Activision has sent out some new pictures showing off its new peripherals for the next game in the Guitar Hero series, World Tour. The pictures suggest that Activision's spat with Gibson is still ongoing.

While we've seen the drums before, it's good to see the mic. The new guitar, and all it alludes to, makes more interesting viewing given GH's previous partnership with Les Paul maker, Gibson. Remember, the whole music/video game war is based on alliances and keeping them.

While sporting a retro flame look, the new guitar looks distinctly un-Gibson-like (although it does feature a new touch-pad on the neck that enables users to do funky things to their notes as they play... apparently). This un-Gibson-like look also makes it appear that Activision is still in legal tussles with the guitar maker. Looking at Gibson's product line, the only instrument that comes close to the Guitar Hero peripheral is the Kramer, but it really doesn't come that close.

Gibson has gone after Activision through the courts after it claimed the games publisher had infringed one of its patents. You would think Gibson would have noticed when it licensed its branding to the Guitar Hero games...

It occurs to us that it's about time someone started using a sexier method of showing off their music game peripherals. Would it kill Activision to have a scantily clad rock chick in the pictures? Or maybe in a few weeks they'll have a picture of a Beatle playing the instruments...? Could happen.

Anyway, have a gander for yourself.

^{And what's wrong with Rickenbacker? Asks the Evil Editor?}