The popularity of Guitar Hero is no surprise. Who doesn't want to be a rock star, even if only in the living room? Now rumors are circulating that the next version of the smash game will feature the addition of vocals--and other instruments. A GameDaily story suggests that the Activision game could let you join the band with more than just your fake guitar skills.

But doesn't Guitar Hero with other instruments--which I have to assume would be drums, bass and vocals--sound an awful lot like Electronic Arts' Rock Band? Yes, it does... but there is likely a back-story worthy of "Behind the Music." Although Harmonix Music Systems did develop the original Guitar Hero series, that company has since been bought by MTV Networks. To confuse matters further, trying RedOctane manufactured the guitar controllers for Guitar Hero. Now RedOctane is owed by Activision, with Neversoft stepping in as a replacement (somewhat like Sammy Hagar did with Van Halen after David Lee Roth split) to develop the series going forward.

Thus EA will have no doubt carry on with Rock Band, but we can expect a battle of the bands with the release of the next Guitar Hero series. Is this the day the music died?

Post by Peter Suciu