No Doubt will see their case against "Guitar Hero" developers Activision go to court this year.
The band began legal proceedings in 2009 when they found that their virtual characters in "Band Hero" would sing songs by other artists and as different genders - something the band say Activision misled them about.
Although Activision had permission to use the band's likenesses, Billboard reports that the band didn't know players could unlock game modes where singer Gwen Stefani could perform in a male voice. In turn, they felt the band had been turned "into a virtual karaoke circus act."
Activision representative Jeffery McFarland says they have a video recording of the band being told about the game's unlockable features, and looks forward to presenting it during the trial.
Meanwhile, No Doubt are putting the finishing touches to their forthcoming album with producer Spike Stent. A studio video from early May previewed one catchy new rock track "Push & Shove", which you can hear in the player below:
The band began legal proceedings in 2009 when they found that their virtual characters in "Band Hero" would sing songs by other artists and as different genders - something the band say Activision misled them about.
Do they realize how utterly stupid this is? This gotta be a move to make some extra money.
Nice. My first thought was, "um, yeah, isn't that what the game is supposed to be?" I mean, players are going to be singing along to the recorded tracks. Isn't that pretty much the definition (as we know it) of Karaoke?
They might as well try and forbid male game players from singing the No Doubt tracks.
If you want people to see Gwen singing No Doubt's songs in her own voice, that's what releasing live DVDs (of the band) is for.
And for the record, Gwen is on my very short list of chicks with no tits, where it still doesn't take anything away from how hot they are.
Courtney Love did the same thing, only it was painfully obvious that it was just a ploy to make money. If No Doubt wants any money, they better study what not to do from her.
remember when Guitar Hero was the hottest thing around? thank God those days are over, kids move to Call Of Duty while we still play the real shit
People can say what they want about Guitar Hero, but it did do some good things.
It inspired some people (myself included) to learn guitar.
Many people thought if they could play Guitar Hero they could play real guitar, and this lead to a greater appreciation of how difficult it is to play guitar.
It introduced some great bands and songs to a younger generation of kids.
Activision representative Jeffery McFarland says they have a video recording of the band being told about the game's unlockable features, and looks forward to presenting it during the trial.
Nice. My first thought was, "um, yeah, isn't that what the game is supposed to be?" I mean, players are going to be singing along to the recorded tracks. Isn't that pretty much the definition (as we know it) of Karaoke?
They might as well try and forbid male game players from singing the No Doubt tracks.
If you want people to see Gwen singing No Doubt's songs in her own voice, that's what releasing live DVDs (of the band) is for.
And for the record, Gwen is on my very short list of chicks with no tits, where it still doesn't take anything away from how hot they are.
You have a point that they might as well sue the players for singing.
It looks like a get-rich-quick scheme in a dry spell (for the band) to me.
That being said, I'm sure the game is painfully easy on all instruments.
remember when Guitar Hero was the hottest thing around? thank God those days are over, kids move to Call Of Duty while we still play the real shit
Guitar Hero gave me the first feeling of what it was like to play the guitar. I was stoked when playing through the songs on GH2 for that reason alone. It also laid the foundation for the rhythm in my guitar playing. I learned to tremolo pick very well as a result.
Wouldnt u play a video game before u agree to be in it
How would you be able to do that? Wouldn't they need to make the game before you can play it? Jus' sayin'.
Anyway, does it really matter if a virtual version of Gwen Stefani is singing other peoples songs, possibly of a different gender?
It's not like anybody is going to laugh at her and say something along the lines of "Hey, I made you sing a male vocal song on band hero, that makes you stupid and gay"...Totally career ruining.
Though I would say she's stupid for taking activision court to such a trivial thing, that I am pretty sure nobody even cares about anymore.
Yeah if the dude from Activision actually has said video No Doubt better drop the allegations before he counter sue's for punitive damages from there false allegations. Could cost No Doubt a lot of money which by the sounds of it they couldn't afford if they are looking to press charges over a 4 or 5 year old game.
I dont see the problem with people using your virtual image to sing with a man voice. If you're really worried about your "virtual image" you would sue all those porn addicted freaks trying to make a quick buck off of photoshopped pics of you naked, just saying.
Does Gwen know she's going against the most evil man in the industry? The Devil's right hand man, Bobby Kotick. Good luck, No Doubt, you're gonna need it.
remember when Guitar Hero was the hottest thing around? thank God those days are over, kids move to Call Of Duty while we still play the real shit
Fucking kids, man. I'm so pissed over GTA V coming out, they'll be sitting their in front of their TV's while I'm out for real driving on the sidewalk and killing pedestrians. And don't get me started on Mario. Those kids couldn't even plumb if their life depended on it.
DemonicTurtle66 wrote:
It inspired some people (myself included) to learn guitar.
Many people thought if they could play Guitar Hero they could play real guitar, and this lead to a greater appreciation of how difficult it is to play guitar.
It introduced some great bands and songs to a younger generation of kids.
Wouldn't this be considered Gender-ism?
How is this any different than say a Caucasian singer getting furious at Activision for allowing them to use their likeness during a Living Colour performance?
Artists at an international level would do anything to preserve the image the media and their fans have of them, this is excessively important to any international band's success. This is far, far from the first time or first band to sue over miss-manipulation of their image, it's actually extremely common in this business.
just saying that before Guitar Hero all I listened to was Drowning Pool era Nu-Metal(although there was always AC/DC and Metallica around thanks to dad and my uncles) but the game greatly widened my musical perspective, with both new and old music.
Didn't Courtney Love do the same thing a year or two back?
Yep, and the suit got dropped for the same reason as this one will. The contract didn't specify anything about artists being bound to their songs. Next time they'll read the contracts and figure that out.
Activision aren't stupid. They would have ironed out all these little details. No Doubt either have really stupid lawyers, are very stupid themselves, or are an irrelevant band who need a quick injection of attention.
remember when Guitar Hero was the hottest thing around? thank God those days are over, kids move to Call Of Duty while we still play the real shit
Quit bitching, guitar hero is the reason i play guitar.
don't tell me, you're the idiot that needed a video game to discover the guitar
Awwwe look some washed up pop star is trying to get media attention and some extra money. Somebody throw this bitch a liver snap in so we never have to hear from her again.
Gotta be honest I still play Rockband every now and then while getting a wee bit drunk. Although all in all, I give support to them suing Activision because they're an evil conglomerate company that only makes games that feed on addictions.
Activision aren't stupid. They would have ironed out all these little details. No Doubt either have really stupid lawyers, are very stupid themselves, or are an irrelevant band who need a quick injection of attention.
Oh.
Activision may not be stupid, but they are totally evil and are probably good at wording things to be elusive yet in a legal midriff free of lawsuits. Some people think Obama is the anti-christ, my thought would be Bobby Kotick.
This is almost as bad as the woman who sued Nutella for 5 million because she thought Nutella was healthy..
Yeah those commercials are pretty good, eh? Love how they say something like, "with just a hint of chocolate." Ha! My kids call it a chocolate sandwich when we use that stuff. Hint my ass! } : - ) >
Activision representative Jeffery McFarland says they have a video recording of the band being told about the game's unlockable features, and looks forward to presenting it during the trial.
Geez, I want to be in the court room when that happens.
First of all, yeah, the game has been out for a while.
Next, to the people who say Guitar Hero sucks, it's actually an awesome game.
Lastly, I'm pretty sure Guitar Hero is no longer being made. It lost to Rock Band. Sorry guys.
Didn't think the band would really care about something like this... Really looking forward to this album, hopefully its more like their earlier albums and less like the dance-pop rock steady.
Didn't think the band would really care about something like this... Really looking forward to this album, hopefully its more like their earlier albums and less like the dance-pop rock steady.
I'm definitely hoping for a retro ska feel too but that track in the video sounds more like Gwen's solo stuff and the more recent dance stuff. I'm curious enough to scope it out either way.
Didnt axl get pissed over something like this too? With slash being on the games cover even though he told them not to include them
Yeah he gave them the rights to use Welcome to the Jungle on the condition they didn't tie it to slash, and then Activision made him an in-game character and put him on the cover
remember when Guitar Hero was the hottest thing around? thank God those days are over, kids move to Call Of Duty while we still play the real shit
Fucking kids, man. I'm so pissed over GTA V coming out, they'll be sitting their in front of their TV's while I'm out for real driving on the sidewalk and killing pedestrians. And don't get me started on Mario. Those kids couldn't even plumb if their life depended on it.
Shit, just noticed a typo. Edit button, where are you?!
remember when Guitar Hero was the hottest thing around? thank God those days are over, kids move to Call Of Duty while we still play the real shit
Fucking kids, man. I'm so pissed over GTA V coming out, they'll be sitting their in front of their TV's while I'm out for real driving on the sidewalk and killing pedestrians. And don't get me started on Mario. Those kids couldn't even plumb if their life depended on it.
You sound old, and iīm going to sound even older when i suggest that kids should read some proper litterature instead of all that mindless Call of Duty. Games are fun, but they are also massive timewasters where you can end up sinking hundreds of hours into a game, while getting nothing valuable in return. You donīt get more insightful, you donīt learn anything of value (like an instrument for example). I donīt mind people playing games, i do that myself, but i think it should be with moderation. No need to play a game 8 hours a day...
Oh cool, a band that has fallen off the face of the earth bitching about a video game. I think I might make a cartoon with Gwen using a voice as a chipmunk.
You sound old, and iīm going to sound even older when i suggest that kids should read some proper litterature instead of all that mindless Call of Duty. Games are fun, but they are also massive timewasters where you can end up sinking hundreds of hours into a game, while getting nothing valuable in return. You donīt get more insightful, you donīt learn anything of value (like an instrument for example). I donīt mind people playing games, i do that myself, but i think it should be with moderation. No need to play a game 8 hours a day...
Sorry for sounding arrogant and old :p /rant off.
While kids should read more, it's not that much more 'educational' or anything than most video games other than keeping your reading at a good level (which is irrelevant if you compare books to Final Fantasy)
and if somebody doesn't have a good imagination then no amount of fantasy novels will help them with that.
Also, assuming that you are playing a good story driven game (again, using Final Fantasy just for reference) then there isn't much difference between that and a book. They are both time sinks and both leave you with a story your happy you saw/read the end of, nothing else really.
Either way, kids should do ANYTHING other than Call of Duty, even if it's play another game. Alot better than paying year after year for the same game with the same engine with nothing really changed just to mindlessly shoot people.
Great marketing scheme though, I bet they could sell people oxygen if they said it had multiplayer and a new map.
