Guitar Hero Mobile Launches with AI Stumbles

The rhythm game genre may not have exploded in the West, but one name stands out as a colossal hit: Guitar Hero. Now, fans of the legendary franchise have reason to celebrate as it gears up for a comeback on mobile platforms. However, the excitement surrounding this much-anticipated revival has been dampened right from the start due to an awkward announcement by Activision.

Instead of a thrilling trailer or a detailed press release, the announcement came in the form of an AI-generated promotional image shared on Instagram. This choice has stirred controversy, especially given the recent backlash against Activision for using AI art in the reveal of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. The use of AI-generated imagery has overshadowed what should have been a momentous occasion for Guitar Hero fans.

Unfortunately, details about what Guitar Hero Mobile will offer in terms of gameplay and sound are scarce. The franchise did make an appearance on mobile devices nearly two decades ago, but expectations are high for a modern and impressive revival. Below is a glimpse of the past mobile version:

The AI-generated art used in the announcement has been widely criticized for its poor quality, with many questioning whether it was even created using the latest image generation technology. This misstep could spell trouble for Guitar Hero Mobile, particularly with strong competition from games like Space Ape's popular BeatStar.

While the concept of Guitar Hero returning to mobile is thrilling and holds immense potential, Activision's choice of announcement has undeniably cast a shadow over the positives. Despite this, the anticipation for a successful revival remains.

In the meantime, if you're curious about how other major franchises have fared on mobile devices, consider exploring the top 9 Final Fantasy games available on smartphones.