Unlike traditional online multiplayer modes, GHTV’s Rival Challenges appear at regular intervals as users play through GHTV’s streamed content. Specific songs are marked as Rival Challenge events that launch a head-to-head battle against a “similarly-skilled” online opponent. During the course of each match, both players’ note highways and statistics will be displayed on-screen.
Guitar Hero Live‘s GHTV mode features MTV-like programming blocks that serve up playable music videos back-to-back. The mode offers hundreds of tracks that users can also play on-demand using in-game currency.
Developer FreeStyle Games notes that players can expect to see Rival Challenges appear twice during every half-hour’s worth of streamed GHTV content. Winners receive bonus experience points after each match.
“As you play through the channels, you will periodically be matched up against a similar-skilled opponent to square off, 1-on-1 style, in a song battle to test your skills,” Guitar Hero Live creative director Jamie Jackson explains.
Rival Challenges are available for players who have reached Level 10 in GHTV. Players earn experience and increase levels in GHTV by playing through streamed content and surpassing the scores of randomly chosen rivals. New levels unlock unique customization items, along with in-game Hero Powers and Guitar Upgrades that help struggling players out with difficult tracks.
Though head-to-head versus modes played a significant role in previous Guitar Hero titles, this year’s crop of music games didn’t follow suit. Guitar Hero Live‘s core campaign is designed for a single player, and the recently released Rock Band 4 lacks online play of any sort.
Studio Harmonix noted during a Reddit AMA that “we’ll be sending out a survey about online play shortly so you can provide feedback that helps direct our development efforts as we make decisions about what to do next,” regarding the possible introduction of online multiplayer modes in Rock Band 4.
