Details for Guitar Hero 4 Released

GameSpot is reporting that details for Guitar Hero 4 have been released. The biggest news seems to be that the new release will be adding drums and vocals a la Rock Band. The new drums are to offer three pressure-sensitive pads (which can tell if you are just tapping or really wailing), two elevated cymbals, and a pedal. "The details in Game Informer also clear up the mystery surrounding the 'innovation' which Activision promised was coming to the Guitar Hero series in a recent earnings report conference call. The article outlines the game's studio mode, which will give users a variety of ways to create their own songs. Players will be able to jam along with one of the game's existing tracks, record songs as they're played, or meticulously detail note charts."

Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[by Anonymous Coward]

I must be the only one, but I never understood why people (and gaming society as a whole) goes ape-shit over this game?

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[Karma Sink (229208)]

Because it's an amazing rhythm game that gives a vague impression of playing awesome guitar riffs.

In turn, playing awesome guitar riffs is one of the most bad-ass feelings in the world. There are just few things that are cooler than pulling off anything on a guitar, really.

It's basically DDR for people who don't like dancing and don't want to put in as much physical effort to play. And, of course, for people who like to rock.

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[naoursla (99850)]

Technically, Guitar Hero, GH2 and RB are amazing rhythm games that give you a sense of playing awesome guitar riffs.

GH3 is a rhythm game that gives you a sense of mashing buttons on a guitar shaped piece of plastic while listening to music.

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[NeilTheStupidHead (963719)]

This is directed towards Rock Band, but applies equally to Guitar Hero: http://xkcd.com/359/ [xkcd.com]
We're having fun and not hurting anyone so kindly fuck off.

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[by Anonymous Coward]

On the whole, it's not as fun as tonguing another man's balls. I mean as it used to be. I'm NOT GAY.

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[uhlume (597871)]

Heh. Lest you get troll-modded into oblivion by people who missed the reference, here's a link to the Zero Punctuation review of GH3:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/2716-Zero-Punctuation-Guitar-Hero-III [escapistmagazine.com]

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[NotBornYesterday (1093817)]

My two sons and their friends played GH3 a lot (prior to GTA4, that is). When I would mention that there were a couple real guitars and a foundation-shaking amp down in the basement, all I ever got were funny looks. Man, I would have killed to have an electric guitar as a kid. But like others have said, it's easier to play a game than it is to grow some talent. I've tried it, and I've got to admit, it's fun.

On the other hand, getting semi-competent on a guitar really isn't that hard, either. Power chords are easy. 1-4-5 chord progressions are easy. Spend a little time memorizing a couple riffs, and you can make some remarkably satisfying noise.

Sounding great is hard. Sounding okay is easier than it looks.

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[Karma Sink (229208)]

Yes, and Medal of Honor is for pussies who don't want to go fight Nazis.

Video games exist to give you experiences that you normally wouldn't be able to get in real life without years of training or superhuman powers. Why is it that guitarists get so pissy about Guitar Hero when I never hear any space marines complaining about Metroid?

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[gEvil (beta) (945888)]

Why is it that guitarists get so pissy about Guitar Hero when I never hear any space marines complaining about Metroid?

And therein lies the genius of making Samus a female. ; )

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[geekoid (135745)]

Ironically, the people I know who whine about this aren't Guitar players.

It's just a fun game when you pick up a gun, steal a car and beat hookers, but it's a crime against humanity when someone pretends to play a guitar.

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[aztektum (170569)]

a girl i know has a 9 year old son who recently began guitar lessons. he became interested after playing Guitar Hero. also, i'm sure guitar hero doesn't not help with practical guitar skills (chord changes, strumming), but this kid seems to have picked up a good deal of skill when it comes to rhythm and tempo thanks to the game. he's actually rocking ass on a real guitar compared to others in his guitar class.

Re:nope

[amRadioHed (463061)]

I hereby predict that Guitar Hero 11 will come with a real guitar and that gamers will think it's the coolest thing ever.

They will also declare that Guitar Hero 4 is lame and only for little kids and posers.

Re:nope

[siride (974284)]

Maybe I don't want to learn how to play the guitar, but I do want to have some fun? Is that allowed? Or does everything I do have to be a fucking chore?

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[morari (1080535)]

http://www.guitarrising.com/ [guitarrising.com]

;)

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[Omestes (471991)]

It's a stupid party game, and thus damn enjoyable. You get music (can't lose, there), interaction (its a party, thus the point), and look like a bigger fool when your drunk (party, natch). I don't think anyone has the preconception of actually being a guitar god while playing it.

Play Rock the 80's, and tell me your not having fun?

At my last party is was on rotation with Mario Kart Wii, and Smash Brothers Brawl. Mario Kart isn't for people who fail at NASCAR, and Brawl isn't for aspiring Chuck Norrises, so why should Guitar Hero be for the Jimi Hendixes among us? Its about imagination, and fun. Not about realism or some idiotic version of elitism.

Learn to have fun.

They didn't like my idea...

[Mordok-DestroyerOfWo (1000167)]

I thought with the success of Guitar Hero, the world would be ready for the obvious next step. Say hello to Jug Hero. It comes with washtub bass, spoons, jug, and a washboard. You spend your time going around the south playing in various redneck bars. When you start to get behind in a song, just tip your jug for special moonshine power!

Re:They didn't like my idea...

[Rod Beauvex (832040)]

Yeah, you go in the south and do that. You'd have the living piss beat out of you.

Re:They didn't like my idea...

[geekoid (135745)]

I see you have managed that well known southern sense of humor.

My little brother

[electrosoccertux (874415)]

He stopped playing GH3 2 weeks ago, and it has been the most peaceful 2 weeks in months.

Thank you, Activision, now I will have to listen to his voice too.

What about....

[by Anonymous Coward]

...Guitar Villain?

Sounds like a much more fun game.

Keytar Hero

[prockcore (543967)]

It's a shame they don't add synths so you could do keytar hero.

Hell, I have a usb synth, they should add the ability.

Re:Good Move.

[Blahbooboo3 (874492)]

All good news. I just wish that developers would stop giving the PS2 any thought and instead focus on making the Wii version the best it can be. I'd hate to see another enhanced PS2 port on the Wii. I suppose though that even if it does come down to that, at least it won't be as butchered as the Wii version of Rock Band. Activision has already shown that they're willing to at least tailor a majority of the game to the Wii's strengths. It does have the best guitar, after all.

Sure, why not just ignore the 103 million PS2s out there?

Re:Bass?

[KnightNavro (585943)]

That's because they're scaly and slimy. Trout are better.

Re:I already own Rock Band, thank you

[DevNull Ogre (256715)]

How many plastic instruments do these guys really expect me to buy?

That's a good point. My wife instantly disliked Mario Kart (while watching the preview on Nintendo Channel on our Wii) because of the wheel. She hated the idea of yet another thing to find a place for. I don't think four Wiimotes, two nunchucks, a zapper, and a guitar are a problem at all. But if I came home adding a plastic drum kit to that collection, I don't think she'd let me in. (At least the balance board that's on preorder will slide under the couch.)

Re:I will not buy two frigging drumsets.

[xero314 (722674)]

Harmonix was gracious enough to let you use the GH guitar in Rock Band.

What? You can use your GH guitars with Rock Band? I guess you don't have a PS3 and had to watch Activision actively block the release of a patch that would have solved the issue. It was big news, but not big enough to get on slashdot, no matter how high it was voted in the fire hose.