After releasing more than 20 games under the Guitar Hero brand since 2005, Activision has decided to cut the series in 2011. The company has "disbanded" the unit responsible for the games, which likely indicates both layoffs and staff reshuffling into other areas of the company. The company notes:
At the same time, due to continued declines in the music genre, the company will disband Activision Publishing's Guitar Hero business unit and discontinue development on its Guitar Hero game for 2011. The company also will stop development on True Crime: Hong Kongâ¢. These decisions are based on the desire to focus on the greatest opportunities that the company currently has to create the world's best interactive entertainment experiences.
The news comes shortly after MTV unloaded their Rock Band unit. Unfortunately, much had been made of both games and their ability to provide a new outlet for musicians to make some money from their music after declining sales. In 2009, Rock Band sold $2 billion dollars worth of music, and Metallica saw Guitar Hero as a new model for the music industry.