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Activision trademarks 'Sing Hero'

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Mar 11, 2009 3:03 pm PT

Megapublisher's USPTO filing might be first sign of new competitor for Konami's Karaoke Revolution and Sony's SingStar series.

First it was Guitar Hero. Then came DJ Hero. Recently, Band Hero was rumored. And now, Activision has trademarked what appears to be yet another offshoot of its billion-dollar-plus rhythm franchise. In a filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office, the Santa Monica-based half of megapublisher Activision Blizzard has trademarked the title "Sing Hero."

No word yet on whether or not Bill Murray will reprise his Lost in Translation karaoke act in the game.

Upon approval, the March 5 filing would give Activision the Sing Hero trademark for "computer game software and related instruction manual sold together as a unit; interactive video game programs; computer game cartridges; computer game discs; downloadable computer game software; video game controllers; interactive video game comprised of a cartridge or DVD sold as a unit with a video game controller."

Though no further details about Sing Hero were in the filing, its title implies a karaoke-centric game along the lines of Konami's Karaoke Revolution and Sony's SingStar series. Sales of the former, which was once the rhythm-game genre leader, have dropped in the wake of the mic-equipped Rock Band and Guitar Hero World Tour launches. Though not especially popular in the US, SingStar is a full-on phenomenon in the UK and would give any potential rivals stiff competition.

However, just because Activision trademarks a title doesn't mean an eponymous game has been confirmed. The publisher has also registered the names "Drum Hero," "Keyboard Hero," "Guitar Villain," and "Dum Villain," none of which has become a game in its own right. In 2007, RedOctane cofounder Charles Huang said work on Drum Hero was proceeding apace, though the game has not been heard about since the announcement of Guitar Hero World Tour, which includes drum kit support.

131 Comments

  • Dan21278

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    ha ha ha this is too pathetic

  • Kenny789

    Posted Apr 21, 2009 2:25 am PT

    There will be a Piano Hero! Mark my words!

  • Alex_09

    Posted Mar 17, 2009 9:36 pm PT

    Any RockBand fans who are calling these guys cheap are fools.
    Both game makers are milking fans dry, I find both the producers and consumers pathetic...

  • mariokart64fan

    Posted Mar 17, 2009 1:47 pm PT

    those 2 track packs are the song you dl from xbla duh it for people with no xbl or who want to buy all the songs

  • Rev8691

    Posted Mar 17, 2009 12:50 am PT

    i think guitar hero: world tour was a test.
    Guitar hero 5 is gonna go back to guitar only.
    Band hero is gonna keep the whole band thing going.
    Sing hero will focus heavily on vocal based songs.
    Drum hero wont exist.
    Dj hero is actually real.. for some reason.
    Keyboard hero... that should be interesting? only 5 keys, in beautiful colors?
    and im curious about these "villain" games. huh?

    HONESTLY RED OCTANE SHOULD SAY PEACE TO ACTIVISON, HARMONIX SHOULD SAY PEACE TO MTV... AND THE TWO COMPANIES SHOULD GET BACK TOGETHER AND MAKE THE ULTIMATE GAME. NO ONE CAN DENY THAT THE ORIGINAL GUITAR HERO IS BETTER THAN ANY OF THE NEW GUITAR HEROS OR ROCK BAND.

  • toastedironman

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 3:22 pm PT

    If Activision comes out with Sing hero there reputation will be destroyed. But on the plus side I can't wait until they come out with Dum Hero!

  • IzE-DraGoN

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 11:43 am PT

    what's next? Accordion Hero !!

  • doctorwang12

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 3:48 pm PT

    isnt that y u made gh:world tour?..

  • BloodMist

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 9:15 am PT

    Isn't that just another term for karaoke?

  • Hitch_Blade_VII

    Posted Mar 14, 2009 2:21 pm PT

    "Dum Villain"?

  • Hitch_Blade_VII

    Posted Mar 14, 2009 2:12 pm PT

    that guy looks kinda like tom hanks

  • missonrs

    Posted Mar 13, 2009 4:23 pm PT

    People tend to forget that they didn't confirm a "sing hero" game they just got the name in case another company wanted to take that name. I'm getting guitar hero metallica and thats it im done with this crap I just use rock band to sing since GHWT's vocals engine is horrible.

  • BattleSword1

    Posted Mar 13, 2009 4:02 pm PT

    I can't wait to play Dum Villain. Haha.

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Mar 13, 2009 11:39 am PT

    sing star already controling this market

  • GodLike500

    Posted Mar 13, 2009 11:30 am PT

    RE: ninja_where

    What acheivements can you get in SING IN THE SHOWER?

  • GodLike500

    Posted Mar 13, 2009 11:27 am PT

    Sing Hero? That's a terrible name! I would've went with Vocal Hero (don't bother Activision, I've already copywritted it hahaha)

  • Skreb-Masters

    Posted Mar 12, 2009 5:57 pm PT

    "Dum Villain"? Proofread your articles next time GameSpot!

    Sing Hero is obsolete seeing as you can do that in GH/RB. I can only guess they trademark that so that noone else does and try to busk off their name.

  • Pato311

    Posted Mar 12, 2009 3:16 pm PT

    Game Cartridges, hee hee
    Seriously, people, don't get too riled up, you won't actually be seeing these titles. As others have suggested, they are only trying to buy up similar names to protect their franchise, it's a common business prctice.

  • wetwilli64

    Posted Mar 12, 2009 2:10 pm PT

    "Dum Villain"?
    XD

  • Phmall_Phill

    Posted Mar 12, 2009 2:00 pm PT

    Activision is marking up territory. Dogs always do it. Just go to a nearby park.

    That's all they're doing. They aren't gonna put any of these names to actual use.

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