Konami is location testing the next version of their GuitarFreaks and DrumMania games in Japan (the original use-a-music-instrument-as-a-controller games) and it seems like it wasn’t long ago that they were doing the same with GFV5 and DMV5. We don’t have any details on what is different about these games yet from V5 or previous versions of the game but with Raw Thrills’ beginning to make a move into the music game arena with American Idol and possibly Guitar Hero Arcade, I wonder if Konami as well as other arcade companies are going to start making a stronger push towards music titles. With games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero makes boatloads of cash on the consoles, I think it’s a given that the video music genre will be one to be reckoned with, even in arcades. If you ask me, I think that these sort of games are the kind of game that can be even more fun in arcades, in part because you don’t need to spend all that money to buy instrument controllers in addition to the game and mostly because of the social aspect where people will have fun showing off their skills in public.
[Konami’s GuitarFreaks & DrumMania V6 Blazing test page] [Discuss on the Forum]
Why on earth would anyone play a Guitar Freaks when Guitar Hero Arcade is going to be on the same floor? Expect GF to die in America when Guitar Hero lands. It will only live on in Korea and Japan.
Agree that Guitar Freaks will have a hard road outside of Japan – the Raw Thrills release however is linked to Konami so we can expect some changes in the market hold.
Can not agree more that most players will not have the resources to buy the home game instrumentation and that good circulation of a connected version of the arcade game could be a big shot in the arm.
too bad konami’s e-amuse network is neutered when their games go overseas.
I disagree Paul……why would I pay for something that’s already at home and giving me weekly updates of songs that I have to pay for?
Paul,
I think it comes down to the point that when there is some sort of successful genre in arcades, a lot of people release the same thing. One good recent example is the number of drift racing games to come along in the past year and that is coming soon. I honestly don’t know if Konami would really try to take on Guitar Hero but if GFv6 is unique enough and fun enough I could imagine them giving it a shot, going after people who might want something a little different. It’s kind of how Rock Bad is taking GH on and is doing OK for itself, although RB is similar enough to GH and it has western rock. Still, I fully understand what you mean, Guitar Hero is a force to be reckoned with no matter where it’s found.
Guitar Freaks is very famous in Asia, so GF won’t have to panick when GH made its move.
People who never seriously played Guitar Freaks and Drummania should be shot for their lame and ignorant opinions.
Up to now, Konami and Bemani has NEVER made the game to be accessible to any redneck country. And they are focusing on its real rhythmic simulation feature. Guitar Hero and Rockband is JUST a party game with little to no skill involved. Imagine how I laughed when I heard that “double strumming” is the hardest technique in GH… XD
Cynic u got the point there.
LOL Paul, Guitar Hero or Rock Bands are for dummies who can’t play Guitar Freaks or Drummania. It would be sad for the rednecks to commit suicide after they fail in GF and DM. That’s what the Guitar heroes are there for. Can’t believe they are comparing GFDM and GHRB LMAO.. It’s hundred years too early to do that 🙁