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Marking two decades since Guitar Hero debuted in North America, giving everyday gamers the tools to feel like a rock star. Figuratively speaking, though you'd be hard-pressed convincing anyone who has mastered the epic lengthy guitar solo before an enthusiastic living-room audience.

Developed by the developers, 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, creating the sensation of a genuine live show.

Harmonix had already experimented with rhythm games before partnering with RedOctane, which was purchased by the gaming giant during the mid-2000s. Together, they established the foundations for an unlikely massively profitable series which made a remarkable influence for many musicians included, showcasing decades-old groups to millions of gaming enthusiasts.

Michael Dornbrook, ex-chief operating officer from the developer, recalls the early financial challenges in securing the songs – even though the first two games mostly used cover versions.

“We reproduced all the music because the cost was so high,” he explains. “Despite having the publishing rights alone, it proved extremely difficult. We couldn’t get bands like the Who – RedOctane had virtually no money, and our team was pretty convinced it would fail. However, when the game became a hit, and record sales airtime increased, everyone wanted to participate.”

He continues: “One of the amazing things was the number of parents reached out expressing gratitude for exposing their children to the songs they adored. It became an intergenerational thing.”

Timeless Music Finds a New Audience

Northern Irish blues-rock band the Answer had Never Too Late on the 2008 game the popular installment. Lead musician Paul Mahon recalls the way the game revived classic rock to the forefront: “The game offered a bigger, new demographic. Generally this had been seen as music that was past it, but then when it was featured on the title young people discovered it, abruptly it was cool. This validated the genre, and got rid of the outdated tag. It gave our catalog a new life.”

At that time, the Answer’s debut album remained unreleased stateside, so the game served as a primary platform for exposure for the group as they went on a North American tour supporting AC/DC. “The roadies were playing Never Too Late on the tour bus, and several knew us from Guitar Hero,” he notes.

Rock’s Heavyweight Spin-offs and Lasting Impact

Music's biggest acts quickly capitalised on the game's success, including bands like 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. In the case of, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, it was said to have made the band more money than any of their records. It moved more than half a million units in its first week, and demand for Aerosmith’s music rose significantly during an era as the industry was already collapsing.

Guitar Hero still motivates quick-handed dedication within the community. Recently, a streamer completed an impressive attempt featuring Through the Fire and Flames – a notoriously difficult anthem made popular by Guitar Hero – using a fan-made version, a no-cost alternative with similar gameplay but an array of personalization features. This track is difficult even in the hardest setting, let alone played at double speed and without missing every one of its near 4,000 notes. They stated requiring nine months of practice.

“Guitar Hero offers a, imaginary experience. Just as with other games, it doesn't imply you ought to pick up actual weapons and enlist,” says DragonForce guitarist the artist.

DragonForce previously completed a successful tour before Through the Fire and Flames appeared in the third game, but Li says it turned them into widely recognized. “I remember our distributors calling to tell me that we were selling albums like crazy,” he says. “It exploded on the subsequent tour, and we performed just before the headliners on the Mayhem festival.”

In fact, the band's visibility via the game proved so vast that it has threatened to overshadow everything else the band has done. Last year, the track was used in a trailer for a major film. “Previously I thought differently, but now I accept it,” he admits. “Should you just hear a single track, that's fine – each person has their own path in music and I’m glad we played a role in fans' experiences”.

The Lasting Legacy from the Plastic Guitar

Top-tier marketing, be it for cars, clothes or video games, goes further than selling something – it evokes a longing. Did Guitar Hero tap into that? “Precisely what our team trying to create,” Dornbrook says. “The excitement of being a rock star on the stage. From day one, the creators believed humans have a natural human desire to make music, and their goal was to use technology to allow people to do it”.

The majority of Guitar Hero games were released in just a half-decade from 2005 to 2010, including derivative titles like DJ Hero, including a turntable controller, and Band Hero. Subsequently, corporate focus in plastic instruments died down, except for a short-lived revival several years later.

Games like Clone Hero and newer releases have maintained the community alive, with expectations of a new product from the founders in development. A new studio has begun work on their first rhythm-based title. The initial creators are both involved in advisory roles. Is the world ready to embrace another game following Guitar Hero?

“Our team believed such titles could be like Madden allowing annual releases,” he remarks. “With abundant fresh tracks it could remain evergreen, thus I remain optimistic. It's entirely possible for it to continue for future fans.”