Activision planning annual Bond games, 300% more Guitar Hero content
by Jem Alexander 
{ Sep 16th 2008 at 6:00PM }
*sigh*
While the headline says it all (and the image before the cut says even more), we thought you might like a few more details. Activision has announced that the James Bond series, starting with Quantum of Solace (which we were impressed with at Leipzig), will be an annual occurrence, despite the lack of movies to base the games on. Keep in mind that the reason QoS looks so intriguing is because it's been in development for over two years, not rushed out in less than 12 months. This decision isn't a huge surprise, though. This is the same behavior we've seen from Activision with series like Call of Duty and Guitar Hero.
Speaking of Guitar Hero, Activision has also told analysts that they plan on increasing their game and content output for the series threefold by 2010. That means you can expect more subtitled Guitar Hero titles, like Rocks The 80s or Aerosmith over the next couple of years. It also means that disc-based updates for the title are to be expected, rather than extensive downloadable content, the likes of which can be found in Rock Band. Sure, that new Metallica album you just downloaded for GHIII will work with World Tour, but what about Guitar Hero 5 and all games in between? We're guessing not.
Source - "Activision tripling Guitar Hero releases by 2010" @ Shacknews
Source - "Activision plans annual Bond titles" @ GI.biz
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wyvern84 @ Sep 16th 2008 6:05PM
This news is depressing, the industry is already saturated with GH and CoD games as it is. Having said that, Picard is my hero
Steve Childs @ Sep 17th 2008 3:46AM
So, in this credit crunch period Activision are obviously saving money by not having their employees come up with any original material!
Keep on milking those cash cows Activision, lets just hope for your sake, the milk doesn't curdle.
Rowdehaj @ Sep 16th 2008 6:15PM
That picture never fails. /facepalm indeed.
ItchyBarracuda @ Sep 16th 2008 6:14PM
GH is just pathetic now. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen delusional people actually think they know something about playing music because they play GH.
I suppose that is of course the reason for it's success, we live in a society that wants to live vicariously through someone or something else, pretending they're actually talented or something
The franchise is going into overkill, milk-for-all-it's-worth mode now, which is a typical business move for what is now the single biggest publisher in the world. They're "playing it safe" to remain number 1 instead of taking risks and further expanding the business opportunities....which is exactly what they had to do to overtake the competition in the first place. Ironic huh?
Ott @ Sep 16th 2008 6:37PM
wow...you put wayy to much brain power into ur comments
Roto13 @ Sep 16th 2008 6:59PM
Or not enough.
John-Paul-Jones @ Sep 16th 2008 7:08PM
@ Ott
Wow! Human beings actually using their "brain power" and *GASP!* thinking! Sorry, but you missed the Age of Enlightenment a few hundred years ago.
Justin @ Sep 16th 2008 7:49PM
Ott, you don't put enough brain power into yours. I prefer to read comments like ItchyBarracuda's to yours any day of the week.
LatinoLA1 @ Sep 16th 2008 6:14PM
well if this is true down the years, im guessing world tour will be my last sure buy from them, and then i have no idea ill just have to buy some other music game that wont rip you off too much...
Trying to release music games with little content on them,(since rock the 80s and aerosmith seem to not have big setlists) is a bad idea this will only get them less sells imo...
Araskaz @ Sep 16th 2008 6:16PM
That is the best thing to put before the break.
That was literally awesome. Great work just for that man.
jakob.falthammar @ Sep 16th 2008 6:29PM
Just another reason for me to buy Rock Band 2 instead of Guitar Hero: World Tour...Go Harmonix!
MakaiOokami @ Sep 17th 2008 4:09PM
It's official. Guitar Hero is dead.
People will now be playing Sellout Hero. If you see someone buy any of the new games call them a Sellout Hero. Anyone who buys the Sellout Hero titles are pethetic (except in PAL territories depending on the situtation availability and pricing)
Of course Activision is releasing the game somewhat timely to a degree in PAL territories. Harmonix just barely got out there. Hopefully Europeans will get a lot of reasonably priced DLC content. They deserve it. Actually they deserve like 20 dollars worth of tracks for free I would say...
Jawon @ Sep 16th 2008 6:50PM
Time to switch to Rock band 2.
bhillen2006 @ Sep 16th 2008 6:56PM
g h 4 the win
clif @ Sep 17th 2008 1:01AM
Well this clearly shows what happens when actvision gets a hold of brand names. It kills the brand. Tony Hawk was neat when it came out but then it seemed like there was a tony hawk game every 6 months.
So far EA is working well with harmonix not to kill rock band off.
Rock Band 2 is worth the money. It's better to wait until the GH: World Tour Disc is not 60 bucks.
But overall it's nice that sony stepped in as well as microsoft to make sure you don't need two or more of each plastic instrument to be able to play the games.
paul @ Sep 16th 2008 7:06PM
post of the century...epic win with picard
greg @ Sep 16th 2008 8:24PM
Activision ruined the GH franchise. I'm glad Harmonix is now working on Rock Band and producing quality music titles. I love RB2 and RB, but the GH series is now getting ridiculous. The market has too many Activision games such as GH and COD, except for the ones produced by Infinity Ward because they are actually good. Can't wait for COD6 lol.
mezzanine @ Sep 16th 2008 7:35PM
Guitar Hero: Sonic Youth? Guitar Hero: Lenny Kravitz? Guitar Hero: Pavement? Guitar Hero: Depeche Mode?
lorddshadow @ Sep 16th 2008 9:23PM
Techno Hero: Daft Punk?
LatinoLA1 @ Sep 16th 2008 11:28PM
Nice i would go for a techno hero: daft punk, just to see how it would be lol
deathxrebirth @ Sep 16th 2008 8:11PM
Good. Over-saturate, and kill this 'fad' off already. Sick of this stupid franchise (and Rock Band).
(although Synth Hero: Depeche Mode would be sweet) :p
Dahk @ Sep 16th 2008 8:09PM
It's obviously stated here, but seriously - most concise yet thorough post ever.
Herobotic @ Sep 16th 2008 8:35PM
CANCEL GHOSTBUSTERS PUT OUT GUITAR HERO: ABBA EDITION
War Machine @ Sep 16th 2008 9:01PM
Following the footsteps of EA, I presume. It might bring more profit to the company, but quality and originality go out the window. Case in point, Madden and FIFA games, each year you're supposed to buy the new one cause now it has a couple of new things to try and an updated roster.
*sigh*
Oh, well...
Jem @ Sep 16th 2008 9:08PM
Don't be so hard on EA. Sure, they have annual sports releases (so do 2K Games, btw), but they also have 2 great, original games coming out this Fall in Dead Space & Mirror's Edge.
EA is no longer the company that drives franchises into the ground. Activision's taken that crown from them.
Packfan @ Sep 16th 2008 9:36PM
No, EA just HOPES that a hit is developed by one of the 1000s of studios they buy out, and then if the idea catches on, they give the devs TONS of cash that basically forces them to pump out new iterations of the same game. DICE was decent back in the day and honestly, I'm buying Mirror's Edge because of its original concept, but the fact is if that game meets rave reviews and sales, then you'll PROBABLY be seeing another Mirrors Edge game with a slapped together story within 1 1/2 years.
HardBoiled @ Sep 16th 2008 10:36PM
* Facepalm *
haha Excellent Photo !
PeaTearGriffin @ Sep 16th 2008 11:57PM
Oh No! More guitar hero!?! This will mean the death of the franchise!!! If u want to be successful u have release one game every 6 years or so!! *coughfinalfantasycough*Cmon people, more g h = fail? wth......
Gex @ Sep 17th 2008 12:21AM
Is anyone else tired of all the music/rhythm games?
AtDIelement @ Sep 17th 2008 11:44AM
I'm still waiting for Guitar Hero: Rick Astley.
Rob @ Sep 17th 2008 9:07PM
So it's bad now that lots of people are into GH?? Interesting, I thought the extra content would be welcomed.
What I find interesting is that updates will be on disc someday. Going away from downloads, GH will increase disc based music sales, now that is ironic....