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Marking 20 years since Guitar Hero hit the market in North America, giving everyday gamers the opportunity to feel like rock legends. Not literally, though you'd be hard-pressed telling that anyone who has nailed the epic lengthy instrumental break in front of an enthusiastic living-room audience.

Developed by Harmonix, Guitar Hero gave players a guitar-shaped controller to match on-screen cues scrolling down the display synchronized to the music. Every sequence mimicked specific notes, creating the feel of a genuine performance.

Harmonix previously experimented with rhythm games before partnering with the publisher, later acquired by the gaming giant during the mid-2000s. Collaboratively, they laid the groundwork for an unlikely billion-dollar franchise that had a significant impact on numerous musicians included, introducing decades-old bands to millions of gaming enthusiasts.

A former executive, former COO from the developer, recalls the initial financial challenges of licensing the recordings – despite the fact initial releases primarily featured rerecorded tracks.

“We rerecorded all the music since the dollar figure was so high,” he explains. “Despite having the necessary permissions alone, it was extremely difficult. We failed to secure acts such as legendary groups – RedOctane had virtually no money, and our team was pretty convinced the project would flop. However, when Guitar Hero became a hit, and record sales and radio play were going up, all artists desired to be in.”

He continues: “One of the remarkable aspects was how many parents got in touch expressing gratitude for introducing their kids to the music they adored. It became an intergenerational thing.”

Classic Rock Gains a New Audience

Irish group one featured act had Never Too Late in the 2008 release Guitar Hero World Tour. Guitarist Paul Mahon remembers the way the game revived classic rock to the forefront: “The game offered a bigger, younger audience. Generally such music was considered outdated material, however when it was included in the title and teenagers were finding it, suddenly it was cool. That legitimised the genre, eliminating the outdated tag. It gave all our music a new life.”

At that time, the band's first record was still unreleased stateside, meaning Guitar Hero served as a primary platform for exposure for the band during their US tour supporting the rock giants. “Their crew had on the song during travel, and some of them recognized us from Guitar Hero,” Mahon says.

Major Band Spin-offs Enduring Impact

Music's biggest acts quickly capitalised on the game's success, including bands like Aerosmith, Metallica and Van Halen starring in dedicated spin-off titles that focused on each band’s catalogue and related lore, visuals and rock’n’roll mythology. For example, the Aerosmith edition, it was said earned the band more money compared to their studio albums. It sold more than half a million copies in its first week, and sales of Aerosmith’s music rose significantly during an era as the industry was already collapsing.

Guitar Hero continues to inspire nimble-fingered dedication within the community. Recently, an online personality achieved an impressive attempt of DragonForce’s the challenging track – 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 even in the hardest setting, let alone played at increased tempo while hitting every one of its near 4,000 notes. They claimed requiring nine months to accomplish.

“Guitar Hero is a fun, fantasy thing. Just as with other games, it doesn't imply you should use actual weapons and enlist,” says musician Herman Li.

DragonForce previously wrapped up a successful tour when Through the Fire and Flames was featured in the third game, but Li says it made them widely recognized. “I remember our distributors informing us that we were records were moving like crazy,” he shares. “It exploded when we next toured, and we were playing just before top acts at the event.”

Indeed, DragonForce’s exposure via the game was so immense that it has threatened to overshadow all other the band has done. Recently, the track featured in promotional material for Despicable Me 4. “Previously I thought differently, but now I accept it,” Li says. “Should you just listen to a single track, it’s totally cool – each person has a unique path in music and I’m glad we played a role in fans' experiences”.

Enduring Legacy of a Iconic Controller

The best promotion, whether it’s for cars, clothes or games, goes further than selling something – it inspires a longing. Did Guitar Hero harness this? “Precisely what our team trying to create,” he confirms. “That thrill of performing as a rock star on the stage. Since the beginning, the creators believed there’s an instinctive urge to make music, and their goal was to use technology to allow people to participate”.

Most installments came out in just a five-year period from 2005 to 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 waned, aside from a brief comeback several years later.

Games such as Clone Hero and Fortnite Festival have maintained the scene alive, with set to be something from the founders in development. Recently formed developers has begun work on their first rhythm-based title. The initial creators are both involved in advisory roles. Is the world ready to embrace a new entry following Guitar Hero?

“We thought such titles might become like Madden allowing annual update every year,” Dornbrook says. “With abundant fresh tracks that it could be perennially popular, thus I remain optimistic. It's entirely possible for it to continue with new generations.”