Guitar Hero Mobile Launch Stumbles with AI Announcement

Guitar Hero Mobile: A Rocky Start for a Legendary Franchise

The rhythm game genre may not have exploded in the West, but Guitar Hero was a monumental exception. Now, this iconic franchise is poised for a mobile comeback, but Activision's announcement stumbled badly.

Instead of a thrilling trailer or press release, the reveal consisted of a jarring, AI-generated image on Instagram. This has understandably overshadowed the news, particularly given Activision's recent controversies surrounding AI art in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

Details about Guitar Hero Mobile's gameplay and visuals remain scarce. While the franchise had a previous mobile iteration nearly two decades ago (see image below), expectations are understandably high for a modern, polished experience.

A Sour Note: The AI Art Controversy

The AI art used in the announcement has drawn significant criticism, with many pointing out its low quality and lack of polish, suggesting it wasn't even created with modern AI generators. This misstep could seriously hinder the game's launch, especially considering the stiff competition from successful rhythm games like Space Ape's BeatStar.

Despite the initial setbacks, the potential for a successful Guitar Hero mobile experience remains. Activision's missteps, however, are undeniable.

For those curious about other successful mobile adaptations of major franchises, explore our list of the top 9 Final Fantasy games on mobile.