There would have to be some kind of fee that goes to MS since there is a potential to lose Live subscribers if GH players can get their tunes outside the service.

I've always wondered why no retailer has stepped up to offer up exclusive tunes on the download kiosks. Using the memory unit like that always seemed like a missed opportunity for me.

5/5

They could certainly do a subscription model, but I just don't see why the console manufacturer would allow them to do it on an Activision service. It could be like the music games, where they have their own "store" within the game, but the financial details are handled by Live/PSN. The company that makes the console charges license fees and has to approve anything that gets released for it, and that extends to DLC as well. When a developer creates a patch for a game, they can't just release it without getting it approved by Sony/MS first.

Another reason they created these services is to make things easier for the consumers. You have one account, and you give your credit card info (or points from a card) to one company, and then you can buy anything you can download for the system. They wouldn't want different third parties handling all this, since you'd have to give your info to each one and go to different servers. Imagine if they had to put disclaimers like "not redeemable for Guitar Hero" on the points cards.

Having to deal with Sony/MS just goes along with making games for their consoles. They could do their own service on the PC since it's a lot more open, but who plays the PC version of GH anyway?

Gamestop lists GH: Van Halen for 7/28 release.

I didn't expect this so soon

Why not? It's Guitar Hero and Activision, of course they are going to continue to flood the market with these titles until the well runs dry!

Your link shows nothing.

It did up to an hour and a half ago when I sent it to a coworker. Did you try it in the other thread this morning when you first commented about Motorhead?

n/m, according to Joystiq they pulled it. They nabbed a screenshot (exciting!) for anyone that wants to see it. There was no box art, BTW, just a placeholder.

I'm surprised this is being released that soon, and even more surprised that Smash Hits is being released on 6/16.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but part of the reason for the Band-specific titles in GH may be with the bands making a truckload of money off the titles.

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/...for-aerosmith/

They also saw catalog album sales up 40% in the week after the game was released.

He also noted that the game solved Target's problem of too much empty space on its clearance shelf.

I never go to Target, is it still quite plentiful on clearance there? I still haven't play GH:A, but for under $10 would be more than happy to nab it.

It was. I doubt you'll find it anymore.

Then why the hell isn't there a KISS one yet? Gene's gotta be working on this some how. KISS would be perfect not only because of all the guitar driven catchy-riff songs but the stages, character make-up, and costumes lend itself to a video game far more than the other groups chosen so far.

Imagine having the stages for the Destroyer or Love Gun tours with all the costumes, explosions, Peter's giant rising drum kit, Ace's flying guitar, Gene puking blood and spitting fire and Paul dancing around like a maniac with his massive Jew-fro from those years.

And imagine...unlockable costumes and make-up...or create your own. The infamous Hawk or Lone Ranger make-up. And who wouldn't want to be the Ankh? Well...not me but I am sure someone out there would want that.

C'mon Gene. Get with it or this gravy train might pass you by.

I'd be all over GH:KISS.

Seems like it would be pretty easy to master, but still fun.

KISS: RB would be so much better though.

Agreed. If Harmonix could snag The Beatles AND Kiss, that would be a serious blow to GH. Well, really, the Beatles by themselves are already a big blow to GH, but Kiss would be the icing on the cake.

I've been a HUGE KISS fan since 1974 so this would be the ultimate for me as well. I think they have plenty of songs that are 'popular' enough to fill the game, as well as some superb lesser known titles. Mmmm, God of Thunder would be the shiznit!!

I think it is in the works at one of the camps since there is a dearth of DLC or even on disc tracks from KISS. For a band that is a whore for money, there has to be a reason for their absence.

Best Buy has had it and GH:III for $9.99 each on their website for the last couple of weeks or so.

Achievements: http://www.destructoid.com/guitar-he...s-130367.phtml

Have You Seen His Grades? 5 GP (Complete a tutorial level)
It's Alive 5 GP (Unlock Eddie's Frankenstein guitar)
Ouch! 5 GP (Create a custom tattoo)
Intruder 10 GP (Complete the career intro)
Van Halen 10 GP (Complete a career on Beginner, Band or Solo)
Every Band Wants Some! 10 GP (Complete a song with the full band, 4 player band)
They Ran With The Devil 10 GP (All band members get a 50 note streak at the same time)
Somebody Get Them a Doctor 10 GP (Hit 100% of the notes in a song as a band)
Atomic Power Punk 10 GP (All band members activate star power at the same time)
Hung High 10 GP (All band members earn 8x multiplier at the same time)
EVH 10 GP (Unlock all of the Van Halen instruments)
The Broken Combs 15 GP (Complete a gig in West Hollywood)
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Dallas 15 GP (Complete a gig in Dallas)
Far Away Lands 15 GP (Complete gigs in London and The Netherlands)
The Space Brothers 15 GP (Complete gigs in Los Angeles and Rome)
Van Halen II 15 GP (Complete a career on Easy)
Jump 15 GP (Complete all Van Halen songs)
Rock Out Big Cities 20 GP (Complete gigs in Berlin and New York City)
Unchained 20 GP (Unlock all Van Halen characters)
Women and Children First 25 (Complete a career on Medium)
Fair Warning 35 (Complete a career on Hard)
The Tour is Ending 35 GP (Complete a majority of the gigs)
Diver Down 45 GP (Complete a career on Expert)
1984 55 GP (complete a career on Expert+)
The Wood Shed 60 GP (5 star guitar for 'Little Guitars,' 'Cathedral,' 'Spanish Fly,' and 'Eruption' on Expert)
316 65 GP (5 Star all Van Halen songs on Bass Career)
Diamond in the Rough (5 Star all Van Halen songs on Vocal Career on Expert)
Double Bass Master 75 (5 Star all Van Halen songs on Drum Career)
Guitar God 100 GP (5 Star all Van Halen songs on Guitar Career) expert
5150 100 GP (Complete all Van Halen songs on every instrument)

As I was reading through those, I began to sing Nerf Herder's Van Halen in my head. Any chance that'll make it to this game? Would be epic, in my opinion.