Activision Unveils Quest Mode, New Guitar For Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock

Activision's newest installment in the Guitar Hero franchise will contain the largest music selection on-disc in the series' history -- and add a "Quest Mode", the company says. Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock will also launch alongside a "completely redesigned rock-inspired guitar controller," likely aimed at encouraging the peripheral-bundle purchases that made the music game genre such a big earner in the past. Of course, sales of peripheral-equipped music games have declined in recent years; some analysts have chalked this up to market fatigue and instrument install base saturation. Other interpretations see the business model changing -- less up-front earnings, but more incremental purchases from users buying tracks via online stores. But Activision apparently hopes to reinvigorate the franchise by offering more music right up front, promising over 90 songs from artists like Linkin Park, Megadeth and My Chemical Romance on disc, although users can still purchase more from the track library. Although the game will have traditional quickplay and head-to-head modes, it also adds a story-driven Quest Mode -- players can use any band instrument to join "Rock Warriors" in helping save rock n' roll. Kiss frontman Gene Simmons is on board to narrate and provide the voice of the Demi-God of Rock, an opportunity he called an "honor and a privilege." "Guitar Hero has set the standard for music based gaming and with Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock and the game’s all-new Quest Mode, robust and authentic set list, over-the-top challenges and rock-inspired new hardware, we are once again bringing the soul and energy of rock n’ roll to fans around the world," said David Haddad, chief operating officer for the franchise.