Guitar Hero coming back with Microsoft acquiring Activision?

Guitar Hero once let novice guitar players try their hand at playing some rock riffs, and there's now a hint the game could be coming back.

Microsoft has acquired video game maker Activision Blizzard for a reported $68.7 billion. The embattled video game maker seems to have a better chance to survive with Microsoft’s weight and influence behind it.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Microsoft CEO of Gaming Phil Spencer talked about games strategy going forward. More specifically, he spoke about reviving some dormant properties.

“I was looking at the IP list, I mean, let’s go!” Spencer said. “ ‘King’s Quest,’ ‘Guitar Hero,’ … I should know this but I think they got ‘HeXen.’ ”

“We’re hoping that we’ll be able to work with them when the deal closes to make sure we have resources to work on franchises that I love from my childhood, and that the teams really want to get,” Spencer said. “I’m looking forward to these conversations. I really think it’s about adding resources and increasing capability.”

As Sam Roche of Guitar World reminds us, the most recent entry in the Guitar Hero series was “Guitar Hero Live” in 2015. Per Roche, the series has 25 titles that have sold more than 25 million units and generated over $2 billion in revenue. Follow the money and Spencer’s ambitions, and Guitar Hero will be back at some point.