WOW and Guitar Hero 2 added to World Series of Video Games

The world of competitive gaming has traditionally been the realm of the first-person or squad-based shooter, but the World Series of of Video Games is changing that by adding World of Warcraft and Guitar Hero II to this year’s competition.

The addition of Guitar Hero really opens the competition up to a much wider audience, and should also make the event much more watchable for casual gamers–it can be hard to track the action of a fierce round of Counter Strike, but anyone can tell if you’re screwing up "Crazy On You." The PvP action of WoW will get a slight tweak for the sake of the competition: teams will be 3-on-3, as opposed to the usual 5-on-5.

Also on the roster are Quake 4, Fight Night Round 3 (o…kay….), and the obligatory Halo 2, Counter Strike, and Call of Duty. Here’s hoping they skip the ungodly stupid Miss WSVG contest this time, although it certainly did provide some amusing controversy and comedy last year.

RedOctane denies Guitar Hero 2 X360 Controller Recall and addresses 'issues'

Reports of a Recall on Guitar Hero 2 Xbox 360 Controllers at Target stores were erroneous. Turns out it was just a big misunderstanding. However, that doesn't mean there aren't necessarily real issues with the controller.

Red Octane responded to reported issues with said guitar controller to Joystiq. Red Octane states, "In regards to the controller, we're currently in the process of having our internal QA and production teams look into this possible issue, and are working to quickly isolate this if there is one. In the meantime, we suggest our fans try to replug in their guitars without holding down any buttons or the whammy bar, and that may help immediately resolve the issue."

In regards to the Target "recall," Red Octane confirmed that there never was and still is no recall. The Target street date lock out caused the system to ring up as "Recall for Sale." As things stand currently, there is no recall and Red Octane is looking into the issue of possible faulty Xbox 360 guitar controllers.

We'll update you when RedOctane gets some answers.

Read the full story here.

Guitar Hero 2 Xbox 360 Metareview

Guitar Hero 2 hits stores tomorrow for the Xbox 360 promising better graphics, a bigger collection of songs and a better guitar controller than it's PS2 cousin. Does Guitar Hero 2 deliver the rock of ages on the 360? According to reviewers around the net the answer is a resounding YES!! The 360 version goes to eleven!

Check out the reviews below for the nitty gritty.

GamePro 95/100 - Consider this setlist of new additions: 10 new rocking songs, the X-Plorer controller, which puts the PS2's stubby Gibson to shame, the Xbox Live Leaderboards, which separates the rock gods from the garage band wanna-bes, and downloadable content that ranges from gamer-profile picture packs to new songs. Anyway you add it up, the Xbox 360 version is the only one to own.

IGN 94/100 - If you haven't already played Guitar Hero II on PS2, this is a must own game. Even if you already have done all of this before, you may yet find a reason to grab the Xbox 360 re-release. With reworked graphics, sound, new songs, downloadable content and more, this is easily the best Guitar Hero game yet.

Games Radar 100/100 - Buy this game. The content is plentiful (and crucially, more is en route) and the fantasy experience is pure rock and roll excess. Your personal stairway to heaven awaits.

Yahoo Games 100/100 - Guitar Hero II finally reaches the next generation. And while we're sad to be saddled with a wired controller, the other changes are pure gold: better graphics, ten new songs, online leaderboards and the promise of a steady stream of downloadable content. Even as we wait for that online content to materialize, this edition of Guitar Hero II is a chart-topper.

Team Xbox 93/100 - The Xbox 360 gets what’s probably the best party game ever, because GHII is compelling for anyone who’s into music, not just to hard-core gamers. It’s that rare title that doesn’t become boring with repeat plays. In fact, I played it so much the first day I had the game that the tips of two fret-flicking fingers went numb on me.

Guitar Hero 2 rocking April 3rd!

Glue your egg cartons to the walls, warn the neighbors, tease your hair and break out your eye makeup because in case you missed it, Red Octane announced last week that Guitar Hero 2 is finished and will be released for the Xbox 360 on April 3rd.

With downloadable content exclusive to the Xbox 360, a beautiful new guitar controller and more great songs, I can hardly contain my excitement.

I've been waiting for this ever since the game was announced. What will be this year's "Bark at the Moon"? Man, that song was a killer in GH1.

You can't kill Rock n Roll!