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Marking 20 years since Guitar Hero first launched across the Atlantic, giving players everywhere the tools to become a rock star. Not in reality, but try telling that anyone who has nailed the epic four-minute instrumental break before a packed living-room audience.

Developed by Harmonix, Guitar Hero provided users with a guitar-shaped controller to match on-screen cues moving along the display synchronized to the music. Each riff mimicked specific notes, producing the sensation of a genuine live show.

Harmonix had already tried its hand in the music genre prior to teaming up with the publisher, later acquired by Activision during the mid-2000s. Collaboratively, they laid the groundwork for a surprising billion-dollar series that had a remarkable influence for many musicians featured, showcasing decades-old groups to a new generation of younger players.

Michael Dornbrook, former COO from the developer, remembers the early financial challenges of licensing the recordings – even though the first two games mostly used cover versions.

“We rerecorded all the music since the dollar figure was so high,” he says. “Despite having the publishing rights by themselves, it was nearly impossible. We failed to secure acts such as legendary groups – the publisher had virtually no money, and we were pretty convinced the project would flop. But once the game became a hit, and record sales airtime were going up, all artists desired to be in.”

He continues: “One of the remarkable aspects was how many parents reached out expressing gratitude for introducing their kids to the songs they adored. It became a multigenerational thing.”

Timeless Music Gains a New Audience

Northern Irish blues-rock band one featured act included Never Too Late on the 2008 game the popular installment. Guitarist the artist recalls how the series revived classic rock to the forefront: “The game offered a larger, younger audience. Typically such music was seen as music that was past it, but then when it was featured on the game young people discovered it, suddenly it became trendy. This validated it, eliminating the ‘dad rock’ label. It gave our catalog a new life.”

In 2008, the Answer’s first record remained not available in the US, meaning Guitar Hero served as a primary platform for exposure for the band as they went on US tour opening for AC/DC. “The roadies had on Never Too Late on the tour bus, and several knew us thanks to the game,” Mahon says.

Major Band Spin-offs and Lasting Impact

Rock’s heavyweight names soon took advantage of the game's success, including bands like Aerosmith, Metallica and Van Halen featuring in specialized spin-off titles that focused on each band’s catalogue and associated lore, imagery and rock’n’roll mythology. For example, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, reportedly to have made the band greater revenue than any of their records. It sold well over half a million units in its first week, and demand for Aerosmith’s music saw an increase significantly at a time when the music business was already collapsing.

Guitar Hero still motivates quick-handed fanaticism among its fans. Earlier this year, a streamer achieved a remarkable feat of DragonForce’s Through the Fire and Flames – an infamously tough anthem popularized through Guitar Hero – using a fan-made version, a no-cost alternative with similar mechanics and extensive customisation options. This track is difficult enough on the hardest setting, not to mention played at double speed while hitting every one of the thousands of cues. They stated requiring months of practice of practice.

“The game offers a, fantasy thing. If you play Call of Duty, it doesn't imply you should pick up actual weapons and go to war,” notes musician the artist.

The band had already completed a successful tour when Through the Fire and Flames was featured on Guitar Hero III, yet he explains it made them widely recognized. “I recall the record label calling to tell me that our records were moving rapidly,” he shares. “Popularity surged on the subsequent tour, and we were playing right ahead of the headliners on the Mayhem festival.”

Indeed, the band's visibility via the game proved so vast that it has threatened to overshadow everything else the band has done. Recently, the song was used in promotional material for a major film. “In the past I thought differently, but now I accept it,” he admits. “Should you just hear a single track, it’s totally cool – everyone’s got a unique path in music and I'm pleased we’ve been part in fans' experiences”.

The Lasting Impact from the Iconic Controller

The best marketing, whether it’s for cars, clothes or games, extends beyond mere transactions – it inspires a desire. Did Guitar Hero harness this? “That’s exactly what we were aiming to achieve,” he confirms. “That thrill of performing as a music icon on the stage. Since the beginning, the co-founders believed there’s an instinctive urge to create songs, and their goal was to leverage innovation to allow people to participate”.

The majority installments came out over a mere five-year period from 2005 to 2010, including derivative titles such as DJ Hero, complete with a turntable controller, and Band Hero. After that, the publisher’s interest on peripherals died down, aside from a brief comeback in 2015.

Titles like Clone Hero and Fortnite Festival have kept the scene active, and there’s set to be a new product from the founders in development. A new studio has entered production on their first rhythm-based title. The initial creators are participating in advisory roles. Is the world ready to embrace a new entry in the spirit of Guitar Hero?

“Our team believed such titles might become similar to sports games allowing annual update every year,” he remarks. “With abundant fresh tracks it could remain evergreen, so I’ve always been optimistic. There’s no reason for it to continue for future fans.”