Activision is taking a hint from its competitor, Rock Band, in announcing they will be adding a drum set, bass guitar and microphone to the next iteration of Guitar Hero. Activision says their plan is to try and win back fans that defected to play MTV's version of Rock Band.

The new game, dubbed Guitar Hero World Tour will include the ability for two groups of four people to compete online as well as let players compose and play their own music. This is a welcomed inclusion to the game as a lot of fans in various forums have expressed their interest to compose their own music. The new game will also feature songs from bands such as Van Halen, The Eagles, Linkin Park and Sublime. Every song is said to be a master track as opposed to cover songs which they've used in past iterations.

Coming out this fall, this game is set to mark a new direction for the franchise. "I certainly think it takes the edge off Rock Band," says Mike Hickey, an analyst with Janco Partners. "What's Rock Band going to do now, add a flute and banjo?"

In the past 12 months, Activision's stock has risen 72 percent due mostly in part to the more than billion dollar success story for Guitar Hero. Activision's only real rival was Rock Band which launched last November.

Activision has not announced how much Guitar Hero World Tour will cost. Last year's Guitar Hero III came with a wireless guitar and sold for $90. Rock Band's kit which came with one guitar, a drum kit and microphone sold for $170. Guitar Hero World Tour will come out with like versions for all three respective consoles as well as last-generation's PlayStation 2.

Source: Reuters