DJ Hero's October launch brought about exactly the sort of changes critics of the genre have been clamoring for: a markedly different play style, an all-new controller, and a radically different approach to music content in the form of novel mashups and remixes of familiar tunes.

And the response has been deafeningly apathetic. According to the NPD Group, which tracks games sales every month and publishes an eagerly-anticipated report on the subject each month, in the crucial first few days of release it sold less than 123,000 units, well below even the most conservative analyst estimate. Now, strong reviews and positive word-of-mouth could give the game a boost in the holiday season. But the point is, Activision tried to bring something brand-new to the genre, and the public seems to have barely noticed.

So is it even possible for music games to regain some of their faded glory, to reclaim that fire that drove Guitar Hero III to become the second-best-selling game of the decade? Sure it is. But it will take focus, restraint, and a willingness to work with the hardware consumers already have in their living rooms.

First, and perhaps most importantly: Designers need to ensure that their games support every bit of current music-game hardware. At this stage of the game, it's absurd that, say, Guitar Hero 5 doesn't support Rock Band instruments on the Wii. At this point, if you put out a game that doesn't support the instruments gamers already have, we just won't buy it. The idea that we'll invest in yet another set of drums or one more guitar is absurdly wishful thinking.

Second: Publishers need to show more restraint in the way they're releasing new product. The Guitar Hero franchise saw seven new games hit consoles in 2009, and the Rock Band franchise added another three. As good as any of these games might be, they're just too similar to the originals for many gamers to pay full price for them. Consider what a different state the genre might be in if these releases were presented--and priced--as the expansion packs they essentially are. Publishers, if you're not introducing significant new gameplay features, you shouldn't pretend to be releasing a brand-new game. It makes gamers stabby.