It was tempting at first, but I'm not going to use an "axe" pun over Activision's decision to end Guitar Hero. Now, if only I can think up a totally awesome "shred" joke….
News Blips:
Activision won't release any downloadable content for Guitar Hero games past February. Following yesterday's development of Activision's Guitar Hero franchise being given the big kaibosh (for this year, at least), the game's official Twitter account stated that "previously announced DLC track and mix packs for February" will be released, "but we will not be able to release new DLC packs." During a conference call with investors yesterday, Activision blamed "continued declines in the music genre" for Guitar Hero's demise, propagating a "desire to focus on the greatest opportunities that the company currently has to create the world's best interactive entertainment experiences." In other words, Activision is piling the majority of its resources behind the Call of Duty series and World of Warcraft, a business decision that evokes subconscious images of eggs and wicker baskets.
BioWare considers World of Warcraft a "touchstone" in measuring its upcoming massively multiplayer game Star Wars: The Old Republic. Speaking at the DICE Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, company co-founder Greg Zeschuk said that WOW exemplifies the de facto standard of the genre. "It has established standards, it's established how you play an MMO," he said. "Every MMO that comes out, I play and look at it. And if they break any of the WOW rules, in my book that's pretty dumb." Zeschuk went on to explain that SWTOR isn't seeking to usurp WOW's throne, only to be a viable alternative. "The audience will tell us if we have a place," he said. Pretty humble words for a guy that heads one of the most successful RPG companies out there. [GamesIndustry.biz]
DJ Hero creator FreeStyleGames says, "No decisions have been taken" following Activision's closure of its Guitar Hero section. Founders David Osbourn, Jamie Jackson, and Chris Lee stated that the company is "actively working with Activision on various options going forward," but didn't provide any additional details. I'm sure if they had only released a forced hybridization of remixing Call of Duty sound effects, things would have gone differently. [GamesIndustry.biz]
Fox News' none-too-subtle slam on Bulletstorm avoided balancing arguments to maintain its anti-gaming stance. Scott Steinberg, lead analyst and chief executive officer of video-game consulting firm TechSavvy Global, was sent a batch of questions by article author John Brandon in order to gauge the justification for the game's blatantly explicit content. But don't bother looking for Steinberg's answers in the story — none of it shows up anywhere. Continue after the break for a portion of Steinberg's responses.
"Question: Do you think the game goes too far, why or why not?"
"Answer: No – because it's an unapologetically and straightforwardly satirical game meant for discerning adults that's written in the vernacular of the times and speaks in a cultural context that's the same as that its target audience has long been indoctrinated in by mainstream media and pop culture.
"From Saw to South Park, look at what passes for modern entertainment at the movies or on basic cable, let alone on the Internet – this isn't the first blockbuster (or big-budget game, for that matter) to aim below the belt or slather on the salty language. Yes, it's shameless, but also knowingly so, because it actively aims to parody much of both the gaming field and larger cultural zeitgeist's more asinine elements.
"The designers make no secret of their intentions, or to whom the title caters – The Oregon Trail, this isn't. The giant M for Mature rating on the front of the box says it all: Only discerning adults need apply."
"Question: Is the only answer found in better parenting (telling your own kids they can't play the game) and ratings boards? Or is there something else that should be done?"
"Answer: The answer, as ever, lies in education: Being acutely aware of what and how your children play, and the manner in which they do so, which requires maintaining an open-minded perspective and taking the time to spend time with your kids, their games and the systems which play these titles.
"A multitude of resources exist from the ESRB to WhatTheyPlay, FamilyFriendlyVideoGames.com and Common Sense Media, as well as leading review websites such as IGN, GameSpot and 1UP, which can help provide more info on today's top titles, trends and topics.
"Not only can all help provide insight into children's interests, motivations and the manner in which they consume game content, but the context needed to help steer them towards other, more appropriate titles which might better fit their age range or pique their interest. As with movies, albums and books featuring explicit content, you can help steer kids towards more viable substitutes that are equally compelling for healthier or more constructive reasons."
"Question: Is Bulletstorm one of the more egregious examples are are there a lot of other more violent games?"
"Answer: Like comic books, rock-and-roll and film, videogames have long been subject to vilification for their subject matter due to popular misconceptions that they're meant for children, when in fact the average player is actually a mature, discerning adult in their mid-30s.
"Accordingly, there's been a long and storied range of titles featuring graphic and violent content (among other, more mundane subjects and fanciful topics) that speaks to this audience, just as there have been a long and storied range of films and TV shows (see: The Godfather, The Sopranos, every horror movie stocking movie store rental shelves since the '70s, etc.) that speak to moviegoers with more adult tastes.
"From Postal to Grand Theft Auto 3 to Scarface: The World is Yours, you could cite a grand history of supposedly 'egregious' games dating back to the halcyon days of early arcade and computing hits such as Death Race and Leisure Suit Larry. But the reality is that the vast majority of all games produced are perfectly suitable for children and adolescents.
"Bulletstorm just happens to be one of many examples that fall into the category of games for mature audiences, but it's hardly among the more head-turning ones, as those who've played previous outings such as human prey simulator Manhunt 2 can attest."
Got any hot news tips? Send 'em over to tips@bitmob.com.