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Marking two decades since Guitar Hero debuted in North America, offering players everywhere the means to become a rock star. Figuratively speaking, though you'd be hard-pressed convincing someone who has mastered the epic lengthy instrumental break in front of an enthusiastic crowd of friends.

Developed by Harmonix, Guitar Hero gave players a plastic guitar peripheral to follow on-screen cues scrolling down the display synchronized to the music. Every sequence corresponded to specific notes, creating the feel of a genuine live show.

Harmonix had already tried its hand in the music genre before partnering with the publisher, later acquired by the gaming giant in 2006. Together, they laid the foundations for an unlikely massively profitable series which made a significant influence on numerous of the artists featured, introducing classic groups to millions of gaming enthusiasts.

A former executive, former COO from the developer, remembers the early financial challenges in securing the recordings – despite the fact the first two games primarily featured rerecorded tracks.

“We reproduced all the music since the dollar figure was so high,” he says. “Even with the publishing rights alone, it was extremely difficult. We failed to secure bands like legendary groups – the publisher was operating on a shoestring budget, and our team was pretty convinced the project would flop. However, when the game took off, album purchases airtime increased, all artists desired to be in.”

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

Timeless Music Gains Younger Fans

Northern Irish blues-rock band the Answer included Never Too Late in the 2008 release Guitar Hero World Tour. Guitarist the artist recalls how the series revived older hits to the forefront: “The game offered a larger, new demographic. Generally such music was considered outdated material, however once it got featured on the title and teenagers were finding it, suddenly it was cool. That legitimised it, eliminating the ‘dad rock’ tag. It provided our catalog renewed popularity.”

At that time, the band's debut album was still unreleased stateside, meaning Guitar Hero was a key medium for exposure for the band as they went on a North American tour supporting AC/DC. “The roadies had on the song during travel, and some of them knew us thanks to the game,” Mahon says.

Rock’s Heavyweight Titles and Lasting Influence

Rock’s biggest acts quickly capitalised on the series’ popularity, including bands like Aerosmith, Metallica and others starring in dedicated game editions centered around each band’s catalogue and associated lore, imagery and rock’n’roll mythology. For example, the Aerosmith edition, reportedly earned the group more money than any of their records. It moved well over half a million copies upon release, while demand for their songs rose significantly during an era as the industry was already collapsing.

Guitar Hero continues to inspire quick-handed fanaticism among its fans. Recently, a streamer achieved an impressive attempt of DragonForce’s Through the Fire and Flames – a notoriously difficult power-metal song made popular by Guitar Hero – on Clone Hero, a freeware game with almost identical mechanics and extensive customisation options. The song is difficult enough on expert mode, let alone played at increased tempo and without missing a single one of its near 4,000 notes. They claimed requiring months of practice to accomplish.

“Guitar Hero is a fun, fantasy thing. Just as with other games, it doesn't imply you ought to pick up a real gun and enlist,” notes DragonForce guitarist Herman Li.

The band had already wrapped up a successful tour when their hit was featured in the third game, but Li says it made them a household name. “I remember the record label calling to tell me that we were selling albums like crazy,” he shares. “Popularity surged on the subsequent tour, and we performed right ahead of top acts at the event.”

Indeed, the band's visibility from Guitar Hero was so immense that it threatened to overshadow all other the band has done. Last year, the song was used in promotional material for Despicable Me 4. “In the past I thought otherwise, but now I accept it,” Li says. “If you only hear one DragonForce song, that's fine – each person has their own musical journey and I’m glad we played a role in fans' experiences”.

The Lasting Impact from the Plastic Guitar

The best marketing, be it for automobiles, clothes or video games, extends beyond mere transactions – it inspires a longing. Was the game able to harness this? “That’s exactly what our team aiming to achieve,” he confirms. “The excitement of being a rock star in the spotlight. Since the beginning, the creators felt that there’s an instinctive human desire to make music, and they wanted to use technology to enable everyone to participate”.

Most installments were released in just a half-decade between 2005 and 2010, featuring derivative titles such as DJ Hero, including a spinning deck, and the band-focused game. After that, corporate focus in plastic instruments waned, aside from a short-lived revival in 2015.

Games like Clone Hero and newer releases have maintained the scene alive, with set to be something from the original publisher on the way. Recently formed developers has begun production on its debut rhythm-based title. Original co-founders are participating in advisory roles. Is the world prepared to welcome another game in the spirit of the classic?

“We thought such titles could be like Madden where you can releases,” he remarks. “With abundant fresh tracks it could remain perennially popular, so I’ve always been optimistic. There’s no reason why it can’t persist with new generations.”