All right, this is going to be a pretty big update for everyone who loves downloading new songs, so listen up. First on the list, Harmonix is releasing a Foo Fighters three-pack for Rock Band next week in addition to the previously reported Rockin' Holiday Pack. Each song (listed after the break) goes for the standard $1.99 per individual track or $5.49 for the whole shebang.
As for Guitar Hero: World Tour, it will be getting a three-song pack as well; however, this pack consists of songs from three separate bands. All individual GH:WT songs are also priced at $1.99. Check out that list after the break, too. You can grab these tracks, as well as the Rock Band ones, off the PS Store when it updates this coming Tuesday, December 23.
Furthermore, Activision has revealed its DLC plans for the month of January, which includes tracks from Blink 182, Wolfmother, Silverchair, and a full album from Oasis. To see that, just click through the break.
Source: Rock Band [Thanks Phillip!] Source: Guitar Hero [via press release]
Posted Dec 17th 2008 3:00PM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
Activision is giving you a little something back in the form of five free downloadable tracks if you buy Guitar Hero: World Tour before New Year's Eve. It only applies to the "Complete Guitar Game" variety that retails for $99.99, which is the package that comes with the game and a guitar controller, but not the standalone game or the more expensive "Full Band Kit". DLC is usually about $2 a pop, so you'll be saving about $10 with this deal. Of course, if you own the game already, this simply means you are getting 5 songs for free.
Some people will try to compare this deal with the 20-song DLCRock Band 2 offered a while back, but in this case you actually get to pick and choose which songs you want.
Posted Dec 3rd 2008 3:55PM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
A number of renowned rock bands are joining the Guitar Hero: World Tour in the form of DLC this month. Each band will be contributing three songs -- the Smashing Pumpkins Track Pack will be released December 4th, while the Nirvana and The Eagles Track Packs will make their debuts on the 11th and 18th, respectively. During the last week on the 23rd, you'll even get three reggae tracks for free.
Every track pack will cost $5.49 and each song can be individually purchased for $1.99. So which songs made the cut? Take a look, after the jump:
Posted Nov 14th 2008 6:30PM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
Owners of Guitar Hero: World Tour that are fans of The Killers can rejoice. Day-to-day with the release of their new album Day & Age on November 25th, two singles off the album, Human and Losing Touch will become available as DLC. On top of that, fan-favorite Mr. Brightside will also be released as DLC that same day. All three tracks can be purchased as a track pack for $5.49 or individually for $1.99 each. So, those of you who are fans of The Killers but not GH:WT, will this convince you to pick the game up?
[UPDATE]Wired is stating that three tracks will also be heading to Rock Band on the same day. "Mr. Brightside," "Smile Like You Mean It," and "Spaceman" (the latter of which is from the new album) will be made available on the Rock Band store on November 25th. Those of you tempted to pick up Guitar Hero World Tour off the back of this news can put your wallets away.
Posted Nov 3rd 2008 3:35PM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
The solution announced last week that proposes to fix the problems occurring with your brand-new plastic drum set from Guitar Hero: World Tour is now available for download. Officially named the Drum Controller Standard Tuning Kit, this Windows program (sorry Apple and Linux users!) should solve your sensitivity troubles. Too bad though, cause you'll also need an midi-USB cable, which you are unlikely to already possess. Luckily, you can get one for free from Red Octane. Of course, you'll still need to wait for the cable to get to you ... and who knows how long that will take.
You can download the tuning kit here and request for a midi-USB cable here.
Posted Oct 29th 2008 5:45PM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
Activision has announced two track packs for Guitar Hero: World Tour -- one with songs by Jimi Hendrix and one with songs by the group the Raconteurs:
Jimi Hendrix:
"If 6 Was 9"
"Little Wing"
"Fire" (Live version)
The Raconteurs:
"Salute Your Solution"
"Hold Up"
"Consoler of the Lonely"
Both packs will be $5.50. The Raconteurs songs can be purchased individually for $1.99, but not the Hendrix tracks. Finally, what you've all been waiting for: the code to unlock all the songs in GH:WT that was formerly exclusive to those who preordered from Gamestop is ... well, some people consider this kind of thing spoilers, so we'll tell you after the jump:
Posted Oct 29th 2008 7:00AM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
Activision has issued an official statement concerning the Guitar Hero: World Tour drum kit sensitivity problems that have been reported on the interwebs since its release. In addition to admitting the existence of said problems, they are now doing more random testing to hopefully eradicate the issue. "In the event any consumers do experience problems with their drum kit controllers associated with sensitivity issues, Activision will soon be offering a drum tuning kit that will enable players to fully optimize their drums." According to an official World Tour forum post, the solution will come in the form of Windows PC downloadable software that'll allow you to calibrate your drums.
Those with problems should get in touch with Activision ASAP, either through telephone number (310) 255-2050 or by heading here.
Whoops. If you're looking to buy Guitar Hero World Tour for the drumset, for use with Rock Band I or II, we've got some bad news. It won't work. Not sure why, we were promised, after all. Reports are that the games recognize the drum controller as a microphone, for some strange reason. Seeing as the drums were the only thing we found to be superior when compared to Rock Band, this removes a lot of the reasoning behind buying the game.
We're hearing that Rock Band instruments will work with Guitar Hero World Tour, however. So if you do actually find a reason to pick up the game, you'll be able to play it with those instruments. A Harmonix developer responded to the forum thread, stating "we are definitely looking into this. We'll keep you posted on updates as soon as more info is available." Anyone else get deja vu?
Guitar Hero: World Tour isn't even out yet and it's already gathering a strong amount of downloadable content. UK pop rock artists, Oasis, join the DLC crowd with the sounds of their latest album, Dig Out Your Soul. Three tracks from the 2008 record will be available for download off the PS Store on November 6 as a three-song track pack or as individual tunes.
The November 6 pack includes: "Bag It Up," "Waiting for the Rapture" and "The Shock of the Lightning." Meanwhile, the rest of you who wish to play the album in its entirety will have to wait for an indefinite date in 2009. Guitar Hero: World Tour goes to retail by October 26.
Posted Oct 7th 2008 2:50PM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
Activision has revealed the pricing structure of the upcoming incarnation of their rhythm game. Guitar Hero: World Tour will come in several different flavors, so listen up:
Finally, there is a $239.99 Deluxe Band Bundle (as shown above), which includes everything in the full Band Kit plus the following: a t-shirt (Male XL only), battery charger, key chain and cloth guitar case.
Though the Band Kit seems to be priced competitively, the Deluxe Band Bundle seems rather pricey -- are those extras worth an extra 50 clams to you?
IGA Worldwide, an independent distributor of in-game advertising, has announced a multi-year agreement with Activision to deliver dynamic in-game ads into multiple games on the PS3. The first game to feature IGA integrated ads will be Guitar Hero: World Tour. This is the second publisher deal announced by IGA since PS3 opened its platform for in-game advertising.
"Our partnership with IGA will allow us to deliver dynamic in-game advertising to the growing PlayStation Network community for the first time," said Dave Anderson, head of business development at Activision Publishing. "By incorporating dynamic in-game advertising in our titles where it is appropriate, we can increase the realism of our games by presenting consumers with authentic environments in genuine settings, while also expanding a key growth opportunity for the company."
IGA and Activision will integrate advertisements in a "contextually relevant way." The ads will be updated in real time, and will be targeted to the broad demographics Guitar Hero can reach.
Posted Sep 18th 2008 5:00PM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
At Activision Blizzard's Analyst Day, CEO Mike Griffith spoke of plans to offer a subscription service option for the Guitar Hero games. "We're exploring new models, like an annual pass subscription where players can subscribe and get a certain number of songs downloadable each month." No prices or launch dates were discussed, but we are assuming those who regularly purchase DLC for the Guitar Hero games will be able to save a few bucks.
In the realm of rumors, former lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses Slash said a Rolling Stone interview that Guitar Hero: Hendrix is coming. "Well, having the Aerosmith guys do it was very cool 'cause Aerosmith's one of the bands I was heavily influenced by. And Metallica's doing it, that's great. Those are two ones that I think gives it some credibility. And they're doing a Hendrix one, which is great." Activision won't comment on the rumor, but with the guitar virtuoso making an appearance in the upcoming Guitar Hero: World Tour, it wouldn't surprise us in the least if this came true.
Posted Sep 17th 2008 10:15AM by Andrew Yoon Filed under: News
Guitar Hero World Tour will be getting new functionality in a patch available one week after its release. Most excitingly, this feature is something that only PS3 can fully realize. According to Shacknews, World Tour will be gaining a MIDI sequencer, which encompasses rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass, keyboard and drum tracks on the PS3. (It will be limited to only drum tracks on the Xbox 360 due to unspecified "hardware issues.")
"We have full, basically, computer editing control, at least on the PS3, through the music studio," Neversoft's Brian Bright stated in a Shacknews interview. "If you're a musician or you do any sequencing, it really just makes the pathway to getting your songs in the game that much easier--once you get it down. We just really want to give people enough tools to be able to make good music."
The feature won't be for everyone, of course. This is geared towards serious musicians that know how to work with MIDI on a computer. An extensive FAQ will be made available on the Guitar Hero site to help musicians take advantage of this exciting opportunity.
The powers that be must be watching over us. Yesterday we made a simple and polite request to see the full set list for Guitar Hero: World Tour and (amazingly) here it is sitting on our laps. It just goes to show, it never hurts to ask now does it? In addition to that juicy info, check out the delicious packshot pictured above.
Taking a look at the list (posted after the cut), we're now quite enthralled by the musical entities gracing World Tour. It looks like it's going to be a cutthroat race towards rhythm game supremacy with Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2 neck and neck ... oh right, and there's Rock Revolution, too.
