When Guitar Hero IV is released later this year, it may be harder to tell it apart from Electronic Arts' Rock Band. Guitar Hero IV will include a microphone for vocals and expandable kits such as drums for the Nintendo Wii, Sony PS3 and Microsoft Xbox 360.

Guitar Hero IV with Vocals for Wii, PS3, Xbox 360

By Peter Franklin
Apr 22, 2008 13:01 PM GMT
When Guitar Hero IV is released later this year, it may be harder to tell it apart from Electronic Arts' Rock Band.

Guitar Hero IV will include a microphone for vocals and expandable kits such as drums for the Nintendo Wii, Sony PS3 and Microsoft Xbox 360.

The Guitar Hero franchise is more popular than ever, but the music game is facing tough competition from Rock Band. How will Activision's guitar-only game stay competitive in the face of Electronic Arts' band-in-a-box? When Guitar Hero IV is released later this year, it may be harder to tell the two products apart.

Speaking in the May issue of Conde Nast Portfolio magazine, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick revealed some of Guitar Hero's plans. Other instruments are apparently getting the Hero treatment, including vocals. The fourth installment of the franchise will also let players jam along with local bands from their area.

"It's not just about guitars," Kotick says. "We'll include a lot of other instruments, vocals. It will help us expand internationally. It's the first game we've had in which we can use local content and local bands."

This corresponds with information Joystiq has received from a source close to the company, who tells them that multiple instruments – including a microphone and drumkit – will be a part of the next Guitar Hero game, likely to be called Guitar Hero IV despite its focus on multiple instruments.

We'll update as soon as we know more.

Filed Under:   Activision News   Xbox 360 News
When Guitar Hero IV is released later this year, it may be harder to tell it apart from the two products apart.