Guitar Hero Mobile Launch Stumbles with AI Announcement

Guitar Hero Mobile: A Rocky Start for a Legendary Franchise

The rhythm game genre may not have exploded in the West, but Guitar Hero was a monumental exception. Now, this iconic franchise is poised for a mobile comeback, yet its announcement has been… less than stellar. Activision's reveal, not through a trailer or press release, but via a jarringly obvious AI-generated image on Instagram, has sparked immediate backlash. This follows another controversial use of AI art in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, further fueling the criticism.

Details on Guitar Hero Mobile remain scarce. While the series did have a previous mobile iteration almost two decades ago (see image below), expectations are understandably high for a modern adaptation.

A Sour Note: The AI Art Controversy

The AI-generated art used for the announcement has been widely criticized for its poor quality and lack of polish. This misstep casts a significant shadow over the game's launch, especially considering the strong competition from titles like Space Ape's BeatStar.

Despite the excitement surrounding a Guitar Hero mobile return and its potential, Activision's questionable announcement strategy has undeniably damaged initial enthusiasm. The franchise holds immense potential on mobile, but this stumble raises serious concerns.

For a look at how other major franchises have successfully transitioned to mobile, check out our list of the top 9 Final Fantasy games available on smartphones.