Great Moments in Advertising: Guitar Hero 4
Here are some questions you should NOT ask yourself while watching this 30-second spot for Guitar Hero 4 (AKA “The Guitar Hero That Gives Up And Just Appropriates The Whole Rock Band Concept Full Throttle”):
Why is Kobe Bryant on vocals? (He has long fingers that make him perfectly suited for bass.)
Why is star Yankee Alex Rodriguez wearing boxer-briefs? Is he too good for the signature Tom Cruise tighty-whiteys? (The same question applies to Kobe, actually.)
Can Michael Phelps’ legs get any longer? (No.)
How does Tony Hawk keep his balance on that skateboard while also simultaneously drumming? (It’s Tony Hawk, after all.)
But here are some questions to ask yourself:
Why is this so short? I could literally watch it for… well, the original song is about 3 minutes long. And yeah. I could watch them perform the whole song.
Why isn’t this available officially somewhere? Why didn’t parent company Activision connect the dots between their young demographic and online video users?
What makes Guitar Hero 4 better than Rock Band? Because this commercial sure doesn’t bother explaining.
If you have answers, of course, the comments are a fine place to share them.
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What I want to know is why Kobe kept his shorts on.
Liz Gannes on October 26th, 2008 at 11:32 pm - Permalink
I DO NOT KNOW IT IS A MYSTERY.
Liz Shannon Miller on October 27th, 2008 at 1:09 am - Permalink
the skateboard is a fakeboard! look closely
bill on October 27th, 2008 at 11:03 am - Permalink
I don’t think anyone can answer those questions. The fact they got some big name sport stars to play was intriguing but the ad was just to short to really enjoy them playing the game. I also agree that they needed to tell the viewer some things that they have put into the game. Why should I be buying this instead of Rock Band 2?
At the end of the ad they should have muted the music and let us hear what Kobe really sounded like. That would have gotten some laughs.
smojo on October 27th, 2008 at 2:04 pm - Permalink
Phelps is wearing a speedo.
Kobe in bball shorts
A-Rod in slider shorts
Chris on October 27th, 2008 at 2:17 pm - Permalink
This ad isnt supposed to de-throne rock band. Its meant to exude the sheer joy and plain old fun that guitar hero brings. Its telling me that even the biggest stars with the biggest egos get down to guitar hero. and mostly it tells the consumer new to guitar hero that “its ok, everybody looks funny playing guitar hero”
havent you ever been playing guitar hero when somebody who hasnt ever played somes in, you offer to let them play, and they look afraid/embarrassed to play?
DJ on October 27th, 2008 at 4:56 pm - Permalink
[...] aftermath, what is the one non-politically-oriented piece to break through the crowd? The latest in the viral ad series promoting Guitar Hero World Tour: Heidi Klum rocking out in her undies. Of course. FYI, Heidi, [...]
Heidi Rocks Out, CA Prop 8 Passes: NTV Station Today « NewTeeVee on November 5th, 2008 at 12:41 pm - Permalink
Hey, havent you ever been playing guitar hero when somebody who hasnt ever played somes in, you offer to let them play, and they look afraid/embarrassed to play?
Left Handed Guitars on February 23rd, 2009 at 6:47 am - Permalink