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Marking 20 years since Guitar Hero debuted across the Atlantic, offering players everywhere the means to become a rock star. Figuratively speaking, but try telling that someone who has nailed Free Bird’s lengthy instrumental break before a packed crowd of friends.

Created by Harmonix, Guitar Hero provided users with a plastic guitar peripheral to follow coloured notes moving along the screen in time with the music. Each riff mimicked specific notes, producing the feel of an authentic performance.

Harmonix had already experimented with rhythm games before partnering with the publisher, which was acquired by the gaming giant in 2006. Collaboratively, they established the foundations for a surprising billion-dollar series that had a significant influence for many musicians featured, introducing classic groups to millions of younger players.

Michael Dornbrook, ex-chief operating officer from the developer, recalls the early budgetary hurdles in securing the songs – despite the fact initial releases primarily featured cover versions.

“We reproduced every song because the cost prohibitive,” he says. “Even with the necessary permissions by themselves, it was nearly impossible. We couldn’t get acts such as legendary groups – RedOctane had virtually no money, and we were pretty convinced it would fail. However, when the game took off, and record sales and radio play were going up, all artists desired to be in.”

He continues: “One of the remarkable aspects was how many parents reached out and thanked us for exposing their kids to the songs they adored. It evolved into an intergenerational phenomenon.”

Timeless Music Gains a New Audience

Northern Irish group the Answer included Never Too Late in the 2008 release the popular installment. Lead musician the artist remembers how the series brought classic rock back into vogue: “Guitar Hero offered a bigger, younger audience. Typically this had been seen as outdated material, but then once it got included in the title and teenagers were finding it, abruptly it became trendy. That legitimised the genre, eliminating the ‘dad rock’ tag. It gave our catalog a new life.”

In 2008, the Answer’s first record was still not available in the US, meaning Guitar Hero served as a primary platform of discovery for the group as they went on a North American tour opening for AC/DC. “The roadies had on Never Too Late during travel, and some of them recognized us from Guitar Hero,” Mahon says.

Rock’s Heavyweight Titles Enduring Impact

Rock’s heavyweight names quickly took advantage of the game's success, with Aerosmith, Metallica and Van Halen featuring in specialized spin-off titles that focused on their music collections and related stories, visuals and rock’n’roll mythology. For example, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, reportedly to have made the group greater revenue compared to their studio albums. It moved more than 500,000 copies upon release, and sales of Aerosmith’s music rose significantly during an era when the music business was already collapsing.

Guitar Hero still motivates quick-handed fanaticism among its fans. Earlier this year, an online personality completed an impressive attempt of DragonForce’s the challenging track – an infamously tough power-metal song popularized through the game – on Clone Hero, a no-cost alternative with similar gameplay but an array of personalization features. The song is difficult even in expert mode, not to mention performed at double speed while hitting a single one of the thousands of cues. The streamer claimed requiring months of practice of practice.

“The game is a fun, fantasy thing. Just as with other games, that doesn’t mean you should pick up actual weapons and enlist,” notes musician Herman Li.

DragonForce previously wrapped up a successful tour before Through the Fire and Flames was featured in the third game, yet he explains it turned them into widely recognized. “I remember our distributors informing us that we were records were moving like crazy,” he shares. “It exploded on the subsequent tour, and we were playing right ahead of the headliners at the event.”

Indeed, the band's visibility from Guitar Hero proved so vast that it has risked eclipsing everything else the band has done. Recently, the track featured in a trailer for a major film. “In the past I felt otherwise, but I’ve made peace with it,” Li says. “Should you just listen to a single track, it’s totally cool – each person has their own path in music and I’m glad we played a role of people’s lives”.

Enduring Legacy of a Plastic Guitar

The best marketing, whether it’s for automobiles, apparel or games, goes further than selling something – it inspires a longing. Was the game able to tap into that? “Precisely what we were trying to create,” he confirms. “That thrill of performing as a music icon in the spotlight. From day one, the creators believed there’s an instinctive human desire to create songs, and their goal was to use technology to allow people to participate”.

Most of Guitar Hero games were released in just a five-year period from 2005 to 2010, featuring spin-offs like the DJ version, complete with a spinning deck, and Band Hero. Subsequently, corporate focus in plastic instruments waned, aside from a short-lived revival several years later.

Titles such as Clone Hero and Fortnite Festival have maintained the community active, with expectations of a new product from the original publisher on the way. Recently formed developers has begun production on its debut rhythm-based title. The initial creators are both involved as special advisers. Are gamers prepared to welcome a new entry in the spirit of Guitar Hero?

“We thought those games might become like Madden allowing annual update every year,” Dornbrook says. “With abundant new music that it could be perennially popular, thus I remain hopeful. It's entirely possible why it can’t continue for future fans.”