Analyst: Guitar Hero yet to peak

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpotPosted Dec 17, 2008 2:38 pm PT

Slightly disappointing World Tour sales aside, Signal Hill's Todd Greenwald expects franchise to grow in 2009 with Metallica, Jimi Hendrix extensions.

Sales of Guitar Hero World Tour have been lower than analysts expected this year, but don't label the franchise a has-been just yet. In a note to investors today, Signal Hill analyst Todd Greenwald said Activision's rhythm game series hasn't even peaked.

Has-been?

Greenwald acknowledged that World Tour sales have been "a bit soft," saying Activision is likely to miss targets for the game. The stand-alone game and guitar bundles in particular are trailing the success of last year's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Greenwald said.

"Despite this 'weakness,' we disagree strongly with those who contend that Guitar Hero is a 'fad' or that the franchise peaked last year with [Legends of Rock]," Greenwald said.

In fact, Greenwald projects that total Guitar Hero sales will be up more than 20 percent in North America this year thanks to franchise extensions like Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Guitar Hero: On Tour. Looking to next year, Greenwald expects those kinds of extensions to continue to provide significant growth for Activision. DJ Hero, Guitar Hero: Metallica, and the rumored Guitar Hero: Jimi Hendrix were among the spin-offs Greenwald noted as potential 2009 hits for the series.

90 Comments

  • MERC25547

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 4:58 pm PT

    still waiting for a Guitar Hero: Metal

  • ZABUZA16

    Posted Jan 20, 2009 7:36 pm PT

    I doubt theyll put the songs that Mustaine wrote. There the best n thrashier...

  • Ramix777

    Posted Jan 15, 2009 5:58 am PT

    I think the songs are awsome!!!

  • Captyc

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 11:06 pm PT

    i think gh 3 was a great setlist as there were alot bands i never knew and then like the songs there because they were sooo much fun like cliffs of dover and through the flames and fire but gh wt i didnt get that and i hope they dont bring track packs 20 songs for how much heaps and metallica should be one i can put on my hdd and play on wt sort of like a track pack i gt atleast 60 songs like aerosmith but i actully played frets on fire BION and then rock band that i dont own and played on medium then bought my first gh and it was ghwt and the guitar instantly made me hard and expert ;]

  • Gamminator

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 9:25 pm PT

    i agree that world tours track list was no where near as good as what it should've been it is still a fun game to play and i like it more then rockband. GH metallica will b insane and i'll b pissed if they mess it up

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 12:06 pm PT

    well the games aren't bad, fun seems like people love them

  • Mush_Mouth

    Posted Jan 4, 2009 12:09 pm PT

    @ iBuSHiDo:

    Nope, you're definitely not alone on that one.

  • iBuSHiDo

    Posted Jan 3, 2009 2:01 am PT

    Am I the only one who thinks that the guitar playing in World Tour is really lacking when compared to Legends of Rock and that the setlist is huge, but no matter who you are or what kind of rock you like, you're bound to like about 10 songs and hate the rest?

  • misfitgamespa

    Posted Dec 27, 2008 4:39 pm PT

    Guitar Hero....should have a poll and let registerd users of thier game help in the song selection process.....(yes I know this is my third stright post) I would personally like to see a Guitar Hero : Queen...Some of Brian May's guitar solos are epic......

  • misfitgamespa

    Posted Dec 27, 2008 4:37 pm PT

    Guitar Hero should release a track pack like R. B.

  • misfitgamespa

    Posted Dec 27, 2008 4:36 pm PT

    I think they need to slow on the full sets....how ever a middle set like Rocks the 80's or something like that would be ok...then come out with big releases every other year......

  • cyznik23

    Posted Dec 26, 2008 8:35 pm PT

    guitar hero word tour was alright.. need 2 add more songs tho. like megadeth. iron maiden. etc.
    gh metallica iz gnna b bad ass.

  • destinyrider22

    Posted Dec 22, 2008 7:09 pm PT

    i did like 6 or 7 songs on GHWT but i think it could've been better. they say that they take requests when they select like 3 songs and then make a totally crappy set list out of what they want on the game. i mean wheres Stairway to heaven or Ride the lightning. They REALLY need to pick up on some songs or the rest of the games are just gonna have some BS setlists.

  • deathcell731

    Posted Dec 21, 2008 11:45 pm PT

    (thedansandwich)are u dum!!!!Y would u help them exploit a ledgend like jimi hindex!!!

  • Media_Mind

    Posted Dec 20, 2008 10:16 am PT

    the ceilling is coming ever closer

  • dELIRIUM9

    Posted Dec 19, 2008 7:55 pm PT

    @happyfatman021

    Fact is, you actually did defect to the people who weren't the ones responsible.
    Yes, Guitar Hero was first, however, Activision bought out the Guitar Hero name, and then the people who originally put all the work into the first two Guitar Heroes (Plus Rock the 80s) went out and made Rock Band.

    So, as it stands, you're not supporting the people who got the bizz started, you're sticking with a name brand.

  • doctorwang12

    Posted Dec 19, 2008 9:55 am PT

    im only lookin forward 2 gh metallica!!!!!!!!!YEA!!

  • MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Dec 19, 2008 2:11 am PT

    not regretting trading rock band for ghwt. the drum kit is much better and the song studio is really great. can't wait for gh:metallica and hendrix.

  • TheDanSandwich

    Posted Dec 18, 2008 11:36 pm PT

    As much as I hate to say it: If they do make a Guitar Hero Jimi Hendrix, I would have to buy it. That would be too awesome to pass up, even if they did butcher it, I would buy it anyway. That's why I'll buy the Beatles game Harmonix is going to make. And if they ever get Led Zeppelin, I'll buy that too.

  • happyfatman021

    Posted Dec 18, 2008 6:04 pm PT

    Regardless of which is better or worse, the fact remains that Guitar Hero brought this genre to the level of popularity it enjoys today. I just can't bring myself to defect so easily to Rock Band.

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