Is TAC is Ready to Rock?
As long as you pronounce it like “talk,” it makes for an awesomely corny rhyme scheme. See? Everyone wins!
Published: September 21, 2006
Odds are, you’ve never heard of The Ant Commandos (or TAC, if you’re one of them acronym-talkin’ types). But odds are for the birds, because there’s a good chance you soon will.
A leading accessory and peripheral developer, the Chino, Calif.-based company has cooked up what would seem to be a sure-fire hit amongst the hardcore: a smorgasbord of guitar controllers and accessories compatible with everyone’s favorite resident rocker, Guitar Hero. The axes themselves come in a pair of colors (red and blue), both wired and wireless, and are soon to be even more customizable with TAC’s forthcoming line-up of guitar skins.
A sure-fire hit indeed.... that is, if RedOctane and newfound owner Activision were in any favor of it.
The two companies filed a lawsuit against the third party accessory-maker this week for copyright infringement, “deceptive trade practices, false advertising and unjust enrichment,” according to the Next Generation article. Furthermore, they claimed that the TAC guitars don’t even work right with Guitar Hero, citing a busted tilt system.
But in a vicious game of “who copied who,” The Ant Commandos have fired right back, asserting that they were the ones who were ripped off, or more specifically, their partial owners at Topway Electrical Appliance, Co., who put out a plastic axe (the “Magical Guitar”) of their own as a peripheral for the original PlayStation back in 1999. RedOctane, as TAC’s side of the story goes, ripped off the Topway design right down to the color, design and placement of the variegated fret buttons (or “trade dress,” if you want legal terms), even allegedly ordering the guitars en masse and making frequent visits to the Topway factory.
It’s a doozy of a story, and certainly worth keeping tabs on at next-gen.biz as it further develops, but despite the legal battles, TAC doesn’t look to be backing down time soon in its mission in assuring you, John Q. Gamer, can rock out with your... block out, anytime you please.
The latest addition to their lineup is the Guitar Mania Amplifier 28r, a sexy little piece that actually that takes the whole “rock arena scenario” one step further (and hell if it doesn’t have a striking resemblance to a Fender amp OMGLAWSUIT!) Yes, it actually works like a real amplifier, complete with two 1/4” inputs and a pair of instrument (for guitars and microphones, karaoke regulars) channels with respective volume controls, a master volume, bass and treble control, mounted with a sleek silver face plate, and an impressive 30 watts of power at your disposal.
The Amplifier 28r, compatible with any guitar controller (even the licensed ones!) is expected to come bundled (in the – wait for it --Ultimate Rock Star Gaming Package) with the Rocking Freedom V Wireless Guitar Controller and Flame Guitar Strap, all for a low, low price of... ok, so they didn’t specify, but you better believe it’ll be low!
You can take a look for yourself at the entire Guitar Mania lineup at the official website, so get ‘em while they last. No, seriously, RedOctane and Activision ain’t playin’ around with this legal jive.
A leading accessory and peripheral developer, the Chino, Calif.-based company has cooked up what would seem to be a sure-fire hit amongst the hardcore: a smorgasbord of guitar controllers and accessories compatible with everyone’s favorite resident rocker, Guitar Hero. The axes themselves come in a pair of colors (red and blue), both wired and wireless, and are soon to be even more customizable with TAC’s forthcoming line-up of guitar skins.
A sure-fire hit indeed.... that is, if RedOctane and newfound owner Activision were in any favor of it.
The two companies filed a lawsuit against the third party accessory-maker this week for copyright infringement, “deceptive trade practices, false advertising and unjust enrichment,” according to the Next Generation article. Furthermore, they claimed that the TAC guitars don’t even work right with Guitar Hero, citing a busted tilt system.
But in a vicious game of “who copied who,” The Ant Commandos have fired right back, asserting that they were the ones who were ripped off, or more specifically, their partial owners at Topway Electrical Appliance, Co., who put out a plastic axe (the “Magical Guitar”) of their own as a peripheral for the original PlayStation back in 1999. RedOctane, as TAC’s side of the story goes, ripped off the Topway design right down to the color, design and placement of the variegated fret buttons (or “trade dress,” if you want legal terms), even allegedly ordering the guitars en masse and making frequent visits to the Topway factory.
It’s a doozy of a story, and certainly worth keeping tabs on at next-gen.biz as it further develops, but despite the legal battles, TAC doesn’t look to be backing down time soon in its mission in assuring you, John Q. Gamer, can rock out with your... block out, anytime you please.
The latest addition to their lineup is the Guitar Mania Amplifier 28r, a sexy little piece that actually that takes the whole “rock arena scenario” one step further (and hell if it doesn’t have a striking resemblance to a Fender amp OMGLAWSUIT!) Yes, it actually works like a real amplifier, complete with two 1/4” inputs and a pair of instrument (for guitars and microphones, karaoke regulars) channels with respective volume controls, a master volume, bass and treble control, mounted with a sleek silver face plate, and an impressive 30 watts of power at your disposal.
The Amplifier 28r, compatible with any guitar controller (even the licensed ones!) is expected to come bundled (in the – wait for it --Ultimate Rock Star Gaming Package) with the Rocking Freedom V Wireless Guitar Controller and Flame Guitar Strap, all for a low, low price of... ok, so they didn’t specify, but you better believe it’ll be low!
You can take a look for yourself at the entire Guitar Mania lineup at the official website, so get ‘em while they last. No, seriously, RedOctane and Activision ain’t playin’ around with this legal jive.
