NSFCD

Do you guys think GH is something to be truly worshipped as it is currently in our VG culture, and if so do you think it will die down any time soon?

Considering the fact that the GH fan base is immense, I don't think it'll die down anytime soon.

Although, Activision is overdoing it with as many as 3-5 GH releases a year with most of them being pointless or just containing songs from old games, like GH Smash Hits has done.

This I agree on. Many of the releases just add songs, which could easily be done via PSN or 360 Marketplace.

Quote from: Thirteenthorder on July 25, 2009, 03:40:08 PM
Do you guys think GH is something to be truly worshipped as it is currently in our VG culture, and if so do you think it will die down any time soon?

Whose worshiping? Is there a Guitar Hero religion? Some people say that I'm obsessed with it, but I don't worship the games.

But yeah, they better release ALL of the Guitar Hero [One] songs for Smash Hits. I was looking forward to "Crossroads" by Cream. :(

If you strictly mean Guitar Hero, no, I don't think it should be worshipped, especially considering that Activision is milking the franchise to death with a solid (but not stellar) song selection, terrible charts, and way too many game disks.

If you mean rhythm games in general, yes, they should be held in high regard. They're the only type of video game that my parents have ever expressed any interest in at all, and they really have the power to bring together both novice and expert players to the same table. However, I do respect and agree with the position that if developers are to continue producing such games, they should continually be pushing the envelope and attempting to redefine the genre.

Quote from: PsychoYoshi on July 28, 2009, 04:20:16 PM
If you strictly mean Guitar Hero, no, I don't think it should be worshipped, especially considering that Activision is milking the franchise to death with a solid (but not stellar) song selection, terrible charts, and way too many game disks.

If you mean rhythm games in general, yes, they should be held in high regard. They're the only type of video game that my parents have ever expressed any interest in at all, and they really have the power to bring together both novice and expert players to the same table. However, I do respect and agree with the position that if developers are to continue producing such games, they should continually be pushing the envelope and attempting to redefine the genre.

Yeah, I agree with just about everything, but I don't think Guitar Hero has bad note charts. A few of them have certain parts that are just atrocious, an example being "Re-education (Through Labor)" by Rise Against. I believe it's at the "pre-chorus" where the notes don't make sense according to their sound. But you have to admit, theses charts are better than Rock Band's. They make everything too easy and hardly use three-fret chords.

And as for bringing novices and experts together, sometimes that can work against itself. Good communication is needed for players of different skill levels to effectively play together.

I'm just waiting for the ultimate music game (i.e. three guitar parts, bass, lead singing, backup singing, good drums, keyboard^?, all previous characters and songs through DLC). Yeah, I know the game would be difficult to develop, but maybe they could design it for high resolution screens if you play with more than 4 people at once. I don't know. The games really have been innovative, but have brought a few unwanted "casuals" to online play. As long as there's a good, new idea though, I'll buy another music game.

Before GHWT, probably. However, now I'm a little ashamed to be a GH fan, because the series is going downhill very quickly. Maybe they'll turn it around with GH5.

Quote from: TerribleFrog on July 29, 2009, 12:23:32 PM
But you have to admit, theses charts are better than Rock Band's. They make everything too easy and hardly use three-fret chords.

Buh? RB doesn't use three-note chords as often as GH primarily because Harmonix actually knows how to chart things. The only GH chart that I've ever liked more than its RB variant is Our Truth. Challenge is a moot point if the chart has been artificially inflated (lol, Cherub Rock, Before I Forget, NotB, 3s and 7s, Raining Blood (once in III, again in SH), My Curse, TTFAF (also screwed up twice), Do It Again, I could go on) like Neversoft and Beenox so often do.

Quote from: PsychoYoshi on July 29, 2009, 07:32:04 PM
Buh? RB doesn't use three-note chords as often as GH primarily because Harmonix actually knows how to chart things. The only GH chart that I've ever liked more than its RB variant is Our Truth. Challenge is a moot point if the chart has been artificially inflated (lol, Cherub Rock, Before I Forget, NotB, 3s and 7s, Raining Blood (once in III, again in SH), My Curse, TTFAF (also screwed up twice), Do It Again, I could go on) like Neversoft and Beenox so often do.

What are you basing the charting on then? The real guitar playing? If so, wouldn't this ("Sugar Magnolia" by Grateful Dead):

     e---------------------2--x------------------------------|
     a---------------------3--2------------------------------|
     d--1/2--1/2-----------2--2--1/2--1/2--------------------|
     g--1/2--1/2-----2--4--4--2--1/2--1/2--------2-----------|
     b------------4--------0--0------------2--4-----4--2--0--|
     E---------------------x--x------------------------------|
[found at http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/g/grateful_dead/sugar_magnolia_solo_tab.htm (http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/g/grateful_dead/sugar_magnolia_solo_tab.htm)]

have the bold chords as three-fret chords in the game (they're both two-fret chords)? (Sorry about the "off-ness" in the formatting of the tab.) I just prefer it that way as well as other "inflated" charts to something that is too easy. And I wouldn't call challenge a "moot point" nor a point at all. I would call it more of a personal preference. I just happen to like a varied yet sensible note chart that conforms to the sounds of the guitar in the song. If they need to make it different from the real thing, that's fine, because after all, it's just a game. If I wanted to play the real thing, I would use a real guitar.

Also, I think it'd be difficult to chart all those single-fret notes with only five frets though. Some songs (in both the Guitar Hero and Rock Band series) have already had some trouble charting these.

If I've missed the point, please inform me.

Quote from: TerribleFrog on July 30, 2009, 11:39:54 AM
[words and such]

Ah, but your "real guitar playing" thing works backwards. A prime example would be Stricken, in both GHIII and RB as DLC. RB actually got the chart right with single notes, then, as opposed to GH using two notes, as the power chord structure in a song in Drop C would be just one fret. GH also likes to combine rhythm and lead into one superclusterintercourse , as seen in 3's and 7's and TtFaF. There are several other songs where GH uses nonsensical amounts of three note chords, too...

Also, I'd like to point out here that the original GH game (which probably the best charts out of any GH game thusfar) had no 3-note chords in it. I'd also like to point out that you're confusing challenging and fun. That one terrible song in GHIII, Before I Forget, is challenging, and full of three note chords, but still terrible. That one extremely easy song for download on RB, Charlene (I'm Right Behind You), barely has any notes, but is still incredibly fun.

Just thought I'd get my two cents in.

Quote from: metroidhunter777 on July 30, 2009, 03:50:02 PM
Ah, but your "real guitar playing" thing works backwards. A prime example would be Stricken, in both GHIII and RB as DLC. RB actually got the chart right with single notes, then, as opposed to GH using two notes, as the power chord structure in a song in Drop C would be just one fret. GH also likes to combine rhythm and lead into one superclusterintercourse , as seen in 3's and 7's and TtFaF. There are several other songs where GH uses nonsensical amounts of three note chords, too...

Also, I'd like to point out here that the original GH game (which probably the best charts out of any GH game thusfar) had no 3-note chords in it. I'd also like to point out that you're confusing challenging and fun. That one terrible song in GHIII, Before I Forget, is challenging, and full of three note chords, but still terrible. That one extremely easy song for download on RB, Charlene (I'm Right Behind You), barely has any notes, but is still incredibly fun.

Just thought I'd get my two cents in.

I haven't seen the Rock Band chart for "Stricken" so I can't really compare the two. But anyway, yes, it is very annoying to play the lead and rhythm parts in one song, but Rock Band has done it as well and that's not really what I'm talking about. But my "real guitar playing thing" doesn't exactly work backwards. You just stated the other part of it, which is the opposite, but not "against" it (if you will) in any way. That's also what I intended it to mean.

Also, I guess I wasn't clear, but I would just rather have a three-fret chord played in game instead of a single-fret note comparing to a single-fret chord on real guitar. I would rather the in-game frets compare to the strings on a real guitar. If one string is played on real guitar, then a single-fret note would be played in-game. If two or three strings on a real-guitar are played then I think a two-fret chord would work nicely in game (with some exceptions). If four or more strings on a real guitar are played, then I think a three-fret chord would suit it well. The few four-fret chords we've seen could be used just for a challenge and/or more for their "aesthetic" properties (i.e. pretty colors and fun to play) especially if five or six strings played on a real guitar correspond to that note.

As for confusing challenging and fun, that statement is incorrect. What you think is fun may be different from what I think is fun. It's just a matter of opinion. I happen to enjoy playing "Before I Forget" very much and don't have many (if any) problems with the note chart. That song is actually a prime example of the kind of chart I like to play. I don't want the developers to try to re-create the experience of playing guitar, but rather, reinterpret it. Because, after all, it's only a game.

And I am aware that Guitar Hero [One] did not have three-fret chords. The hammer-ons and pull-offs were awful though, but that's another story.

yes

Well maybe they'll release a full set of all songs, but for now I'm not buying the series of lame re-releases.

I, for one, actually really enjoy Smash Hits.  It doesn't feel old or like a bad case of De ja vu, it feels like a fresh new game with nostalgic old tunes.  The master tracks sound better, the charts are more fun to play.

I guess I'm just the odd one out here.

I think if you went out and bought every single Hero game they're making, then you're crazy.  It'll be more of a pick and choose which ones you'll think you'd like best.  I don't really have any complaints right now.

Quote from: Xeph on August 09, 2009, 11:48:31 AM
I think if you went out and bought every single Hero game they're making, then you're crazy.  It'll be more of a pick and choose which ones you'll think you'd like best.  I don't really have any complaints right now.

I bought every single one (except Guitar Hero: Smash Hits which I will still get and am looking forward to) until now. I bought Guitar Hero: Encore Rocks the 80's, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, Guitar Hero: Metallica, and even both DS games, which I find to be surprising decent (on the good side) for a hand-held port. However, I saw some of the songs on Band Hero and just thought, "No. They're totally selling out". It's horrible. Bad, kid-friendly mainstream "music", if you can even respect/appreciate it enough to call it that. The same goes for DJ Hero. Now they're selling out to non-whites (not that they didn't like the other games. But whatever).

I even saw what Harmonix is doing with Lego Rock Band, and, although I do like Legos, this is the same concept as Band Hero. Just another kid-friendly sellout. I am looking forward to The Beatles: Rock Band and Guitar Hero 5 though. Those games might be able to redeem both series.

And you are absolutely right about it being a "pick and choose". I just wish it didn't have to be. =( Oh well. Business is business. :-\

Quote from: PsychoYoshi on July 28, 2009, 04:20:16 PM
If you strictly mean Guitar Hero, no, I don't think it should be worshipped, especially considering that Activision is milking the franchise to death with a solid (but not stellar) song selection, terrible charts, and way too many game disks.

Terrible Charts - Uh, GHM, GHWT, and GHSH Have been vastly improved for the most part. And too many game discs? World Tour and Smash Hits are going to export into GH5 (If I have to; I'll fetch the IGN Article) Along with possible other ones in the future (lolbandhero, M, and VH Are currently in discussion) Which leaves it to about 3 discs once GH5 comes out (GH5, GHM, GHVH)
Oh yeah and exporting is on the wii to; I don't see harmonix doing that.

And eh, should it get all the attention? idrc. It's at least exposing people to new music, and both sides keep improving every year. As long as it sticks that way, I'm pretty fine (Just ignoring most of these random releases; I only played GH:Arcade because my friend bought the tickets, it sucks :/) Rhythm games should in general get more attention tho. The genre is so perfect for having more advanced players be with easier plays as PY Said. I can actually have fun while my friends are still on medium/hard/w/e is the medicore level ^_- Even worked out with only two people on DDR.

Quote from: Thirdkoopa on August 11, 2009, 07:48:03 AM
World Tour and Smash Hits are going to export into GH5 (If I have to; I'll fetch the IGN Article) Along with possible other ones in the future (lolbandhero, M, and VH Are currently in discussion) Which leaves it to about 3 discs once GH5 comes out (GH5, GHM, GHVH)
Oh yeah and exporting is on the wii to; I don't see harmonix doing that.

And eh, should it get all the attention? idrc. It's at least exposing people to new music, and both sides keep improving every year. As long as it sticks that way, I'm pretty fine (Just ignoring most of these random releases; I only played GH:Arcade because my friend bought the tickets, it sucks :/) Rhythm games should in general get more attention tho. The genre is so perfect for having more advanced players be with easier plays as PY Said. I can actually have fun while my friends are still on medium/hard/w/e is the medicore level ^_- Even worked out with only two people on DDR.

Exporting all these songs is great. It's what I've been wanting for a long time :). Exposing people to new music is always good, as well as bringing players of different skill levels together. But, like I said before, it can work against itself when playing online when you want people of the same skill level. But it isn't usually a big deal as long they're not noobs :-\ (noobs use Star Power exactly when they get it no matter the part of the song or the difficulty of the player and have no mic).

Guitar hero 1,2, 3 is okay, world tour is the big change adding mic and drums. Any other stuff can be dlc imo

Quote from: Thirdkoopa on August 11, 2009, 07:48:03 AM
Terrible Charts - Uh, GHM, GHWT, and GHSH Have been vastly improved for the most part. And too many game discs? World Tour and Smash Hits are going to export into GH5 (If I have to; I'll fetch the IGN Article) Along with possible other ones in the future (lolbandhero, M, and VH Are currently in discussion) Which leaves it to about 3 discs once GH5 comes out (GH5, GHM, GHVH)
Oh yeah and exporting is on the wii to; I don't see harmonix doing that.

Terrible charts:
WT: Everlong (jesus intercourse ing christ it sucks), Do It Again (if you're going to chart the organ in the middle of the song, don't turn it into a intercourse ing tapping chart), BYOB (neither RB or GH got it, but the song blows, anyway), Rambin' Man (see Everlong), The Middle (let's chart twice as many notes during the fast part in the solo as we should)
Metallica: Don't have, can't judge.
SH: FUCK YEAH FIVE-NOTE CHORDS ARE BOTH ACCURATE AND ROCK!!1!1!1 FUCK YEAH TTFAF IS AWSUM!1!!!1!

Importing:
Wii importing is moot, because anyone who knows the series front and back will be playing it on a 360 or PS3, anyway (especially after the rumored Elite price drop to $300; it will force Sony to follow suit). Plus, VH and Band Hero compatibility are speculative, as you have already said.

Quote from: PsychoYoshi on August 13, 2009, 02:34:30 PM
Terrible charts:
WT: Everlong (jesus intercourse ing christ it sucks), Do It Again (if you're going to chart the organ in the middle of the song, don't turn it into a intercourse ing tapping chart), BYOB (neither RB or GH got it, but the song blows, anyway), Rambin' Man (see Everlong), The Middle (let's chart twice as many notes during the fast part in the solo as we should)
Metallica: Don't have, can't judge.
SH: FUCK YEAH FIVE-NOTE CHORDS ARE BOTH ACCURATE AND ROCK!!1!1!1 FUCK YEAH TTFAF IS AWSUM!1!!!1!

What's wrong with "Everlong"'s chart in GH:WT ? Rock Band 2 has a good chart for it, but it's really not too different from the GH:WT version.

And what about "Ramblin' Man"? The charts are nearly identical except that Rock Band 2 makes you play the barely audible notes. Other than that, even the solos are very similar. A few parts are moved up or down the neck, but the same technique is generally used.

In "The Middle", the fast part in the solo has the appropriate amount of notes for GH:WT. It really is that fast. They even kept it that way in Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades, (and they usually change some note charts for songs that are on GH:OTD and other Guitar Hero games) which just shows how confident they are about the note chart.

As for "Do It Again", yes, the organ should not be charted at all. But I wouldn't be talking. If you play "Smokin'" by Boston, you'll find that you must play two organ solos for the guitar note chart as well as other organ parts in the song. Both games are at fault for that.

I can't judge "BYOB" as I've never played it on Rock Band 2, but I don't find the GH:WT chart to be that bad. _{(By the way, I like that song so dun be dissin')}

On a side note, do they really have five-fret chords in "Through the Fire and Flames" in Guitar Hero: Smash Hits ? That is a bit over the top, but I've been wanting to play a chart with that for some time now. I think the sacrifice of charting for challenge is worth it in this case. But... I can't tell... are you supporting or opposing GH:SH 's "Through the Fire and Flames" chart?

Quote from: PsychoYoshi on August 13, 2009, 02:34:30 PM
Terrible charts:
WT: Everlong (jesus intercourse ing christ it sucks), Do It Again (if you're going to chart the organ in the middle of the song, don't turn it into a intercourse ing tapping chart), BYOB (neither RB or GH got it, but the song blows, anyway), Rambin' Man (see Everlong), The Middle (let's chart twice as many notes during the fast part in the solo as we should)
Metallica: Don't have, can't judge.
SH: FUCK YEAH FIVE-NOTE CHORDS ARE BOTH ACCURATE AND ROCK!!1!1!1 FUCK YEAH TTFAF IS AWSUM!1!!!1!

Importing:
Wii importing is moot, because anyone who knows the series front and back will be playing it on a 360 or PS3, anyway (especially after the rumored Elite price drop to $300; it will force Sony to follow suit). Plus, VH and Band Hero compatibility are speculative, as you have already said.

Everlong and Ramblin Man are fine with me...Sure they may be a bit overchorded or so, but It's not anything ridiculous. The Middle is fine (Ok, maybe a bit too fast, but RB's was too slow...Or I just play this song generally fast) Do It Again...Eh, I actually found it fun as a tapping solo. It's tapping because you don't strum on a piano; That's at least what I say.

BYOB Does suck tho lol. I'll agree with you on that one.
GHM - Nothing really bad here, aside from chords.
SH - Yeah, we all know raining blood and TTFAF charts suck. There's nothing new there. The other charts however are fine (Take It Off, Unsung, Carry on Wayward Son, and others are charted accurately well along with others) And I still actually somewhat find enjoyments out of the two fail charts of SH.

also don't forget it's not only guitar now. for the most part, drums/vocals/bass have had amazing charts.

Importing; Actually, from what we know, BH Is another platform like GH5/RB2. No news on that one, asides from the quote of them saying that they don't plan to stop at WT/SH Imports with there being "More that they want to do", and the wii is a pretty valid point about imports. While more competitive players into it usually have a PS3/360, GH3/WT Are the best selling on the wii. That has to say something.

Quote from: Back to TerribleFrog on August 13, 2009, 05:08:17 PM
What's wrong with "Everlong"'s chart in GH:WT ? Rock Band 2 has a good chart for it, but it's really not too different from the GH:WT version.

And what about "Ramblin' Man"? The charts are nearly identical except that Rock Band 2 makes you play the barely audible notes. Other than that, even the solos are very similar. A few parts are moved up or down the neck, but the same technique is generally used.

In "The Middle", the fast part in the solo has the appropriate amount of notes for GH:WT. It really is that fast. They even kept it that way in Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades, (and they usually change some note charts for songs that are on GH:OTD and other Guitar Hero games) which just shows how confident they are about the note chart.

As for "Do It Again", yes, the organ should not be charted at all. But I wouldn't be talking. If you play "Smokin'" by Boston, you'll find that you must play two organ solos for the guitar note chart as well as other organ parts in the song. Both games are at fault for that.

I can't judge "BYOB" as I've never played it on Rock Band 2, but I don't find the GH:WT chart to be that bad. _{(By the way, I like that song so dun be dissin')}

On a side note, do they really have five-fret chords in "Through the Fire and Flames" in Guitar Hero: Smash Hits ? That is a bit over the top, but I've been wanting to play a chart with that for some time now. I think the sacrifice of charting for challenge is worth it in this case. But... I can't tell... are you supporting or opposing GH:SH 's "Through the Fire and Flames" chart?

Everlong's WT chart misses half the notes in the riff. It should be DA-da-DA-da-DA-da-DA-da-DA-da-DA-DA-DA, not DA--DA--DA--DA--DA--DA--DADADA. This adds up to about a quarter of the song.

You said that RB "makes you play the barely audible notes" in Ramblin' Man. Last I checked, barely audible notes are still notes. The riff is half of the the song. Half of the chart is wrong.

I said both charts suck for BYOB; I'll complain about the song as much as I want.

TTFAF doesn't have five-note chords in SH. Raining Blood does. Again, chart accuracy takes priority over any artificial (and painful) "challenge" that Activision or Beenox puts in the game. And I hate TTFAF's chart.

Also, yes, Thirdkoopa. GH and RB have sold best on the Wii because it is the best-selling system of the three. If a game is multiplatform, people are statistically going to buy it the most on the system that's sold the most. However, a great number (I'm not saying all) of these players are the 40 year-old women and 8 year-old kids the Wii is marketed for. They won't know the difference.

Quote from: PsychoYoshi on August 14, 2009, 01:31:13 AM
Also, yes, Thirdkoopa. GH and RB have sold best on the Wii because it is the best-selling system of the three. If a game is multiplatform, people are statistically going to buy it the most on the system that's sold the most. However, a great number (I'm not saying all) of these players are the 40 year-old women and 8 year-old kids the Wii is marketed for. They won't know the difference.

Of course, however, the point I'm getting at is that with so many casual owner's, there are some people who use the wii out there (People being cheap to upgrade; Thank god that's not me) So with exporting on that, that also limits the amount of discs for anyone still using that. If someone was playing on the wii, for band discs, on RB They'd have RB1/2/RB:B, On GH, 5/M/VH. (On 360/PS3, It'd be RB2/B vs 5/M/VH, tho, most people didn't buy M and van halen comes free in september. Can't deny a non exportable just yet disc when It's free)

As for charts: Where on the back does It say "We have to chart like a real guitar" I mean, the only charts that would usually get me to stop playing a song/play it less on disc are in GH3 (TTFAF, The Way It Ends, Raining Blood, Take This Life, Don't Hold Back, lol holiday in cambodia, Before I forget, etc) I mean, I don't find all the GH Chart's of recently better than RB, but the charts on GHWT/M/SH (And DLC, If you want to count that) Are CERTAINLY More 'Standable' Than in GH3. (Stupid bridge from Before I Forget or a Tapping Piano solo in Do It Again? Pick your poison)

Quote from: Thirdkoopa on August 14, 2009, 07:46:48 AM
As for charts: Where on the back does It say "We have to chart like a real guitar" I mean, the only charts that would usually get me to stop playing a song/play it less on disc are in GH3 (TTFAF, The Way It Ends, Raining Blood, Take This Life, Don't Hold Back, lol holiday in cambodia, Before I forget, etc) I mean, I don't find all the GH Chart's of recently better than RB, but the charts on GHWT/M/SH (And DLC, If you want to count that) Are CERTAINLY More 'Standable' Than in GH3. (Stupid bridge from Before I Forget or a Tapping Piano solo in Do It Again? Pick your poison)

Oh, I'll totally agree with you that the SH/WT/5/M charts are better, than they were, I'm merely saying that their charts usually aren't as good as RB's.

And no, it doesn't say anywhere that it has to be perfectly charted to the way that the guitar plays. On occasion (RB's chart of Reptilia), some minor switching between rhythm and lead is beneficial. However, I, personally, would like what I play to be as close to whatever the guitarist is playing (while obviously only accounting for five buttons and a single string).

Quote from: PsychoYoshi on August 14, 2009, 01:31:13 AM
Everlong's WT chart misses half the notes in the riff. It should be DA-da-DA-da-DA-da-DA-da-DA-da-DA-DA-DA, not DA--DA--DA--DA--DA--DA--DADADA. This adds up to about a quarter of the song.

You said that RB "makes you play the barely audible notes" in Ramblin' Man. Last I checked, barely audible notes are still notes. The riff is half of the the song. Half of the chart is wrong.

I said both charts suck for BYOB; I'll complain about the song as much as I want.

TTFAF doesn't have five-note chords in SH. Raining Blood does. Again, chart accuracy takes priority over any artificial (and painful) "challenge" that Activision or Beenox puts in the game. And I hate TTFAF's chart.

Also, yes, Thirdkoopa. GH and RB have sold best on the Wii because it is the best-selling system of the three. If a game is multiplatform, people are statistically going to buy it the most on the system that's sold the most. However, a great number (I'm not saying all) of these players are the 40 year-old women and 8 year-old kids the Wii is marketed for. They won't know the difference.

Yeah, for "Everlong" I forgot about that part and remembered it right after posting, after I left my computer though, so I didn't bother modifying my post. So I do agree with you on that.

For "Ramblin' Man", the Rock Band 2 chart I guess is better because of that, but it I think that the effort it takes to play all those other notes isn't worth charting accuracy. The "ratio" or "proportion" of charting accuracy to playability is skewed for this song in my opinion. Like I said before, I enjoy the note chart for "Before I Forget" very much, and that's about the proportion of charting accuracy to playability that I like in terms of fretting and strumming.

I don't have Guitar Hero: Smash Hits so I can't discuss that game with you, but I don't find the note chart for "Through the Fire and Flames" in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock to be at fault.

Speaking of the "chart[ing] accuracy tak[ing] priority over any artificial (and painful) 'challenge' that Activision or Beenox puts in the game", whose priority do you mean? If you mean yours, yours is not necessarily that of the entire gaming community, specifically those who purchase rhythm/music games. Even so, it's the developer's priority (which usually is to please their "audience" and consumers nonetheless) that decide everything according to how they want it to be played. This of course just shows the differences in Activison's and Harmonix's developing styles, in particular when they chart their development teams' cover songs. Just look at the chart for "Paranoid" on Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and the same on Rock Band. They're slightly different because of the style of the cover, but that also gives some insight into their thoughts, opinions, and methods in charting other songs.

As a side note...

Crud, speaking of the Wii and the demographic it's marketed toward, I just saw a Walmart commercial advertising GH:WT (HOLY CRUD EXACTLY AS I WRITE THIS IT'S ON TV NO JOKE I JUST SAW IT) for $99 showing a 40-something woman and her 5-or-so-year-old son playing it. It's probably made with cheaper and lower quality parts so as to lower the price that much. Cruddy Walmart.