Activision files to trademark 'Dance Hero'

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Sep 26, 2008 4:28 pm PT

Megapublisher registers title for possible Guitar Hero rhythm spin-off. Is a Dance Dance Revolution rival next?

It could be argued that Konami invented the instrument-based rhythm game genre when it created Guitar Freaks and Drummania around the turn of the century. However, it wasn't until earlier this year that the Japanese publisher announced its first multi-instrument rhythm game, Rock Revolution. Set for release October 14, the title will attempt to take a slice of the faux-rocker revenue pie cooked up by MTV/Harmonix's Rock Band and Activision's Guitar Hero series.

Now, it appears Activision may be readying its own rival to one of Konami's bread-and-butter rhythm franchises, Dance Dance Revolution. This week, the Activision Blizzard subsidiary filed an application to trademark the name "Dance Hero" with the US Patent and Trademark Office. If granted, the trademark would give Activision rights to the name for "computer game software," "interactive video game programs," "computer game discs," "downloadable computer game software," and other related categories.

Though Activision reps had not responded to requests for clarification as of press time, the very name Dance Hero evokes images of a title along the lines of DDR or EA's more recent Boogie. However, just because Activision has registered the name, doesn't mean a game is definitely in the offing. In January 2007, Activision trademarked "Guitar Villain" and "Drum Villain", with no sign of a game bearing either handle having yet surfaced. This past February, it locked down rights to the title "DJ Hero" without announcing a new product, although rumors of a turntable-based mash-up game bearing the name are beginning to bubble up.

267 Comments

  • jets78

    Posted Jan 16, 2009 7:09 am PT

    for 20 bucks this game should have gotten nothing lower then a 7 score its fun you should try playing it with a controler what a challenge it is. and has over 50 songs.

  • ricot920

    Posted Nov 20, 2008 10:59 am PT

    Hoover hero i can see it selling in the billions

    i think i might have to go see the chairman of activation and give him a slap

  • H0RSE

    Posted Oct 25, 2008 6:05 pm PT

    "DJ Hero" sounds like it might be as fun as "Get hit by a bus Hero".

  • soul_cube

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 8:51 am PT

    Im sorry blackhawk887 I did not mean to offend you. lol

  • djxaquaxblue

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 8:27 am PT

    what Konami needs to do it make a better Beatmania game for the states. the first one sucks in terms of songs cause they didnt know what music the US audience preferred. even though rock band and guitar hero will always be fun..i think its time to get back into some really good trance, drum n bass, break beats and techno when it comes to music games. the last few DDR games just ruined it for me with the club/dance music that sounded pretty much like any other pop song.

  • c_rec

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 9:17 pm PT

    @ zookguy, guitar hero simply caught up with the multiple instruments that rock band has, so it has only made jumps in terms of that specific title, guitar hero has a few new features like uploading music, which will probably ruin genuine music for good and just replace actually musical talent with GH skills lol

  • finaleve

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 5:09 pm PT

    I highly doubt they will come up with this.

    However, doing a little research...I noticed something. So far every "TM" that Activision has placed, there was already a game based on the same premise. "Guitar" Hero, "Drum" Villain, "DJ" Hero, and now "Dance" Hero? Anyone hear of the BeMani series? Games like Beat Mania (DJ), DDR (dance), Guitar Freaks (guitar), and Drum Mania (drums).
    It seems activision is trying to claim its rights in case Konami decides to bring the whole gang (and not just a few members like it is now) over for a party.

  • siLVURcross

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 3:14 pm PT

    /facepalm indeed.

  • Timbydude

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 1:24 pm PT

    /facepalm...That's the only way I can react to this.

  • eddievh_5150

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 1:23 pm PT

    Faller88....*sighs* isn't a word...

    Activision blows

  • yanks1112

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 12:25 pm PT

    @vision2020

    I am your Salami villan!!!!!!
    Muuuaahhhhh

  • blackhawk887

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 12:12 pm PT

    soul_cube...

    what gay people want? very offensive.

  • Koopalama

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 12:11 pm PT

    sex hero

  • blackhawk887

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 12:11 pm PT

    ddr is fun...and has good songs. judging from guitar hero's abysmal choice of tracks...im assuming 'dance hero' will have us dancing to stupid remixes of clay aiken rather than true house/dance/electronic music. great. i like acti-blizz..maybe they can pull it off we'll see

  • soul_cube

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 12:03 pm PT

    Are you F&^$#*& playing around Activision, why making something gay like dance hero. Try thinking of what the audience wants, not what gay people want. I think that if activision needs an idea for a game, they better do a game were there is a lot of zombie killing, and they may call it Zombie Hero (lol)

  • coruscant

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 12:00 pm PT

    I hate dance games.

  • klugenbeel

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 10:41 am PT

    Come on, why not slap Konami in the face even more and just call it DDR Hero.

  • vision2020

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 10:08 am PT

    salami hero

  • vision2020

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 10:07 am PT

    poo poo hero

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