The Guitar Hero Phenomenon

Since its release in 2005, Guitar Hero has sold more than two billion units, becoming one of the best-selling video game series of all time. It also left a sizable hole in pop culture, with some of the world’s biggest bands seeking out their own deals with Activision in order to capitalize on the Guitar Hero phenomenon.

The games are played using a special controller, shaped like a miniature Gibson SG electric guitar, with color-coded buttons that correspond to each note on the fretboard. The player presses the buttons in time with music that scrolls across a game screen. Each button press earns the player a score multiplier, displayed on a Rock Meter that fills up or drains as they play. During selected song segments, the guitar will have glowing notes that are outlined by stars: successfully hitting all of these earns the player “Star Power,” which can be activated by pressing select or by momentarily tilting the controller into a vertical position. Star Power doubles the player’s score multiplier until it is depleted.

Most games feature a Career mode that allows the player to progress through the song list by winning challenges, and a multiplayer game mode in which two players compete to score the highest possible total. Some titles have downloadable songs, and some even feature drums and vocals.

A number of songs in the game are acoustic versions, while others are plugged into an amp and played using distorted vocal effects. Many of the songs were created specifically for the game by professional musicians.

Some of the most successful players are able to use a combination of techniques, including the ability to play sustained chords with alternate fingers and to hit multiple notes with each strum. Players can unlock new songs and guitars for their characters by earning in-game credits during gameplay, which are awarded when they succeed at performances.

While the game has been criticized for encouraging people to use their hands in ways that are detrimental to real guitar playing, its creators argue it is an accurate simulation of rock music. Many of the people who worked on the game were musicians themselves, and they used the game as an opportunity to share their love of rock with other fans of the genre.

While it may be possible to learn some basic guitar techniques by playing Guitar Hero, there is no way to replicate the experience of a seasoned guitarist on a gaming controller. The only way to get the most out of the game is by playing with a friend and trying to beat his or her high scores. Even the most accomplished players will admit that it takes a lot of practice to reach mastery. Luckily, the game continues to be available for sale, and there are plenty of tutorials online that will teach you how to play the way the pros do. With a little luck and a lot of practice, you too could be on your way to becoming the next big Guitar Hero legend.