More on Guitar Hero 5 song import, DLC support (Band Hero will do it, too)
by Randy Nelson 
{ Aug 10th 2009 at 1:00PM } 
Yes, Guitar Hero 5 is getting all modern-like and letting those who buy it -- and own other GH games -- access all those songs they already bought (on disc or in DLC form) without firing up another title. GH5 and the upcoming Band Hero will work with songs from the Guitar Hero World Tour and Guitar Hero Smash Hits game discs, along with GHWT DLC -- even on Wii.
PS3 and Xbox 360 owners who own GHWT will be able to download a free update from within GH5 that enables DLC backwards-compatibility (for 152 of 158 available tracks) and adds new GH5-specific features to their existing DLC. In order to rip the tracks from GHWT and SH discs will need to purchase what Activision says will be a "nominal re-licensing fee" and have the unique 20-digit code on the back of the games' manuals. As with Rock Band 2, all songs from the discs will be ripped to the systems' hard disks, but unwanted tracks can be individually deleted.
The process will be similar on Wii, with a couple noteworthy differences. First, DLC must be re-downloaded (to add new GH5 features, plus they'll sound better) either en mass or track-by-track to the Wii's internal memory or (thankfully) SD card. There'll also be an individual song copy option for importing disc-based songs from GHWT. Now to find out what those six DLC tracks that aren't supported are ...
PS3 and Xbox 360 owners who own GHWT will be able to download a free update from within GH5 that enables DLC backwards-compatibility (for 152 of 158 available tracks) and adds new GH5-specific features to their existing DLC. In order to rip the tracks from GHWT and SH discs will need to purchase what Activision says will be a "nominal re-licensing fee" and have the unique 20-digit code on the back of the games' manuals. As with Rock Band 2, all songs from the discs will be ripped to the systems' hard disks, but unwanted tracks can be individually deleted.
The process will be similar on Wii, with a couple noteworthy differences. First, DLC must be re-downloaded (to add new GH5 features, plus they'll sound better) either en mass or track-by-track to the Wii's internal memory or (thankfully) SD card. There'll also be an individual song copy option for importing disc-based songs from GHWT. Now to find out what those six DLC tracks that aren't supported are ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
captainprotonx @ Aug 10th 2009 1:06PM
The newest trend. How much shit can you import?
Can it import a kitten? Can it import AIDS?
dswill79 @ Aug 10th 2009 1:09PM
I think the better question, the one that is on everyone's mind, that they're too afraid to ask, is "Can it import a kitten WITH AIDS!!!"
oolz @ Aug 10th 2009 1:38PM
If Rock Band's upcoming title update adds an AIDS import, you can bet your panties that Guitar Hero 7 will have it.
eddienoteddy @ Aug 10th 2009 1:07PM
what's the fee, Activision???
Any more than $10, and well, I'm just not sure. ehh I'm a huge GH fan, I'd pay anything, but I dont *want* to.
Tony @ Aug 10th 2009 1:07PM
Too bad GH2 doesn't work. The 360 version had some nice additional tracks I'd like.
Kyattsuai @ Aug 10th 2009 1:14PM
Agreed. I'll admit, I'm on the Rock Band side of the fence, but I might be willing to jump depending on who lets me sing Possum Kingdom first.
False @ Aug 10th 2009 5:35PM
Smash Hits is the closest we'll get. It's all good, since we'll still get Freebird!
HippoHero @ Aug 10th 2009 1:10PM
Whoa! If you bitch enough maybe companies do listen.
Lame-ass fucking bitch "nominal re-licensing fee" fucker.
Matt @ Aug 10th 2009 1:10PM
Mmmm...wonder when we'll be gettin' some more DLC for Metallica.
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Aug 10th 2009 3:39PM
Haha good one! I'm sure Activision has long forgotten about GH Metallica...now they're "busy" with Van Halen, GH5 and Band Hero.
Str84rumBk (PSN) @ Aug 10th 2009 5:37PM
@CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw
dont forget DJ Hero :)
False @ Aug 10th 2009 6:26PM
However, I wouldn't mind GH Metallica being importable. The fact that they'd have to negotiate with Metallica again tells me not to hold my breath, but maybe they can at least make the non-Metallica tracks importable.
STONE COLD CRAZY!!!
WhatIsThatThing @ Aug 10th 2009 1:12PM
Ha, Activision once again dicks over a percent of the population; in this case it's those who bought it used with no manual.
Activision, going the extra step to make you pissed off, because we care. About your unhappiness.™
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 10th 2009 1:17PM
they arent dicking anybody that buys used and has the Manual.....I get my used games from GameFly and it comes with everything in the original packaging....hell considering they dont really MAKE money off of used games in the first place(DLC sometimes which isnt directly from game sells) I cant say that I blame them for requiring the code on the manual...
dark_inchworm (on Steam!) dark inchworm (on XBL!) @ Aug 10th 2009 1:18PM
If you bought it used, tough shit; Activision didn't see any dollar from you anyway.
Rocketboy @ Aug 10th 2009 1:35PM
I would think that the code is one-time use only.
Stan @ Aug 10th 2009 1:15PM
GH:Metallic has a code on its manual too. I hope they're able to license those songs as well.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 10th 2009 1:15PM
Nice....Now...what about all those with Arcade models?? thats gonna suck...
sony boy @ Aug 10th 2009 1:17PM
rent all the guitar heroes before this game came out and put the song in and then sell it back.
MystileArmor [Wiizer Sweatshop Bathwater and Sam Raimi Specialist] @ Aug 10th 2009 1:30PM
Ok, so you transfer songs into a game that isn't out yet, and on top of that you sell the rental back? Did you even think about what you just typed?
Manthal @ Aug 10th 2009 1:20PM
I think you guys are missing one of the big reasons for this...
"In order to rip the tracks from GHWT and SH discs will need to purchase what Activision says will be a "nominal re-licensing fee" and ***have the unique 20-digit code on the back of the games' manuals.***"
In other words, you can't buy the game used because the code will have already been used up. Need a new game with a new manual with a new code.
It's Activision, don't assume they're ever doing anything like this just for the consumer...
Jajuka2099 @ Aug 10th 2009 1:26PM
That's not entirely true; why would the code have already been used before there is ever a need to enter the code?
Martin @ Aug 10th 2009 1:35PM
Yeah, I'm gonna go code hunting, as there's no reason the codes would be used before now. I didn't even know they had codes on the manuals. It's called the Unique Owner ID.
False @ Aug 10th 2009 5:37PM
Why are you assuming that new copies of World Tour and Smash Hits won't be in the bargain bin within a few months, if they aren't already?
Jajuka2099 @ Aug 10th 2009 1:24PM
Activision went to the trouble to print unique codes on the manuals way in advance of there ever being a need to do so? Is there any chance it's the same # on all manuals and they're putting "unique" out there to scare us into buying copies of WT & SH? Can anyone with one of these games confirm the printed number looks "unique" and not a part of the rest of the legal text they usually put on manuals?
T @ Aug 10th 2009 1:35PM
I can confirm that each code is truly unique. Which is all the more reason to call BS on this "nominal fee".
The fact that they were printing codes as early as GHWT (look on the back of the manual) means they knew they were going to do this the whole time and didn't bother to ensure that the songs could be transfered at no cost to the user.
There is no need for a fee AND a unique code, as one or the other ensures that somebody has to pay for the rights to export. This setup only ensures that not only do you have to pay for the disc...but also the export on top of that.
Martin @ Aug 10th 2009 1:36PM
Yes, it's even called a Unique Owner ID. (From GH: M)
mietha CAG @ Aug 10th 2009 3:21PM
If by "way in advance of there ever being a need to do so", you mean, after Rock Band had already done it, then sure...
YoShI MuSt DiE @ Aug 10th 2009 1:25PM
Wait, this works on Wii too?!?! What has the world come to? But good news for me as I have a wii and will be able to use this feature also. Good work Activision. You made me happy (for now anyway....)
T @ Aug 10th 2009 1:28PM
AHAHAHA! Wow...Activision with the money grab.
RB1 only required a licensing fee because there was no unique code to prevent multiple exports. Hence they had to charge the fee to get back some of the losses the licensees would see from people exporting multiple times off a disc.
But a unique code AND a fee? Why do you need both? Because now you're requiring somebody to buy a copy of the game to export...so both Activision and the licensees are already getting the game sale.
Then you charge the fee on TOP of that? For what? I already bought the game! Just because you didn't have the foresight to see what HMX did (license songs for the platform instead of the disc) and apply that logic going forward...now I need to get double dipped?
Screw you Activision. You've managed to give everybody what they want without actually giving them anything.
Supercool4 @ Aug 10th 2009 1:30PM
For a "Nominal Fee".....sounds familiar, somebody get Tom Cruise
bub @ Aug 10th 2009 2:36PM
the main change im lookin for in guitar hero games is no star power. its cheating so bad, if u cant do the notes then practise. its stupid, use star power. hit 3 notes in a hard solo and u done the wholething >: (
Adam @ Aug 10th 2009 1:53PM
If you're that bothered about the fee then... DON'T PAY IT!!! just swap discs.
T @ Aug 10th 2009 2:04PM
It's not that Activision is charging a fee...it's that the fee is ALSO attached to a unique owner ID.
The only reason HMX had to introduce an Exportation Fee for RB1 was because at the time of it's creation they didn't anticipate including an exportation.
So they had to come up with a way of compensating for multiple exports off of one disc. The agreement was that they would relicense the songs (55 of 58) and charge a $5 to regain some of the losses that would come from people lending out their copy of the game to export.
However, Activision has been including these Owner IDs on the back of each GH console game since WT (check on the back of it, Metallica, and Smash Hits). Which means they knew they were going to do this all along.
This unique ID ensures that you can only export once per disc...meaning they found a way to ensure that a copy can only be exported once it's been opened and the code redeemed. This ties the exportation directly to the sale of the game.
However, they ALSO attached a "nominal fee" to export this content. Which means even if you own a copy with a functioning code, you STILL have to pay to transfer that music over.
And that is 100% BS.
gib @ Aug 10th 2009 1:55PM
Songs available for GH5 --
-GH5 disc = 85
-Previous DLC = 152 of 158
-GHWT (if you are lucky and they get ALL of the songs re-licensed) = 86
-GHSH (same qualifier as above) = 48
Total songs = 371
Songs available for RB --
-RB2 disc = 84
-RB1 disc = 55
-RB DLC = 700+
-RB Network = 1000s
Total songs = ???
Bean @ Aug 10th 2009 1:56PM
I use two consoles for playing Guitar Hero WT. I wonder if I well be able to import the songs onto both of them or will the Unique Owner's ID prevent the second import once used?
I don't mind paying the import licence fee twice but I am not buying two copies of GH:WT to get a second Unique Owner's ID code. Maybe the normal Xbox DLC licensing will apply where I buy one import license and can use that on further consoles so long as they are connected to XBL and the same profile used to purchase is signed in?
Jajuka2099 @ Aug 10th 2009 2:05PM
Found a used copy of WT on Amazon for $13. Any suggestions for finding a cheap Smash Hits, or at least a manual for it?
Cosmic @ Aug 10th 2009 2:46PM
Wait wait. So you have to OWN World Tour and Smash Hits to receive the code to be able to import the songs?
Another one of Activisions money grubbing tricks.
With Rock Band all I have to do is RENT RB1 to put the tracks on RB2.
**** you Activision
rambodude72 @ Aug 10th 2009 3:10PM
wow im gonna bitch about them adding the features i wanted but then i dont want it next ill complain the gold bars in my closet are too cold u guys need to not bitch so much at least they allow u to export the songs
Hxczuner (PSN i.d) @ Aug 10th 2009 4:19PM
The game isn't even out yet; maybe they'll have a change of heart and cut out the fee.
Please?
overflow @ Aug 10th 2009 7:23PM
change of what? :D
they are corporations i dont think they have a heart......
VaultICEE @ Aug 10th 2009 8:49PM
Does anybody realize that Band Hero and Guitar Hero 5 are NOT going to be compatible with each other now?
This is going to look bad in the long run, I can feel it...
Filthy Assistant @ Aug 10th 2009 10:08PM
I'll bet the non-compatible DLC tracks are the Hendrix or Raconteurs ones.
Just because they're the only ones worth actually having.
M. Dizzy @ Aug 10th 2009 10:35PM
Okay what about Aerosmith, Metallica, and all the other GH releases? Seriously, I doubt i'd buy another GH game evar if 5 doesn't support playing the songs from the other titles than just World Tour and Smash hits.
xbones0013 @ Aug 11th 2009 12:12AM
Activision always finds a way to ruin a good thing... I don't even keep the boxes for my games or manuals, i just put them all in a CD folder.. Thanks for allowing me to spend $60.00+ on your games, expecting me to follow your standards of living and hold on to clutter and then not allowing me to copy songs to another game I just paid $60.00 for.
Like you really need a manual to figure how to play these music games?
Reminds me of the documentary about ENRON... LOL @ Activision.. Bastards!
Sam @ Aug 11th 2009 10:06AM
Agreed I'll admit, I'm on the Rock Band side of the fence but I might be willing to jump depending on who lets me sing rather than playing some beats...........
http://www.electrocomputerwarehouse.com
Tez @ Aug 11th 2009 5:53PM
So the Death Magnetic album won't carry over?
Fuck yourselves, Activision.
jaison13 @ Nov 4th 2009 2:08PM
looks like you can use the code a maximum of 7 times. i went to gamestop. they had used copies of smash hits. while they don't leave the disk in the case, they do leave the manual. i just snapped a photo of the code with my phone and didn't buy it. went home and the code worked.
gh5 is good. i like the challenges in the songs and the play any instraments, tap ons, a lot to like. now that you can add more music it's catching up to rock band.