Tag Archives: band hero

No Doubt and Activision have reached a settlement in a long-running suit over the group’s appearance in 2009′s Band Hero, just days ahead of a scheduled trial.

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The lawsuit between Activision and No Doubt over the use of the band’s image in Band Hero will go before a jury starting October 15.

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A Superior Court judge has once more upheld No Doubt’s suit against Activision over use of the band’s likenesses in Band Hero, despite the publisher’s move to dismiss.

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Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine is suing Activision over his inclusion in Band Hero, according to Reuters.

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No Doubt has prevailed in a counter-suit brought on by Activision over the use of the band’s image in Band Hero – at least in the first round.

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Activision’s announced its plans for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero for April.

Looks like folks can look forward to some Skynyrd, Fall Out Boy, and Blur with The All-American Rejects, Saving Abel, Phoenix and Black Sabbath  also making the list.

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Looks like the lawsuit between Activision and pissed-off rockers over Guitar Hero 5/Band Hero is still on the docket, if Courtney Love’s newest comments are any indication.

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Activision has filed a countersuit against No Doubt over its Band Hero suit against it, alleging a breach of contract and “unjust enrichment”.

Last month you recall, No Doubt pulled a Courtney Love, complaining that players could user band avatars to play songs not performed or written by it. In response, Activision’s claiming the band did not request that the avatars be used for only the band until after the game was already put to press.

“Activision admits that although it is possible to program a videogame whereby particular in-game characters can only be selected when certain songs are played, Plaintiff first requested this only after the “Band Hero” programming was finalized, had been submitted to all of the U.S. console manufacturers for approval and had been approved for manufacture by most console manufacturers”, read a statement.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, The countersuit against the band is requesting that it provide Activision with “unspecified damages and interest, a return from No Doubt of all benefits and payments, an order for No Doubt to pay the full cost of this action and reasonable attorney fees, along with further awards and relief that the Court deems just and proper.”

Basically, because they bitched and decided to sue, Activision wants the money it paid the group returned and then some.

It looks like it will get nasty. That or the judge will rule a kiss and make-up session or a battle to the death through kal-if-fee – we hope

Thanks, GamePolitics.

Activision has announced that a track pack for The Fall of Troy is now available for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero on 360, PS3 and Wii.

It contains three songs from their latest album, In the Unlikely Event, which are: “Panic Attack,” “A Classic Case of Transference” and “Single.”

Tracks will run you 440 MS Points, $5.50/£3.74/€5.12, or 550 WiiPoints.

Individual tracks will cost you the usual price.

Via PR mail.

Activison has sent us a reminder that the KISS track pack is now available for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii.

The KISS Track Pack features the new track “Modern Day Delilah,” along with “Lick It Up” and “I Was Made For Lovin’ You.”

It will run you 440 MS Points ($5.49/£3.74/€5.12) and 550 Wii Points for the pack, or 160 MS Points ($1.99/£1.36/€1.86) and 200 Wii Points for individual songs.

Via PR mailer.

Remember Courtney Love getting het up about the fact Kurt Cobain could sing other people’s song in Guitar Hero V? Someone’s videoed a virtual him singing YMCA in Band Hero.

And you know that emoticon that looks like “:-O”?

After the break. Thanks, Kotaku.

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In probably the most obvious news of the day, Activision’s Guitar Hero CEO Dan Rosensweig has told MCV that the “next iterations” of Band Hero, DJ Hero and Guitar Hero are in the works.

Keep breathing. You don’t want to go into shock, there, kiddos.

“We’re working on our 2010 slate now,” he told the site. “You will probably see fewer SKUs from us, but the focus on making the best-selling, most fun to play, best-reviewed games will continue. Those are the things that are constant.

“[There will be] more DJ Hero, and the next iterations of Guitar and Band are on the way. But we will see how the market plays out. What you will see is the games will live longer and be more vibrant through DLC.”

More through the link, courtesy of Joystiq.

Activision’s released a statement in response to No Doubt’s intention to sue it over the use of the group in Band Hero, saying it’s got a signed agreement that validates it position. Ring any bells?

The full thing, taken from Game Informer:

Some of the world’s most popular and iconic artists have been featured in Guitar Hero as playable characters, and we are proud to count No Doubt among them. Activision has a written agreement to use No Doubt in Band Hero – an agreement signed by No Doubt after extensive negotiations with its representatives, who collectively have decades of experience in the entertainment industry. Pursuant to that agreement, Activision worked with No Doubt and the band’s management in developing Band Hero. As a result, Activision believes it is within its legal rights with respect to the use and portrayal of the band members in the game and that this lawsuit is without merit. Activision is exploring its own legal options with respect to No Doubt’s obligations under the agreement.

Do you reckon No Doubt screams onto Twitter in nonsensical streams of consciousness at 3.00am? Hope springs eternal.

No Doubt has filed a lawsuit against Activision what it calls misuse of its likeness in Band Hero, according to a report from Rolling Stone, citing that the firm turned the band into a “virtual karaoke circus act”.

Complaints in the filing consist of not only “fraudulent inducement” but also to “breach of contract” and the group has said that it disapproves of their likeness being used to sing songs by other artists.

Another complaint is that players can isolate band members out of the group.

“No Doubt agreed to place avatars containing their name and likeness performing three No Doubt songs in the upcoming Band Hero game of the Guitar Hero series from Activision,” read a statement from the group.

“Without the band’s knowledge or approval Activision turned the group into virtual karaoke players by having them perform over 60 additional songs by other musical groups.”

According to the report, No Doubt asked Activision to honor its contract, but the request was refused due to the cost of fixing it being “too expensive.”

Oh boy. Here we go again.

Activison’s response is through the break.

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Joystiq has posted the full track list for Band Hero.

Some new stuff there, both for consoles and the DS version, and the list of importable stuff from Guitar Hero: World Tour and exportable stuff from Band Hero to GH:WT and GH: Greatest Hits.

Find all you need to know through the link. No date yet for the PS3, 360, Wii, PS2 and DS.

The Major has announced that a demo for Band Hero is up on Xbox Live Marketplace.

We think it’s only for Goldens at the moment, and it’s available everywhere except for Asia.

The demo features Finger Eleven’s “Paralyzer”, Katrina & The Waves’ “Walking on Sunshine” and Taylor Swift’s “Picture to Burn” and includes Party Play and Sing-Along mode.

Head on over here to learn more.

Activision has put out a press release announcing that Taylor Swift is a playable character in Band Hero.

Along with the announcement comes word that Styx, David Bowie, Marvin Gaye, Big Country, and tracks from many others are featured in the soundtrack.

New tracks announced for the console version include:

• The Airborne Toxic Event – “Gasoline”
• Big Country – “In a Big Country”
• The Bravery – “Believe”
• Cold War Kids – “Hang Me Up To Dry”
• Counting Crows – “Angels of the Silences”
• Dashboard Confessional – “Hands Down”
• David Bowie – “Let’s Dance”
• Devo – “Whip It”
• Evanescence – “Bring Me To Life”
• Fall Out Boy – “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down”
• The Go-Go’s – “Our Lips Are Sealed”
• Hilary Duff – “So Yesterday”
• Jesse McCartney – “Beautiful Soul”
• The Kooks – “Naive”
• Marvin Gaye – “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”
• Mighty Mighty Bosstones – “Impression That I Get”
• OK Go – “A Million Ways”
• Pat Benatar – “Love Is A Battlefield”
• Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue – “Kids”
• Styx – “Mr. Roboto”
• Yellowcard – “Ocean Avenue”

Wonder if Gaye and Stuart Adamson will be with gamers in spirit during play or haunting their record companies over the inclusion.

The full list is after the break.
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Band Hero will get a new drum and guitar controller kit just in time for the holidays in Europe.

Here’s the skinny:

“A revamped drum kit controller with a ‘floating’ drum pad design with quiet drum heads and easy access first party controls for additional flexibility when navigating the game. The updated kick pedal offers players a new level of responsiveness while drumming along to the music, as well as two built-in kick pedal ports, so players can bang out the double bass beats of Expert+ drum tracks that will be available via downloadable content and song importing. The new drum kit controller also features a handy slot for players to store their drumsticks under the drum pads. The entire unit rests upon a newly designed stand offering stability as well as height guides on the vertical supports to make adjustments a breeze.

In addition, the guitar controller shipping with Band Hero in Europe will also feature an improved strum bar and the neck slider to help with accuracy when nailing those tricky solos. The guitar controller is finished off with chrome effect tuning pegs and a sleek red and white faceplate to let Band Hero players strum in style.”

It is to be made available for PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 this fall.

Activision has told D’toid that Guitar Hero 5 downloadable content is not compatible with World Tour.

This does not mean,though, that it will not be compatible with other Hero titles.

“Guitar Hero 5 downlodable content will be compatible with future Guitar Hero and Band Hero games,” a rep told the site. “However, the advancements and innovations made to the franchise do now allow for downloadable content to be backwards compatible with Guitar Hero World Tour.”

Previously purchased DLC is compatible, and it’s also possible to export songs from Guitar Hero World Tour and Smash Hits to play in Guitar Hero 5. But, you will need to download tracks with the updated Guitar Hero 5 features.

It’s out September 1.

More through the link.

There’s a shot and some details of the upcoming Band Hero DS drumming peripheral on Kotaku.

It’s a rubber sheath with drum pads on it, basically.

The game will allow four players to team up with the DSes and play drums, bass, vocals and guitar.

The piece constantly stresses this is a DS Lite thing. No mention of DSi anywhere.

No date.