RedOctane site: Guitar Hero 3 coming in Fall '07

58 Comments by Kyle Orland Apr 10th 2007 10:35AM
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Rhythm

It's not quite an official announcement, but a posting on the Harmonix Suport Center site seems to point to a Fall 2007 multiplatform release for the inevitable third entry into the best-selling Guitar Hero franchise. Responding to a question about platform support for Guitar Hero 2, the RedOctane knowledgebase robot reveals that "Guitar Hero 3 for the Playstation 2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii are currently scheduled for release in the United States in Fall of 2007." [Update: As of this afternoon, this text has been taken off the site. But it was there. Trust us.]

We've long known that the new game was being planned for "every significant new platform," and more recently got all-but-explcit confirmation of a Wii version, but we're still kind of surprised to see the PS2 on that release list? Wasn't that system supposed to shrivel up and die in the light of all this fancy new competition? Then again, it would be a shame to let all those original guitar controllers and potential customers to go to waste. Speaking of which, how are Red Octane and new developer Neversoft going to handle the controllers needed for a four-platform release. Will each system get its own specially designed guitar, or could the somewhat touchy Xbox 360 USB controller be modified to be a universal axe? You'll know when we do.

[Image modified from ahjteam.com. Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

[Update: Fixed a stray reference to Harmonix instead of Red Octane]

Tags: GH3, guitar hero, guitar hero 3, GuitarHero, GuitarHero3, harmonix, neversoft

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

AirIntake: Apr 10th 2007; 10:38AM

Awesome. I'll pick it up.

Jake: Apr 10th 2007; 10:50AM

I hope they make many of them. I love it and already paid for the guitars. Hopefully the game only is somewhat budget priced, though it probably won't be.

Charron: Apr 10th 2007; 10:50AM

I'd like unique controllers per system. The PS3 could get a black Les Paul, and the Wii could get a white Flying V (Flying Vii!). They'd fit the console styles pretty well, I'd think.

Joel Kerr: Apr 10th 2007; 10:51AM

Somehow I doubt that the Xbox guitar with the Xbox Live button and logo on it will ever be allowed to be plugged in to a PS3 or Wii.

Dave: Apr 10th 2007; 11:03AM

I'm not really familiar with this game, but what could the third version bring? If you can download new content on Live, what's the point of a new version?

32_Footsteps: Apr 10th 2007; 11:05AM

Wait... I thought Harmonix wasn't involved with GH3. Why would they work on controllers for it?

Though if each one is getting its own shape, I want at least one to have the Gibson Firebird body. Can't explain it, but I love that look - especially with a sunburst, either cherry or sky blue.

JodyAnthony: Apr 10th 2007; 11:16AM

they need to release a rickenbacker 360 body. that would be sweet, especially since, you know, I can never possibly afford a real rickenbacker

JodyAnthony: Apr 10th 2007; 11:18AM

Joystiq, you just made me decide to use some wedding money this november for a rickenbacker 4003 bass. the sexiest most awesome bass the world has ever seen.

scott: Apr 10th 2007; 11:19AM

Yea with the release of the 360 version, I don't see the reason to release a third. It's the exact same game every year, but now it's different with the introduction of downloadable content.

Joel Kerr: Apr 10th 2007; 11:25AM

@scott

Yes, but you are assuming that they will still provide DLC for Guitar Hero II once Guitar Hero III has been released. My bet is no :(

JodyAnthony: Apr 10th 2007; 11:37AM

@scott
The following reasons make sense to me:
1)not everyone has their 360 connected to the net
2)they can release for all 3 consoles
3)they can sell a new guitar bundle to big fans of the game
4)they can sell a new guitar bundle to new fans of the game
5)although download content is cool, not everyone is going to keep going back and checking for more dlc.
6)(goes along with 5) when interest in gh2 starts to wane, they can drum up interest again with a new release.

rfom: Apr 10th 2007; 11:48AM

main reason: GH2 360 was simply to test out next gen features and guitars on the guinea pigs (360 owners) so that the PS3 / wii owners can get the perfect experience they deserve.

TheHostileDwarf: Apr 10th 2007; 11:54AM

rfom is such a fucking tool.

Dave: Apr 10th 2007; 11:58AM

@TheHostileDwarf

agreed.

BadVermin: Apr 10th 2007; 12:02PM

Dave - I'll third the notion.

Tyler: Apr 10th 2007; 12:09PM

No talking about downloadable content until they actually release some. It has now been "a week" after launch, and no new songs :( I needs me some GH1 with improved fretwork!

thrillho: Apr 10th 2007; 12:24PM

wii, ps3 and 360 all have usb ports, i think the usb will be all around, nintendo and sony just have to update to support usb controllers, which i think they will

Ocho: Apr 10th 2007; 12:28PM

The PS2 version is a pleasant surprise, despite having a couple of the newer gen systems, I don't need fancy graphics for Guitar Hero. Besides, trying to hide one toy guitar from my non-gaming friends is enough.

TheHostileDwarf: Apr 10th 2007; 12:30PM

@ Ocho

That's hilarious. And so true. I may be almost 30 and playing with a toy guitar, but I don't have to advertise it to everyone. It's like banging a fat chick or riding a moped.

Oncnawan: Apr 10th 2007; 12:42PM

@ HostieDwarf

You are such a PEST.

Aex: Apr 10th 2007; 12:43PM

@ender-01

You forgot:

PS2 - You don't have to buy another guitar! XD

actually that might go for the X360 version as well.

TheHostileDwarf: Apr 10th 2007; 12:57PM

I still like me.

MajMalfunction: Apr 10th 2007; 1:04PM

Shouldn't that be RedOctane and Neversoft instead of Harmonix and Neversoft?

Nathan Smart: Apr 10th 2007; 1:13PM

Of course Kyle writes this one...

Oncnawan: Apr 10th 2007; 1:21PM

@HostileDwarf

What kind of freakazoid would let someone hunt him just to collect $50,000?

Next question.

Irond_Will: Apr 10th 2007; 1:58PM

@Scott,

online multiplayer still needs to be implemented. I suspect that we'll see this in GH3. Maybe finally some wireless controllers too.

TheHostileDwarf: Apr 10th 2007; 2:15PM

Someone who could really use $50K

Ken: Apr 10th 2007; 2:16PM

@26

I love that movie... I don't care how bad people make it sound. :)

Christopher7xii: Apr 10th 2007; 2:57PM

I love Guitar Hero... Bought the first one nearly at launch, and the second one on PS2, and then the 360 version so I could D/L songs. A third though? I think I may have to pass. It's a principal thing. Releasing 2 of a game in April, then another one not even 6 months after that. Seems rather shitty to me. Really don't aim to support a company that pounds something to death by releasing a different VERSION of the same game once every season.

Think about it, last winter had Guitar Hero 2 for PS2. Spring we have Guitar Hero 2 on the 360. Supposedly before summer's end there will be a 80's Edition for the PS2, and then in Fall a version for Wii/PS2/360/PS3. That's ridiculous to me.

Alienhead: Apr 10th 2007; 3:02PM

Gimme a Les Paul

Neccy: Apr 10th 2007; 3:33PM

You wont need to buy a new guitar fo GH3, owners od the ps2 version of GH1 or GH2 will be able to use thier previous guitars, as will Xbox360.

It would be pretty stupid for them to change the controller system, i mean they definatly will release a new guitar bundle , probably a different style too, but exsiting guitars will be compatable.

some people already own 2 guitars for co-op, so what they would have to go out and buy a 3rd and 4th guitar.. no, becuase it's just not feasable.

jc: Apr 10th 2007; 3:38PM

Talk about a cash cow. If they handle it right, this game could be making more money year after year than madden. Probably with even less effort. Just keep crankin out the new songs and graphics. And every year they can sell a new updated guitar style.

More power to em. They have a winner here.

Adam: Apr 10th 2007; 3:45PM

Hrm, that's weird...

When you click the link that's listed now, this is the only text you get:

"Guitar Hero 2 for Playstation 2 launched 11/7/2006, Xbox 360 launched 4/3/2007 and both items are shipping now. Please check www.guitarherogame.com and www.redoctane.com for the most current information."

Looks like somebody at RedOctane told the whole world something they were trying to keep under wraps. Why else would they change it?

Dave Silva: Apr 10th 2007; 4:00PM

... So what will happen to Guitar Hero: 80's Edition? That's the main reason why I'm getting the Guitar Hero II set...

lukee: Apr 10th 2007; 4:31PM

What is this "Guitar Hero" everyone is talking about?

ender-01: Apr 10th 2007; 10:14PM

So let's see, this is what I expect:

Wii version - Wireless Guitar, but not top of the line graphics
360 version - Best online integration/achievements, good graphics. Wired Guitar.
PS3 version - Wireless Guitar, good graphics.
PS2 version - See Wii version.

All consoles will probably get unique songs as well, so people with multiple systems will have a reason to buy more than one copy.

davowavo: Apr 10th 2007; 11:06PM

i wood be really pleased if they changed the game style to the more cartoon look like on that recent 360 gh2 t.v add.. that wood look freakin awesome

K_G: Apr 11th 2007; 3:25AM

Why on earth wouldn't they make a PS2 version, given the existing base of Guitar Hero players probably 96% of them are playing it on the PS2. It is not like the game is so super complicated that it would be insanely difficult to port from one system to another, least of all the system with the biggest active base as well as being the platform they are most familiar with. What's more surprising is that they are doing a PS3 version, given the number PS3 owners who might be interested in this game but didn't bite during GH1 or 2 is likely pretty small number....However, if they came out with PS3 controllers that would actually allow you to play GH2 or GH1 PS2 games on the PS3, that would be a big step in the right direction.

John: Apr 11th 2007; 9:49AM

Anyone know if any other 3rd party guitars have been made for GH yet? I have a 360 version of GH and want to get another guitar but I want a wireless version. I know microsoft has been dicks about licensing out their wireless tech.

Benjamin Breeg: Apr 12th 2007; 4:22PM

I'll probably be picking this up for the Wii, but god dammit, they had better have Iron Maiden on the song list and feature the downloadable songs over the Wifi connection.

But for some reason, I fear 360 and PS3 versions will feature downloadable songs over the internet while Nintendo fails to fully flesh out its online functions and gets no GH3 support.

I like my wii, I'm just really dissappointed by how behind Nintendo STILL is with online functionality, not to mention having only 512mb of internal memory.

matt_chewy: Apr 20th 2007; 5:44PM

so can we use the guitar hero 2 controlkler on this game, iv got it on ps2 n love it, but i aint wasting money on another guitar as well.

Cheswick: Apr 23rd 2007; 1:50PM

From the sounds of it the Wii version is going to have a guitar that you plug the wii-mote into. Plus it will have d/l content which is good news.

FIRE68: Apr 24th 2007; 4:55PM

I just hope my GH2 guitar will work on the guitar hero 3 game

Michael Koehler: Apr 25th 2007; 2:09PM

You guys all need to shut the fuck up. You guys have some good ideas though. GH3 Will kick ass anyway. They will continue to make new versions and they will kick ass.

Kody Isherwood: Apr 26th 2007; 9:54PM

i think you should be able to buy the game and not the whole pakage with the guitar. i just bought guitar hero 2 and i was stoked because i just got it and it was new, now i hear gh3 is comin out, so now basically for 50 new songs... im ghonna have to buy another guitar and what not. being able to just buy the games so u have gh, gh2 and gh3 would be unreal!

shannon: Apr 27th 2007; 9:41PM

First off Kody, you can buy GH2 for PS2 with or without the guitar if you look around. Also, as pertaining why they should or should not make it for PS2, think about this. The most important aspect of the game is not graphics, but the experience of interaction. Sure, the PS3 has superb graphics to the PS2, but that's probably about it when it comes to what would decide the difference of the two versions. Speed, audio quality, etc are hardly the case between the two systems. If you make it for the PS2, either PS2 or PS3 owners can play it. If you only make the PS3 version, you're cutting off a huge percentage of the population who fell in love with the game to begin with. There's no way I'd go spend 500-600 just to play GH3 on PS3. I'm not even going to pay $300 for the cheap 360 to play it either. I know it'd probably be tedious for them to make it for so many platforms, but by keeping it on the PS2, they are most likely to keep ~90% of the current buyers, who bout them on PS2. By making it for the other systems, you then open up a new market for those who only have one system, or don't have PS2. Now once GH4 comes out, then it'd probably be smart to stick to the next gen systems.

Tanner: Apr 29th 2007; 12:10PM

they should make a les paul for the next guitar hero

Dark Blade: May 17th 2007; 11:47PM

BRING IT ONNNN!!!!!! GH2 was good but it lacked some of the nessesary songs it needed to be perfect!!! Bring on the METALLICA!!!

crisp0666: May 25th 2007; 2:49AM

If you guys haven't noticed their making a game called "Rock Band" From what it said on gamestop.com. Which features playing as a whole band like bass,guitar,drums,and vocals. But its in ridiculous price ranges you would have to buy the game $50 then buy 2 guitars atleast another $50each, a drum set for about $75, and a microphone for about $40 so thats $265 just to play with four people and thats not even adding the state taxes to it also.

Lindsey: Jun 4th 2007; 3:52PM

I love Guitar Hero!! I bought the ps2 from someone because i wanted it so bad. I have Guitar hero 2 and i want the original. I will deffinatly buy the 80's version and Guitar Hero 3....They should keep the same controller and in the future keep it on ps2. Yes, there are girls out there who bought the ps2 just for that game. And when they switch to upgrated platforms you are going to loose the original lovers of guitar hero. KEEP ON PS2!!!! forever!

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