Guitar Hero III PC/Mac hybrid 'later this year'

by Christopher Grant { Nov 14th 2007 at 9:32PM }

While it may seem like everyone and their roadie already picked up a copy of Guitar Hero III earlier this month – what with $115 million in sales in the first week alone – Red Octane and Activision aren't even through with their brutal march towards total platform saturation. Though the peripheral-laden DS version is still undated, the PC version was released on Tuesday; unfortunately, the Mac version – now revealed to be a magical PC/Mac hybrid disc – won't be available until "later this year" according to Aspyr, the developer porting the game.

When asked what will happen to the current PC-only SKU when the hybrid variant is unleashed, Aspyr told Joystiq "the hybrid PC/Mac version will eventually replace the PC-only SKU." Aspyr is aiming to have that version on shelves this year (we assume bundled with the PC version's wired X-plorer guitar and priced at the same $79.99) but we also worry the veteran Mac developers have their hands full with their just announced Xbox 360 port of Supreme Commander.

Tags: Activision, Aspyr, GH3, Guitar-Hero-III, GuitarHeroIII

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1up_clock @ Nov 14th 2007 9:40PM

Why in the name of Ronnie James Dio does the PC version come with an X-plorer and not a Les Paul?

If I want to pretend to be a musician who is somehow better than Slash, Gene Simmons AND The Lord of Evil himself on a PC, I would hope to get the same treatment as everybody else.

Jeff @ Nov 14th 2007 10:10PM

Didn't read your post until I made mine. Wholeheartedly agree with you.

The reason, I guess, would be that the white xplorer is USB while the new one is ubermicrosoft/bluetooth powered. Or whatever. In reality, I'd imagine it's that they have a huge leftover supply of the xplorers, and they're trying to offload them onto PC users and console-gamers trying to save $10.

Sure, you could argue our bundle is already $10 less. But c'mon, we should be getting $20 off if we get the crappy guitar too. Minus $10 for lack of licensing fees, minus $10 for shit guitar. Same option 360 users are getting.

Jeff @ Nov 14th 2007 10:07PM

My prayer: that this PC/mac hybrid comes with the new guitar. I own an actual explorer bass, but I've always despised the white xplorer on aesthetics alone. Add to that the fact that the new ones are better (imho), and it's a disappointing combination that kept me from buying this.

Psygnosis @ Nov 14th 2007 10:15PM

Is the PC X-plorer any different from the Xbox X-plorer?

Daran @ Nov 14th 2007 10:51PM

I really doubt it, as was said above, their both USB and Microsoft peripherals are usually cross compatible.

Jeff @ Nov 15th 2007 8:08AM

They're the same.

Adding to the level of BS: If the game was sold separately, we could buy it and a cheap, used white xplorer from someone upgrading to guitar hero III. It's such a money grab its ridiculous.

Dan @ Nov 14th 2007 10:52PM

What does supreme commander have to do with this ??

Einhanderkiller @ Nov 14th 2007 11:13PM

Not much. Aspyr are simply publishing it. Hellbent Games are developing it.

Sentry Gun (Jesus) @ Nov 14th 2007 10:55PM

i wonder if there will be any good mods on this version

Jeff @ Nov 15th 2007 8:09AM

I'm sure there will be. Huge games, no matter how hard, get cracked. Besides, we have frets on fire, partially negating the need for mods.

That being said, I don't need this until I can get a badass new controller like everyone else. All of my friends have it-- I don't mind mooching.

Deuz Augustine @ Nov 15th 2007 12:48AM

Too bad it won't run on the MacBook, the Mac everyone owns. Like me. :\

wickedpheonix @ Nov 15th 2007 11:06AM

I think the real question is, if we get the PC version now, will we be able to send in the PC only disc along with say $5 shipping and handling in order to get one of the hybrid PC/Mac discs when that comes out? Especially since it looks like the guitar will be the same for both versions... although if the hybrid version will include a Les Paul (wired or wireless, I don't care) then I'll wait.