The Iconic Game Turns 20 – How a Plastic Axe Connected Generations Among Music Fans

It has been two decades since Guitar Hero first launched across the Atlantic, giving everyday gamers the means to become rock legends. Not in reality, but try convincing anyone who's nailed the epic lengthy guitar solo before a packed living-room audience.

Developed by the developers, Guitar Hero provided users with a guitar-shaped controller to match coloured notes scrolling down the screen synchronized to a song. Each riff mimicked specific notes, creating the sensation of a genuine performance.

Harmonix had already tried its hand with rhythm games before partnering with RedOctane, which was purchased by the gaming giant during the mid-2000s. Together, they laid the groundwork for a surprising massively profitable franchise which made a significant influence on numerous of the artists included, introducing classic bands to a new generation of gaming enthusiasts.

A former executive, ex-chief operating officer from the developer, recalls the initial budgetary hurdles of licensing the songs – despite the fact initial releases mostly used rerecorded tracks.

“We reproduced all the music because the dollar figure prohibitive,” he says. “Even with the publishing rights alone, it was extremely difficult. We couldn’t get bands like the Who – the publisher was operating on a shoestring budget, and we were pretty convinced it would fail. However, when Guitar Hero took off, album purchases airtime increased, everyone wanted to participate.”

He adds: “Among the remarkable aspects was how many mothers and fathers reached out expressing gratitude for introducing their kids to the songs they loved. It evolved into an intergenerational phenomenon.”

Classic Rock Gains a New Audience

Irish group the Answer had Never Too Late on the 2008 game the popular installment. Guitarist the artist recalls how the series revived older hits back into vogue: “Guitar Hero offered a larger, younger audience. Typically such music was considered music that was past it, but then when it was featured on the title and teenagers were finding it, suddenly it became trendy. That legitimised it, and got rid of the ‘dad rock’ label. It provided our catalog a new life.”

At that time, the Answer’s debut album was still unreleased stateside, so Guitar Hero was a key medium of discovery for the group as they went on US tour opening for AC/DC. “The roadies were playing the song on the tour bus, and several recognized us from Guitar Hero,” he notes.

Major Band Spin-offs and Lasting Influence

Music's biggest acts soon capitalised on the game's success, with Aerosmith, Metallica and others featuring in specialized spin-off titles centered around each band’s catalogue and associated stories, imagery and rock’n’roll mythology. For example, the Aerosmith edition, reportedly to have made the band more money than any of their studio albums. It sold well over half a million copies in its first week, while sales of their songs rose significantly during an era when the music business faced decline.

The series continues to inspire quick-handed dedication among its fans. Recently, an online personality completed a remarkable feat of DragonForce’s Through the Fire and Flames – a notoriously difficult power-metal song made popular by Guitar Hero – using a fan-made version, a freeware game with almost identical mechanics but an array of customisation options. This track is difficult enough on the hardest setting, not to mention played at increased tempo and without missing a single one of its near 4,000 notes. The streamer stated requiring months of practice to accomplish.

“The game offers a, imaginary experience. Just as with Call of Duty, that doesn’t mean you should use actual weapons and enlist,” notes musician the artist.

DragonForce had already completed a successful tour when their hit appeared on Guitar Hero III, yet he explains it made them widely recognized. “I recall our distributors calling to tell me that our records were moving rapidly,” he says. “It exploded when we next toured, and we were playing right ahead of top acts on the Mayhem festival.”

Indeed, the band's visibility via the game was so immense that it threatened to eclipsing everything else accomplishments. Recently, the song was used in a trailer for a major film. “In the past I thought differently, but now I accept it,” Li says. “If you only hear one DragonForce song, that's fine – each person has their own path in music and I’m glad we’ve been part of people’s lives”.

The Lasting Legacy from the Iconic Controller

The best promotion, whether it’s for cars, apparel or games, extends beyond than selling something – it inspires a desire. Was the game able to harness this? “Precisely what we were trying to create,” he confirms. “The excitement of performing as a music icon on the stage. Since the beginning, the creators felt that humans have a natural human desire to create songs, and they wanted to leverage innovation to allow people to do it”.

The majority of Guitar Hero games were released over a mere half-decade from 2005 to 2010, featuring derivative titles such as the DJ version, including a turntable controller, and the band-focused game. Subsequently, corporate focus in plastic instruments waned, except for a short-lived revival in 2015.

Games like Clone Hero and newer releases have maintained the community active, with expectations of a new product from the founders on the way. Recently formed developers has begun work on its debut rhythm-based title. The initial creators are both involved as special advisers. Is the world ready to embrace a new entry in the spirit of Guitar Hero?

“Our team believed those games might become similar to sports games allowing annual update every year,” Dornbrook says. “With abundant fresh tracks that it could be evergreen, so I’ve always been hopeful. It's entirely possible for it to persist for future fans.”