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Few get the chance to live out the rock and roll dream in reality, but thanks to Guitar Hero, gamers in their droves have been able to unleash their inner Hendrix. Rob Power takes a look at the latest addition to the series... FOOTBALLER, astronaut, rock and With the new peripherals adding a support it throughout 2009. We roll star: the holy trinity of dream jobs; whole new dimension to the series, a established this genre, and we will the often unachievable aspirations of graphical spruce up has also been continue to make it our own.” millions of snot-nosed playground undertaken. “In terms of the software, MAD FOR IT dwellers the world over; and, tellingly, Guitar Hero World Tour enhances Pandering to those muso types for the three career options 99 per cent of us almost every aspect of the game,” whom rocking out to a bit of Bon Jovi will come nowhere near to achieving. continues Ward. “The visuals are true is simply not edgy enough, the set list Before Guitar Hero strut into view, high definition, featuring cameos from has been massively expanded whilst there was no way of replicating how it Jimi Hendrix, Sting and Ozzy downloadable content offers a whole felt to rip off a guitar solo standing Osbourne, among others, whilst the new dimension of possibilities in track astride an arena stage like a geniune track list features 86 master tracks – selection. “The schedule of DLC is by spandex clad rock god. But oh how the biggest selection in the game’s far the series’ most comprehensive,” times have changed. history. In addition, we’ve an in-game continues Ward. “We’ve lined up an Guitar Hero has given everybody the recording studio in which players can absolutely staggering array of artists chance to pretend to be Jimmy Page, compose their own original tunes and and albums, which will appeal to all or Slash, or whoever it is that floats share them with the world. If you music tastes.” your six-stringed boat. What hadn’t combine this with our ambitious Paying attention to what’s going on been taken into account is all those downloadable content plans, then the in the charts has also influenced the players who actually didn’t want to be set list is pretty much limitless.” track listing in-game, as has a bit of the guitarist, but who dreamed of “The strap line for Guitar Hero is good old fashioned customer feedback, howling up a storm a lá Robert Plant or ‘Unleash your Inner Rock Star’. This which has led to the inclusion of all unleashing some Keith Moon-style concept is no longer limited to the sorts of extras, including drumming madness. For a couple of tunes by those forlorn types, the This will be the biggest Guitar Burnage’s favourite sons. backing band that never Hero game in the series. It’ll “We always listen to was, Guitar Hero World be the family entertainment feedback from the fans,” Tour is the true answer to says Ward. “For example, their prayers. choice this Christmas. this summer we asked This is a Guitar Hero Kate Ward, Activision our UK fans who they that shifts the focus to the would like to see on Guitar Hero and whole band, not just settling on the hardcore gamer – because at heart they told us Oasis. And so at launch prima donna histrionics of the lead everyone wants to be a rock star. This we have three songs available from guitarist. It’s a long awaited means that as the popularity of the Oasis’ massive number one album Dig development, and one that will push game has grown, the demographic has Out Your Soul, with the rest of the Guitar Hero to a whole new level. “For also changed to include a lot of casual album available early in the New Year. the first time in the franchise’s history, gamers. Part of the skill has been The songs have to be picked Guitar Hero World Tour introduces a balancing the set list to offer something drum controller and a microphone, for everyone – and in that sense it’s the according to a variety of criteria, but high up is that each has to be fun and bringing home the full band experience,” most diverse in the series. In addition, a joy to play. ” explains Activision’s Kate Ward. we’ve introduced new gameplay With marketing plans gearing up for “The new peripherals have been in elements at either end of the scale – so launch, it looks like there will be no development for a long time there’s a new beginners’ mode for escaping World Tour for the rest of the because we wanted to make them those who’ve never played before, and year. “Print, online and broadcast are right – even the guitar controller was the introduction of new power chords all ready to go,” confirms Ward. rebuilt from the ground up – with a and an ‘open’ bass for the more “We’re on the vast majority of TV new touch-sensitive neck slide for solos experience players.” networks from pre-order to postand power chords alongside other Gig-hardened Guitar Hero pros are launch. We’ve huge expectations for hardware tweaks. The drum already warming up rock moves for Guitar Hero World Tour so have controller is constructed from a soft this fresh aural assault. One of the key developed a media plan which does it rubber which provides tangible selling points is that World Tour justice. You won’t be able to miss it.” feedback whilst dampening the sound, broadens everything out, making what As one of the most anticipated and has raised cymbals, too, so the was previously a one-man-against-thelaunches of the year, fans will be keen drumming is much more natural. The world solo mission into a team outing. to get involved, whilst newcomers will microphone is the only piece of the “This will be the biggest Guitar Hero band which is wired – but this is so game in the series,” says Ward. “It’ll be be wondering what all the fuss is about. Either way, you can be sure it’s lead singers can swing it round in a the family entertainment of choice this going to be a rock and roll Christmas. proper rock star style.” Christmas – and we’ll be continuing to
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