Read the remarkable story of Guitar Hero in this week’s issue of MCV

As Guitar Hero prepares to walk on stage once more, we speak to some of the minds behind the blockbuster series.

Former Red Octane and Activision execs take us behind the rise and fall of the mega franchise in this week’s issue of MCV.

We also speak to From Software president and the creator of the Dark Souls series Hidetaka Miyazaki about his new PlayStation 4-exclusive title Bloodborne.

And following this year’s GDC we round up some of the Steam Machines set to come to market.

Meanwhile, Jean-Charles Lacoste, MD of sports monetisation experts InPlayer, discusses that eSports business can do to generate better income.

You can read this week’s issue online here.

Below are the full contents of this week’s issue of MCV:

• COVER: When Guitar Hero ruled the world – read the remarkable story behind the blockbuster series’ rise and fall
• NEWS: GAME: ‘VR is the games industry’s next big thing’
• NEWS: Amazon names new games boss
• NEWS: New Videogamer.com owner eyes further acquisitions
• NEWS: Supermarkets lose game market share to specialists and online retail
• NEWS: Boxed games prices reach new high
• THE BIG GAME: Bloodborne director and From Software president Hidetaka Miyazaki on the brutally hard PlayStation 4 exclusive
• FEATURE: Full Steam ahead – we round up 13 of the Steam Machines set to hit the market
• INDIE INTERVIEW: SoccerManager.com operations manager Steven Gore tells the story behind its football management titles
• INSIGHT: James-Charles Lacoste, MD of sports monetisation experts InPlayer on what eSports firms can do to generate better income
• APPOINTMENTS: Future bolsters GamesRadar+ team, Kate Gray joins Attention Seekers, Ben Law leaves PlayStation and Riot hires former Eurogamer editor-in-chief Bramwell
• SHELF LIFE: Andy Wareing of Morecambe-based Lees Games on the sales success of Dying Light, why Nintendo’s DLCSoft codes aren’t selling as well and whether VR will ever be a hit at retail
• MARGIN MAKER: As EA prepares to launch Battlefield Hardline, we round up the best merchandise on the market for the cops and robbers-themed shooter
• INTERNATIONAL: Portugese games retail has suffered in recent years, with a number of big brands pulling out of the region. MCV investigates