Chat with a RedOctane Producer

The long-awaited Guitar Hero II is about to explode onto Xbox 360™ with over 70 songs. Choose from a wild group of rockers and jam at concert venues that grow in size as your rock career progresses from garage band to heavy metal superstar. Play with a friend and shred riffs cooperatively, or go head-to-head in multiplayer modes like Pro Face-Off.

We recently caught up with Ted Lange, the Associate Producer for Guitar Hero II at RedOctane, to find out more about the future of this innovative series and what it means for Xbox 360.

Another day at the office for Ted Lange.

Xbox.com: What's new in the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero II?

Ted Lange: The greatest addition to the 360 version has to be the long-awaited new guitar controller. Fans have been screaming for a new guitar shape and one of the most wanted was the Gibson X-plorer shape, so when it came time to make a new guitar controller for Xbox 360 we knew exactly which way to go.

The other great thing about the Xbox 360 version has got to be the downloadable content and online leaderboards. We are really excited about all of the things we have planned. We are going to be able to constantly expand the game's song list, and really give the fans what they really want, which is more and more music.

Get ready to rock with the X-Plorer Guitar Controller.

Xbox.com: What achievements do you have lined up for all the Xbox 360 guitar heroes?

Lange: We have some great achievements lined up for Guitar Hero II on Xbox 360. Everything from the easiest (Fail a song) to the most extreme (pass Buckethead's song "Jordan" on expert). There are 50 total achievements that will give all Guitar Heroes fans a ton of stuff to work for, and believe me, there are going to be some ones that will have people really working a long time for.

Xbox.com: Can you tell us more about your plans for downloadable content from Xbox Live® Marketplace?

Lange: We have tons of ideas and plans. Marketplace gives us the opportunity to keep on expanding the game, and we have everything planned from downloadable songs to gamer pictures to themes maybe even some behind the scene videos. We really are just excited to see how much we can give to all of the fans that have supported us for so long.

Choose from a variety of rock-and-roll characters.

Xbox.com: What made you choose the exclusive songs on the Xbox 360 version?

Lange: It was actually the great Jean Claude Van Damme that made us choose the extra songs for the Xbox 360 version. When Mr. Van Damme says you need "Maiden" in the game, you really can't say no! It becomes mandatory.

Xbox.com: What are your favorite Guitar Hero II tracks to riff to in the office?

Lange: It's hard to just name a few, because most of them are pretty fun to play. My personal favorites would have to be "Rock This Town," "Misirlou," "Gemini," "Laid to Rest," and "Hangar 18." My least favorite though has got to be Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath my Wings." I just don't feel that it fits with the rest of the songs in the game.

Form your own rock band in co-op mode.

Xbox.com: What would be your dream track list of songs you'd like to see in the Guitar Hero series in future?

Lange: There are just a few things I would need to make my dream list. A little Zeppelin, AC/DC, Beatles and Metallica. Shoot, if I could just have a full version of GH consisting of multiple songs from those four bands, I don't think I'd set my controller down and I doubt the rest of the Guitar Heroes would either. I will say though, I will make sure those bands get in the game someday. I'm never going to stop going after them!

Xbox.com: No doubt, we need "Back in Black" in there. We can't wait to start rocking. Thanks for your time, Ted!