Logitech crafting 'premium' Guitar Hero peripherals

by Randy Nelson { Jul 31st 2008 at 4:50PM }

In an effort to create more realistic fake instruments, Logitech is partnering with Activision on a line of "premium" peripherals for the latter's upcoming Guitar Hero World Tour. Multiple products are in development, although Logitech would not comment on exactly what they are, confirming only that the first of them will hit this year. Given that it already has the market cornered on USB microphones (nearly every music game's mic is made by Logitech) we're guessing all educated-like that guitars and drums are the core of the lineup. Also, while this news is obviously geared toward hyping World Tour, we're looking into potential Rock Band compatibility for the products.

The peripherals are being designed to work with every platform Guitar Hero World Tour is launching on, specifically PS3, 360, Wii, and PS2. Logitech gaming devices VP Bruce Lancaster likens this move to the one the company made with steering wheels for Gran Turismo, saying, "A few years ago, Logitech refined the consumer steering wheel market with high-end controllers that enhance racing games. Now we are looking forward to elevating the market for premium music-based video game controllers in a similar fashion." Here's hoping that one of the "premium" drumkit features is a steel kick pedal like the one used by our house band, the Blueberry Muffintops. What would you like to see?

Tags: guitar-hero-world-tour, hardware, logitech

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

MC Double Def DP @ Jul 31st 2008 4:57PM

isn't this starting to get a bit silly?

jsn @ Jul 31st 2008 4:58PM

is it?

Bob @ Jul 31st 2008 5:00PM

Yes, yes it is.

Haggard @ Jul 31st 2008 5:08PM

Competition in hardware for Rock Band and Guitar Hero is no bad thing. The more companies jump on the bandwagon, the better the products are going to be. Forget 1st party guitars that don't work with both games or 1st party drums that break - if 3rd parties want to sell their products to the hardcore of users they're gonna have to make them good.

bounchfx @ Jul 31st 2008 5:23PM

The only problem I have with this is the fact that there isn't one that's going to work across all of them and retain ALL the features for each specific game.. which is annoying as fucking hell, I don't want to buy two sets but it looks like I'm going to be required to (if I want to enjoy both games to their fullest)

unless somehow these Logitech controllers support RB I'm probably not going to stop being disappointed about this. I am, however, looking forward to the logitech instruments...

but I doubt they will be available at launch which basically means theres another set of drums I'll have to get. By the looks of things I'll have 5 different sets by Xmas.

Ugh...

Woo!! Can't wait till these games come out!

Tegolin @ Jul 31st 2008 4:59PM

Mad Catz making Premium Rock Band Instruments
Logitech making premium GH:WT Instruments

I'm not buying nothing but RB2 disc.

Nate @ Jul 31st 2008 5:26PM

Not buying nothing? Dude, seriously, grammar.

Tegolin @ Jul 31st 2008 6:11PM

I shouldn't type while playing a game.
OK lets try this again.

"I'm only buying the RB2 Disc."

YAY I passed the 1st grade!

On topic:
So before they release there MOST REALISTIC DRUM SET EVAR!
They are announcing a 3rd party substitute.

Heh {XBL: P4nic 4tt4ck} @ Aug 1st 2008 1:11PM

"So before they release there"

Keep trying.

Goo @ Jul 31st 2008 5:02PM

eventually all of these peripherals will end up looking like Terry Bozzio's kit. You should be able to connect all of em and make a voltron of rock awsomness

heres terry b's kit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxe-SWxDEcw

xGeneral DEATHx @ Aug 1st 2008 8:32AM

I want that kit.

Yuccadude @ Jul 31st 2008 5:02PM

Diamond-encrusted microphone confirmed?

goo @ Jul 31st 2008 5:03PM

eventually all of these peripherals will end up looking like Terry
Bozzio's kit. You should be able to connect all of em and make a
voltron of rock awsomness

heres terry b's kit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxe-SWxDEcw

Tom18230 @ Jul 31st 2008 5:21PM

Overkill much?

Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Jul 31st 2008 5:05PM

After buying Guitar Hero 3, the new Rhythm Games fad got so annoying,it convinced me to get buy a guitar.

And guess what, a full full set(Guitar + Amp) cost me as much as my Guitar Hero Bundle.Now I just have to learn to play the damn thing.

PS: Did any of you stop playing Guitar Hero because it felt too "wierd" now that you were learning on a real guitar?

Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ Jul 31st 2008 5:14PM

Went the opposite way here, have played guitar my whole life, so I didn't find anything weird about it. And if your guitar & amp both cost as much as a GH bundle, I'm sorry, no offense, you really didn't get very good gear.

Iwa @ Jul 31st 2008 5:20PM

As Markez said if you spent the equivalent of Guitar Hero for a guitar and amp, you bought a cheap guitar. Start saving now, you'll quickly outgrow that starter set.

mr mobius @ Jul 31st 2008 5:21PM

I only have a Squiee Strat and amp and they cost more bought as a package than GHIII and guitar - at leats twice more, so you really must have a poor guitar.

John Perkins @ Jul 31st 2008 5:28PM

He could have purchased a pretty decent set second-hand for that price. And there's no reason to spend a ton when you're just learning. What if you decide that it's not for you, and you never use the stuff? At least you're not out a ton of cash.

He could have also bought a decent new guitar for around $180 and got one of those mini practice amps. Not much more than the Rock Band bundle.

No reason to jump all over the guy for trying to keep to a budget before he knows if he really wants to take up the guitar.

Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ Jul 31st 2008 5:32PM

Hear ya John, wasn't meaning to jump on ol' Jakka here. Jus' saying. Made think of something funny tho, I'm really good at guitar, not bad at GH. Girlfriend can't really play guitar at all, absolutely ruins everyone at GH.

Nate @ Jul 31st 2008 5:33PM

So, now it's not just "go play a real guitar" but "go play a real guitar"?

Does his $100 guitar and amp not produce the same notes as yours? Should a complete newbie spend more than that without first learning the ropes and making sure he actually enjoys playing?

A $10,000 guitar isn't any easier to play than a $100 guitar (at least not significantly). So, don't berate the guy for getting in on the ground floor. At least he's actually doing it. I think that's awesome and deserves applause.

Neebs @ Jul 31st 2008 5:43PM

Picked up a bass (Not entirely as a result of GH) and no, it doesn't feel weird.

Slayer @ Jul 31st 2008 6:04PM

Speaking of guitars I just brought really nice one not too long ago.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/item/expandedimage.aspx?t=4&img=Schecter/229611jpg.jpg

Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Jul 31st 2008 6:20PM

Okay...since you guys are all "experts", does this look like a decent set? http://www.wesleyguitars.co.uk/storefrontprofiles/DeluxeSFItemDetail.aspx?sid=1&sfid=44184&c=282695&i=231365168

I was just lucky enough to get it for £55.It costs 2x that if the price really matters.

Ass Masterson @ Jul 31st 2008 6:42PM

I honestly can't imagine the kind of person who still plays GH or RB. Seriously, play a real instrument. It's a better investment of your time.

And for all the jackhats who will respond "Duh I'm gonna go fight in a real war instead of playing CoD4!!!" - please do. You need to go back to analogy school. Hint: when you're simulating something you're perfectly capable of doing (playing a guitar/bass/drums/singing), it's different from simulating something you're not capable of doing (singlehandedly saving the world from terrorism). Thanks.

Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ Jul 31st 2008 7:02PM

"I honestly can't imagine the kind of person who still plays GH or RB."

Well that just makes you an idiot. Also comical that you went on a game blog to post it. Please go look up the word 'analogy' and/or go back to analogy school yourself. Thanks.

Slayer @ Jul 31st 2008 7:02PM

@Ass Masterson

Not everyone is interested in learning the how to play real instruments or have the time to do so. People play guitar hero/rock band for fun just like any other game out there.

John Perkins @ Jul 31st 2008 7:41PM

Ass Masterson: "I honestly can't imagine the kind of person who still plays GH or RB. Seriously, play a real instrument. It's a better investment of your time."

How do you know what is, or is not a waste of my time. I can't afford the space, the audible intrusion, or the cost of a real set of drums. Playing Rock Band allows me to play along with some great songs, and have fun while I'm doing it.

I have a horrible time keeping rhythm. I'm simply not designed with any musical talent whatsoever. I have a guitar that I never play, because I simply didn't feel like I was making any progress, even with lessons. However, I can play the Rock Band guitar on medium with some friends and have a good time.

Not everyone can afford to learn a real instrument, as there is decent commitment in resources to start. And not everyone wants to learn a real instrument. Your comments are completely worthless, unnecessary, and lacking any real cognitive thought. Maybe it's better for you to go out and learn a real instrument, but that doesn't mean it's better for everyone.

Some people really just enjoy the "game" aspect of it. Would you say the same thing to people who "air drum" in their car when a song they like comes on the radio? Sometimes is just fun to pretend you're playing along with the song. And I'd venture to guess that these games have inspired a number of people to go out and learn real instruments (a couple people commented here that it inspired them to do the same).

I know I'm not a real musician, and never will be, but I can still have fun playing along. I don't have to practice 2 hours a day at Rock Band to be able to go over to a buddy's house and jam. I can play on easy and still have a good time without it sounding like we're killing farm animals with chainsaws. You're missing out on the fact that the game is "fun." Playing a real instrument is fun as well, but requires much more commitment than some people can, or are willing to make.

So please, shut the hell up.

xGeneral DEATHx @ Aug 1st 2008 8:38AM

@ Markez:

I was laughing at your comment about being good at guitar and decent at GH/RB because I myself am only decent at GH, but I'm better on the guitar, and a LOT better on the bass...although I haven't played either in almost 6 months. :-(

I have a lady friend, however, who owns EVERYONE at GH and RB, and she has no musical training whatsoever. I think that's owed to the fact that she has no preconceived notions or habits when she picks up the game.

Tim The Enchanter @ Aug 1st 2008 10:30AM

Jakka,
Whatever makes you want to play is the right guitar for you. Don't let others tell you what's good. The one you showed is not the highest quality set, but what matters is what you want. If it sounds good enough and plays well enough for you to want to play it more, then it's just what you need. I started to play on a really old, crappy and used guitar, and when I could afford it and my skill/use of it started to justify the purchase, I upgraded. If this works for you now, then rock on bro. The clip of it sounds pretty decent.

This is the latest one I bought: http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Electric/T5-Standard/

Not for everyone, but I bought it for me, not other's opinion of it. Same with my bass and my other guitar.

Tim The Enchanter @ Aug 1st 2008 10:34AM

@ John,
though I see what your saying, it's not much more resources required to learn an instrument than it is to buy and spend many hours playing GH or RB. The time played one could be used to practice the other. Buy a cheap guitar, find courses online and you can start. Or even if a friend can start you off.

Having said that, I've been playing guitar/bass for over 15 years, and I love GH and RB. It's fun to just get into it!

Heh {XBL: P4nic 4tt4ck} @ Aug 1st 2008 1:30PM

"PS: Did any of you stop playing Guitar Hero because it felt too "wierd" now that you were learning on a real guitar?"

Oh man, you have no idea.

Back when the original GH came out my friends had bought it. I came over one day and they were like, "Ray, we have this sick game, dude. It's like a guitar game." I went to play it with them, me playing on easy and them on medium. It had to be one of the most fustrating game moments in my life. The note chart was so slow I was getting bored, it didn't sound like how I played the song irl (Sharp-Dressed Man), the instrument felt small and cramped, and it felt more like bass hero than guitar hero.

About 2 months after that, and continuously getting schooled by all my friends, I picked up playing bass. My band already had a guitarist and we needed a bass until we could get another person in. Well, dunno what happened, but the bass seemed to improve my guitar hero skills. By the time GH2 came out I was playing on hard, beating all my friends, while still being able to play guitar/bass really well. A few weeks into the second GH I mastered expert. Everything from there on was easy as cake.

While it's was really weird pretending to play notes on such a small instrument, I eventually got use to it and got better. Rythem bass players should be good at the game, as the mechanics are about the same.

Luckily, RB fixed (almost) the guitar-size problem I had. The strat in RB is the exact same size as a mini-strat so, while it still feels really small, it's a step in the right direction.

You can tell size is a problem when you usually play on a 7-string, jumbo-fretted, guitar.

Currently riding this bitch:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-RG7321-7-String-Electric-Guitar-101859841-i1167515.gc

Jakka, your guitar is fine for a beginner. I haven't heard too much about that brand, but this is coming from the guy that bought a gibson as his first guitar so..lol.

"I honestly can't imagine the kind of person who still plays GH or RB. Seriously, play a real instrument. It's a better investment of your time."

I play both so piss off and die, retard.

Kennasaurus @ Jul 31st 2008 5:15PM

Whats next a keybored?

Jhongerkong @ Jul 31st 2008 6:24PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboardmania

Autopsy15 @ Jul 31st 2008 10:44PM

Wow. Keyboards. That's 10 times more extreme than Guitar Hero will ever be.

benbias @ Aug 1st 2008 12:09AM

premium peripherals are a great idea, but it needs to be done right. the biggest issue is cross-compatibility. each peripheral needs to work with all Rock Band and Guitar Hero games. Second is harder because some people prefer RB guitars, some prefer GH guitars due to the strum bar. Theyre gonna have to pick one and go with it. My ideal setup would be the GH strum bar with the additional "solo" buttons from the RB guitar. Finally, the drums. Would there be a way to have one drumset that worked adequately with both games?

John Perkins @ Jul 31st 2008 5:21PM

I like this idea. I'm open to the idea that multiple companies create devices to give me options. Virtually all of us agree that the Rock Band drums were poorly made. Competition for the peripherals should increase the quality all around.

If you don't want them, you don't have to buy them. But I really like that I can buy my drum kit from a company who focuses on peripherals, rather than a company who makes great software, but kind of lacks when it comes to hardware.

MechaDEVO @ Jul 31st 2008 5:25PM

Activision can go die in a fire. I want my Ghostbusters on time!

Maurice M @ Jul 31st 2008 5:25PM

If they actually created 1 Guitar To Rule Them All I'd buy into all this Rock Band/Guitar Hero hubbub bub.

Morning Toast @ Jul 31st 2008 5:29PM

From a buyer/player standpoint, this *is* getting a bit crazy. When I can buy a real instrument for less than a peripheral, it has then jumped the shark.

Not that I don't enjoy wanging on the fake drums, but I always felt the edge GH had is that a real guitar is hard to play. GH gave me a way to "play" guitar without having to learn how to play guitar. As we get into drums, singing, keyboards, tubas, whatever...it gets to the point where the video game no longer provides a fantasy but requires actual work and dedication --- and then you might as well join a real band.

These games should make up for my lack of musical skill, not require me to have real talent, which is where they seem to be heading. But I don't blame places like Logitech for making bad ass add-ons. If people will buy 'em, might as well make 'em.

Shagittarius @ Jul 31st 2008 7:03PM

Casual meet Core.

Autopsy15 @ Jul 31st 2008 10:47PM

I don't think that playing guitar or drums in a video game will ever match what real musicians do. After all, when you get down to it it's just pushing a button when told to do so.

Chase @ Jul 31st 2008 5:33PM

If these companies want to put out "premium" peripherals, so be it. It doesn't mean I'll have to buy them.

Bring on the cowbell!

Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ Jul 31st 2008 6:28PM

Wireled cowbell? With wireless, IMHO that'd still be terrible with the dongle coming out of console...

Also, this drum set? No kick pedal? No thanks...

...

*flees

Nate @ Jul 31st 2008 5:38PM

Competition benefits everyone. This is only a good thing for everyone. It means all components will be higher quality and/or lower price. Bring 'em on.

Hafk @ Jul 31st 2008 5:45PM

The only complaint I have is that Red Octane is a hardware company that has already created the best guitar controller on the face of this earth, and they don't need another company to make controllers with them. Even if it is Logitech. Just release a Cherry Red SG on every console and be done with it.

Now Electronic Arts and Harmonix NEED to have a outside company make guitars, because frankly, they don't know how. Those Strat controllers have done everything but fall apart in my hands.

jsn @ Jul 31st 2008 6:30PM

meh, my LP, which used to be the BOSS, has started dropping notes. I like my strat though. The only downside is no GH2 compatibility, which I like to go back and play from time to time, but maybe it's time to move on for good..

Hafk @ Jul 31st 2008 9:50PM

Yep. It's that damn detachable neck. I really hope they fix it. Having pins press against a flat board is NOT a good way to make a detachable neck. They should just use something like a 8 pin DIN connection like this: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/DIN-8_Diagram.svg

This would eliminate nearly all of the contact problems, since the male end (The base of the guitar) would fit snugly into the female end (The neck). This would eliminate your problems.

If you have decent soldering skills, and some spare wire, you can hard-wire your neck, and there will be absolutely no problems with the neck... However, you will never be able to take that neck off of the controller without ripping the wires.

Oddly enough, the Xbox 360/PS3 Les Pauls use 8 pin necks, and the Wii Les Paul uses a 6 pin. Also, the neck sockets are different, and a majority of Wii Les Paul users have had less neck problems with their controller. Must be the different socket and/or the 6 pins.