Rumors are going around that a new "Guitar Hero" game will be unveiled at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) happening in June.
According to unnamed sources, game publisher Activision is looking to develop and bring back the popular music-themed video game, Kotaku reported.
Aside from a new game, the insiders claimed that the publisher is working on new instrument-shaped controllers. They said that unlike the controllers used in the previous "Guitar Hero" games, the new ones will appear more realistic.
As for which consoles the rumored new "Guitar Hero" game will debut on, the sources mentioned the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One platforms.
Kotaku reached out to Activision but the company did not clarify the rumors surrounding "Guitar Hero." Instead, a representative from the company said Activision will only revive the series if new developments are made.
"We don't comment on rumor or speculation, but have previously said, that as one of the most beloved entertainment franchises, we would only bring 'Guitar Hero' back if we developed the right innovations to usher the franchise into the new generation of gaming," the spokesperson told Kotaku.
The first installment of the "Guitar Hero" series debuted in North America in November of 2005 for the PlayStation 2. It was developed by Harmonix and published by the Activision subsidiary RedOctane.
The game, which allowed players to experience their fantasies of playing in a rock band, spawned numerous sequels and expansion packs.
However, in 2011, Activision discontinued the franchise following the release of its latest installment, "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock" in 2010, Eurogamer has learned. The company's CEO, Eric Hirshberg, explained that the declining popularity of the music genre among gamers is the primary reason behind the decision to kill the series.
Aside from "Guitar Hero," another similarly themed franchise, "Rock Band," was also affected by the lack of support from gamers.
"It's no secret that not just 'Guitar Hero,' but also 'Rock Band,' and the music category in general, do not have the same mass appeal today that they did a few years ago," Hirshberg said in a statement according to Eurogamer.
