News : "Guitar Hero" lines up new acts

DENVER (Billboard) - With the much-anticipated "Rock Band 2" now on store shelves, rival franchise "Guitar Hero" is sneaking into the news on several fronts.

Most recently, Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash let it slip to Rolling Stone that "Guitar Hero" is working on a Jimi Hendrix special edition akin to what it did with Aerosmith. Metallica is another band previously identified as heading for its own "Guitar Hero" title. Both are expected after the holiday release of "Guitar Hero: World Tour."

Additionally, "Guitar Hero" publisher Activision reportedly is mulling a subscription service for adding downloadable songs to the game. Both the "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero" franchises allow gamers to purchase either individual tracks, three-song packs or full albums via their game consoles and download them to play via the game.

Currently, all are a la carte options, but according to comments made by Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith during an analyst event, the company may offer a monthly fee good for a set number of songs.

Reuters/Billboard