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It has been 20 years after the legendary game debuted in North America, offering everyday gamers the opportunity to feel like a rock star. Figuratively speaking, but try convincing anyone who's nailed Free Bird’s lengthy instrumental break in front of a packed crowd of friends.

Developed by the developers, the game provided users with a guitar-shaped controller to match coloured notes moving along the display synchronized to the music. Every sequence corresponded to particular chords, creating the sensation of an authentic performance.

Harmonix previously tried its hand with rhythm games prior to teaming up with RedOctane, later purchased by the gaming giant in 2006. Collaboratively, they established the groundwork for a surprising massively profitable franchise which made a significant influence for many of the artists featured, introducing classic groups to a new generation of younger players.

Michael Dornbrook, ex-chief operating officer from the developer, remembers the early financial challenges in securing the songs – even though initial releases mostly used rerecorded tracks.

“We reproduced every song since the cost was so high,” he says. “Even with the publishing rights alone, it proved extremely difficult. We failed to secure bands like the Who – RedOctane was operating on a shoestring budget, and our team was pretty convinced the project would flop. But once the game took off, and record sales and radio play increased, all artists desired to be in.”

He adds: “Among the amazing things was the number of mothers and fathers reached out expressing gratitude for introducing their children to the songs they adored. It evolved into an intergenerational phenomenon.”

Timeless Music Gains a New Audience

Irish blues-rock band the Answer included their track in the 2008 release Guitar Hero World Tour. Lead musician the artist recalls how the series brought older hits back into vogue: “The game offered a bigger, younger audience. Generally this had been considered music that was past it, however once it got featured on the title and teenagers were finding it, suddenly it became trendy. This validated it, eliminating the outdated tag. It provided all our music a new life.”

At that time, the Answer’s debut album remained not available stateside, meaning Guitar Hero was a key medium of discovery for the band during their a North American tour opening for the rock giants. “Their crew had on Never Too Late on the tour bus, and several knew us thanks to the game,” he notes.

Rock’s Heavyweight Spin-offs and Lasting Influence

Rock’s heavyweight names soon capitalised on the series’ popularity, with Aerosmith, Metallica and Van Halen starring in specialized game editions that focused on their music collections and related lore, imagery and legendary status. For example, the Aerosmith edition, it was said earned the band greater revenue than any of their records. It sold more than 500,000 copies in its first week, while sales of their songs rose significantly during an era as the industry faced decline.

The series still motivates nimble-fingered fanaticism within the community. Earlier this year, a streamer completed an impressive attempt of DragonForce’s the challenging track – an infamously tough anthem made popular by the game – on Clone Hero, a freeware game with similar gameplay and extensive personalization features. The song is challenging enough on the hardest setting, not to mention performed at increased tempo and without missing a single one of its near 4,000 notes. They claimed it took months of practice to accomplish.

“Guitar Hero is a fun, fantasy thing. If you play Call of Duty, it doesn't imply you ought to pick up a real gun and enlist,” notes musician Herman Li.

DragonForce previously completed a successful tour before Through the Fire and Flames was featured in the third game, yet he explains it made them widely recognized. “I remember our distributors calling to tell me that we were records were moving like crazy,” he shares. “Popularity surged when we next toured, and we performed right ahead of the headliners on the Mayhem festival.”

Indeed, the band's visibility from Guitar Hero proved so vast that it risked eclipsing all other accomplishments. Recently, the song featured in a trailer for a major film. “In the past I felt 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 pleased we’ve been part in fans' experiences”.

The Lasting Legacy of a Plastic Guitar

The best promotion, whether it’s for cars, clothes or games, goes further mere transactions – it evokes a longing. Did Guitar Hero harness this? “Precisely what our team trying to create,” he confirms. “The excitement of performing as a rock star on the stage. Since the beginning, the creators felt that there’s an instinctive human desire to make music, and they wanted to use technology to allow people to participate”.

Most of Guitar Hero games were released over a mere five-year period between 2005 and 2010, including spin-offs such as DJ Hero, complete with a turntable controller, and the band-focused game. After that, corporate focus in plastic instruments died down, aside from a short-lived revival in 2015.

Games such as the fan project and Fortnite Festival have maintained the community alive, and there’s expectations of something from the founders on the way. Recently formed developers has entered production on its debut rhythm-based title. The initial creators are both involved as special advisers. Is the world prepared to welcome another game following Guitar Hero?

“We thought such titles might become like Madden where you can update every year,” Dornbrook says. “With abundant new music it could remain perennially popular, thus I remain hopeful. It's entirely possible for it to continue with new generations.”