Will the Hero series ever die?  Not if Activision has can help it.  Guitar Hero CEO Dan Rosensweig noted in a recent interview that the publisher is already working on 2010's Hero lineup.

Rosensweig did say that they weren't planning to put out as many SKUs next year, but Activision will definitely make sure their successful franchises stay strong and milkable.  Online play will take a greater focus, with digital sales to keep the series alive.  Quote the Guitar Hero boss:

“We’re working on our 2010 slate now. You will probably see fewer SKUs from us, but the focus on making the best-selling, most fun to play, best-reviewed games will continue. Those are the things that are constant. [There will be] more DJ Hero, and the next iterations of Guitar and Band are on the way. But we will see how the market plays out. What you will see is the games will live longer and be more vibrant through DLC.

“We intend and are really happy to be mostly distributed through retail. We love those partnerships. It’s our primary environment. But retailers like the fact that connectivity helps consumers enhance the product they buy in shops. – it isn’t one versus the other."

So if you're actually not sick of the Hero games yet, 2010 is probably looking pretty bright right about.  For everyone else, this is a perfect facepalm moment.