guitar

'Guitar Hero' axe gets a makeover

You'd think that a company like Colorware would formulaically target new products to tart up with its custom paint jobs as soon as they hit the market, but that's not always the case. Only recently, for instance, did it start applying its prolific brush to the DS Lite.

The latest object of its belated pigmentary affection is the Guitar Hero controller of all denominations, whether it be for the Wii, Xbox 360, or PlayStation 3, according the Engadget. It's clearly a market waiting to be exploited, considering the growing legions of guitar fanatics out there, but the … Read more

Guitar Rig 3: Kontrol Edition

Ready to toss off the training wheels of Guitar Hero and learn to play an actual guitar? Maybe you already know how to play guitar, but your wife hates it when you turn on your crappy old practice amp and treat the neighbors to your rendition of Slayer's Raining Blood. My comrade in rock, welcome to Guitar Rig 3: Kontrol Edition.

Wondering what the hell I'm talking about? Guitar Rig 3 turns your computer into the guitar amplifier of your dreams, and the Kontrol Edition comes bundled with a sweet foot controller that doubles as a USB audio … Read more

Guitar Hero and Rock Band video games accused of patent infringement

Real guitar maker, Gibson Guitar Corporation, is accusing the simulated guitars used in popular video games like the "Guitar Hero" series and "Rock Band" of patent infringement.

On March 21, 2008, Gibson filed two lawsuits for patent infringement in Nashville. One of those lawsuits names Harmonix Music Systems, MTV Networks and Electronic Arts as defendants. Apparently, these are the companies that market and distribute the Rock Band game and at least some of the Guitar Hero titles. The other suit was filed against a number of major retailers like Amazon and Target who sell those video … Read more

Wii will shred 'Rock Band,' starting June 22

It's only rock 'n roll, but Wii like it. Harmonix, the game developer acquired by MTV Networks to create the Rock Band video game, announced Monday that the software will be available for Nintendo's Wii console on June 22. Currently, versions of Rock Band have been created for Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3.

Rumors of a Wii edition of Rock Band first started to circulate early last month. The game was originally released in November amid the soaring popularity of Activision's Guitar Hero franchise, which had a Hollywood-worthy $115 million opening weekend … Read more

Gibson turns volume up to 11 with new 'Guitar Hero' lawsuit

This post was updated at 4:12 AM on Monday to reflect the fact that Gibson has added MTV, Harmonix, and EA to the list of plaintiffs.

Legendary guitar manufacturer Gibson Guitar has sued six major retailers--Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Amazon.com, Gamestop, and Toys-R-Us--for selling Activision's Guitar Hero video game series, MarketWatch reported Friday.

The decision was made "reluctantly," according to a statement from Gibson.

Earlier this month, Gibson sued Activision over Guitar Hero, claiming that the game violated a 1999 patent for a virtual-reality guitar-playing device that "simulate(s) participation in a concert by playing … Read more

Guitar fever seizes the Wii

As guitar fever continues to grip the game industry, Nintendo got a major dose this week with two of its leading products. First the DS Lite got a grip with some fret buttons, and now the Wii has a new guitar controller all its own.

Accessory maker Nyko made its Wii Guitar Hero controller in the shape of a Telecaster, much to the delight of Engadget. The Wiimote must still be used, sliding into a slot on the $50 ersatz instrument, but it's cheaper than other guitar controllers on the market.

It's true that there are way more … Read more

SXSW 2008: Norwegian metal

I have to admit, I know little about the current metal scene, black, death, or otherwise. Which is exactly why I was so blown away by the performances of two Norwegian metal bands during South By Southwest: Enslaved and 1349. They played back-to-back showcases at Red 7 last week, and while I didn't catch a full set of either band, it was enough to know I need to hear more. … Read more

Activision mocks Gibson 'Guitar Hero' lawsuit

I can almost hear the derisive laughter coming from the executive suite at Activision.

This after the video game giant, the publisher of the monster-hit Guitar Hero III, issued a scathing response to a lawsuit brought against it by its former partner, iconic guitar manufacturer Gibson.

According to the video game blog, Kotaku, Gibson filed suit against Activision, claiming that it owned a 9-year-old patent for "technology to simulate a musical performance."

In a March 11 filing for declaratory relief (Click for PDF), Activision noted that in a January 7, 2008 letter, Gibson attorneys argued that Guitar Hero … Read more

Where we have a piper down

EPISODE 60

Celebrities like Hulk Hogan and the Olsen Twins invade our building, plus Guitar Hero DS makes us regret Guitar Hero's very existence on this planet. Legendary sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke kicks the bucket and Britney Spears hits the small screen in South Park.

Listen now: Download today's podcast