Activision Abused Guitar Hero, Alleges Former Red Octane CEO [Activision Wanted Too Much Too Fast Out Of Guitar Hero According To Former GH Publisher Exec]

Posted on TFTS by Staff Writer on Saturday, 19. February 2011 under: Computer/Console Gaming

We usually rag on Activision for everything from the whole Infinity Ward fiasco to multiple studio closures and of course the polarizing comments Bobby Kotick can’t stop himself from making, but the attack that former Red Octane CEO Kelly Sumner launched on the company in a recent interview even seemed a bit unfair to us. He says that Activision abused the franchise and “tried to get too much out of the franchise too quickly”.

Well then I suppose they must have done the same to the Rock Band franchise as well despite the fact that they don’t own it, otherwise the fact that it’s selling just as badly as Guitar Hero and Viacom was scrabbling to offload Harmonix for a while now just doesn’t make any darn sense. DJ Hero, despite being innovative and well received must have just spun itself out of existence in two games flat. “My gut tells me there is still a significant market for Guitar Hero. Not every game can be a billion dollar franchise, but maybe that’s what Activision wants. I’d be surprised if they sold the brand as it’d prove to the world there is still a market for this product and show them up,” he went on. The thing is, Kelly Sumner, guts are awesome at digesting digesting stuff. Applied to business situations, not so much, regardless of what Stephen Colbert will tell you.

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