They should expand the franchise by making Hero's other than Guitar Hero. Like Party Hero, Kart Hero, Internet Hero, Chess Hero, Sports Hero, just think of the possiblities! They could make billion on the Hero brand!

I am fine with the quantity...

But, I would like to see the price of these extensions be cheaper on the Guitar Hero side...

Rock Band has $20-30 track packs...

Activision charges a full $60-70 for what amounts to glorified track packs...

I also like that RB lets you add the track packs to the core RB2 game via redemption codes... Whereas Guitar Hero makes each stand alone...

I actually think it is ok if they offer different versions with differing music styles etc...

Activision just can't stop themselves from milking a profitable franchise into the ground. Remember Tony Hawk? Ten years ago that series was the "it" game to have. Then Activision ran it into the ground with a zillion sequels/ports/spinoffs of questionable quality, and utterly destroyed the franchise. Now Guitar Hero World Tour sales are already down from Guitar Hero 3 the year previously, and it seems like the cycle is well at work again...

Still, it's not Activision alone that's been guilty of this lately. Seems like every big publisher is rolling out the milk train with their established franchises to try and shore up their balance sheets during the recession. (E.g. how many Final Fantasy/Halo/Mario games are appearing this year?!) It's not a good sign for the creativity of the industry as a whole, and if sales dip further a lot of companies are really going to be in trouble. 2009 is proving so far that the gaming industry is not "recession-proof" as so many desperately wanted to believe.

Don't forget Hero Hero, where the goal is to press moving lights to produce a good Hero game for Activision. Get them perfect, and you produce something like Guitar Hero II. Fail miserably, and produce Cheerleader Hero: Hannah Montana Edition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_Hero#Games

The list will make your head spin.

DJ Hero looks very interesting. But with that said, there's no denying that Guitar Hero is in overkill mode right now. Activision needs to let it rest for a bit.

I couldn't believe it when I heard that GH5 is out this christmas. I thought the spin-offs were to tide fans over 'til next year's big new game. Gah.

That's why I bought Rock Band 2 (wii) today online. Screw Activision, at least Harmonix take the time to deliver a polished, innovative sequel, as they surely are doing for 2010's Rock Band 3. I'm also looking forward to tapping into that massive pool of DLC and not having to deal with GH's crapfest of no-name bands and country music.

Why is DJ Hero getting lumped into this? If any rhythm game from either publisher is showing any originality, it's DJ Hero. It appeals to a different musical fanbase. It uses a brand new peripheral. I just don't see how that is milking.

Activision's resources would have better been served getting a better roster for Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2!

Where the hell is my Jean Grey, Apocalypse, and Thanos as playable characters?

I just can't seem to find an interest in GH or RB or any of the likes.