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Marking two decades after Guitar Hero first launched across the Atlantic, providing players everywhere the tools to become rock legends. Not in reality, though you'd be hard-pressed telling that someone who has nailed Free Bird’s lengthy instrumental break in front of a packed crowd of friends.

Developed by the developers, Guitar Hero provided users with a guitar-shaped controller to match coloured notes scrolling down the display synchronized to the music. Each riff mimicked particular chords, producing the feel of a genuine performance.

Harmonix had already tried its hand in the music genre prior to teaming up with the publisher, later acquired by Activision in 2006. Collaboratively, they laid the foundations for an unlikely massively profitable series that had a significant influence on numerous musicians included, introducing classic bands to a new generation of gaming enthusiasts.

Michael Dornbrook, former COO from the developer, recalls the initial budgetary hurdles of licensing the recordings – even though the first two games mostly used cover versions.

“We reproduced all the music since the dollar figure prohibitive,” he says. “Despite having the publishing rights alone, it proved extremely difficult. We couldn’t get acts such as the Who – RedOctane was operating on a shoestring budget, and we were fairly certain the project would flop. But once the game became a hit, album purchases airtime were going up, all artists desired to participate.”

He adds: “Among the remarkable aspects was the number of parents got in touch and thanked us for exposing their kids to the music they adored. It became a multigenerational thing.”

Timeless Music Finds Younger Fans

Irish group one featured act included Never Too Late in the 2008 release Guitar Hero World Tour. Guitarist the artist recalls how the series brought older hits back into vogue: “Guitar Hero offered a larger, younger audience. Typically such music was seen as music that was past it, however when it was included in the game and teenagers discovered it, abruptly it was cool. That legitimised it, and got rid of the ‘dad rock’ tag. It provided all our music a new life.”

At that time, the band's first record remained not available in the US, meaning the game was a key medium of discovery for the band during their a North American tour supporting the rock giants. “The roadies were playing the song during travel, and some of them knew us thanks to the game,” Mahon says.

Major Band Titles and Lasting Influence

Music's heavyweight names quickly capitalised on the series’ popularity, including bands like Aerosmith, Metallica and Van Halen featuring in specialized game editions centered around each band’s catalogue and related stories, imagery and legendary status. In the case of, the Aerosmith edition, reportedly earned the band greater revenue compared to their records. It sold more than 500,000 copies in its first week, while sales of Aerosmith’s music saw an increase significantly during an era when the music business was already collapsing.

The series still motivates quick-handed dedication within the community. Recently, a streamer achieved an impressive attempt of DragonForce’s Through the Fire and Flames – a notoriously difficult power-metal song popularized through the game – using a fan-made version, a freeware game with similar gameplay but an array of customisation options. The song is difficult enough on the hardest setting, not to mention performed at increased tempo while hitting every one of its near 4,000 notes. The streamer stated requiring nine months to accomplish.

“Guitar Hero offers a, fantasy thing. If you play other games, it doesn't imply you ought to pick up actual weapons and enlist,” notes DragonForce guitarist Herman Li.

The band previously completed a successful tour when Through the Fire and Flames was featured on Guitar Hero III, yet he explains it turned them into a household name. “I remember the record label informing us that we were selling albums like crazy,” he shares. “Popularity surged when we next toured, and we performed just before the headliners on the Mayhem festival.”

In fact, the band's visibility via the game was so immense that it has risked eclipsing all other accomplishments. Last year, the song was used in a trailer for a major film. “In the past I thought differently, but now I accept it,” Li says. “If you only hear a single track, that's fine – each person has a unique path in music and I'm pleased we’ve been part in fans' experiences”.

The Lasting Impact of a Plastic Guitar

Top-tier promotion, whether it’s for cars, apparel or games, goes further mere transactions – it inspires a desire. Was the game able to tap into that? “That’s exactly what our team aiming to achieve,” he confirms. “The excitement of performing as a rock star in the spotlight. From day one, the creators felt that humans have a natural urge to make music, and they wanted to leverage innovation to allow people to do it”.

Most of Guitar Hero games came out over a mere half-decade from 2005 to 2010, featuring derivative titles such as DJ Hero, including a turntable controller, and the band-focused game. After that, the publisher’s interest on peripherals died down, except for a short-lived revival in 2015.

Titles like the fan project and Fortnite Festival have maintained the community active, with expectations of something from the original publisher on the way. A new studio has begun production on its debut rhythm-based title. Original co-founders are participating as special advisers. Are gamers prepared to welcome another game in the spirit of the classic?

“We thought those games might become similar to sports games allowing annual update every year,” he remarks. “With abundant fresh tracks that it could be perennially popular, thus I remain optimistic. It's entirely possible why it can’t continue with new generations.”