RedOctane Revitalizes Guitar-Based Rhythm Games with a Sensible Approach

The mid-2000s saw the unparalleled popularity of Guitar Hero, a game that revolutionized the music gaming genre. Released in 2005, Harmonix and RedOctane's guitar-based rhythm game became a cultural phenomenon, with its initial success leading to a sequel and numerous expansions. However, by 2009, the series' sales began to decline, with Activision reporting a 65% drop in music genre sales in the US. This led to the closure of RedOctane, the publisher of Guitar Hero. Fifteen years later, RedOctane has re-emerged as a studio focused on developing rhythm-based games, with its first title currently in production. The new RedOctane Games, a subsidiary of Embracer Freemode, aims to create a premium rhythm game that caters to the still-thriving rhythm game community. According to Simon Ebejer, head of studio, the team recognizes that the community remains strong, albeit underground. The studio's approach this time around is more focused, with a smaller team of fewer than 20 people, compared to the 35-40 people involved in the initial Guitar Hero games. RedOctane's budget is modest, but the team is committed to being responsible and efficient. The advancements in technology over the past 15 years have enabled the studio to adopt a more sustainable approach, allowing for continuous updates and growth of the game, rather than relying on yearly DLC and expansions. This approach aims to avoid player fatigue and provide a better experience for the community. The studio's new game is expected to be evergreen, with post-launch content and additions that will feed the community's appetite for rhythm gaming. Community engagement is at the heart of RedOctane, with several team members being active participants in the rhythm game community. The studio has already begun gathering community feedback and suggestions for the game. While details about the game are scarce, there are hints that it may not be far off from the classic Guitar Hero experience. The recent release of CRKD's Gibson Les Paul-inspired guitar controllers, compatible with Fortnite Festival, suggests a potential link with RedOctane. The studio confirms that its games will feature peripherals, with CRKD as the official manufacturer. The game will use peripherals, and guitar gameplay is likely, although the studio is coy about specifics. Peripherals will not be mandatory, and the team aims to ensure that the game is accessible to all players, without requiring significant investment. Music licensing is a crucial aspect of the project, with the studio still in the early stages of negotiations with record labels. The gaming landscape has changed since Guitar Hero's heyday, with the music industry now more understanding of the community's needs. RedOctane is not targeting the same level of success as Guitar Hero, which surpassed $1 billion in sales in 26 months. Instead, the studio is driven by a desire to create a game that serves the community, with commercial success being a secondary consideration. In five years, Ebejer hopes that RedOctane will be seen as a studio that serves the community, continuing to make games that cater to their needs and preferences.