Guitar Hero: Aerosmith - Epic Fail or Huge Success?

[jc-magnus]

From the blog post that I wrote on:
Geeks At Large (http://geekatlarge.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/guitar-hero-aerosmith-epic-fail-or-huge-success/)

Yesterday we found out about the latest installment in the Guitar Hero franchise, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.

No, its not Guitar Hero 4. No, its not Guitar Hero: Rock the 90s. Its Guitar Hero: Aerosmith edition, meaning it only features one particular band.

The announcement angered many people and made some change their pants, but at the end of the day, is it a good idea? I’m not talking about an Aerosmith version of the game, but the idea of one band having its own version of Guitar Hero.

Whenever we find out about a new GH, the first questions to pop in are “Whats the track listing?, Which bands are in?”but what if it was only one band? I came up with two possibilities, lets just brand them A and B.

A) You love the band and will buy the game the day it comes out so you can worship and jam out to a large portion of their songs. Huge Success.

B) You hate/don’t give a damn about the band and this game does nothing to change your life. Epic Fail.

This game can be targeted towards an entirely different audience. Audience A (the current audience) looks forward to the “variety pack” edition of Guitar Hero. They just love music and this is their fix. But Audience B might just like to play songs from one particular band.

When “One” by Metallica was announced for GHIII, many people wondered, why not Enter Sandman? Fade to Black? well if a Metallica edition came out, that problem would be solved!

So at the end of the day, is this really a bad idea? Honestly, think about it. As long as the game has at least 30 tracks, the price is justifiable. Keep in mind that every downloadable song goes for about $2 bucks a pop. 2 x 30? Exactly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still not sold 100% on the idea, but it might be the beginning of a whole new deal for Activision.

I want to see what you guys/gals think, so reply and lets get something going in here. :)

- JC Magnus

[neverendingwhitelights]

I'll get it if only because I'm a GH-nut. I used to play like everyday but GH3 kinda took the wind out of my sails because of how ridiculously tough it was towards the end.

Now we just need genre/style-specific discs...

[eddielee]

What they really need is Rock Band: Queen.

[tsmith15]

Epic Fail, I think the rock-packs you can buy are good enough for this. I think it's dumb to waste so much dev time on one overrated band which I have never liked very much.

They would be much better with Guitar Hero: Classic Rock so they could throw together all the best bands from the 50s-80s like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, Priestess, Guns n' Roses, etc.

Then they could have a Guitar Hero: Punk Rock and other stuff like that, they'd probably sell better.

[damnedeyez]

I like the general idea...but maybe they should treat it more like an expansion and offer it at a reduced cost instead, otherwise the main audience will be people into both Guitar Hero and Aerosmith. Now, if it was for $30, I can see more people picking it up, and possibly offering different bands. Of course, that could mean a multitude of band branded guitar heroes...although, I can think of a few groups I'd pick up if that were the case.

[kramertron]

I hate Aerosmith, so needless to say I don't think I'll be buying anymore Guitar Hero games. I really don't think that Activision is going to do anything interesting with the game in the future.

[ryudo]

Great band Great series I see no problem.

Maybe they should launch a Guitar Hero Legends spinoff series as game only and every so often they release a version with a different band featured at a discount price.*shrug*

[tsmith15]

Now I'm looking to the next big thing Rock Band decides to do. I like what they're doing with all the DLC, because it doesn't force people to buy new discs n' stuff, and you only get what you want.

I would like them to patch it so you can play band world tour online with friends though, because I need to get those achievements and I have pretty much no way to get them locally cuz I got nobody to jam with.

[darknessgp]

so, I'm a big GH guy, but this next one I won't be buying. GH3 IMO kind of proves why they needed Harmonix. The software just doesn't feel right, Rock Band (obviously) feels more like GH2. That said, I think GH3's guitar is far superior to Rock Band's. I just wish Activision would stop being a douche and let them release the guitar compatibility patch for Rock Band on the PS3.

[joedubbs]

Not a huge fan of Aerosmith. In terms of the single band games I think it would be cool if you could pay like $30 for it and get like a coupon to redeem the songs for your iPod. Other than that I like the fact that these games have a variety of songs, artists, tempo.

[ariastar]

I think people are complaining because Aerosmith was the band they chose instead of their favorite band. Even if they went with another band I didn't like instead of one I love, it wouldn't be a big deal, just a version I didn't care for. Not the end of the world.

[kronos6948]

When I think guitar, Aerosmith does NOT come to mind. Sure, Joe Perry is a decent guitarist and songwriter, but he's nothing to write home about.

I don't know if this is a good move or bad one for the developers, since the only thing that will give you the answer is the sales numbers.

This totally reeks of a brainstormed idea in a meeting:

"Hmm...GH is selling really well, but now we have to compete with Rock Band. How could we compete?"

"I know! Find a band that has the biggest pop/rock following, make it exclusive, and we'll get all those fans!"

The problem is that having a single mindedness by having just one band (especially one that polarizes, like Aerosmith), you're condemning it to only be sold to people who fall into the "likes GH AND likes Aerosmith" category. I'm definitely not getting this one, as to me, it's a waste. None of my bandmates or friends are getting it either. But, then again, none of us like Aerosmith.

Also, I don't know if I'd want any other versions to feature just one band, whether it's a band I like or not. I like diversity in the music, so that way I can get exposed to some stuff I've never heard, and also it's more fun that way, since you don't already know what to expect with the song the first time through.

[nextgenxbox]

As long as it isn't $60...

[tomremixed]

If this comes out for the Wii and it's cheap I might pick it up. But that is only because the Wii lacks downloadable content. They'd be smart if they released this on the Wii with a bunch of the songs available on the 360 marketplace or PSN.

On topic though I think it's not too good of an idea. I wish this was Guitar Hero: Radiohead, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, any other band that has a large catalog of guitar based music and is on my Zune Edition. Aerosmith isn't bad but it isn't quite deserving of it's own edition.

[tsmith15]

I wouldn't get it, even if it was my favorite band because a big part of my enjoyment comes from listening to all the different songs and finding new bands, and I would lack such an experience playing just one type of music. I also appreciate different genres.

[decepticon]

I like Aerosmith, but come on...a GH game completely on one band, I'd rather just GH4 with varying tracks, not just one band. Oh well, I'll probably still buy it.

[az0madman]

Yeah, I don't know if I want 45 songs of just one band. I guess, as long as it's not $60, it won't be such a horrible idea. I personally prefer the variety, like others here. I haven't really heard enough about the game to say I won't buy it, but if it's basically a second GH3 disc with Aerosmith tunes, I'll pass. I'd rather spend my money on Rock Band downloads and get the variety I want and play all the songs without having to swap discs back and forth (though... I'd need a larger harddrive eventually).

[jc-magnus]

Honestly, I think this would have been a much better fit for Rock Band. They really don't need to put more than 30 (or even 25) tracks in there. Its like, out of any band, how many of the songs are actually more than just great?

I think they should make like a "Guitar Hero Legends: Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix & Iron Maiden" for example. As much as I can love one particular band, I do think its an overload to have 30+ of just one band.

This would be my idea (If they kept it with just one band):

1) Have it be an experience. If the game just focuses on just one band, have a story mode with the band members involved, reliving history and great moments.

2) Have a maximum of 20-25 tracks.

3) Feature tracks that inspired the band(s). (The Aerosmith one is apparently going to have something like this)

4) Keep it under $40.00

5) As an added feature, show full length clips from live concerts, etc.

It needs to be an experience, rather than just Guitar Hero: A bunch of songs from one band.

[damnedeyez]

3) Feature tracks that inspired the band(s). (The Aerosmith one is apparently going to have something like this)



I like that idea...since, if it's the Aerosmith edition, then shouldn't you really be playing as Joe Perry...and the first few songs could be as a cover band in high school or something.

Of course, if it's going to be like that...they'd have to include the groups downturn and reemergence in the 80s, etc.

[darthender]

Epic fail. There's absolutely no reason this needs to be its own game instead of DLC for GH3.

[goodtobeageek]

Jotstiq has reported on a rumor that Aerosmith addition may feature a drum pack :eek:

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/17/rumor-guitar-hero-aerosmith-to-use-drum-and-mic-peripherals/

That could seriously mix things up and knowing activision they may actually release a game in the UK some time soon (Yes I am talking about you EA/Harmonix's Rock band people).

I would love to see how they use the drums if it where at all true....however I do hate how GH3 always seems to be a bitch with the DLC for the price. I can see Rockband not having a sequel at all until the next generation and instead turning it into an Itunes like platform for new songs and possibly do do game pack updates (ala The sims 2 addon packs) via DLC to put new twists on the gameplay.

[damnedeyez]

Epic fail. There's absolutely no reason this needs to be its own game instead of DLC for GH3.

So how does one download content for the Wii or PS2 versions?

[a63]

From the blog post that I wrote on:
Geeks At Large (http://geekatlarge.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/guitar-hero-aerosmith-epic-fail-or-huge-success/)


When “One” by Metallica was announced for GHIII, many people wondered, why not Enter Sandman? Fade to Black? well if a Metallica edition came out, that problem would be solved!



- JC Magnus

as a Metallica fan I'm pretty happy they didn't put out enter sandman.

as far as aerosmith goes.. meh. i read it will also feature bands that have opened for them over the years so that includes guns n roses, motley crew.. etc.

why not put out an all metal guitar hero. or an "epic guitar hero" featuring legends of rock and or roll

[hotfootmccook]

Epic fail. Guitar hero was always about diversifying games, but its sad to see Activision/Neversoft milking the Guitar Hero name so much.

[darknessgp]

So how does one download content for the Wii or PS2 versions?

Well, for 1. They should ignore the PS2 with any new games. The system successor is here.

As for the Wii, they could release a DLC pack every 6 months or so... or they could do what they have been doing so far and completely ignore the Wii.

[damnedeyez]

Well, for 1. They should ignore the PS2 with any new games. The system successor is here.

As for the Wii, they could release a DLC pack every 6 months or so... or they could do what they have been doing so far and completely ignore the Wii.

a DLC pack...you mean on disc, like a standalone game?

[darknessgp]

a DLC pack...you mean on disc, like a standalone game?

yes, and no. yes, a standalone, but not like rock the 80s was. I'm talking only the songs are different, nothing else.

[bobafettjm]

I am not sure what I think about this yet. On one hand I love Guitar Hero, but on the other i'm not a huge Aerosmith fan.

[hepcat]

epic fail

UNLESS....UNLESS


It comes with Liv Tyler dancing in my living room.