From: Wiki
Guitar Hero III will be the third official installment in the
Guitar Hero video game series. In May, 2006 RedOctane, the publisher of
Guitar Hero and
Guitar Hero II was purchased by Activision. Because of this purchase,
Guitar Hero III will be published by Activision and development responsibilities will shift from Harmonix Music Systems to Neversoft Entertainment.
Like its two predecessors, the game will utilize a guitar controller to play songs. Activision has stated that the game is planned for release in the fiscal year of 2008, which stretches from March 2007 to March 2008.
Activision CEO Robert Kotick said that
Guitar Hero "would be arriving on every significant new platform."
On April 9, 2007, RedOctane published a comment on their support webpage concerning
Guitar Hero II's release date, stating that the PS2 and Xbox 360 versions had been released in November 2006 and April 2007 respectively. They then unofficially stated that "Guitar Hero 3 for the Playstation 2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii are currently scheduled for release in the United States in Fall of 2007".
On April 16, 2007, RedOctane founder Kai Huang confirmed the release platforms for
Guitar Hero III, as well as a Nintendo DS version of the game, to be released early 2008. Additionally, Huang revealed that all versions of the game will feature wireless controllers as well as online multiplayer and downloadable content.
On May 4, 2007, metal news site The PRP reported that Queens of the Stone Age, who have a new album coming in June, have been confirmed as appearing in several upcoming video games, one of which is
Guitar Hero III. (
Rock Band, produced by Harmonix, is also included in these titles.) This makes them the first confirmed band in the game.
On May 13, 2007, Canadian rock station 102.1 The Edge conducted an interview with rock band Velvet Revolver. During the interview, the band's bassist Duff McKagan revealed that possibly two songs ("She Builds Quick Machines" and either "Let it Roll" or "Get Out the Door") from their new album
Libertad will be featured in
Guitar Hero III.
Guitar Hero III was officially announced by Activision and RedOctane on May 23, 2007 for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360. There was no mention of the DS version, but the Fall 2007 release date was reconfirmed. New wireless controllers based on Gibson's Les Paul (PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360) and Kramer (PlayStation 2) models were also confirmed, along with removable faceplates that will allow players to personalize their guitar. Activision also avoided all mention of the title "Guitar Hero III," instead referring to the game as "the next Guitar Hero." Also promised by Dusty Welch, head of publishing at RedOctane, are "new online and multi-player game play modes", and that "many of the top bands and songs we've tried to get in the past are now on board, and we've definitely got some giant aces in the hole to say the least,"
On May 30, 2007, IGN revealed the wireless Les Paul controller, which will feature a removable neck for travel purposes. Additionally, new gameplay videos and screenshots were revealed. While the gameplay does not appear to have changed, the graphical display of Star Power and the streak/multiplier meter has been altered.
Battle Mode
IGN announced the game would feature a new multiplayer game mode called Battle Mode. The mode puts a twist on the traditional Pro Face-off mode introduced in
Guitar Hero II. Two players will face each other, trying to complete a song while successfully playing Star Power sequences to earn power-ups that can be used against their opponents. Players will be able to store 3 power-ups at a time and can activate them by tilting their guitars upward. If neither player fails the song, they will face each other in a sudden death segment. The power-ups will include:
- Broken string: One button on the opponent's guitar will not work until it is fixed (by rapidly tapping the button).
- Difficulty up: The opponent will play the song on an increased difficulty for a short duration of time (except for expert difficulty).
- Amp overload: The fret board will shake and appear blurry, making the scrolling notes difficult to read.
- Whammy bar: The opponent will have to use the whammy bar before he/she can play notes again.
- Steal power: This will steal your opponent's power-up.
- Double notes: The opponent will have to play twice as many notes for a short duration of time.
- Lefty flip: The fret board will be mirrored, requiring the player to switch their handedness on the guitar.
On May 23, 2007, Activision announced 11 songs that will appear in the game, and IGN revealed two more tracks on May 31. The list includes both cover songs (indicated by the phrase "as made famous by") and master tracks, featuring performances by the song's original artist.
bold denotes song performed by the original artist (all other songs are covers)
- "Barracuda" - Heart
- "Cherub Rock" - Smashing Pumpkins
- "Cult of Personality" - Living Colour
- "Even Flow" - Pearl Jam
- "Knights of Cydonia" - Muse
- "Lay Down" - Priestess
- "The Metal" - Tenacious D
- "My Name Is Jonas" - Weezer
- "Paint It, Black" - The Rolling Stones
- "Rock and Roll All Nite" - Kiss
- "Sabotage" - Beastie Boys
- "School's Out" - Alice Cooper
- "Slow Ride" - Foghat
In addition, bands confirmed to be contributing to the game include:
- Queens of the Stone Age
- Velvet Revolver
Concerning other bands, Huang also stated in an interview, "We've got a lot of songs and artists still that we would love to have. In particular, we've been trying to get Metallica, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin. So hopefully sometime in the near future, my wish and everybody's wish will come true and we can get some of their music in the game."
The Living Colour song, "Cult of Personality" was rerecorded (with a new guitar solo included) by the band after the master track could not be located.
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WOOOOOOOO, Paint it Black and Schools Out!
I hope they can get some Metallica, AC/DC and Zeppelin but knowing all three bands are incredibly crappy about their songs makes me doubt we will ever hear Stairway or Enter Sandman or Highway To Hell which is a shame.
Linear Mode
