Q&A With Activision CEO: What's Next for Guitar Hero Franchise?

Gamespot picked up and linked to my Q&A in Portfolio with Activision CEO Bobby Kotick. The funniest part are the comments that speculate on ways Activision (ATVI) might expand the Guitar Hero franchise. Best suggestion is Banjo Hero. Second prize: Polka Hero.

Anyway, the Gamespot folks seem hungry for more about Kotick's thoughts on Guitar Hero. Since only a slice of our conversation made it into the magazine, here's a raw chunk from the part where Kotick talked about Guitar Hero.

KOTICK: One of the things that is very exciting is when you think about how you expand your audience -- moving from a solitary game to social experiences. It's a really important change in the gaming experience. It brings new users, new audiences, a new market place.

MANEY: Mm-hmm.

KOTICK: The age appeal is something we've never seen before -- seven-year-olds who have no idea who Aerosmith is are playing the band's music on Guitar Hero. So are 45-year-olds who spent a good portion of their lives following the band around. And so, that broad appeal is something that I think we're capitalizing on. But it's not just about guitars. We'll include a lot of other instruments, vocals. When you look at how it helps us expand internationally, for example, it's the first product we've had where local content is so powerful -- local artists, local bands, local musicians, local promotions.

MANEY: You'll sign up more bands?

KOTICK: One of the big benefits we'll get from our Vivendi transaction is access to Universal Music. Guitar Hero takes you as an artist to a whole different place in the popular culture right now. Your relevance and importance to 17-year-olds is going to change in a way that you could never get any other way. And, you know, my five-year-old is walking around singing "Smoke on the Water." And so, and I think (artists are) starting to recognize that. It's changed their touring opportunities. It's changed the downloads. It's changed their album sales.