Red Octane's rags-to-riches story ends in acquisition [update 1]
by Vladimir Cole 
{ May 10th 2006 at 4:00AM }
Red Octane, publisher of the smash-hit Guitar Hero game was sitting in the ghetto of E3's Kentia Hall this time last year. Today, Activision announced that they'd be acquiring the company (and the Guitar Hero franchise along with it) in order to build an "early leadership position in music-based gaming." Cha-ching, hip swing.We're predicting that more publishers go on an acquisition jag during this time of lean. The console transition is cruel to publishers and developers both, but we gather that some publishers are still sitting on sizable warchests that they mean to put to use by snapping up smaller companies who've shown promise (or who hold the rights to hot franchises).
Chances are, this also means that future iterations of Guitar Hero will launch on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (instead of the PlayStation only).
[Thanks, CheapyD]
[update 1: cleared up publisher/developer confusion in the first paragraph.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Danno @ May 10th 2006 4:06AM
Guitar Hero on the 360? (That is, "Danno gets to play Guitar Hero?")
Survey Says: FLIPPIN' SWEET!
JPRacer @ May 10th 2006 4:18AM
Red Octane is not the developer of Guitar Hero but the publisher. Harmonix is the developer. Red Octane is a hardware developer, like the guitar in Guitar Hero and DDR dance pads.
murph @ May 10th 2006 8:39AM
if there's anybody who can beat a million sequels out of a franchise, it's Activision. so this might be a good thing. at least until Guitar Hero 23: Abba Edition.
that being said, if this is what it takes to get an X360 edition of Guitar Hero with wireless guitars and downloadable songs, so be it.
Ford Dent @ May 10th 2006 11:05AM
The possiblity of Guitar Hero on the 360 has basically assured that I won't have to get a PS3. Ever.
Wii, then 360, then sit back and play games until my eyes bleed and my hands fall off.
bryandc @ May 10th 2006 12:38PM
anybody know what this means for red octane game rentals?
White Rose Duelist @ May 10th 2006 1:03PM
Harmonix has said that they would rather make expansions for Karaoke Revolution than new games. Hopefully that can happen with the 360/PS3 Guitar hero games.
Levi @ May 10th 2006 1:47PM
To #3: I have to wait til Guitar Hero 23 for an ABBA version? I want it now!
"Can you hear the drums Fernando?"
Ebola @ May 11th 2006 12:45AM
I liked the game when it was first called guitar freaks.