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It has been two decades after the legendary game first launched in North America, providing players everywhere the tools to become rock legends. Not in reality, though you'd be hard-pressed telling that someone who's nailed the epic four-minute guitar solo before a packed living-room audience.

Developed by Harmonix, Guitar Hero provided users with a guitar-shaped controller to follow coloured notes scrolling down the screen in time with a song. Each riff corresponded to particular chords, creating the sensation of a genuine performance.

The studio had already experimented in the music genre prior to teaming up with the publisher, which was acquired by Activision during the mid-2000s. Collaboratively, they laid the groundwork for a surprising billion-dollar series which made a significant influence for many musicians included, introducing classic groups to millions of gaming enthusiasts.

A former executive, ex-chief operating officer from the developer, recalls the initial financial challenges in securing the recordings – even though initial releases mostly used cover versions.

“We reproduced all the music because the dollar figure prohibitive,” he says. “Despite having the publishing rights by themselves, it was extremely difficult. We couldn’t get bands like legendary groups – the publisher was operating on a shoestring budget, and our team was pretty convinced it would fail. However, when Guitar Hero became a hit, album purchases airtime increased, everyone wanted to participate.”

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

Timeless Music Gains a New Audience

Northern Irish group one featured act included their track in the 2008 release Guitar Hero World Tour. Lead musician the artist recalls how the series revived classic rock back into vogue: “Guitar Hero offered a bigger, new demographic. Generally such music was considered music that was past it, however once it got featured on the title young people were finding it, suddenly it was cool. This validated it, eliminating the ‘dad rock’ tag. It gave our catalog renewed popularity.”

At that time, the Answer’s first record was still not available stateside, meaning the game was a key medium of discovery for the group during their US tour opening for AC/DC. “Their crew were playing Never Too Late on the tour bus, and some of them knew us thanks to the game,” Mahon says.

Major Band Spin-offs and Lasting Influence

Rock’s biggest acts soon took advantage of the game's success, including bands like Aerosmith, Metallica and Van Halen featuring in specialized game editions that focused on their music collections and related stories, visuals and legendary status. For example, the Aerosmith edition, reportedly earned the band greater revenue compared to their studio albums. It sold well over 500,000 units upon release, while demand for Aerosmith’s music saw an increase significantly at a time as the industry was already collapsing.

The series continues to inspire quick-handed fanaticism among its fans. Earlier this year, an online personality achieved an impressive attempt featuring 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 and extensive customisation options. This track is difficult enough on expert mode, let alone performed at double speed while hitting every one of its near 4,000 notes. They claimed it took months of practice of practice.

“Guitar Hero offers a, imaginary experience. Just as with other games, it doesn't imply you ought to pick up actual weapons and go to war,” notes musician the artist.

DragonForce previously wrapped up a profitable run when Through the Fire and Flames appeared on Guitar Hero III, yet he explains it turned them into widely recognized. “I remember our distributors informing us that we were records were moving rapidly,” he says. “Popularity surged on the subsequent tour, and we were playing just before the headliners on the Mayhem festival.”

Indeed, the band's visibility from Guitar Hero proved so vast that it risked eclipsing all other the band has done. Last year, the track was used in a trailer for Despicable Me 4. “Previously I felt differently, but I’ve made peace with it,” he admits. “Should you just listen to one DragonForce song, that's fine – each person has a unique path in music and I'm pleased we played a role in fans' experiences”.

The Lasting Impact of a Plastic Guitar

The best promotion, whether it’s for automobiles, apparel or games, extends beyond mere transactions – it evokes a longing. Was the game able to tap into that? “That’s exactly what we were aiming to achieve,” Dornbrook says. “That thrill of being a rock star in the spotlight. From day one, the creators believed humans have a natural urge to make music, and they wanted to leverage innovation to enable everyone to do it”.

Most of Guitar Hero games were released in just a half-decade between 2005 and 2010, featuring derivative titles such as DJ Hero, including a turntable controller, and Band Hero. Subsequently, the publisher’s interest on peripherals waned, except for a short-lived revival in 2015.

Titles like Clone Hero and Fortnite Festival have maintained the community alive, with set to be a new product from the founders on the way. Recently formed developers has entered work on its debut music game. Original co-founders are participating as special advisers. Are gamers prepared to welcome a new entry following the classic?

“We thought such titles might become like Madden allowing annual update every year,” Dornbrook says. “With abundant fresh tracks it could remain evergreen, thus I remain hopeful. It's entirely possible for it to continue for future fans.”