Joystiq

Gene Simmons of Kiss teases Angry Birds game, makes total sense

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

While we've been blissfully ignoring Kiss frontman Gene Simmons since his last appearance on The Simpsons, he's been busy transitioning his band from 1970s stadium rockers into a crosspromotional love gun. Take, for example, Kiss Hello Kitty (which is apparently a thing?). We're not quite sure what to make of it either.

And when asked about the band's movement in the video game world, Simmons sounds ready to jump in. "We're talking with Sony games now. We are really trying to take it in areas that haven't been done before," Simmons told Industry Gamers. "[We] have stayed out of the marketplace because the ideas simply weren't exciting enough." Sounds like somebody's never played hit Aerosmith crossover Revolution X. Perhaps he's more of a Paul of Duty kinda guy?

But while the likes of Skyrim and Mass Effect haven't convinced Simmons, apparently Rovio's Angry Birds was just thrilling enough. "We're talking with Angry Birds ... Kiss and Angry Birds, which will become a deal," Simmons revealed. But despite upcoming Kiss-branded Archie comics and golf courses in Las Vegas, Simmons added, "Just because there are games, and just because there's this or that out there, unless the deal is right and unless the content is exciting to our fans, we don't do it." We imagine he winked at the interviewee a bunch after saying that, though. He had to, right?

Gene Simmons of Kiss teases Angry Birds game, makes total sense originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Guitar Hero 6 dropping playable musicians, will work with previous DLC

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:00:00 EST

Details about the upcoming sixth iteration in the Guitar Hero series (that is, if you don't count various spin-offs) have begun landing on the web from Official Xbox Magazine UK, reports GoNintendo. As Kiss' Gene Simmons proclaimed earlier this year, it seems he'll be emceeing the game. Alongside his appearance, Queen, Black Sabbath and Metallica's Lars Ulrich will also be showing up, though rather than being featured as playable characters, the various rockers will be recruitable characters for guidance through the game's campaign ("Quest Mode") -- that whole multiple lawsuit thing certainly couldn't have hurt Activision's decision, right?

Maybe most important of all is the inclusion of legendary New York City club CBGB (& OMFUG) as the game's "only real-world location" (at least to this former CBGB attendee), but we suppose you're probably more interested in hearing that "previous DLC" will allegedly be playable in number six ... or whatever. Activision wouldn't confirm the details with us, but you OXM UK subscribers are welcome to re-confirm the report's legitimacy in our comments section below.

[Via MTV Multiplayer]

Report: Guitar Hero 6 dropping playable musicians, will work with previous DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 May 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gene Simmons: 'I'm the voice of Guitar Hero 6'

David Hinkle — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:09:00 EST

"I'm the voice of Guitar Hero 6," says KISS front man Gene Simmons during a video clip produced by Game On, a division of UK media site ITN. And that's all he says. The clip -- view it after the break -- has been removed from the context of what's assumed to be a full interview and essentially turns Simmons' statement into a gag line. Still, Simmons does appear to be the first "official" spokesperson to outright name the next iteration of Guitar Hero, albeit unofficially.

Activision previously dated a forthcoming Guitar Hero game for the "back half" of 2010. Presumably, that's "Guitar Hero 6" and the game Simmons will apparently star in. What? Activision didn't offer his crew a full-on Guitar Hero: KISS game? It's for the better, really, because all we want to do is get the digitized Simmons onstage and make him crank 'dat Soulja Boy!

Continue reading Gene Simmons: 'I'm the voice of Guitar Hero 6'

Gene Simmons: 'I'm the voice of Guitar Hero 6' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gene Simmons AXE Game Controller available now

Alan Tsang — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Peripherals

Whether you consider him a marketing genius or just a sellout, Gene Simmons has managed to slap the logo of his band KISS onto everything from lip balm to a singing toothbrush. Now he's after your money, music game fans. Mr. Simmons also appears to be specifically targeting Sony fans, as the Gene Simmons AXE Game Controller is available exclusively (for now -- the Wii version will be released next year while the Xbox 360 version's release date is TBA) for the PS2 or PS3. The wireless controller is a 3/4 size replica of the original Gene Simmons Axe Guitar and it will work with both Rock Band and Guitar Hero via an included dongle. Place you order here now for $79.99.

[Via Joystiq and Reuters]

Gene Simmons AXE Game Controller available now originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gene Simmons presents 'AXE Guitar' for Guitar Hero, Rock Band

David Hinkle — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: News, Peripherals

Gene Simmons is getting himself a ticket on the money train that is the rhythm game scene with the branded guitar peripheral you see above. While on other consoles the peripheral will work with both Rock Band and Guitar Hero, for Wii, it'll only work with the latter, initially, as the version hitting shelves on December 1st is limited in functionality. If you can wait, though, on January 31st a version that is compatible with both games will release.

The listed price for the peripheral is $79.99. Anybody like what they see?

[Via Joystiq]

Gene Simmons presents 'AXE Guitar' for Guitar Hero, Rock Band originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gene Simmons brings branded 'AXE Guitar' to Guitar Hero and Rock Band

Ross Miller — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Rhythm

Hoping to enlist new members into his Army, KISS bassist Gene Simmons is looking to jump on the guitar peripheral bandwagon. The wireless Gene Simmons AXE Guitar is coming November 15 for $80 and will be compatible with PlayStation 3 and PS2 versions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band games, using a packaged dongle (pictured, not to scale). The peripheral will be a 3/4th size replica and is currently available for pre-order.

A Wii version for Guitar Hero only is coming December 1st, but if you can wait until January 31 there's another Wii axe coming that's compatible with both GH and RB. Xbox 360 owners will have to wait until April 2009. As of this writing, there's been no indication of a Limited Edition version of the AXE with makeup kit and Gene Simmons tongue extender[TM], but hey, we can dream.

[Via Reuters]

Gene Simmons brings branded 'AXE Guitar' to Guitar Hero and Rock Band originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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