Neversoft Advertises For Guitar Hero Development

Although the subject of some speculation last week, a new update to developer Neversoft's website seems to confirm that development of the acclaimed Guitar Hero franchise has been transferred from Harmonix to the Tony Hawk studio. Originally published by independent dance/rhythm game specialist RedOctane and developed by Boston's Harmonix (Amplitude), the fate of the enormously successful franchise has been under question with various business deals being made around it. First, just prior to E3 of 2006, publisher Activision made a surprise announcement in acquiring RedOctane, saying at the time that "this acquisition will provide Activision with an early leadership position in music-based gaming, which the company expects will be one of the fastest growing genres in the coming years." Then, in September of this year, Harmonix itself announced it was being purchased by cable television channel MTV, a former marketing partner on the Guitar Hero franchise. Rumors of the transferral of Guitar Hero development began recently with a rumor published in consumer magazine EGM, but now, an update to Neversoft's website confirms that the developer is hiring for positions to work on the music game as well as its flagship Tony Hawk series. No further comment has yet been made by any of the parties, but Gamasutra will update this story as developments follow.