
AllHailShake's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:04
AllHailShake
If I thought that the box art was going to convince anyone to buy this game, I might agree with you all, but I think it's fitting for a yearly franchise. No bullshit, just what you need to know about why this version is different.
Arch649's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:06
Arch649
I dunno, I kinda like it simple approach to the box-art. Now if they could make the in game interface this simple that would be great.
ChunkyB's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:10
ChunkyB
I don't mind the fact that it's simple (lazy). The thing that bugs me is all the words. The front of the box looks like it should be the back of the box. When half the cover is small text, it makes me not want to buy.
whatisdelicious's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:18
whatisdelicious
They must have accidentally given you the official back of the box art for GH5, because this is absolutely terrible. Not quite as bad if it's the back of the box, but for the front of the box, this is easily the worst box art I've ever seen in my entire fucking life.
Soulwax's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:20
Soulwax
Oh shit, Santana DVX? That's my joint.
Nick Chester's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:21
Nick Chester
@AllHailShake:

Agreed, but I'm not applying logic here; that would be ridiculous. I just think this is horribly boring.
covah's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:23
covah
wow that is terrible... the fact that they advertise the songs in on the cover is retarded.
Syn's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:25
Syn
I think that is the most creative box art I've ever seen.
Banana Kid's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:28
Banana Kid
Love the art. Hate the text.
Black Nexus's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:41
Black Nexus
Yaaaaaawwwnnn.
JLanphear's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:41
JLanphear
LAAAAME.
jerrt's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:49
jerrt
wow has it been that many. i admit i am a peripheral horder, but i can't keep up with them. oh well. glad to see them with jobs. [:
Miguelcar808's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:52
Miguelcar808
At least it's not like the US's Ico box art. Bad covers are usually of bad games, but Ico still stand out has a cover that scares away people thinking that it's a bad game.
The GH5 one on-the-other-hand it's exactly what people that already have a peripheral need to know. It's more of a compilation collection cover than a game one. In other words you see the cover of "The Super Duper Mega Rock Collection Vol.32" and you will generality see a list of artist along with "Newly Remastered" above the name of some old bands
Stung47000's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:54
Stung47000
Wow, I never realized how closely "Guitar Hero" resembled "Guitar Nerd". o.O Seriously, when I saw the tiny image in my RSS just now, that's how I first read it. If that little slash in the H trailed down instead of up...
Chicken008's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:54
Chicken008
Why didn't they use roman the numeral like they did for II and III?
El-Sveppi's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 16:56
El-Sveppi
A little birdie told me that the double up artist is Nirvana with Smells Like Teen Spirit and another of the Nevermind big three. I'm not one to spread rumors, and I gain nothing from lying.
BenHaskett's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 17:00
BenHaskett
Hey, I think it looks great. Super simple, and really clean. Kinda like an album cover for a rock band.

Not that my opinion really matters too much, but I think it's awesome. I like it more than I like Guitar Hero.
Nick Chester's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 17:09
Nick Chester
@ El-Sveppi:

That would explain why they weren't included in DLC for Rock Band. Maybe? Who knows.

Glad to see not everyone agrees with me, though!
LukienAkeela's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 17:18
LukienAkeela
Somebody got paid to do that?
El-Sveppi's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 17:30
El-Sveppi
@ Nick Chester:
That's pretty likely. Hope Rock Band gets those songs as well though, being a Rock Band player myself.

Btw, that box art is pretty darn terrible.
pascuz46's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 17:56
pascuz46
Oh my god! Its the best thing Ive seen since sliced bacon.
WarZombie's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 17:59
WarZombie
That's almost as bad as The Orange Box's box art (Great games though). With that said, Rock Band is totally better. Beatles FTW.
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 18:09
Monodi
Hahahahaha

Oh, Activision.
PrinnyMedic's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 18:18
PrinnyMedic
GH is done
diceshow7's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 18:30
diceshow7
All hail Rockband.
Xhumation's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 18:32
Xhumation
They're not even trying anymore. are they?
Excel-2011's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 18:39
Excel-2011
Wait, when did 4 come out?
mikesterx's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 18:42
mikesterx
I'm going to say it's not *that* bad. The "box" is really a flight case for an electric guitar, and the fact that it's so scratched and battered suggests it's seen a lot of travel and use. Such a case dumped in front of an amp is something you'd probably find backstage. This imagery is simple and a realistic portrayal of what a real "guitar hero" would see, and has some subtle touches (which could be accidental).

However, I don't expect most people to recognize it as a guitar case, and most gamers will see it as "just a box." So it was perhaps a bad commercial move on Activision's part, but at least it's something different that will stand out a bit from the dozen other GH games... :P
Kalmah's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 19:14
Kalmah
Iron Maiden you say? Hmm...
Takeshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 19:16
Takeshi
Damn.
MrSadistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 19:23
MrSadistic
I think they went backwards with the box art. I mean after the third or fourth iteration of a series, you usually give it a subtitle.
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 20:24
AgentMOO
Is that Arial Black? METAL.
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2009 22:55
Bob Muir
Cue the average consumer not understanding that Guitar Hero: World Tour was Guitar Hero 4. Also, my main complaint about the box art is that the font for "5" doesn't mesh well with the "Guitar Hero" logo, making me feel like this is some temporary box art instead of the finished product. It could be a lot worse, I suppose...
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/23/2009 00:35
Samit Sarkar
FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIL
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/23/2009 01:06
GoldenGamerXero
They you gamers out there. This isn't bad box art THIS is medicore box art you want bad box art. One word. MEGAMAN...
Jack Maverick's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/23/2009 04:33
Jack Maverick
They don't need to try. All they have to do is slap the Guitar Hero name on something, and the audience will do the rest.
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