Activision clearly does not believe the recent boom in music games is a short-lived fad.

In addition to Guitar Hero: Metallica, which hits Australian retailers on May 27, the company has also announced DJ Hero, Guitar Hero: Van Halen, Band Hero and Guitar Hero 5.

Australians also have Rock Band 2 and The Beatles: Rock Band to look forward to.

DJ Hero will utilise a new turntable controller and feature hip-hop, rhythm and blues, electronic and dance music, while Band Hero will be a more family-focused game with Top 40 hits.

But Activision might soon have a home-grown hero to contend with - a music game that uses real instruments instead of plastic ones.

Film Victoria has announced that StarPlay, described as "Guitar Hero with real instruments", is one of six digital media projects to receive over $1 million in funding.

The Film Victoria Digital Media Prototyping program is also supporting a new third-person action game for the Wii called Shelton 5 from Redtribe as well as a series of iPhone games (App Suite) from Snow Dude creators Lycette Bros.

Film Victoria CEO Sandra Sdraulig says the six funded projects "represent a wide range of game and application types" and all "heavily invested in researching and identifying the clear gaps in the market".

"These projects are also indicative of the maturing nature of the video games market. Projects such as StarPlay and App Suite are clearly targeting today's average gamer - 30 years old and often female."

Given that one of the most common criticisms regarding music games is that players should instead "go and learn a real instrument", today I am keen to hear whether you are interested in a music game that uses genuine instruments.

Source: The Age

back last year, I imagined a rap game with turntables in crap... they must have heard me

How about the band of bread and eagles. Could it be possible? Given that one of the most common criticisms regarding music games is that players should instead "go and learn a real instrument", I also am keen to hear an interested of music game that uses genuine instruments.



_________________
Rapid prototyping