Activision Officially Announces Guitar Hero: World Tour

Officials from Activision have officially announced Guitar Hero: World Tour, the next core entry in the best selling rhythm action series. Previously referred to only as Guitar Hero IV the game will be released on PlayStation 2, Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. As widely rumored, the game will feature not just a redesigned guitar controller, but also an electronic drum kit and a microphone. Also included will be the Music Studio music creator which will allow users to compose, record, edit and share their own songs online through GHTunes. A new online band career mode will also feature, alongside an eight-player Battle of the Bands mode. Activision claim the game will ship with the largest on-disc set list of any similar game, comprised entirely of master recordings from bands including Van Halen, Linkin Park, The Eagles, Sublime and others. The game will also offer more localized downloadable content than previous iterations. “Guitar Hero has set the standard for music-based gaming and with Guitar Hero: World Tour and the game’s groundbreaking Music Studio, we are once again delivering unprecedented innovation that has the potential to revolutionize consumer generated music, much in the same way that video sharing hubs have driven user generated video,” said Dusty Welch, head of publishing for RedOctane. Welch continued, “With the introduction of our advanced high-quality new wireless instruments, in-depth customization options and advanced online functionality, the game enables music fans and gamers globally to share in the most social and expressive music experience ever.” No release date for the game has been announced as yet, but is expected to launch this Christmas in North America and Europe. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions will again be developed by Neversoft Entertainment, with the Wii version being handled by Vicarious Visions and the PlayStation 2 version by Budcat.