Although the subject of some speculation last week, a new update to developer Neversoft's website seems to confirm that development of the acclaimed
Guitar Hero franchise has been transferred from Harmonix to the
Tony Hawk studio.
Originally published by independent dance/rhythm game specialist RedOctane and developed by Boston's Harmonix (
Amplitude), the fate of the enormously successful franchise has been under question with various business deals being made around it.
First, just prior to E3 of 2006, publisher Activision made a surprise announcement in
acquiring RedOctane, saying at the time that "this acquisition will provide Activision with an early leadership position in music-based gaming, which the company expects will be one of the fastest growing genres in the coming years."
Then, in September of this year, Harmonix itself announced it was
being purchased by cable television channel MTV, a former marketing partner on the
Guitar Hero franchise.
Rumors of the transferral of
Guitar Hero development began recently with a rumor published in consumer magazine EGM, but now, an update to Neversoft's website confirms that the developer is
hiring for positions to work on the music game as well as its flagship
Tony Hawk series.
No further comment has yet been made by any of the parties, but Gamasutra will update this story as developments follow.
