The Phoenix Network:
 
 
About  |  Advertise
 
Puzzles  |  Sports  |  Television  |  Videogames
unsexy2011_1000x50b

Guitar Hero gets a new developer

Insourced
By RYAN STEWART  |  February 7, 2007

072090_gh_main
On January 16, Neversoft, the video-game developers known primarily for the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise, posted a job opening for work on their latest project, Guitar Hero III, thereby inciting a stir in the video-game blogosphere. Local house Harmonix developed the first two games in the Guitar Hero (GH) rhythmic-simulator series. So the switch to a different developer seems curious, given that GH has become a hit: it’s even had a cameo on at least one network television show (Veronica Mars) and was blamed for at least one pro athlete’s injury (Detroit Tiger Joel Zumaya’s wrist inflammation). Why would those involved mess with success?

It probably has something to do with this: in 2006, GH’s publisher, Red Octane, was bought by Activision, the same parent company as Neversoft, and Harmonix was purchased by MTV. While he acknowledged that the companies’ new ownership situations led to “a natural and mutual decision to explore new opportunities,” Bryan Lam, Red Octane’s PR specialist, says the move extends beyond simple corporate synergy.

“We have only reached the tip of the iceberg of where Guitar Hero can go,” Lam told the Phoenix via e-mail. “Neversoft’s depth of experience developing other blockbuster titles will help lead us towards even greater success.” Moreover, Lam points out that Neversoft’s “larger team and diverse group developers will provide for even more creative awareness and increased feature-laden efforts.” (Harmonix declined to comment for this story.)

For those GH fans who are concerned that Neversoft will take their beloved game and turn it into something decidedly less rockin’, Lam had this to say: “[I]f you’ve ever played a Tony Hawk game, you’ll notice the music is just as immersive as the game play, and their selection of tracks and target demographic align seamlessly with Guitar Hero.” But will the game continue to rock? We’ll have to wait and see.

Related: Board meeting, The pile-up, Stick It, More more >
  Topics: Videogames , Entertainment, Internet, Tony Hawk,  More more >
| More

 Friends' Activity   Popular   Most Viewed 
ARTICLES BY RYAN STEWART
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   REVIEW: HOUSE OF LIES  |  January 05, 2012
    In a television landscape dominated by protagonists who are murderers, drug kingpins, serial philanderers, and other assorted life-ruiners, Showtime may have finally gone too far.
  •   INTERVIEW: TALKING THE WIRE WITH ROBERT F. CHEW  |  October 12, 2011
    Like many cast members on HBO's The Wire, Robert F. Chew is originally from Baltimore and therefore has firsthand experience with much of the urban decay the show depicts.
  •   BREAKING BAD KEEPS TOPPING ITSELF  |  October 05, 2011
    In this age of Hollywood business dealings breathlessly tweeted within minutes of their consummation, passersby cell phone set photos that reveal major plot points, leaked scripts and leaked episodes, Vince Gilligan has accomplished something rare indeed.
  •   THE 10 TV PREMIERES THAT’LL HAVE YOU GLUED TO THE TUBE THIS FALL  |  September 14, 2011
    Here are the highlights of this year's autumn TV contenders.
  •   REVIEW: WILFRED  |  June 28, 2011
    It's hard to say what's more surprising about Wilfred , FX's new comedy — adapted from an Australian series — about a depressed ex-lawyer (Elijah Wood) and his friend Wilfred, who he thinks is a man in a dog suit but who is, in actuality, a dog. Is it that the show exists at all, or that it's actually pretty good?

 See all articles by: RYAN STEWART

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed