Guitar Hero Makes Encore Official

[Cupelix]

I saw through Penny Arcade (http://www.penny-arcade.com) that Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com)has an article (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6147732.html) about the confirmation of Guitar Hero II. New features include:

There's also a multiplayer co-op mode that will let players collaborate, each playing lead, rhythm, or bass guitar portions.
Full press release Inside (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?p=251966#post251966).

Sounds awesome!

[bapenguin]

For Those About to Rock With Guitar Hero II, We Salute You!

Sequel to Award-Winning Music Videogame to Be Unveiled at E3; Choose Your Weapon – Rhythm, Lead or Bass Guitar

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 17, 2006 – Get ready for a rock encore! RedOctane® announced today that Johnny Napalm and friends will begin touring the US again this Fall in the new videogame “Guitar Hero II™”. Picking up where Guitar Hero™ left off, Guitar Hero II arrives with a new track list, new venues and additional play modes – including the ability to transform the original Guitar Hero SG Controller into a rhythm, lead or bass guitar.

“Guitar Hero has proved phenomenally successful! Guitar Hero veterans will be able to plug in their Guitar Hero SG Controllers and rock GH II straight out of the box,” said Kelly Sumner, CEO of RedOctane. “We will really push the envelope with Guitar Hero II. Despite the fact there are many months until release, we’re already implementing exciting features and innovations. This fall we’re going to rock everyone’s world all over again.”

The top-secret sequel song list remains firmly in the rock domain, pulling from a mix of classic rock, ‘hair’ metal, heavy metal, modern rock, and alternative titles. More than 55 songs will be featured in the next installment.

Veteran music videogame developer Harmonix® Music Systems has been busy in-studio, enriching this rockstar experience with more features and multiplayer modes. In addition to the traditional head-to-head competition, Multiplayer Co-op Mode allows players to collaborate in order to beat songs, with each guitarist playing a separate guitar track. Available guitar tracks include lead, rhythm or bass tracks, depending upon the song. The Guitar Hero SG Controller used in the first installment will also be compatible with the new game.

Guitar Hero II is the follow-up to 2005’s award-winning release, “Guitar Hero,” which rocked the game industry and garnered a stack of awards including: “Best Offline Multiplayer Game 2005” and “Music Game of the Year 2005” from IGN.com, and “Best Soundtrack 2005” at the Spike TV Videogames Awards. Recently, it picked up five awards at the D.I.C.E. Summit's Interactive Achievement Awards including Outstanding Innovation in Gaming and Family Game of the Year.

RedOctane has confirmed an early glimpse of the upcoming game will be available during the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles next month.

The game that has inspired a nation of wannabe rock stars to achieve video game greatness is scheduled for a new US tour on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system in November 2006.

# # #

About RedOctane
Based in Sunnyvale, California, RedOctane® is an innovative video game publisher, specializing in rhythm action games. The company began as the world’s first online videogame rental service. In 2001, RedOctane introduced the world’s first home non-slip dance mat and dance mat covers, and a year later the firm’s Ignition Pad was premiered – subsequently winning a host of peripheral awards. Guitar Hero was released in the US in November 2005 – to universal consumer and critical acclaim. For more information on RedOctane please visit www.RedOctane.com.

About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc
Veteran music video game creator Harmonix® is developing Guitar Hero II. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harmonix previously developed Guitar Hero, Frequency, Amplitude, Karaoke Revolution and EyeToy: AntiGrav. For more information about Harmonix please visit http://www.harmonixmusic.com

Karaoke Revolution™ is a registered trademark KONAMI CORPORATION. ©2004 KONAMI. Developed by Harmonix Music System. Harmonix is a registered trademark of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. Frequency and Amplitude are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

RedOctane® is a registered trademark of RedOctane, Inc. “Guitar Hero” and “Guitar Hero II” are trademarks of RedOctane, Inc. Developed by Harmonix Music Systems. © 2005 RedOctane, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

“PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

[Abash Alarmist]

They better have AC/DC in this version.

[cppcrusader]

If there was ever a controller that absolutely needed to be wireless, its the Guitar controller. There have been various PS2's that almost paid the ultimate price from rocking out so hard.

[Salesmunn]

Don't forget the Van Halen.

[MosBen]

I just wish they'd port the game. I don't have a PS2 and I'm not about to buy one at this point in its life cycle. Maybe, eventually, I'll grab a PS3, but it'd just be so much easier for me if they'd release a combined version of the two games in the series on the 360. I can't imagine it'd be difficult either.

[Borys]

Needs more Iron Maiden !!!!!!!!!

Hallowed Be Thy Name
Run to The Hills
2 Minutes 2 Midnight
Dance of Death
Paschendale

etc.

[mister_slim]

Excellent. A great excuse to buy another controller and more songs all in one shiny package.

I'd like to see them include the Run-DMC version of Walk This Way, just for the fun of it.

[JudasGoat]

Faith No More & the Pixies

[Worldcrafter]

the Pixies

"YOU FUCKING DIE!!!...I said...to her"

In other words...hell yeah!

[Kefkataran]

So good. <3<3<3.

[mightbe]

Needs more cowbell.

And god bless the gods of rock.

Face melting will commence upon GHII's release.

Kudos to them for adding the different "parts" (bass, lead, etc) ala Guitar Freaks. I missed that.

[Ultima Thulian]

Great game, this looks even better. Get some Led Zepplin methinks.

[agentgray]

Sounds awesome!
In more ways than one...

[total]

I love this game, can't wait for the sequal.

Does anyone else find themselves listening to the radio (mp3, etc) thinking, "this song would fucking rock on GH?"

[Kefkataran]

Does anyone else find themselves listening to the radio (mp3, etc) thinking, "this song would fucking rock on GH?"

Yes. For a couple months after I got way into GH, I could not listen to a song without imagining the scrolling buttons and how fun it would be to play.

[Orosco]

I want some Spinal Tap songs, for a game that seems so inspired by the movie / band.

[mightbe]

The best would be a PC release that allowed you to button up your own MP3's.

They probably wouldn't make the money back that it took to develop though. Sad sad.

[The Letter 3]

The best would be a PC release that allowed you to button up your own MP3's.

They probably wouldn't make the money back that it took to develop though. Sad sad.
I bet it's quite difficult to map the buttons in each song, especially on expert mode, which is just damn impressive for only having five fret buttons to use. But mostly, releasing these games is a huge money makers, so I doubt they would be willing to provide the technology that translated the songs.

I want an Xbox or next-gen or PC system release that can have downloadable song packs. GH2 can be the core software needed to play and the song packs can be simple ways to add-on.

I hope this new one has Indie tracks. I thank GH for introducing me to Shaimus.

[Spigot]

Yes. For a couple months after I got way into GH, I could not listen to a song without imagining the scrolling buttons and how fun it would be to play.
I was the same way.

I love that they'll let other players do a co-op kind of mode. I would have loved to have been able to play rhythm guitar on Higher Ground.

[EvilBob46]

I don't have a PS2 and I'm not about to buy one at this point in its life cycle.

Paying the lowest prices for the best games available on a console at the end of its lifespan? Sounds good to me.

[ElectricMonk]

there's an interview over at ign (http://ps2.ign.com/articles/701/701726p1.html) that says they are trying to get the bigger names that eluded them before, specifically mentioning: "AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Metallica"

[The Iron Weasel]

I hope by heavy metal they mean Slipknot, Darkest Hour, Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, In Flames, Grimfist, etc.

[OUX]

/prays to jesus for some way to have downloadable content while weeping bitterly

[shnastybiznastic]

I can only hope they get The Rolling Stones and Rush into this one.

[Abash Alarmist]

I hope by heavy metal they mean Slipknot, Darkest Hour, Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, In Flames, Grimfist, etc.

I hope not. Though, they did put in Sum 41...sigh...I hope they mean by Heavy Metal as in the good and subtle rocking of AC/DC, Van Halen, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Guns N Roses, The Pixies, Steppenwolf, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Aerosmith, Queen, Tool, CCR, Eagles, Radiohead, etc.

[The Iron Weasel]

I hope not. Though, they did put in Sum 41...sigh...I hope they mean by Heavy Metal as in the good and subtle rocking of AC/DC, Van Halen, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Guns N Roses, The Pixies, Steppenwolf, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Aerosmith, Queen, Tool, CCR, Eagles, Radiohead, etc.

I sincerely hope your not comparing Sum 41 to metal, and I can get onboard with Tool. And its not like they'd force you to play those songs.

[Abash Alarmist]

I sincerely hope your not comparing Sum 41 to metal, and I can get onboard with Tool. And its not like they'd force you to play those songs.

No, I was actually comparing Sum41 to tha bands you listed: they are all no talent hacks :P

[Cupelix]

And its not like they'd force you to play those songs. Actually, they kind of do on Expert - you have to pass all five songs on a stage to move on to the next stage. I understand that doesn't mean anything when playing multiplayer, but god do I hate having to play Boston's "More Than A Feeling" ever, ever, ever.

[The Iron Weasel]

No, I was actually comparing Sum41 to tha bands you listed: they are all no talent hacks :P

You sir, are now my nemesis. You are the Decepticons to my Autobots, the Megatron to my Optimus Prime, The Joker to my Batman.

[Abash Alarmist]

You sir, are now my nemesis. You are the Decepticons to my Autobots, the Megatron to my Optimus Prime, The Joker to my Batman.

Damn *tear*

[Ultima Thulian]

No, I was actually comparing Sum41 to tha bands you listed: they are all no talent hacks :P

Quoted for truth and to instigate some bullshit! :D

[Deadend]

The Metalica to his Napster.

but only 55? I was hoping for 75. And a Wireless Fullsize Guitar. As that would be so hot. Maybe even add in a free jam mode, where it just makes cool sounds, just for the hell of it. Or letting you have "solos" where you can do what you want to in a song. That would be hot.

[sickfallout]

Sold.

Put in ska, and I'll pay $200.

Now get to work on Percussion / Drum Hero.

[Kefkataran]

I hope not. Though, they did put in Sum 41...sigh...I hope they mean by Heavy Metal as in the good and subtle rocking of AC/DC, Van Halen, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Guns N Roses, The Pixies, Steppenwolf, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Aerosmith, Queen, Tool, CCR, Eagles, Radiohead, etc.

Most of the band you mentioned here aren't anything near what I'd consider "heavy metal". AC/DC, Van Halen, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, and Guns N Roses maybe fall under that moniker (some barely), but bands like Pixies, Nirvana, and Radiohead I'd be much more apt to just call straight out rock. Anyways, even if you dislike the bands Iron Weasel listed (I'm not a huge fan of most of them either), I don't see how that denies them fitting under the genre of heavy metal.

[sickfallout]

but god do I hate having to play Boston's "More Than A Feeling" ever, ever, ever.

More Than A Feeling is the Ultimate Song, it is the alpha and omega, even Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force says so.

I also want to see some Journey, Foreigner, and Kansas, to piss off the classic rock haters.

[Ultima Thulian]

More Than A Feeling is the Ultimate Song, it is the alpha and omega, even Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force says so.

I also want to see some Journey, Foreigner, and Kansas, to piss off the classic rock haters.

All we are is dust in the wind! But Journey....I dunno, the last time they were involved in a video game. Shit, Journey is just Michael Bolton with guitars and drums.

[Balthasar]

I just wish they'd port the game. I don't have a PS2 and I'm not about to buy one at this point in its life cycle. Maybe, eventually, I'll grab a PS3, but it'd just be so much easier for me if they'd release a combined version of the two games in the series on the 360. I can't imagine it'd be difficult either.
It would be very difficult, because the game would have an extremely limited audience, with so few 360s being sold in Japan to date.

[Balthasar]

Most of the band you mentioned here aren't anything near what I'd consider "heavy metal". AC/DC, Van Halen, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, and Guns N Roses maybe fall under that moniker (some barely)...
Led Zeppelin, hardly. I mean, their music was the big precursor to heavy metal, but I don't exactly consider them heavy metal themselves (listen to Zep's I-IV and tell me how much metal are in those albums).

but bands like Pixies, Nirvana, and Radiohead I'd be much more apt to just call straight out rock.
Grunge and Alternative. No one really uses the label Alternative, though, because it got so watered down by every band of the mid 90's being "alternative." Tool was at one time called "Alternative Metal," and "Alternative Progressive Metal," which I'm not totally sure makes any sense.

Anyways, even if you dislike the bands Iron Weasel listed (I'm not a huge fan of most of them either), I don't see how that denies them fitting under the genre of heavy metal.
Most heavy metal is pretty awful, to be perfectly honest.

[Ultima Thulian]

Led Zeppelin, hardly. I mean, their music was the big precursor to heavy metal, but I don't exactly consider them heavy metal themselves (listen to Zep's I-IV and tell me how much metal are in those albums).
Most heavy metal is pretty awful, to be perfectly honest.

Agreed on both counts. But who cares? It's Zep. Everybody <3 Zep! :)

[Kefkataran]

Led Zeppelin, hardly. I mean, their music was the big precursor to heavy metal, but I don't exactly consider them heavy metal themselves (listen to Zep's I-IV and tell me how much metal are in those albums).


Yeah, like I said, some barely fit.

Grunge and Alternative. No one really uses the label Alternative, though, because it got so watered down by every band of the mid 90's being "alternative." Tool was at one time called "Alternative Metal," and "Alternative Progressive Metal," which I'm not totally sure makes any sense.

See, once you start using grunge and alternative, much less "alternative metal" and "alternative progressive metal" and so on and so forth, you're getting into the realm of over-classification, at least as far as I'm concerned. I tend to stick to pretty broad easy-to-interpret genres when referencing music. Just makes stuff easier, I guess.

Most heavy metal is pretty awful, to be perfectly honest.

Yeah, I would agree, but then again you would also probably argue that most contemporary punk is bad whereas I like plenty of it. *shrug* It's all a matter of taste, no reason to argue over it.

[Balthasar]

Agreed on both counts. But who cares? It's Zep. Everybody <3 Zep! :)
Zep's pretty hard not to like.

[The Iron Weasel]

I don't mind at all if people think heavy metal is awful, or don't like it, thats all taste. Now calling them no talent hacks is another story.

[ElectricMonk]

honestly trying to label things as 'metal' or 'not metal' is quite old.

if they call themselves metal let them go in the metal category at hmv. and if they call themselves rock let them go in the rock category.

my local hmv has so many bands in random places due to the arguing of music nerds who can't accept that their favorite bands are classifiable so they end up impossible to find. and most of this classification tends to revolve around the 'metal' label.

[Spigot]

So help me, there had better be more emo in the next Guitar Hero or I'll cut myself!
I'm sure I saw this on during the last EvAv radio chat...

[The Iron Weasel]

honestly trying to label things as 'metal' or 'not metal' is quite old.

if they call themselves metal let them go in the metal category at hmv. and if they call themselves rock let them go in the rock category.

my local hmv has so many bands in random places due to the arguing of music nerds who can't accept that their favorite bands are classifiable so they end up impossible to find. and most of this classification tends to revolve around the 'metal' label.

Yeah its annoying having to jump between the alt, rock, and metal sections at that store.

[Abash Alarmist]

It wasn't a classification of the bands. I was just saying that instead of his music, I would rather have the bands that I listed in the new Guitar Hero game. Heavy metal is horrible, but its good angst music if you really want to listen to Angst Enriched (tm) music; which I personally want no correlation with the next Guitar Hero...I probably just worded it wrong, but yeah. I know that the Pixies, Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, etc. are not metal. They are rock and thats what I want to play. Not metal.

[Abash Alarmist]

I'm sure I saw this on during the last EvAv radio chat...
You saw it? Isn't you can read with your ears? Impressive. ;)

[pomeroy]

This metal discussion is totally reminding me of Chuck Klosterman. That makes me HAPPY.

[JudasGoat]

"YOU FUCKING DIE!!!...I said...to her"

No, we were just goofing around
No, no. It didn't have anything to do with anything.


Also: Shellac, The Clash, Fugazi, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag and maybe some John Lee Hooker and Chuck Berry to mix it up. I really liked having the Stevie Ray Vaughn and Cream on #1.

I absolutely second GnR though. Fucking A.

[Abash Alarmist]

Chocolate Salty Balls
- Isaac Hayes

[Spigot]

You saw it? Isn't you can read with your ears? Impressive. ;)
I don't listen with my eyes... I saw it in the chat... not on the radio show itself. Those who were in the chat will know what I'm talking about... especially Tracky.

[The Iron Weasel]

How about this, they release a Death Metal/Melodic Death Metal/Gothenburg/Metalcore/Grindcore/Hardcore/Post-Hardcore/Metal Version of the game just for me...and give it to me for free....with a controller...

[mightbe]

Sold.

Put in ska, and I'll pay $200.

Now get to work on Percussion / Drum Hero.

Needs some RBF badly.

[Herald42]

I'm honestly hoping they make a way to play the songs from the original, too -- with the new multiplayer modes, that'd be nice.

As for the music, I'd love to see Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Zep, Queensryche, and plenty of other classic tracks. More of the classic. Actually, I'd love to see it split by genre -- Guitar Hero 2: Classic Rock, Guitar Hero 2: Alternative, Guitar Hero 2: Metal, Guitar Hero 2: Oldies, Guitar Hero 2: Electric Boogaloo, and that way they can get even more in depth with each genre, hitting the standards and some of the less known songs without feeling like you're playing something you don't want to be.

[Kefkataran]

Also: Shellac, The Clash, Fugazi, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag and maybe some John Lee Hooker and Chuck Berry to mix it up. I really liked having the Stevie Ray Vaughn and Cream on #1.

Fucking right. All great and worthy choices. ESPECIALLY the Clash. This new one NEED some Clash.

Actually, I'd love to see it split by genre

They're doing this. According to a report quite a while back along with GH2 they'll be bringing genre-specific titles out.

[MosBen]

It's a few pages late, but i meant that i don't have the room for lots of machines and i'm not going to buy into a machine that's on its last legs. As I said, I may pick up a PS3 at some point and grab a few games from the last generation that I wasn't able to play on a friend's machine.

As to the actual topic, I agree with the Spinal Tap suggestion. Big Bottom!

[mister_slim]

It would be very difficult, because the game would have an extremely limited audience, with so few 360s being sold in Japan to date.
What does that matter? Was GH even released in Japan?

[KamaItachi]

I agree with the Spinal Tap suggestion. Big Bottom!

STONE'ENGE!

[LilBunnyFuFu]

A lot of you may hate me, but I'd like some Coheed and Cambria on the next game.

And who ever said that a solo section in the songs was a good idea, you are now my best friend. I have been thinking that all along.

[Kefkataran]

Dude, I'm totally with you. I'd love some Coheed. There's also a couple Jimmy Eat World songs I'd dig.

[Ultima Thulian]

I'd like to see Children of Bodom. This isn't my style usually, but playing their riffs on GH would be sweet. Plus the band pisses off my mom (I've played their tunes as loudly as I could right in her face...I'm such a dickmunch!).

Weezer (I'm nerdy, I know!), B.B King (fucking respect), and Carlos Santana would be sweet as well.

[Kefkataran]

Weezer's another obvious one, and the company has had Weezer on some of their other games, so you think that would make the cut.

[Balthasar]

Dude, I'm totally with you. I'd love some Coheed. There's also a couple Jimmy Eat World songs I'd dig.
Coheed? Ugh, that dude's voice gives me the douche chills.

Weezer would be pretty sweet, though.

[Kefkataran]

Coheed? Ugh, that dude's voice gives me the douche chills.

I'm not a huge fan, but I dig them from time to time, and I'd love a song of their's on GH2. I'd also really dig a Thursday or Thrice song.

[Abash Alarmist]

I'm not a huge fan, but I dig them from time to time, and I'd love a song of their's on GH2. I'd also really dig a Thursday or Thrice song.

You also like Horse Carcass..Obviously, you don't like class, eh?

[Kefkataran]

You also like Horse Carcass..Obviously, you don't like class, eh?

I'll fucking class you!

No, seriously, though, there should be a banned named Horse Carcass.

[Murtazin]

Editor - Hey Spammer
http://aycu29.webshots.com/image/13188/2003196184120014665_rs.jpg

[Ultima Thulian]

This spammer revives a nearly year old thread to spam? How about with that cup of stfu we give him some banhammer on the side!?

Man, I was kinda pumped when this thread got revived, because I figured it was gonna be about Led Zeppelin.

[Herald42]

Page and Plant do have a healthy interest in the Dark Arts -- think they'd know anything about Necrothreadomancy?

[phenom1223]

This thread is older than Slinkies. And look at me, keeping it alive! Ok, something on topic:

I played Guitar Hero II last night. It was fun, except I feel the onset of Carpel-Tunnel Syndrome.

-End

[Kromwelll]

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/evil/thor2.jpg

[Evil Avatar]

Look, a threat brought back to life by a spammer. Thank you for making yourself so easy to find... find and ban.