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."

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

[Rod Beauvex]

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

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[Karma Sink]

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

[Karma Sink]

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?

Bass?

[Anonymous Coward]

No one ever wants to be on bass :-(

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[geekoid]

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:Good Move.

[Blahbooboo3]

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:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[dafrazzman]

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

You should not assume that anyone who complains about Guitar Hero actually plays the guitar.

The reason some people don't like Guitar Hero is because it looks nerdy and lame (it really does). Those people need to get over their sense of pride before they can enjoy Guitar Hero. It's a matter of general pride, not a matter of pride in any actual abilities.

Re:Good Move.

[josteos]

Many of the 103M ps2 owners probably own another console and would buy that version instead.

But quite a few wouldn't, so it would be kinda lame to ignore them.

I have a PC & a PS2, but I'd rather buy it for my Wii.

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[Omestes]

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.

Re:I already own Rock Band, thank you

[DevNull Ogre]

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:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[somersault]

Agreed. I'm a guitar player, and I thought it was lame until I played it. Then I just realised how much fun it is!

I can't wait til the drums and stuff are added, as I'm also a drummer, and it will make practicing much more fun and varied (I have an electronic kit but I never make time to use it). Simulating drums is pretty easy so at least the drummers definitely can't whine :) At the very least games like Guitar Hero are good for improving your rhythm and coordination.

I will not buy two frigging drumsets.

[Seor Jojoba]

I got Rock Band and all the instruments that come with it. Harmonix was gracious enough to let you use the GH guitar in Rock Band. I don't see why the hell Activision can't let us plug in Rock Band instruments into their game. Particularly lame to change the drumkit in one tiny little way (add one extra pad) to "improve" it. It is stupid to buy new hardware with every music game out there. It wastes money and living room space.

Big deal...

[jonwil]

Let me know if they actually decide to get some DECENT music...
How can they make 7 games in the series (6 if you dont count the Aerosmith one) and not have a single AC/DC song (for those who dont know, AC/DC are the best ever Australian band when it comes to playing guitars, drums and rock music fast and loud)

Re:Never got why people like Guitar Hero

[somersault]

Some of the songs on Guitar Hero are actually more difficult to play on Expert than they would be on a real guitar (at least that's what I find, yes IAAG). I'm serious about that. I think a lot of that is just down to having to have the timing so precise, whereas irl you can get away with a bit of artistic license if you know what you're doing :)

Main differences on a real guitar are that it HURTS for a while until your fingers toughen up and get used to pressing strings, and you need more strength to do hammer-ons and pull-offs (which are absurdly easy on guitar hero because the buttons are so light). Then of course there's the whole extra dimension of up/down over the 6 strings, but if you can get used to using all 5 buttons on guitar hero without looking to see where your fingers are, then you can probably get used to 6 strings on a guitar too, it's just a matter of spacial awareness and muscle memory. The final difference between Guitar Hero and a real guitar is that you need to get some friends who play drums, bass and sing, and are free whenever you want to jam :)

Re:nope

[Bill, Shooter of Bul]

I'm not entirely sure you understood my rant. People are trying for the fake, not for the real. Playing guitar changes your brain. Changes the way you think. No game can do that. Not wow ( which I also loathe with all possible passion), nor any other game video or not. Make up your own rules, play the dangerous game of life: no do overs, but unlimited possibilities.

Re:nope

[siride]

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:nope

[xero314]

I want people to go out and have real experiences that aren't limited by a machine, or set of rules.

He says on an internet forum...

Re:nope

[siride]

No. Life is a mix of passionate exertion, love and recreation. Sometimes, you just have to have fun and it doesn't have to be this great work of skill or talent. That's all. Elsewhere in my life I most certainly apply myself greatly and am justly rewarded. I don't, however, care to do that with a guitar. But Guitar Hero is fun all the same and I don't think you can fault me for occasionally coming home from work and playing a couple of songs I like on a stupid game.