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It has been 20 years since the legendary game first launched across the Atlantic, offering players everywhere the tools to feel like rock legends. Not in reality, though you'd be hard-pressed convincing anyone who has mastered Free Bird’s four-minute instrumental break in front of a packed crowd of friends.

Created by the developers, Guitar Hero provided users with a plastic guitar peripheral to follow coloured notes scrolling down the screen synchronized to the music. Each riff mimicked particular chords, creating the feel of an authentic live show.

The studio previously tried its hand with rhythm games prior to teaming up with the publisher, which was purchased by Activision in 2006. Collaboratively, they established the foundations for a surprising billion-dollar franchise which made a remarkable influence on numerous musicians 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 of licensing the songs – even though the first two games primarily featured rerecorded tracks.

“We rerecorded all the music because the cost was so high,” he explains. “Despite having the publishing rights alone, it was extremely difficult. We couldn’t get acts such as the Who – RedOctane had virtually no money, and we were fairly certain it would fail. But once Guitar Hero became a hit, album purchases and radio play were going up, all artists desired to be in.”

He adds: “One of the amazing things was how many mothers and fathers reached out and thanked us for introducing their kids to the music they loved. It evolved into an intergenerational thing.”

Classic Rock Finds Younger Fans

Irish blues-rock band one featured act had Never Too Late in the 2008 release the popular installment. Lead musician the artist remembers the way the game revived classic rock to the forefront: “The game offered a bigger, new demographic. Generally such music was considered outdated material, but then once it got included in the game and teenagers were finding it, abruptly it was cool. This validated it, eliminating the outdated tag. It gave all our music renewed popularity.”

At that time, the Answer’s first record was still unreleased in the US, so Guitar Hero served as a primary platform for exposure for the band as they went on US tour supporting AC/DC. “The roadies were playing the song on the tour bus, and several recognized us from Guitar Hero,” he notes.

Major Band Titles Enduring Influence

Music's biggest acts quickly capitalised on the game's success, with Aerosmith, Metallica and Van Halen featuring in dedicated spin-off titles centered around each band’s catalogue and related lore, visuals and legendary status. In the case of, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, it was said earned the group more money compared to their studio albums. It moved more than 500,000 copies in its first week, and demand for their songs saw an increase of up to 40% at a time when the music business was already collapsing.

Guitar Hero continues to inspire nimble-fingered fanaticism within the community. Earlier this year, a streamer achieved a remarkable feat featuring the challenging track – an infamously tough power-metal song made popular by the game – on Clone Hero, a no-cost alternative with almost identical gameplay and extensive customisation options. This track is difficult even in expert mode, let alone performed at double speed while hitting every one of its near 4,000 notes. The streamer claimed requiring months of practice of practice.

“Guitar Hero offers a, imaginary experience. If you play other games, it doesn't imply you should pick up actual weapons and go to war,” says DragonForce guitarist the artist.

The band had already wrapped up a successful tour when their hit was featured on Guitar Hero III, yet he explains it turned them into a household name. “I remember our distributors informing us that our selling albums rapidly,” he shares. “It exploded when we next toured, and we performed right ahead of top acts at the event.”

In fact, DragonForce’s exposure via the game was so immense that it has threatened to overshadow everything else the band has done. Last year, the track featured in a trailer for a major film. “Previously I felt otherwise, but now I accept it,” Li says. “Should you just hear a single track, it’s totally cool – everyone’s got their own path in music and I’m glad we played a role in fans' experiences”.

The Lasting Legacy of a Plastic Guitar

Top-tier marketing, be it for automobiles, apparel or video games, goes further mere transactions – it inspires a desire. Did Guitar Hero harness this? “Precisely what our team trying to create,” he confirms. “That thrill of being a music icon on the stage. Since the beginning, the co-founders felt that there’s an instinctive human desire to create songs, and their goal was to use technology to allow people to do it”.

Most installments were released in just a half-decade between 2005 and 2010, featuring derivative titles like the DJ version, complete with a spinning deck, and the band-focused game. Subsequently, the publisher’s interest in plastic instruments died down, aside from a brief comeback several years later.

Titles such as the fan project and Fortnite Festival have maintained the scene alive, with expectations of something from the founders on the way. Recently formed developers has entered work on their first rhythm-based title. The initial creators are participating as special advisers. Are gamers ready to embrace a new entry following the classic?

“Our team believed those games might become like Madden allowing annual update every year,” Dornbrook says. “There’s so much fresh tracks it could remain evergreen, thus I remain hopeful. It's entirely possible for it to persist for future fans.”