Activision: New Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, Band Hero games in 2010, but fewer SKUs
Here we are slap-bang in the middle of a recession yet Activision decides not only to ramp up the RRP of Modern Warfare 2 but also to release two new rhythm-action games, both of which come with their own (expensive) peripherals. The company is already planning new Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, and Band Hero games in 2010 but it’s eyeing less SKUs. Which is some small relief I guess.
As I’ve said before, I’m a huge fan of the Guitar Hero/Rock Band games. However, I hate the fact that there seems to be a new iteration released every few months. For anyone on a budget it’s a killer trying to afford the latest games (which you desperately want) as well as keeping up with new games being release in other genres. And there’s a new peripheral being sold with the game the temptation (and cost) is even greater.
Activision exec Dan Rosensweig recently spoke to MCV about the company’s Hero plans for 2010. He said:
There’s new hardware, new genres, new regions to launch in – all of it when it is appropriate to do so. Increased connectivity to the Internet means more customization, user recommendation, more download sales – that adds to the experience and keeps it fresh.
We’re working on our 2010 slate now. You will probably see fewer SKUs from us, but the focus on making the best-selling, most fun to play, best-reviewed games will continue. Those are the things that are constant. [There will be] more DJ Hero, and the next iterations of Guitar and Band are on the way. But we will see how the market plays out. What you will see is the games will live longer and be more vibrant through DLC.
New versions of all three Hero titles were inevitable but it does at least seem as though Activision have taken gamers’ views, and the state of the market, on board. So less titles should be released, but with more DLC for each for those who want to purchase it. Now, just so long as there isn’t another new series being planned, maybe I can keep up with all the titles at last.
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38 Responses to “Activision: New Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, Band Hero games in 2010, but fewer SKUs”
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November 15th, 2009
Maybe they should release next year’s Guitar Hero with more than 50% of songs that are recognisable. My Morning Jacket? Vampire Weekend? Not many people know of these bands.
November 15th, 2009
I don’t know why you get so bothered about them Dave.
If the set-list interests me I’ll buy, if it doesn’t I won’t.
I would think that music is one arena where a reasonably fast release schedule is justified.
Once you’ve had your historic band specific stuff then the chart material is so transient that so long as prices aren’t too high it can hardly be called excessive.
I just wish the downloading side of things would expand to many more titles and the prices would fall, a lot, there.
I like the game (I have several of them and Rock Band) but I’m just not going to be spending small fortunes on downloads.
So, in a way, buying cheap game releases suits me nicely.
That reminds me, I must check out how cheap the AC/DC version is now.
You can’t beat a bit of Angus!
November 16th, 2009
All of these “Hero” games are getting a bit old. The good thing (about Guitar Hero) is the VERY steep learning curve (which gets funner and funner) and lots of replay value. Screw the Career mode, I go straight on Quick Play and use cheats to unlock songs if I have to. I play on Expert and consider myself decent. The thing that is fails at is imitating the real instrument. It is a plastic toy, and nothing but.
I think it will stick around for another year or two then fizzle away when the next big genre comes along.
November 16th, 2009
thanks god im not into any of those games.
November 16th, 2009
I won’t play this game not even if they were free.
November 16th, 2009
Yeah… They are getting very carried away with the new releases of these games.
I’m glad that they will focus on DLC instead of new sku’s. That at least is slightly refreshing. We really don’t need a new guitar hero for every other band. Just release their songs as DLC!
November 16th, 2009
fewers sku could mean:
instead of releasing 5 verions of guitar hero,
-game only
-complete band kit
-game and guitar
-drums
-game and 2 guitars
they now are probably going to stick with 1 or 2 sku
November 16th, 2009
They already confirmed a COD for next year. Activision is activision after all.
November 16th, 2009
they saw how all the World at War map packs earned them a few more millions. expect MW2 to continue that same trend
November 16th, 2009
This money grubbing bullshit is really getting to me.
If it isn’t sloppy coding (because they can patch anything, they can release anything!) its DLC released shortly after a game is launched, or yearly updates on games with full prices and minor differences.
What happened to the days of plugging in a game and just having it work, in its entirety, from beginning to end, with just the game you put in the machine. I may sound like an old fuck, but by allowing this sort of gaming culture (unapologetic PC) to pervade the consoles, we are allowing the devs to get away with murder, or rape. Depending on how you look at it.
I am pissed about SSf4. It has been said that some characters were trimmed from SF4, to add meat to SSF4. WHAT THE FUCK? If i had known that before I went in to purchase, I never would have.
I am pissed about MW2 for the reasons most of us are (who care) no dedicated servers, 9v9, just a simple rehash of the previous games, not an advancement of the series. Barely a week into MW2 sales, and Activision confirms a COD for next holiday.
GH – don’t care. For the most part, combining setlists between installed titles is pretty neat (and you can find just the game in the bargain bins for many of the specials for really cheap, local store had Aerosmith/metallica bundled for 15 bucks total.
Then we have the RE5 payed content on disc.
I could go on for far too long.
As complacent gamers, this is our fault. The growth in the gaming industry has been followed by the usual assholes who exploit any growing industry for their own wallets. And we let them, by funding their endevours.
November 16th, 2009
you forgot L4D and L4D2 jofa.
Valve is a fairly small company that doesn’t release too many games. The fact that they can pump out L4D2 a year after the first one really shows the public that the first one was not the finished product it was meant to be. It kind of reminds me of UT2003 followed shortly by UT2004. All it proved was the ideas they had for their original release didn’t make it to the release they wanted it to.
Just watch. L4D2 will be soooooo much better than the first that people will forget why. The first one is a partial game sold as a full game.
November 16th, 2009
Capcom has been following Activision strategies. Im starting to hate those basterds. Thats why im not buying “R.E 5 – Directors cut” or SSF4. Bionic Commando was crap also (way to ruined a good franchise).
as for Activion, their library sucks. if it wasnt for MW2 and GH (and DLCs) idk how else they would even make money this year or any of the past 3 years
November 16th, 2009
@Roca.
through Blizzard probably. WOW is probably worth more than any of those franchises.
November 16th, 2009
ohh yeah.. forgot about that.
November 16th, 2009
I can’t read it, because I’m at work. But apparently PC is getting dedicated servers for MW2. I guess Activision realized they pissed a few people off. I wonder how sales on PC went in the first week?
November 16th, 2009
Oh, sorry, gamersspot is has an article on PC getting dedicated servers.
November 16th, 2009
“is has” should be “has”
triple post yeah!
November 16th, 2009
If WoW was free…I will be playing that all day.
November 16th, 2009
Yeah Capcom hit a new low with the RE5 DLC. Paying extra to unlock content on the disc you just paid for is criminal.
They are releasing the new expansion as a download though, which seems pretty fair to me.
November 16th, 2009
I thought it’s a bit odd that Dragons Age Origins had two mission packs available at launch.
November 16th, 2009
@Phranc
oh yeah! that was funny. couldnt they just put those mission packs on the disc if they had them done before the game was released?
November 16th, 2009
At least one of them is free. I agree though. I’m not a fan of the practice.
November 16th, 2009
or they could have put the DLC in the collectors edition. Instead they charged an extra $20 for a tin case and a cloth map.
November 16th, 2009
my bad I think one of the DLCs was included.
November 16th, 2009
My wish is for Activision to get take-over by a real awesome gaming company. So they can’t stop making garbage.
November 16th, 2009
I mean so they can stop making trash.
November 17th, 2009
JofaMang
The answer’s simple, you said it yourself.
Stop buying the games if they disappoint you so much or are such poor value to you.
Nobody’s forcing you to buy.
November 17th, 2009
Hey Barnabe,
Are you getting that 360 back?
November 17th, 2009
I hope not……..
November 17th, 2009
@HH
I vote with my dollars, and encourage others to do so as well. There were several friends of mine who were not aware of how IW degraded the CoD series, and upon me directing them to the petitions and various other news and editorials about, several of them chose not to buy the game after all. Ignorance can be cured, Stupidity cannot.
November 17th, 2009
JofaMang
“Ignorance can be cured, Stupidity cannot.”
That’s true.
…..just be careful of those attitides though, the most appalling and offensive arrogance is often undetectable to the afflicted.
November 17th, 2009
Oh the irony~
November 17th, 2009
sometimes is best to just ignore his rants, he will keep this battle going forever
November 17th, 2009
oh the irony again
November 17th, 2009
Deflection JofaMang?
November 18th, 2009
This is an enigma wrapped in conundrum, deep fried in fail. I spit out your bait in disgust!
*spits*
November 19th, 2009
Now that made me chuckle.
November 19th, 2009
PS3 $299.99 UNCHARTED 2: Among thieves Activision sucks.