Please create an account to participate in the Slashdot moderation system

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×

Guitar Hero II Coming to Next-Gen Consoles 66

Posted by Zonk from the rocking-it-hd-style dept.
GamesIndustry.biz reports on comments by CEO and chairman of Activision Robert Kotick at a conference this week. According to Mr. Kotick, Red Octane's next game (coming to the PS2 in November) will see release on next-gen consoles early next year. From the article: "Kotick confirmed that Guitar Hero would appear 'on every significant new format', while discussing intentions for yearly updates and building franchises across a number of key Activision titles."
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Guitar Hero II Coming to Next-Gen Consoles More

Guitar Hero II Coming to Next-Gen Consoles

Comments Filter:

  • Xbox360? (Score:2, Informative)

    by nathanliesch ( 716019 )
    Where's the link? Does this include XBox360?

  • You know... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Arceliar ( 895609 ) on Wednesday September 20, 2006 @07:19PM (#16150184)
    If they'd just open all the consoles, we could port Frets On Fire [kempele.fi] to them all, and get it that way too. I'm sure someone will eventually get homebrew code running on everything, much like stepmaniax running on xbox, but the hardware developers sure aren't making life easy for the rest of us.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Quarem ( 143878 )
      What about XNA Game Studio Express [msdn.com]?

      That allows independent developers to build and share code and executables on the Xbox 360 over Xbox Live. It's in beta right now, but it would certainly make home brewed games a lot easier to create. Not sure about what kind of support they are offering with non-standard input devices though.

    • Re: (Score:2, Funny)

      by Kagura ( 843695 )
      Here's a quick scene from the game, as quoted from this source [realultimatepower.net]:

      A ninja is sleeping at his house. Some idiot walks by singing a super annoying song. Then the ninja wakes up super pissed and ready to rock. The guy just keeps walking and singing, while the ninja starts cutting down a building. When the guy walks by the building, it falls on him. (When the building is falling, a guitar will be wailing hard in the background.) There will be a close up of the dude's feet sticking out from under the buil
      • 6 years ago called. They want their lame realultimatepower reference back, because they were afraid people would start using it to try to be funny, which is clearly impossible with material this old and hackneyed.
    • Hm, well I can't wait to see this on PSP and Xbox them!

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Castar ( 67188 )
      So they should open the console, so that someone can port a game to it without paying a percentage to publish, and steal the customers for the games they do get a cut from?

      Yes, that's a very compelling argument for the platform developer...

  • Wii controller (Score:5, Insightful)

    by JonLatane ( 750195 ) on Wednesday September 20, 2006 @07:20PM (#16150195)
    This implies there will be a Wii version, and if so, will it use the Wii controller? That would be interesting, and save consumers money. Or will it use a guitar controller like the first one? It would be cool if, since all 3 systems support wireless controllers anyway, they made universal wireless guitars, so I could take the guitar from my Wii version to my friend's house and play on his X360.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Enndiem ( 905415 )
      I was thinking the same thing actually. It would definitely be a money saver for me anyway. I have plans of purchasing a Wii and my roommate owns a PS2 with Guitar Hero already. It would be quite fortunate if the guitars came with some sort of adapter so they could be used on any system as required. Even if you had to buy the adapter separate it would be excellent.

    • Re:Wii controller (Score:5, Interesting)

      by RyoShin ( 610051 ) <tukaro.gmail@com> on Wednesday September 20, 2006 @07:45PM (#16150338) Homepage Journal
      I would imagine you'd be able to use the Wiimote and Ninchuck for some of it, but for full Awesome effect they'd do what the Wii was set up to do- create something that attaches to the Wii.

      I'm imagining a guitar that has a little inset portion that the Wiimote snaps snuggly into. This "Wiitar" would still be cheaper than the PS2/3/XBox360 version, because the motion censors and connection to the system wouldn't have to be put into it. It would basically be a custom-shaped shell with added buttons (and the little handle thing).

      As an added bonus, each note you make (good or bad) can come out of the Wiimote itself, as well as (or as opposed to) the TV.

      I'm not sure if Activision considers the Wii a "significant new format" (I certainly hope so), but I would definately pick up the game if it came out for the Wii.

      • Re: (Score:1, Funny)

        by Anonymous Coward
        the motion censors

        No more humping your guitar during primetime, mister! Stroking the neck suggestively is out, too.
        • Can you imagine what would happen if he was fingering his G string and it broke!?

          (I wish that joke worked with the Guitar Hero controller :( )

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by Gertlex ( 722812 )
        I "Wiitared" my way through Stairway To Heaven...
      • Your ideas are Wiitarded.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by brkello ( 642429 )
        You have to be kidding. They will make one guitar. It will have different interfaces for the different controllers. They will cost the same. Using the Wiimote would be stupid. It's a guitar simulator...it would use the guitar. I swear, you people will mod up anything pro-wii no matter how poorly thought out.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by RyoShin ( 610051 )
          Making one controller to work on all three systems probably does make better sense from a business sense, yes. This is most likely what will happen, assuming they're able to set it up to use all three wireless connections.

          However, if we're just talking about the Wii (like we were), it would be easier and cheaper to design an attachment for the Wiimote than it would to make a whole new controller. Plus, having the notes come from the Guitar itself instead of the screen would be much cooler.
          • "Plus, having the notes come from the Guitar itself instead of the screen would be much cooler."

            No it wouldn't. Are you on crack!? You would have sounds coming from two places. Where would you rather have the sound coming from, a little tiny speaker from the controller, or your home-theatre surround system?

            Have you even played Guitar Hero? None (AFAIK) of the songs are acoustic anyways.
            • No it wouldn't. Are you on crack!? You would have sounds coming from two places. Where would you rather have the sound coming from, a little tiny speaker from the controller, or your home-theatre surround system?

              Have you even played Guitar Hero?

              Have you ever played a guitar? Ok, so technically I play the bass most of the time, but I fool around on the guitar now and then, and this applies to both. The instrument itself isn't silent. Your fingers on the strings/frets and the pick on the strings make
              • "Have you ever played a guitar?"

                Yeah, I tried. I know that electric guitars make thier own sound as well, but in terms of Guitar Hero you are playing with a band in front of a crowd. I have never been to a concert where I hear the sound coming from the guitar instead of the amp unless of course, it was acoustic. The point I'm trying to make is that is that it woudln't be "so much cooler!" if the sound came out of the controller. We are talking about a game here; a guitar with buttons on it. If one want
                • I have never been to a concert where I hear the sound coming from the guitar instead of the amp unless of course, it was acoustic. The point I'm trying to make is that is that it woudln't be "so much cooler!" if the sound came out of the controller.

                  Yeah, at a big concert, you'll never hear anything like that. You pretty much have to be the one holding the instrument to hear any of the sounds coming from it. Even when I've played at some bars, I usually haven't been able to hear anything like that much,

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by brkello ( 642429 )
            If they do what you say I would refuse to buy the game on the Wii. The guitar controller is designed to play the game. What you want is a dumb gimmick, and I would hope Nintendo is smarter than to let something like that happen.

            Really, have you played the first game? It would not be easier and cheaper because the Wii controller is not desgined for that sort of functionality. It would be like taking a game that was designed specificially for the wiimote and trying to play it with an Xbox controller. Th
        • They're definitely not making a controller that will be adaptable to work with every system; they've just revealed the controller for the XBox 360:
          http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/736/736269p1.html [ign.com]

          This leads to the conclusion that there will also be a Wii-specific controller for the Wii; and that makes it quite plausible that, yes, the Wii-mote will be able to hook up to the guitar controller and provide the wireless interface, the motion sensing for "star power", and possibly even the Wii-mote speaker.

          This
      • Dude, seriously, just shut the hell up. Why the hell would I want dinky little sounds coming out of the guitar? First of all, this isn't acoustic guitar hero, sounds come from other places besides the guitar in real life too! Second of all, the sounds would be crap. Third of all, a custom-shaped shell!? You can do that for any controller!

        I can't believe this got modded interesting. Listen, if the game came out for Wii it wouldn't be any different. Yeah, a Wii-mote has a motion-sensor. That doesn't m
      • Tooling up a production run for a Wii-spesific guitar that incorperates the Wiimote is the more expensive option when you can just modify the internals of the already existing guitar a little.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by RyoShin ( 610051 )
          Yeah, it's more likely (and more financially viable) that we'd get a guitar that would work on all three systems. That would be one hell of a mapping nightmare, though. Is there a way to tell which system is receiving a signal?

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by tcc3 ( 958644 )
      Given that PS3 controllers are bluetooth and 360 uses a proprietary 2.5 Ghz signal, I doubt we'll ever see a "univeral" guitar. It would have to have at least 2 and maybe 3 transmitters in it. Can you say *expensive*?
      • I have no knowledge of the inner workings of bluetooth but could they not develop a USB bluetooth receiver dongle for the 360 and just make it bluetooth. The same could probably be done for the Wii. Either that or they could just assume the PS3er's will use linux and set it up for themselves. . .
      • Based on the fact that you can buy a programmable radio-on-a-chip for about $1 complete with chip mounted antenna, it won't be because of the transmitters. The cost comes from the fact that it is a specialized, proprietary device that isn't manufactured in massive quantities.
    • The original guitar controller worked just fine on it's own, and it obviously the reason why this game is so much fun. If the guitar for the Wii was a completely separate controller that wouldn't be so bad. Frankly, I would rather that they just make the guitar in the same style as the PS2 version, rather than try to make a Wii controller fit into it. Sure it might cost a bit more, but there would no sacrifice in fun factor. God I just hope we get it for the Wii because I dont want to buy a PS2/PS3 just for
    • You fail video games. Here is the 80% of why Guitar Hero is still a top seller 10 months after it has been released: the guitar controller. Using the Wii controller would not be interesting - it would be an atrocity when there is already a controller available the then entire game has been designed around. I don't get how people can enjoy playing Frets on Fire with a fucking keyboard, either.
    • why don't you try this controller [rondomusic.net]?
    • How could you play GUITAR HEROES without a GUITAR? Sounds like you may have never played the game.

  • Wiimote not appropriate (Score:4, Insightful)

    by AzaMcWazza ( 1004163 ) on Wednesday September 20, 2006 @07:40PM (#16150312) Homepage
    I don't think the Wiimote and nunchuck would do much good. You could use the nunchuck as a strummer by moving it up and down, and the wiimote as a neck, but pressing the buttons wouldn't really word. And even if it had the buttons, it wouldn't feel as cool as having a "real" guitar. Either way, it's hopefully good news for the Wii. It needs this high profile, typically PSX titles.

    • Re:Wiimote not appropriate (Score:4, Interesting)

      by StocDred ( 691816 ) * on Wednesday September 20, 2006 @07:46PM (#16150344) Homepage Journal
      Maybe this could be one of those theoretical remote "shells" that slip over the Wii remote.

      Or, more likely, you get a WiFi guitar controller like all the other versions... but the Wii version comes with the exclusive feature option of a second player on drums, using the Wii remotes, natch.

      • Why use the Wii-mote as drum sticks? Surely that would be a perfect opportunity for Nintendo to convince you of your need for more DK Bongos :-P
        • That brings up an excelent point. I'm not sure how many devices the Wii can connect to at the same time, but it would be a whole lot of fun if you had some sort of "Wii Jam Session" game. Bongos, Wiimotes, Guitars, and Wii-tamborine/trumpet/trombone!
      • That is a great idea!
      • Dai Gassou! Band Brothers for DS.

        I highly doubt they'd program an entire new game just to lock in with a Wii feature, and lock out sales of this hypothetical new game.
    • I don't think the Wiimote and nunchuck would do much good.

      I was thinking the same thing. However, I think that the Wii's controller and attachment would be excellent for a "Drum Hero" game.
      • I agree except that I think 2 Wiimotes would be better as they are positional and therefore get the advantage of having to hit the heads and not just keep rythmn. Add an attachment to tape the nunchuck to your foot for the bass drum and you're away ;)

  • Jeez, Zonk (Score:5, Informative)

    by RasputinAXP ( 12807 ) on Wednesday September 20, 2006 @08:42PM (#16150614) Homepage Journal
    At least remember to put the link in...

    http://gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=1983 6 [gamesindustry.biz]

  • Demo in Cambridge last night (Score:3, Informative)

    by christefano ( 899436 ) on Thursday September 21, 2006 @07:09AM (#16152396) Homepage
    There was a demo last night of GH2 at the postmortem usergroup's "Harmonix party" (in Central Square, Cambridge) close to where Harmonix is based). I didn't know it was happening until about an hour before I went, or I'd probably taken a camera and a bottle of water (the minibar was selling them for $2 [but the pizza was free!]).

    The line was pretty long, even with people going up two at a time (the multiplayer co-op mode was pretty interesting). Unfortunately, there was only one venue to play in the demo. One of the speakers from Harmonix said that they finally got to do with GH2 what they originally wanted to do with GH1. He said "not a lot" has changed in the gameplay, though, although he sounded really happy with the "revolutionary" additions such as pull-offs.

    I'd say more, but I don't know how much of what I learned from the developers is public. It didn't sound, though, like they've started development on PS3 hardware yet.

    Apparently, postmortem has these meetings once a month. Ask around if you're in the Boston area.
    • I think most of us were really happy when we mastered "pulling off". Happy and a little dirty.
    • Heh. I almost went to that with my friend who works at Whatif [whatif-productions.com] (who used to be my roommate), because I used to know someone who worked at Harmonix while they were making Amplitude (who also used to be my roommate, oddly enough) and wanted to see if anyone was there who might remember him and wanted to know what he was up to. I was running late, though, and I didn't make it over there.
  • I'm not into first person shooters or driving games or single person "rpgs". I play MMORPGs, real time and turn based strategy games and some puzzle games. I have no driving need to buy any kind of console.

    But for games like this or, say, DDR, you HAVE to get a console. Why not a PC version? Is it that difficult to make a version of the controller for one?

    Is it that they make more money on a console version? It does seem like prices drop slower on console games, though I could be wrong in that thought.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Thansal ( 999464 )
      well, there is step mania (DDR Clone, with the added advantage that there are millions of songs you can plug into it, both legal and illegal). Mix that up with a PS2(the system)->USB adapter and you can use any DDR pad you want with it.

      Then there is also Frets on Fire, same idea as Guitar Hero, exept you use the keyboard. And with a PS2->USB adapter you could probably adapt a guitar hero controller to work with it.

      If I remember correctly the PS2->USB Adapters basicly treat the PS2 controllers as
    • There are probably two factors. The first is that the audience receptive to music gaming is probably smaller on the PC. The PC is FPS and RTS centric.

      Second, music games rely on fairly strict timing performance. The variety of PC hardware means that timing windows may be unpredictable from machine to machine. Certainly, this has not hampered StepMania, but that's free.

Slashdot Top Deals

Kleeneness is next to Godelness.

Close