GUITAR HERO REVIVAL INBOUND?
While it’s not confirmed, the iconic music game may make a triumphant return as part of Microsoft’s colossal acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, a deal valued at a jaw-dropping $72 billion.
During a recent town hall meeting with Activision Blizzard employees, CEO Bobby Kotick dropped some tantalizing hints about the game’s potential revival. As he discussed the future of gaming over the next decade, Kotick also reminisced about Activision’s storied gaming catalog, which includes the ever-memorable Guitar Hero. While he didn’t make an official announcement, his remarks hinted at the possibility of Guitar Hero making a comeback. But this just prompted the question…
Is it even worth bringing back Guitar Hero when Clone Hero is thriving?
For those who may not know, Clone Hero is a fan-made project that was developed by Ryan “srylain” Foster and released back in 2017. The game is exactly what the name implies… a clone of Guitar Hero, but it also has additional customization and features that the Guitar Hero community had always wanted. Every Guitar Hero and Rock Band song is available to play in Clone Hero, plus there’s also thousands of other new songs that have been custom charted and shared by the community. When it comes to peripherals, Clone Hero is compatible with most old Guitar Hero and Rock Band controllers, so as long as you haven’t tossed your old gear, you can just plug and play. Plus, it’s completely FREE!
So, do we really need a new official Guitar Hero game when Clone Hero is setting the stage for the future of the genre? While Clone Hero has managed to thrive in a grassroots manner, it’s crucial to consider that Activision’s involvement could bring the franchise back to its former glory and even expand its horizons. The official Guitar Hero titles could once again become a household name, available on multiple platforms, and backed by the marketing and financial power of a major game publisher. We could also see more official/large scale Guitar Hero competitions and exclusive collaborations with artists, which could make the comeback even more captivating.
Image credit: GuitarHeroStyles (YouTube)
Ideally, I hope that they do decide to release a new Guitar Hero game, and that they’ve been taking notes from the success of Clone Hero. If they can blend the best elements of both worlds, we might get something truly amazing. Here’s to hoping!