Prince kissed off Guitar Hero deal

By thorsen-ink, GameSpotPosted Apr 30, 2009 5:07 pm PT

With Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Guitar Hero: Metallica already out, and Guitar Hero: Van Halen widely rumored, the search is on for the next big musical act to get its own game in Activision's rhythm franchise. One title people can knock off the list is Prince, the rock-funk legend behind such...

With Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Guitar Hero: Metallica already out, and Guitar Hero: Van Halen widely rumored, the search is on for the next big musical act to get its own game in Activision's rhythm franchise. One title people can knock off the list is Prince, the rock-funk legend behind such multiplatinum albums as Purple Rain and Controversy and such hits as "When Doves Cry" and "Kiss."

Appearing on PBS's The Tavis Smiley show, the artist formerly known as "O(+>"--real name Prince Rogers Nelson--revealed he had been approached by Activision to license parts of his catalog for the Guitar Hero franchise. By his account, he turned them down outright on principle.

"Well, I ain't mad at them. I hear it made, like, $2 billion and they came to us and offered us a very small portion of that," explained Prince. "But I just think it's more important that kids learn how to actually play the guitar. It's a tough instrument--it's not easy. It took me a long time, and it was frustrating at first. And you just have to stick with it, and it's cool for people who don't have time to learn the chords or ain't interested in it, but to play music is one of the greatest things."

389 Comments

  • toyungu

    Posted Sep 1, 2009 8:40 pm PT

    Prince is Prince. Made a good point but what does it hurt letting people have fun with your music? We could also avoid having c.d's and only have like concerts cause lets be real. C.d's cheapen the experience, so lets not buy c.d's right? But anyway, its his music. Get his point, and i know he isnt hurting for money. I bet we see a MJ one real soon. They need the money.

  • TripleHumbucker

    Posted Jul 9, 2009 4:42 am PT

    Well said Prince. I know alot of people love this game and that's cool, I personally can't stand it. I play drums, guitar and sometimes bass and it is the most frustrating and demanding thing. But it is also the most gratifying when it all comes together. I have buddies who play this all the time and if they would spend half the time playing real instruments that they do this game...

    Also, get out of here casmov. My dislike of Metallica aside, who the hell do you think you are saying Van Halen, Joe Perry and Prince aren't guitar legends? If it's not your cup of tea, that's one thing, but these guys have all poured too much sweat, blood and tears into those axes for someone who plays a plastic guitar to give them any grief. Go sit in a corner and think about what you've done.

  • Suicide-Panda

    Posted Jul 1, 2009 1:50 pm PT

    Prince has a point, personally i wouldnt want a Guitar hero Prince, but still hes made a good point

  • missmissa1217

    Posted Jun 4, 2009 5:24 pm PT

    as much as i love prince, he does have a point. i would really love a prince guitar hero but learning how to play music is one of the greatest thing. so i quess the world will have to deal.

  • ZookGuy

    Posted May 25, 2009 2:36 pm PT

    I wonder what he's say if Grand Theft Auto approached him... "Kids should learn how to do crimes that would land most people 250 years in the joint."

  • Spartan-1657

    Posted May 9, 2009 6:20 pm PT

    I respect Prince's decision. He worded it perfectly. Plus I am not the biggest fan so it isn't like I am heart broken.
    What I don't understand though is why you call it selling out? Who honestly cares if Aerosmith and Metallica let them use their songs? I was delighted to play some of the songs and I can still really enjoy the bands music even though they "sold out".
    Until you start a band and make your own decisions, stfu and let bands do what they want. There is a reason why you are not in the band and why you're not making the decisions for them. Get over yourself.

  • JackHoleFace00

    Posted May 8, 2009 10:58 am PT

    That's cool. I think that's the best way to go about it. He's not saying screw Activision or GH, just that he's not personally interested. I like that he's sticking up more for actually learning the guitar but not hating on the people who enjoy the game.

  • s_h_a_d_o

    Posted May 7, 2009 5:11 pm PT

    Props! Reminds me of R.E.M. knocking back advances by Bill Gates and MS over use of "End of the World".

    Isn't it nice to know some people can retain a modicum of integrity.

  • limitlessxbreak

    Posted May 7, 2009 1:45 pm PT

    go prince! guitar hero sold out long ago and he never has, so i'm not surprised that he turned it down.

  • gamblertuba

    Posted May 7, 2009 12:59 pm PT

    Eddie Van Halen not a guitar legend? How old are you? Go sit in a corner and cry please.

  • CazmoV

    Posted May 5, 2009 12:06 pm PT

    Well personally i'm extremely glad he turned the offer down. Not because it was wise, but because I don't understand how anyone can call Prince or Aerosmith OR Van Halen 'guitar legends'. I understand Metallica, but Prince? What next, Take that? Jesus...

  • trollkind

    Posted May 5, 2009 5:52 am PT

    Nice, my respect for Prince just went up a notch. Metallica was known as sellouts and scrooges anyway.
    Though I don't buy the whole "who plays this game is not playing a real guitar instead" as it's two different things.
    The selling scheme of the Guitar Hero series was getting on my nerves worse than the yearly marginal EA sports update and it's nice to see someone just not enabling them to farm even more cash from the cows in his good name (whatever his name is nowadays).

  • CptnPaxtonReese

    Posted May 4, 2009 7:16 pm PT

    Prince just knows he's not getting what he's worth and he believes that the game may make some people who would otherwise cultivate real talent or at least a love for the artistry of the guitar take the easy road and fake talent on a game. He never once disparaged the game or gamers. He is an American icon and a man of principle. If he does a game it will be on his terms and he will use it as a tool to persuade the youth into picking up a real guitar.

  • -eddy-

    Posted May 4, 2009 1:40 pm PT

    This is like saying kids shouldn't play racing games in order to learn to drive.

  • dcthug

    Posted May 4, 2009 1:22 pm PT

    Well put McDog3. People are quick to put down the artist cuz they say no thanks. Dude just took a stance. Stop being so quick to criticize and look at the valid point the man is making. Music nowadays is crap because all people want to do is take tracks they've heard before and remix it. no roiginality at all. Youngers should learn how to play and become the next Prince, Led Zep, RHCP etc. Go outside and pick up a real football/basketball/baseball bat etc and leave the games to old folk (37) like me..... Excuse me while I go and play K2 now (Ha)

  • McDog3

    Posted May 4, 2009 12:05 pm PT

    Not necessarily....Others can think exactly the opposite where the real thing gets boring and would rather play a "simpler" simulation of the guitar rather than playing the real thing. Don't take what Prince said out of context, it also says right in there "... and it's cool for people who don't have the time to learn the chords or ain't interested in it..." Basically, I think Prince is just trying to say he'd rather support the practice of real guitar than a videogame based on it. He's not telling anyone to stop playing the games and "pick up a real instrument".

  • Erroneous_Snake

    Posted May 4, 2009 10:04 am PT

    hes got a point, since youre all so fascinated with these songs how about you actually learn to play some of them instead of being posers. My friends and I actually try to play the songs we like because it's way more fun than the game. Sure everyone loves GH but there is a point were it just gets boring and you want the real thing.

  • JRedwing0919

    Posted May 4, 2009 9:27 am PT

    Kids should be learning how to kill real zombies, instead of playing a silly game. It took me a long time to learn the fine art of zombie slaying, and I often got frustrated, and wanted to give up, but I stuck with it and now realize what a great gift it is. Don't do drugs.

  • djmusmc

    Posted May 4, 2009 8:56 am PT

    I guess the Village People are next on the list.

  • carrett

    Posted May 4, 2009 12:56 am PT

    After a long game of B-Ball, Prince likes to make me pancakes...ask Charlie Murphy

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