Editing Rhythm game (section)

=== Peripheral-based games (2005–2013) ===
In 2005, ''Gitaroo Man'''s creator Keiichi Yano released ''[[Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan]]'', a rhythm game for the [[Nintendo DS]] that utilizes the handheld's [[touchscreen]] features. It became a highly demanded import title, which led to the release of an altered version of the game in the West—''[[Elite Beat Agents]]''—and a [[Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2|sequel in Japan]].<ref>Kohler, Chris (2006-09-16). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110604232712/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3153670 "Cheer Squad: Why iNiS Wants to Make You Happier"]. [[1UP.com]]. Retrieved 2009-04-14.</ref>

[[File:RockBand2PAX.jpg|thumb|right|An impromptu group of ''[[Rock Band 2]]'' players]]
Also in 2005, Harmonix and the small publisher [[RedOctane]] released ''Guitar Hero'', a game inspired by Bemani's ''GuitarFreaks''. However, instead of the Japanese pop that comprises the earlier title's soundtrack, ''Guitar Hero'' features Western rock music. The game reinvigorated the rhythm genre, which had stagnated because of a flood of ''Dance Dance Revolution'' sequels and imitations.<ref>Navarro, Alex (2006-01-28). [http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6142896/p-10.html "The GameSpot Top 10 Rhythm Games: Dance Dance Revolution"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010161003/http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6142896/p-10.html |date=2012-10-10 }}. [[GameSpot]]. Retrieved 2009-04-03.</ref><ref>2008. [http://www.ugo.com/games/best-of-e3/?cur=Best-Rhythm-Game-Rock-Band-2 "Best Rhythm Game: Rock Band 2"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915090625/http://www.ugo.com/games/best-of-e3/?cur=Best-Rhythm-Game-Rock-Band-2 |date=2008-09-15 }}. [[UGO]]. Retrieved 2009-04-29.</ref> ''Guitar Hero'' spawned several sequels, and the franchise overall earned more than $1 billion, with the third installment ranking as the best selling game in North America in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/guitar-hero-breaks-1-bln |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906082152/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/guitar-hero-breaks-1-bln |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-06 |title=Guitar Hero Breaks $1 bln – Edge Magazine |publisher=Next-gen.biz |date=2008-01-21 |access-date=2011-09-08 }}</ref> Harmonix followed ''Guitar Hero'' with the ''Rock Band'' franchise, which also earned over $1 billion. ''Rock Band'' titles support multiple instrument controllers and cooperative multiplayer, allowing players to play as a full band.<ref name="fox">2009-03-26. [http://investor.ea.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=373278 "Rock Band(R) Franchise Officially Surpasses $1 Billion in North American Retail Sales, According to the NPD Group(1)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406210829/http://investor.ea.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=373278 |date=2012-04-06 }}. [[Fox Business Network|Fox Business]]. Retrieved 2009-04-03.</ref> The ''Guitar Hero'' franchise followed suit with the band-oriented, [[Neversoft]]-developed ''[[Guitar Hero World Tour]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Aaron|date=2008-11-03|title=Guitar Hero World Tour Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/guitar-hero-world-tour-review/1900-6200509/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102210145/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/guitar-hero-world-tour-review/1900-6200509/|archive-date=2021-11-02|access-date=2009-04-03|website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> ''Guitar Hero'' installments based on specific bands, such as [[Metallica]] and [[Aerosmith]], were also published.<ref name="bbc">Cochrane, Greg (2008-12-16). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_7785000/7785158.stm "Rock bands turn to Guitar Hero"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212013135/http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_7785000/7785158.stm |date=2021-02-12 }}. BBC ''[[Newsbeat]]''. Retrieved 2009-04-03.</ref> Additional songs for ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'' were made available for purchase via the Internet, which generated further revenue.<ref name="fox"/><ref name="bbc"/> Artists whose work is featured in the games receive royalties, and the increased publicity in turn generates further sales of their music.<ref name="fox"/><ref name="bbc"/> The success of the ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'' franchises widened the console video game market and its demographics, and the popularity of the genre drove increased sales of consoles.<ref name="overtakessports">{{cite web |author=Crossley, Rob |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/music-overtakes-sports-genre |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115113001/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/music-overtakes-sports-genre |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-15 |title=Music Overtakes Sports Genre – Edge Magazine |publisher=Next-gen.biz |date=2008-10-21 |access-date=2011-09-08 }}</ref> In 2008, it was reported that music games had become the second most popular video game genre (behind action) in the United States, with 53% of players being female.<ref name="overtakessports"/> At its height in 2008, music games represented about 18% of the video game market.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-18/new-rock-band-game-said-to-be-developed-for-latest-consoles | title = New Rock Band Game Said to Be Developed for Latest Consoles | first = Danielle | last = Burger | publisher = [[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] | date = 2015-02-19 | access-date = 2015-02-19 | archive-date = 2015-02-21 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150221022516/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-18/new-rock-band-game-said-to-be-developed-for-latest-consoles | url-status = live }}</ref>

Video game industry analysts considered 2009 to be a critical year for rhythm games, and they believed that it would allow them to gauge the future success of the genre.<ref name="independent gh influence">{{cite news | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/rocktastic-how-guitar-hero-brought-stardom-to-the-masses-1669257.html | title = Rocktastic: How Guitar Hero brought stardom to the masses | newspaper = [[The Independent]] | date = 2009-04-16 | access-date = 2009-04-16 | archive-date = 2009-04-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090417010006/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/rocktastic-how-guitar-hero-brought-stardom-to-the-masses-1669257.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Both the ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'' franchises were expanded, and they received entries for handheld gaming devices and mobile phones. Specialized titles that targeted specific genres and demographics, such as ''[[Band Hero]]'' for pop music and ''[[Lego Rock Band]]'' for younger players, were released. Sales of music games were down in the first half of the year. This decline was attributed to fewer purchases of instrument controllers; it was assumed that players had already bought such controllers and were reusing them.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24482 | title = Analysis: Guitar Hero/Rock Band Retail Sales Down By Half | first = Matt | last = Matthews | date = 2009-07-21 | access-date = 2009-07-22 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = 2020-08-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200805021930/https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24482 | url-status = dead }}</ref> While analysts had expected that United States sales of ''[[Guitar Hero 5]]'' and ''[[The Beatles: Rock Band]]'' would be high—close to or exceeding one million units each in the first month of their release<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6232261.html|title=Beatles: Rock Band outsold Guitar Hero 5 – Analysts|first=Brendan|last=Sinclair|date=2009-10-08|access-date=2009-10-08|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-date=2009-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011031125/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6232261.html|url-status=live}}</ref>—sales only reached roughly half of those projections.<ref name="npd sales">{{cite news | url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/10/beatles-rock-band-sales.html | title = The Beatles: Rock Band debuts to solid but not stellar sales | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] | first = Ben | last = Fritz | date = 2009-10-19 | access-date = 2009-10-19 | archive-date = 2009-10-22 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091022145910/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/10/beatles-rock-band-sales.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25739 | title = Analysis: Guitar Hero Vs. Rock Band – Behind The Numbers | website = [[Gamasutra]] | first = Matt | last = Matthews | date = 2009-10-23 | access-date = 2009-10-23 | archive-date = 2009-10-26 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091026143434/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25739 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The failure to meet sales projections was partly attributed to the impact of the [[late-2000s recession]] on the video game industry; Harmonix's CEO [[Alex Rigopulos]] considered that at the time, both ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'' were the most expensive video games on the market.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-05-19-rigopulos-dont-blame-activision-for-rhythm-bubble-burst | title = Rigopulos: Don't blame Activision for rhythm bubble burst | first = Brendan | last = Sinclair | date = 2014-05-19 | access-date = 2014-05-19 | publisher = [[GameIndustry.biz]] | archive-date = 2021-04-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210416090108/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-05-19-rigopulos-dont-blame-activision-for-rhythm-bubble-burst | url-status = live }}</ref> Analysts also considered it to be a sign of market saturation.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/analyst-mixed-september-npd-means-more-choppy-waters-ahead-for-industry | title = Analyst: Mixed September NPD Means More Choppy Waters Ahead For Industry | website = [[Gamasutra]] | first = Leigh | last = Alexander | date = 2009-10-20 | access-date = 2009-10-20 | archive-date = 2020-05-07 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200507093406/https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25712 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89407-Guitar-Hero-Gets-Greatest-Hits | title = Guitar Hero Gets 'Greatest Hits' | first = Logan | last = Fredrick | date = 2009-02-12 | access-date = 2009-02-16 | magazine = [[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] | archive-date = 2020-06-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200630152303/https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89407-Guitar-Hero-Gets-Greatest-Hits | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=208086 | title = Activision has three new IPs for 2009 | date = 2009-02-12 | access-date = 2009-02-16 | magazine = [[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | archive-date = 2020-06-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200605132759/https://www.gamesradar.com/?id=208086 | url-status = live }}</ref> Further contributing to the decline was genre stagnation; the franchises retained the same basic gameplay over several iterations, giving consumers less incentive to buy additional titles.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/11/music-game-sales/ | title = Music Games Aren't Dead, Just Waiting to Be Reborn | first = Chris | last = Kohler | date = 2009-11-16 | access-date = 2009-11-17 | magazine = [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | archive-date = 2020-02-06 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200206080724/https://www.wired.com/2009/11/music-game-sales/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos felt that the aggressive competition between the ''Rock Band'' and ''Guitar Hero'' brands on the belief that the market could only support one franchise also contributed to the decline of these games.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/games/blogs/screenplay/pop-goes-the-music-games-20120618-20k7b.html | title = Pop goes the music games | work = [[The Age]] | first = Jason | last = Hill | date = 2012-06-19 | access-date = 2012-06-19 | archive-date = 2013-06-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130605061608/http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/games/blogs/screenplay/pop-goes-the-music-games-20120618-20k7b.html | url-status = live }}</ref> As a result, analysts lowered their expectations for future music games; for example, projections of first quarter U.S. sales of ''[[DJ Hero]]'', a ''Guitar Hero'' "spin-off", were reduced from 1.6 million units to only 600,000.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/dj-hero-demand-well-below-expectations | title = DJ Hero demand 'well below' expectations | publisher = [[Eurogamer#GamesIndustry.biz|GamesIndustry.biz]] | date = 2009-10-26 | access-date = 2009-10-26 | first = Matt | last = Martin | archive-date = 2020-11-09 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023712/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/dj-hero-demand-well-below-expectations | url-status = live }}</ref> Sales of rhythm games, which totalled $1.47 billion in 2008, reached only $700 million in 2009. Analysts predicted that the market would settle at the same "healthy" $500–600 million level of the [[Call of Duty (series)|''Call of Duty'' series]].<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-2009-games-idUSTRE5BH5DS20091218 | title = Sales Of Music Video Games Plummet In 2009 | work = Reuters | date = 2009-12-18 | access-date = 2011-10-24 | first = Antony | last = Bruno | archive-date = 2012-03-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120313082423/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/12/18/us-2009-games-idUSTRE5BH5DS20091218 | url-status = live }}</ref> Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter concluded that the saturation of the rhythm game market accounted for one-third of the industry's 12% sales decline in 2009.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i793156d6041aecbf8cda2e2be5defbc9 | title = Analyst: Music Genre Dragging Down Videogame Sales | first = Antony | last = Bruno | date = 2010-01-11 | access-date = 2010-10-24 | magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | archive-date = 2012-07-21 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120721090852/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i793156d6041aecbf8cda2e2be5defbc9 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

The fallout of the weakening rhythm game market affected game developers, publishers and distributors. Companies in the latter two categories believed that most consumers would own at least one set of instrument controllers by 2010, which would increase the importance of software and downloadable content sales.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/213777/music-games-need-to-refocus-not-reboot/ | title = Music games need to refocus, not reboot | magazine = [[GamePro]] | date = 2010-01-29 | access-date = 2010-02-18 | first = Joe | last = Rybicki |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204132115/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/213777/music-games-need-to-refocus-not-reboot/|archive-date=2010-02-04}}</ref>
Activision scaled back its 2010 ''Guitar Hero'' release schedule to just two games, reducing the number of [[stock-keeping unit|SKU]]s from 25 in 2009 to 10 in 2010.<ref name="vg247 2010 skus">{{cite web | url = http://www.vg247.com/2010/02/10/actibliz-full-year-financials-2009-60-million-guitar-hero-songs-download/ | title = Acti Bliz slashes music SKUs, 60 million Guitar Hero songs downloaded | first = Stephany | last = Nunneley | website = [[VG247]] | date = 2010-02-10 | access-date = 2010-02-10 | archive-date = 2010-02-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100213100915/http://www.vg247.com/2010/02/10/actibliz-full-year-financials-2009-60-million-guitar-hero-songs-download/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The company closed several in-house developers, including RedOctane, Neversoft's ''Guitar Hero'' division, and [[Underground Development]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177918 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716173245/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177918 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-16 |title=Activision Confirms Studio Layoffs |first=Steve |last=Watts |date=2010-02-11 |access-date=2010-02-11 |website=[[1UP.com]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6250760.html |title=RedOctane closed by Activision? |first=Brian |last=Sinclair |date=2010-02-12 |access-date=2010-02-12 |website=[[GameSpot]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215172222/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6250760.html |archive-date=2010-02-15 }}</ref> [[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]], which had paid Harmonix $150&nbsp;million following the success of ''Rock Band'' in 2007, began seeking a "substantial" refund on that investment after weak sales in 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27220/Viacom_To_Seek_Substantial_Refund_On_Harmonix_Rock_Band_Bonus_Dollars.php | title = Viacom To Seek 'Substantial' Refund On Harmonix Rock Band Bonus Dollars | first = Leigh | last = Alexander | website = [[Gamasutra]] | date = 2010-02-12 | access-date = 2010-02-18 | archive-date = 2021-02-24 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210224115301/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27220/Viacom_To_Seek_Substantial_Refund_On_Harmonix_Rock_Band_Bonus_Dollars.php | url-status = dead }}</ref> Viacom also sought to negotiate new deals with music publishers to reduce the costs of the ''Rock Band'' series' licensed music.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3ib5173b54f64bf8d208b13bce1a54d2cf | title = Viacom CEO: We Need To Pay Less For Music In Videogames | first = Glenn | last = Peoples | date = 2010-02-12 | access-date = 2010-02-18 | magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | archive-date = 2010-02-19 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100219063829/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3ib5173b54f64bf8d208b13bce1a54d2cf | url-status = dead }}</ref> Ultimately, the company began to seek a buyer for Harmonix during the third quarter of 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/viacom-searching-for-buyer-that-will-be-better-fit-for-harmonix | title = Viacom Searching For Buyer That Will Be 'Better Fit' For Harmonix | first = Kris | last = Graft | date = 2010-11-16 | access-date = 2010-11-16 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = 2020-08-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200812015256/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31569/Viacom_Searching_For_Buyer_That_Will_Be_Better_Fit_For_Harmonix.php | url-status = live }}</ref>

In 2010, rhythm game developers included new features in their products. For example, ''[[Rock Band 3]]'' and ''[[Power Gig: Rise of the SixString]]'' support guitar controllers with strings, and both contain modes that teach players accurate fingering.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcworld.com/article/199467/fear_and_loathing_at_e3_awards_and_accolades.html | title = Fear and Loathing at E3: Awards and Accolades | first = Chris | last = Holt | date = 2010-06-21 | access-date = 2010-06-21 | work = [[MacWorld]] }}{{Dead link|date=November 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/119145 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100623234725/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/119145 | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 23, 2010 | title = Next-Gen Music Video Games: Real Instruments, Motion-Sensing | magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] | date = 2010-06-21 | access-date = 2010-06-21 | first = Scott | last = Steinberg }}</ref> Despite this new content, sales of music games faltered in 2010. ''Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock'' and ''DJ Hero 2'' sold only 86,000 and 59,000 copies, respectively, in North America during their first week on the market.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=269873 | title = Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock makes 'fairly dreadful start' | first = Tom | last = Ivan | magazine = [[Computer and Video Games]] | date = 2010-10-15 | access-date = 2010-10-15 | archive-date = 2012-10-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025201328/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/269873/guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock-makes-fairly-dreadful-start/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2010-11-17-tony-hawk-shred-flops-with-only-3000-units-sold-in-us | title = Tony Hawk: Shred flops with only 3000 units sold in US | first = Matt | last = Martin | date = 2010-11-17 | access-date = 2010-11-17 | publisher = GamesIndustry.biz | archive-date = 2020-08-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200813060019/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2010-11-17-tony-hawk-shred-flops-with-only-3000-units-sold-in-us | url-status = live }}</ref> This was in sharp contrast to ''Guitar Hero III'', which had sold nearly 1.4&nbsp;million units in its first week in 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/news/guitar-hero-warriors-rock-sales-disappoint | title = Analyst: Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock Sales Disappoint in September | first = Dustin | last = Quillen | date = 2010-10-13 | access-date = 2010-10-15 | website = [[1UP.com]] | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121016143635/http://www.1up.com/news/guitar-hero-warriors-rock-sales-disappoint | archive-date = 2012-10-16 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/npd-behind-the-numbers-october-2008 | title = NPD: Behind The Numbers, October 2008 | first = Matt | last = Matthews | date = 2008-11-17 | access-date = 2010-11-19 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = 2020-08-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200818013427/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3854/npd_behind_the_numbers_october_.php | url-status = live }}</ref> Through October 2010, music games achieved net sales of around $200&nbsp;million, one-fifth of the genre's revenue during the same period in 2008. Analysts believed that the market likely would not break $400&nbsp;million in revenue by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/npd-behind-the-numbers-october-2010 | title = NPD: Behind the Numbers, October 2010 | first = Matt | last = Matthews | date = 2010-11-19 | access-date = 2010-11-19 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = 2019-06-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190616173232/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6210/npd_behind_the_numbers_october_.php | url-status = live }}</ref> End year sales were less than $300 million.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/blogs/gear-up/guitar-hero-not-dead-says-game-maker-activision-20110418 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110421081404/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/blogs/gear-up/guitar-hero-not-dead-says-game-maker-activision-20110418 | url-status = dead | archive-date = April 21, 2011 | title = 'Guitar Hero' Not Dead, Says Game Maker Activision | magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] | date = 2011-04-18 | access-date = 2011-04-18 | first = Scott | last = Steinberg }}</ref>

By the end of 2010, the instrument controller-based rhythm market was considered "well past its prime", and developers shifted their focus to downloadable content and potential integration with motion control systems.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31641/Analysis_US_Music_Game_Sales_Have_Dropped_Fivefold_Annually_Since_2008.php | title = Analysis: U.S. Music Game Sales Have Dropped Fivefold Annually Since 2008 | date = 2010-11-19 | access-date = 2010-11-19 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = 2020-08-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200812010506/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31641/Analysis_US_Music_Game_Sales_Have_Dropped_Fivefold_Annually_Since_2008.php | url-status = dead }}</ref> In late 2010, Viacom sold Harmonix to an investment-backed group and allowed it to continue developing ''Rock Band'' and ''Dance Central''.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/11/viacom-sells-harmonix/ | title = Harmonix Sale Signals Meltdown of 'Plastic Instrument' Biz (Update) | first = Chris | last = Kohler | date = 2010-11-11 | access-date = 2011-02-09 | magazine = [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | archive-date = 2011-03-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110313141341/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/11/viacom-sells-harmonix/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Citing the downturn in rhythm games, Activision shuttered their ''Guitar Hero'' division in February 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32946/Activision_Dissolves_Guitar_Hero_Business_Refocuses_On_Digital.php | title = Activision Dissolves Guitar Hero Business, Refocuses On Digital | first = Leigh | last = Alexander | date = 2011-02-09 | access-date = 2011-02-09 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = 2020-12-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201205183657/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/32946/Activision_Dissolves_Guitar_Hero_Business_Refocuses_On_Digital.php | url-status = dead }}</ref> Analysts suggested that the market for peripheral-based rhythm games may remain stagnant for three to five years, after which sales could resurge because of digital distribution models or the release of new video game consoles.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2011/02/analysis-will-players-see-a-guitar-hero-encore/1 | title = Analysis: The end of an era for 'Guitar Hero' | work = [[USA Today]] | date = 2011-02-10 | access-date = 2011-02-12 | first1 = Mike | last1 = Snider | first2 = Brett | last2 = Molina | archive-date = 2021-04-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210410141432/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2011/02/analysis-will-players-see-a-guitar-hero-encore/1 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="mcv no heroes">{{cite magazine | url = http://www.mcvuk.com/features/863/No-More-Guitar-Heroes | title = No More (Guitar) Heroes | magazine = [[MCV (magazine)|MCV]] | date = 2011-02-18 | access-date = 2011-02-18 | first = Christopher | last = Dring | archive-date = 2011-02-21 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110221120615/http://www.mcvuk.com/features/863/No-More-Guitar-Heroes | url-status = live }}</ref> However, by 2013, the era of peripheral-based music games was considered at an end, as Harmonix announced that it would cease regular updates of ''Rock Band'' downloadable content on April 2, 2013, as the company shifts to newer games.<ref>{{Cite magazine | url = https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/04/02/quot-american-pie-quot-closes-out-rock-band-39-s-dlc.aspx | title = [Updated] "American Pie" Closes Out Rock Band's DLC | first = Jeff | last = Cork | date = 2013-04-02 | access-date = 2013-04-05 | magazine = [[Game Informer]] | archive-date = 2021-01-26 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210126071051/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/04/02/quot-american-pie-quot-closes-out-rock-band-39-s-dlc.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref>