Guitar Hero Live Release Date Fall 2015: 'Guitar Hero' Makes Comeback With Live-Action Actors, Online Video Network

Fans of "Guitar Hero" have reason to rejoice. Activision Blizzard, Inc., the game maker, announced plans to resurrect the once-popular video game franchise, which entailed players tapping rhythmically on guitar-shaped controllers along to music.

The new incarnation to be released this fall 2015 is entitled, "Guitar Hero Live." It will introduce a redesigned guitar, live-action actors and an online video network.

"We said we would bring it back when we've got true innovation," said Jamie Jackson, creative director at "Guitar Hero Live" developer FreeStyleGames, who previously worked on "Sing Party" and the "DJ Hero" series. "We wouldn't have come back if we didn't think we were giving you a new experience," Jackson said. "We genuinely feel like we've nailed it with innovation."

In "Guitar Hero Live," players will feel like they're rock stars onstage in front of multitudes of people as they get to experience performing onstage. Players will be an up-and-coming guitarist in a fictitious band, but they will see a first-person view of their bandmates, the audience, which are portrayed by human actors. There will be boos and cheers depending on the players' performance.

Jackson revealed that the game was code-named "Stage Fright" while under development.

The game will feature music from the Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran and Green Day. Digital likenesses of real musicians will not be included. Instead, actors will portray phony band members. Jackson did not explain why the game's fictitious acts would sound just like real-world bands like Black Keys, the Killers and Fall Out Boy.

"It's cool, man," said Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz at an event promoting the game at New York's Best Buy Theatre. "The anxiety of having band members mad at you — our band doesn't really work like that — but in the game it seems terrifying."

For the game's online mode, FreeStyleGames has created a music video network called "GHTV." The original mode will allow players to compete against each other — online or in-person — against the backdrop of music videos. Jackson said "HTV" was inspired by streaming services, and access to it will be included in the game's $99.99 price tag.

The "Guitar Hero" revival follows last month's tease that "Rock Band" developer Harmonix is also bringing back its own performance series, which added keyboards and drums to the mix. Harmonix said unlike "Guitar Hero," "Rock Band 4" would seek to be fully backward compatible, meaning previously purchased songs and controllers could be utilized in the new game.