Activision execs to begin work on $100 bill suit jackets
When Guitar Hero first arrived on the scene like a squalling, guitar driven infant my first question was, "Are we going to be able to import our own songs?" The answer was inevitably no. Thankfully that didn't detract from game play at all because of the veritable cornucopia of songs available with the game and as downloadable content. A few enterprising eggheads even got together and made a piece of software called Freetar which allowed folks to create, edit, and playback button timings for any song on their computer, which, while lacking the visceral experience of shredding your way through a list of songs on a plastic guitar reminiscent of a Fischer Price toy and embarrassing yourself in the process, was a step in the right direction.
However today news has been spreading around the tubes of Aspyr Media doing what they do best and porting Guitar Hero 3 to the PC and Mac, a fantastic move on the part of those that enjoy bathing in money. Activision has finally spread their marketability net across the spectrum of gamers, ensuring their nefarious plans of sucking the world dry of it's riches will be fulfilled. I'm certain the top execs are wringing their hands evilly as I write this, possibly in an egg shaped chair.
With this latest news the gears of my cogitation contraption have begun spinning and I am inclined once again to wonder if somehow we the independently inclined will be able to use our own mp3's to make tracks on which to fulfill, if only briefly, hazy dreams of stardom and fame. If nothing else I'd be grateful simply to be able to make a ridiculously difficult version of Bananaphone on which to rock, perplexing my compatriots as I shriek about how Raffi was the last true god of rock. Jay Gordon, producer for Aspyr on Guitar Hero 3 addresses this burning question thusly:
We've heard this type of question quite a bit but the truth is that right now our only focus is creating the best Guitar Hero III PC/Mac port possible. PC and Mac gamers are going to expect the same level of quality as the console gamers and we want to deliver in a big way and get the game on shelves before the holidays. As such, we're not putting any tools in the game that will allow for modifications or additions, and we certainly can't support gamers making modifications or additions to the game or songs.
I am sure that you are both shocked and in awe. As if the people behind this game would do anything to limit the cash flow beginning at your wallet and ending at the neck of your plastic guitar or a tray of cocaine borne by a small child purchased for cash by an Activision exec, depending on your stance on whether or not having to pay for song packs is one of the great evils perpetrated on mankind.
Gordon also addressed downloadable content for the PC and Mac versions, stating that while Aspyr is planning on making it available they haven't stated specifically how the content will be downloaded outside of saying they "have a very exciting announcement soon." No word regarding online play, but I can't imagine they'd exclude that from their release.
Apparently the option to play with the keyboard and mouse will be available, and should you choose to play with them please don't balk at the ridicule you so richly deserve, unless of course you're playing with a child too small get their hands around the neck of the guitar in which case I will eyeball you suspiciously with my phone at the ready to call Chris Hansen of To Catch a Predator.
Expect this to drop in concert with the console release. You can further expect yet another enterprising nerd to figure out a way to play your own content shortly thereafter.
Check out the full interview here
What say you?!