Activision Wants To Bring Guitar Hero To Arcades

dlapikin writes "Activision is preparing a deal with Konami and Raw Thrills to bring Guitar Hero to arcades worldwide as soon as 2009. It looks to be a great fusion of their current Guitar Hero III axe and World Tour. 'Some features have been streamlined, however, like character customization. Raw Thrills doesn't want people obsessing over the hair color of their on-screen rock star. But one important feature that has remained is downloadable content. Raw Thrills has the ability to push new songs to "Guitar Hero Arcade" through the Internet. Owners of the machines can pick and choose which of the new songs to add to the cabinet.'"

Goddamn Orange button doesn't work!

[halcyon1234]

When I was growing up, I learned to play Street Fighter without the high-punch button. Why? Because every damn machine in the world has a broken high punch button.

I don't see a thin plastic guitar boding any better.

Re:Free advertising for DLC?

[merreborn]

My original reaction to the headline was "Why? Doesn't everyone who cares own this?"

No. A lot of people have no idea how much they'll enjoy it until they've tried it. And the start-up cost is high -- you've got to be willing to shell out at least $80 to get started. Right now, the only way for most semi-interested people to try the game out is to play with someone who already has a copy.

You'd be amazed how viral these games are. Even my parents' generation (age 45-65), the most of them not really gamers, really gets into it, if they get a chance to try it out.

My coworker's brought Guitar Hero to his 50-something father's house for Christmas last year. His father bought himself a copy afterward. My folks (in their 40s) are pretty much in the same boat.

Re:Free advertising for DLC?

[Ethanol-fueled]

There could be a lot of money to be made extending the "rock band" setup into a karaoke bar. I bet all-instrument karaoke would be wildly popular.

Re:BYODW? (Bring your own disinfectant whipes?)

[jackbird]

You, my friend, do not live anywhere near a college town.

They'll need a better controller

[Robyrt]

At large sponsored events like baseball games, I've seen a Guitar Hero 3 setup with two controllers and a PS3. There are plenty of crowds around it, but one of the guitars is invariably broken and unplayable. Microswitches do not have an infinite lifespan, especially if you are really thrashing on them - like, you know, a guitar.

What is this "arcade" thing of which you speak??

[fzammett]

I have zero problem with this idea, being a huge GH and RB fan. But, ARCADES?? Do they even still exist?

I'm in my mid-30's, and I grew up in arcades... some of my favorites memories involve arcades. In fact, in my early 20's I was an arcade machine service tech, so I have a lot of experience in arcades.

But, my kids barely know what an arcade is, and they certainly aren't begging me to take them to any. I can't imagine they are much different than most kids today who have all the games at home.