🔗 Share this article

Marking two decades after Guitar Hero debuted across the Atlantic, giving players everywhere the tools to become a rock star. Not literally, though you'd be hard-pressed convincing someone who's nailed the epic lengthy instrumental break before a packed crowd of friends.

Created by Harmonix, the game gave players a guitar-shaped controller to follow on-screen cues moving along the display synchronized to a song. Every sequence corresponded to specific notes, producing the feel of an authentic performance.

Harmonix had already tried its hand with rhythm games prior to teaming up with RedOctane, later acquired by Activision in 2006. Together, they established the groundwork for an unlikely massively profitable series which made a remarkable influence for many musicians included, introducing decades-old groups to a new generation of younger players.

Michael Dornbrook, ex-chief operating officer from the developer, remembers the early budgetary hurdles in securing the recordings – despite the fact the first two games mostly used cover versions.

“We rerecorded every song because the dollar figure was so high,” he explains. “Despite having the necessary permissions alone, it was extremely difficult. We failed to secure acts such as legendary groups – the publisher had virtually no money, and we were pretty convinced the project would flop. However, when Guitar Hero took off, album purchases airtime increased, all artists desired to participate.”

He adds: “Among the amazing things was how many mothers and fathers reached out expressing gratitude for exposing their children to the songs they loved. It became an intergenerational phenomenon.”

Timeless Music Gains Younger Fans

Northern Irish blues-rock band one featured act had Never Too Late on the 2008 game Guitar Hero World Tour. Guitarist Paul Mahon remembers how the series revived classic rock back into vogue: “Guitar Hero provided a bigger, new demographic. Generally such music was considered music that was past it, however once it got featured on the game and teenagers were finding it, abruptly it was cool. This validated the genre, eliminating the outdated tag. It provided all our music a new life.”

At that time, the Answer’s debut album remained not available in the US, meaning the game was a key medium for exposure for the group during their a North American tour supporting the rock giants. “The roadies had on Never Too Late during travel, and some of them knew us thanks to the game,” Mahon says.

Rock’s Heavyweight Spin-offs and Lasting Impact

Music's heavyweight names soon capitalised on the game's success, including bands like Aerosmith, Metallica and Van Halen featuring in dedicated game editions centered around each band’s catalogue and related stories, imagery and rock’n’roll mythology. For example, the Aerosmith edition, it was said earned the band greater revenue compared to their records. It moved well over half a million copies in its first week, while sales of Aerosmith’s music rose significantly during an era when the music business faced decline.

Guitar Hero still motivates quick-handed fanaticism among its fans. Recently, an online personality completed a remarkable feat featuring Through the Fire and Flames – a notoriously difficult anthem popularized through the game – using a fan-made version, a freeware game with similar gameplay and extensive customisation options. The song is challenging even in expert mode, let alone performed at increased tempo and without missing a single one of the thousands of cues. They stated requiring months of practice of practice.

“Guitar Hero offers a, imaginary experience. Just as with Call of Duty, it doesn't imply you ought to pick up a real gun and go to war,” says musician Herman Li.

DragonForce had already completed a profitable run when Through the Fire and Flames was featured in the third game, yet he explains it turned them into a household name. “I remember the record label informing us that our records were moving like crazy,” he says. “It exploded on the subsequent tour, and we performed just before top acts at the event.”

Indeed, the band's visibility from Guitar Hero was so immense that it has threatened to eclipsing all other the band has done. Recently, the track featured in a trailer for Despicable Me 4. “In the past I felt otherwise, but now I accept it,” he admits. “If you only listen to a single track, it’s totally cool – everyone’s got a unique path in music and I'm pleased we played a role of people’s lives”.

The Lasting Legacy from the Iconic Controller

Top-tier promotion, be it for cars, clothes or games, goes further than selling something – it evokes a longing. Was the game able to harness this? “Precisely what we were trying to create,” Dornbrook says. “That thrill of being a music icon in the spotlight. From day one, the co-founders felt that humans have a natural human desire to make music, and they wanted to use technology to allow people to participate”.

The majority installments were released over a mere half-decade between 2005 and 2010, including spin-offs like DJ Hero, including a spinning deck, and Band Hero. After that, the publisher’s interest in plastic instruments waned, except for a short-lived revival several years later.

Titles like Clone Hero and newer releases have kept the community active, and there’s expectations of a new product from the original publisher in development. A new studio has begun work on its debut music game. Original co-founders are participating as special advisers. Are gamers prepared to welcome another game following Guitar Hero?

“We thought those games could be similar to sports games where you can releases,” Dornbrook says. “There’s so much fresh tracks that it could be evergreen, thus I remain hopeful. It's entirely possible for it to continue with new generations.”