New ‘Crash Bandicoot’ and ‘Guitar Hero’ games could be in the works after AI teasers

nme.com:

Crash Bandicoot and Guitar Hero games. A number of adverts created using generative AI recently appeared across Activision Blizzard’s social media accounts, promoting brand new additions to beloved franchises like Crash Bandicoot and Guitar Hero (via VGC).One ad promoted Crash Bandicoot Brawl, a “fast-paced, round survival game where 30+ contestants compete against one another in wacky platforming, puzzle-solving and obstacle course challenges.” Another was for Guitar Hero Mobile, a “fast-paced, competitive mobile rhythm game where players face off in real-time musical battles, hitting notes in sync with the music to climb the global leaderboards and become the ultimate rockstar.”A post shared by Activision (@activision)A new mobile Call Of Duty game was also being promoted across Activison’s feed. “Call Of Duty: Zombie Defender is a top-down, tactical mobile defense game where players build defenses and fight off waves of zombies in an iconic, post-apocalyptic world,” reads the description.

NOT A JOKE: New Guitar Hero game advertisement spotted on InstagramThe post isn't public on Activision's page, but the link is still up as I'm posting this"Guitar Hero Mobile, copyright 2025" pic.twitter.com/3kxX8Ic2HA— Jason Paradise (@jparaLove) February 28, 2025The adverts all linked players to an online store page but when they tried to download the games, they were met with a message telling them that none of the games actually existed. “Thanks for your interest,” wrote Activison. “This isn’t a real game, but could be some day!