Forget the prototype, it's time for Activision to revive the game that defined the era of the mid-2000s

Prototype For the first time in more than a decade, fans have reason to be excited with remarkable evidence of a remaster, remake, or maybe even a sequel. Excitement at the prospect shouldn't be surprising, as the 2009 open-world action game is widely regarded as one of the most overlooked games in Activision's portfolio.

The rumbling continued Prototype development first surfaced in the summer of 2025 when a Reddit user with the handle Bigbyy leaked information about Call of Duty: Black Ops 7except for the claim of new Prototype game. Although Bigby's Reddit account has seemingly been deleted, the claims they made Black Ops 7 It turns out to be accurate and lends it more verisimilitude Prototype claim. Recently, the 17-year-old game received an update — the first in years — that cracked an unofficial PC patch that made it playable on modern hardware.

Mid-air helicopter attack in Prototype (2009)

More significant than this were the additions to the original game. Not only do the updated credits refer to the currently non-existent version of Ubisoft Connect, but they also now credit Iron Galaxy Studios, the company known for remakes/remasters of Activision games such as Spyro Reignited Trilogy and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4. Needless to say, these updated credits vindicated Bigbyy's earlier claims in the eyes of many. But Activision shouldn't stop there.

It's worth noting that Bigby's news info Prototypewhich they claim they got thanks to being part of Activision's studio, seems to hint at a full-fledged sequel, while the recent Prototype The update seems to hint at a remake or remaster.

If Activision is bringing back the prototype, they should bring back the guitar hero too

Prototype it's reminiscent of a very different era of Activision, when the company focused less on massive, persistent live-service games and more on single-player or local multiplayer titles. Much more symbolic than Prototype of this era Activision was Guitar hero a franchise that every gamer in their 20s or older probably remembers fondly. Despite its cultural significance, Guitar hero and related structural pillars have more or less been abandoned and that should change.

For the uninitiated, Guitar hero the games are, at their core, fairly basic rhythm-based games in which players must press buttons in time with popular rock songs to achieve the highest possible score. Which really promoted Guitar hero however, within the rhythm genre were its peripherals: the games were sold along with a plastic guitar-shaped controller that had five buttons roughly correlating with different positions on the fingerboard. Additionally, a flipswitch was available for use with the player's strumming hand, effectively simulating the basic movements of actual guitar playing. Some guitars even had a whammy bar that could be used to get extra points. Later items would also include a drum kit and microphone, all of which could be used simultaneously with the guitars.

Guitar hero wasn't the first game to feature peripherals and themed controllers, but it was by far the best execution of the idea. While something like Donkey Kong Jungle Beatthe bongo set was considered a bland, expensive gimmick, Guitar heroThe approximation of real instruments was undoubtedly essential to his gaming experience. Sure, you he could play games with a regular gamepad, but that would defeat the purpose. The tactility of toy guitars and drums did Guitar hero games memorable but also accessible and appealing to non-gamers. It was a phenomenon similar to Wii Sports: everyone and their grandmother wanted a piece Guitar hero obsession. It's about time the industry brought back that kind of whimsy.

A Life of Prayer: Challenges Facing the Guitar Hero Revival

The best part Guitar hero it is also the biggest barrier to new entry. Peripherals are crucial to the franchise, but they are undoubtedly expensive to create for both Activision and consumers. Original from 2005 Guitar hero also sold a guitar controller for just $70 per game, but its modern version would likely be more expensive for several reasons, including inflation, higher expected returns for video game investors, and the rising cost of critical materials such as microprocessors and rare earth minerals. That shouldn't be surprising Guitar hero production began to decline during the 2008 financial crisis; before 2008, it was a different time for every industry, including games.

That's to say nothing of the environmental impact of producing so many new peripherals, which is likely to be significant.

How could guitar hero make a comeback

There are several potential recovery options Guitar hero without the need for expensive peripheral electronics with high resource requirements. VR and AR are always options, even if they lack the tangibility that is so essential Guitar hero's appeal. This wouldn't be Beat Sabre or Pistol whipwhich were designed from the ground up with VR controls in mind.

Backwards compatibility with older ones Guitar hero controllers, assuming these devices could be updated or compatible with modern systems via a dongle or cable, might be a more attractive option. Or new Guitar hero could customize the gameplay of guitar learning apps like Rock climber and Guitar coachwhich would allow players to use real-world instruments combined with an appropriately sensitive microphone as game controllers. This could perhaps be combined with VR or AR technology for greater parity with the classics Guitar hero.

Regardless, it's time to start playing with a new one Guitar hero.