Rhythm rumor: Activision trademarks 'Guitar Villain', 'Drum Villain'
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jan 18th 2007 at 9:40AM }
According to CVG, two trademarks filed by Guitar Hero publisher, Activision, have recently popped up on the US Patent and Trademark office website. The two names, Guitar Villain and Drum Villain, are linked to "computer game software" and "games sold with electronic guitars," both apt descriptors of everyone's favorite couch-jumping rock sim franchise.
Though these trademarks could simply represent a move by Activision to protect their brand from similarly titled knock-offs (eg. Instrument Protagonist), a diversification of the brand seems more likely, especially with Neversoft getting involved with the main series. There's still that mysterious port on the Xbox 360's X-plorer guitar to consider, not to mention the possibilities (and dire need) of a drumming game on the Wii. Keep your eyes and ears open.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Flute Suit @ Jan 18th 2007 10:10AM
Let the milking commence!
Zoot Suit Jedi @ Jan 18th 2007 11:11AM
Alas, my dreams of seeing "Glockenspiel Gods" may be crushed by this little manuever.
Thanks Activision.
trent @ Jan 18th 2007 11:40AM
i wonder what villian could mean if it was actually a new game....
gotjpeg @ Jan 18th 2007 10:45AM
Meh who cares the series is pretty much dead now after they gave it to neversoft now.
copa @ Jan 18th 2007 10:56AM
I think we the gamers are going to lose out on this one. The MTV/Harmonix coalition has the creative drive and the talent to create fun music gaming experiences.
Unfortunately, the Activision/Red Octane/Neversoft coalition has all of the intellectual property that Harmonix needs to realize the logical progression of their game concepts.
The two entities don't seem to be on great terms. Harmonix was bidding to develop GH3, but Activision shut them out because it was cheaper to do 'in-house'.
I'm afraid that the next few years are going to see Activision churn out several uninspired sequels, and Harmonix spending a long, long time in development. Harmonix will have to start from scratch with some completely original properties to avoid a bunch of drawn-out lawsuits from Activision.
32_Footsteps @ Jan 18th 2007 11:40AM
Meh, Guitar Villain would never get off the ground. Megatron and Mumm-Ra would constantly argue who got to be lead guitarist and who got to be rhythm, Shredder would keep ruining the bass when trying to use his gauntlets as picks, and Cobra Commander would be a total diva as the lead singer.
Flute Suit @ Jan 18th 2007 11:36AM
Any hope for Dulcimer Demon or Didgeridoo Demigod?
baby sea tuna @ Jan 18th 2007 11:46AM
Big ups for that picture.
KaneRobot @ Jan 18th 2007 12:12PM
That picture is awesome plus 5.
Don't get too overzealous about this news. Maybe it's just a preemptive strike to prevent someone from creating a ripoff game with a title like that.
Really, "Guitar Villain?" That doesn't even make any sense. What this news does seem to imply, though, is that Drum Hero is on the way.
Kspraydad @ Jan 18th 2007 12:20PM
Guitar Villain ??? They use guitar in hiphop?
deaftly @ Jan 18th 2007 1:50PM
fantastic picture
dpcough @ Jan 18th 2007 8:24PM
It seems as Activision is hurting the franchise more then hurting it. First Red Octane is taken out of the picture, now Harmonix and two stupid new names. Keep the game Hero not Villian. I don't like Neversoft developing the titles, it should stay where it started as Neversoft produces Tony Hawk spinoffs every year that are the same exact game almost, I don't want that happening to Guitar Hero or Villain, whatever the hell they decide to call it.
DarkCalx @ Jan 19th 2007 3:15AM
this could be the first (not counting 1980s edition) genre spinoff. if it is, im guessing it'd be a metal version.
Aux @ Jan 19th 2007 1:47PM
Coming Soon from Activision: Guitar Villain! Play horribly and sabotage your band's efforts to play awesome cover songs and keep them playing in their parents garage FOREVER!!!