guitar hero guitar hero series referred hero series series music rhythm games published distributed players use guitar shaped game controller simulate playing lead bass guitar rhythm guitar numerous rock music songs players match notes screen colored buttons controller controller time music order score points virtual audience excited games attempt mimic features playing real guitar including use fast hammer pull offs use bar alter pitch notes games support single player modes typically career mode play songs game competitive cooperative multiplayer modes introduction guitar hero world tour game includes support player band including vocals drums series initially cover versions songs created recent titles feature soundtracks fully master recordings cases special recordings songs later titles series feature support downloadable content form new songs company specializing manufacture unique game controllers inspired create based experience creating hardware arcade game enlisted previously developed music video games development assistance game series budget million series extremely successful leading acquisition acquired went create rock band series music games vein brought primarily known series games board future development duties additional companies assisted adaptation games systems series currently major releases games hero games expansions gaming consoles spin offs windows systems mobile phones nintendo guitar hero tour series arcade game franchise primary brand emergence popularity rhythm games cultural phenomenon north_america games utilized learning development tool medical purposes game series considered journalists influential video games decade 21st century series sold million units worldwide earning billion retail claimed 3rd largest game franchise mario nfl franchises main title series legends rock claimed single video game title exceed billion sales despite early success series overall rhythm game genre suffered poor sales starting stated early series hiatus seventh main title series development title later cancelled poor quality emerging product later shut sales series downloadable content users purchased material previously play bought announced new title series years released october title considered reboot series development performed developed hero games previously history origins development guitar hero created partnership company produced specialized video game controllers music video game development company previously produced frequency karaoke revolution seeking bring like game highly popular japan time western markets approached helping develop music game involving guitar controller companies agreed went produce title highly successful leading development successful sequel guitar hero original controllers guitar hero game designed built subsequent future controllers developed development led primarily sale development experienced changes bought june spent million acquire franchise announced october purchased result purchases longer develop future games guitar hero series instead responsibility subsidiary known developing tony hawk series games chosen helm guitar hero series founder admitted founders development team project went work weekends play ceo believed help bring great games series reflection stated explored continued developer series things turned differently addition began seeking markets game nintendo version series developed guitar hero mobile series created mobile phones company began considering expansion series band specific titles guitar hero later november acquired development studio helped playstation versions announcing helping develop game guitar hero series released new music title rival publisher called expanded gameplay popularized guitar hero series adding drum microphone instruments allowing players simulate playing songs bands followed suit release guitar hero world tour supported multiple instruments offerings addition continuation existing main series guitar hero expansions introduced titles band hero geared family friendly pop music game based featuring number mixes release considered series moved away heavy metal basis broader selection music guitar hero game series use new version series logo previous games logo font points letters considered vengeance match games emphasis heavy metal music services design studio game logo developed new font removing aggressive odd features suitable design feature incorporation games decline hiatus results expanded offerings contribute series alongside recession sales rhythm games including meet expectations falling short projected targets announced cutting instead continued develop 6th main game guitar hero warriors rock completion studios later moving key personnel directly future game development case closing division transferring future development duties series studio fundamental building wii nintendo versions games november closed arm publisher primarily responsible games playstation ahead fourth quarter financial report february disbanded business unit announced cease development planned guitar hero game cited continued declines music genre explain decision closure affected hero series stated plans publish music game vice president later clarified company putting hiatus making new game year july interview forbes stated publisher going stop selling altogether going studios going use new studios series stated development come end source close reported development studio game considered disaster cancelled game omitted additional instruments guitar peripheral unit include button mechanism replacing bar resulting unit considered expensive manufacture purchase developers started game development scratch try create new characters venues actual songs played feel music video ultimately proved challenge scrapped limited budget song selection limited low budget hits 1990s times songs previously included guitar hero games team year development cycle closed president seen current state project year point potential project discovered archival site game titled massively multiplayer online game link games game developed freestyle games release main development duties passed virtual platform ride based platform let game played web game cancelled pending projects downloadable content february committed releasing content development time fan response later described game informer final nail series announced sales series customers play tracks bought march moved away guitar hero series lessons learned helped developer toys bob handle manufacturing issues came highly successful toy video game franchise guitar hero live april announced new entry series titled guitar hero live title developed internal studio previously worked titles given free reign reboot guitar hero series generation consoles innovations drop standard button guitar controller ultimately designing button guitar controller rows buttons allowing mimic actual guitar guitar hero live released career online mode career mode motion video taken perspective lead guitarist underneath note highway create experience player online mode called discarded previous downloadable content approach music video channel approach stream playable songs players adding new songs catalog weekly basis game released october game praised guitar hero series game sell expected lowered forecasts let significant fraction developers games main titles original released playstation november notable comes packaged controller peripheral modeled black guitar typical guitar controller primary input game playing game guitar controller playing actual guitar uses colored buttons bar instead strings development inspired video game time seen exposure north american market selling guitar shaped controllers imported copies approached creating game use entirely new guitar controller concept gameplay visuals karaoke revolution developed game met critical acclaim received numerous awards innovative guitar peripheral soundtrack comprised playable rock songs cover versions popular songs artists bands 1960s modern rock sold nearly million copies date popularity series increased dramatically release guitar hero playstation featuring improved multiplayer gameplay improved note recognizing system songs fifth best selling video game playstation version game offered separately bundle cherry red guitar controller guitar later released xbox april exclusive guitar controller additional songs features million units guitar hero sold playstation xbox guitar hero iii legends rock released late playstation playstation xbox wii microsoft windows mac platforms title installment series include wireless guitars bundled game release special bundle guitars game includes slash playable characters addition existing fictional performed motion capture characters animation game guitar hero world tour previously named guitar hero fourth game series released october playstation playstation xbox wii analysts expected future games include additional instrument compete guitar hero world tour confirmed development following announcement merger december ceo announced april guitar hero world tour branch instruments including vocals guitar hero world tour includes drums vocals bought packaged new drum set controller microphone standard guitar controller larger number real world musicians appear playable characters including sting guitar hero world tour features custom song creation shared guitar hero fifth main entry series confirmed december released september includes songs different artists game includes new game modes features including party mode gives players ability drop change difficulties middle song artists including appear playable characters game guitar hero warriors rock sixth main console game series released september game series developed division prior dissolution assisting wii version added nintendo functionality game described returning roots guitar hero series allows band play soundtrack focus rock roll music emphasis guitar game introduced career based quest mode narrated guides players complete songs unlock warriors rock join saving rock guitar imprisonment beast following year hiatus described announced guitar hero live release late seventh generation eighth generation consoles live developed rebuild game ground gameplay remains similar earlier titles focusing primarily lead guitar uses button guitar controller button having positions making complex game live footage rock concert taken perspective lead guitarist provide experience series expansions rocks 80s playstation released july final game developed series produced purchased contractual obligation complete game game suggested features tracks primarily 1980s guitar hero band centric game series september billboard announced band working closely makers dedicated group music february announced guitar hero released june guitar hero developed xbox playstation versions wii version game developed playstation version developed game features track selection composed songs songs solo work artists inspired performed including series band centric title guitar hero released march guitar hero based band experience offering similar features history music found guitar hero addition album available downloadable content guitar hero iii simultaneously release album content forward compatible guitar hero world tour guitar hero playstation version support extra songs included follows broken beat apocalypse new feature game drummer access mode called expert added expert mode implemented allow faster bass pedal beats fast point normally playable range single bass pedal intended dual bass pedal guitar hero smash hits titled guitar hero greatest_hits europe australia released june features band versions songs earlier games guitar controller unlike previous versions songs based master recording includes live tracks game follows similar model guitar hero developed playstation xbox playstation wii guitar hero released december customers purchased special promotion received copy game early like band centric games guitar hero includes songs band including guitar solos addition guest acts queen offspring queens stone age new title series announced band hero features hits aimed family audiences include band play style guitar hero game developed guitar hero tour guitar grip new drum skin fit microphone support band experience musician appears playable character game members doubt hero announced prior announcement company purchased small developer music games help produce localized downloadable content games music game later revealed hero uses special based controller players perform song mixes game game incorporates use controller specially arranged tracks bright suggested future games include use control sequel hero officially announced june release quarter featuring artists game includes new gameplay modes including empire career mode head head battles social multiplayer modes jump party play mode similar guitar hero game includes vocal options singing rapping songs freestyle mode players portable versions guitar hero tour released nintendo hand held system june game includes peripheral dubbed guitar grip rectangular device fits second slot nintendo peripheral features buttons nintendo held sideways comfortably play game includes guitar pick shaped stylus use game players guitar hero tour developed ported games nintendo wii console sequel guitar hero tour decades released november featuring music spanning decades title series guitar hero tour announced following rumors existence released june featuring songs recorded year games use guitar grip controller allow players compete version songs shared versions band hero ported nintendo expanding play include vocals microphone drumming drumming uses special drum skin designed map unit face buttons drum pads peripheral compatible original nintendo model nintendo drum skin electronic rubber cover switch certain buttons player simply press buttons time play drums game includes player local wireless play similar manner allowing combination instruments game set songs band hero games set lists guitar hero tour work nintendo nintendo 3ds unlike nintendo game boy advance slots band hero limited vocals drums consoles reason mobile phone versions guitar hero iii mobile released mobile phones developed base version game includes songs released song add pack month january title downloaded users million times hands mobile claiming songs played day platform companies produced mobile based games backstage pass released july adds role playing elements manage band success addition core rhythm game mobile version guitar hero world tour released december expands included track play lead guitar drums mimicking expansion console series band developed mobile version released quarter games worked produce guitar hero handheld electronic game features second clips songs guitar hero previously worked sure guitar hero series meets patents music games developed arcade console version game titled distributed arcades early game completely based guitar hero iii gameplay reducing features use bar star power button star power activated lifting guitar keeping ability download new songs cabinet internet arcade game come scrutiny authors publishers believe use game arcades equivalent public performances seek additional fees paid operators game planned games games released playstation double release band hero expected entry warriors rock final entry developed based claims letting division likely future development industry rumors pointed closure development studio guitar hero results scaling moved controller hardware development division continue support series founders remaining week prior announcements division ceo left company leading speculation departure influenced changes titles guitar villain drum villain sing hero originally titles drum hero band hero work performed drum hero title eventually folded gameplay guitar hero world tour band hero game later october drum hero trademark previously helped port wii started work karaoke title sing hero cancelled development frontman stated talks guitar hero related product later revealed working music guitar hero warriors rock including original track sudden death recorded specifically game products announced released red hot themed title playstation portable title featured drum component gameplay core gameplay games rhythm game similar lesser extent previous music games guitar controller recommended play standard console controller instead guitar controller required play inclusion drum vocal parts series game supports guitar allowing left handed right handed players utilize guitar controller playing game extended guitar neck shown vertically screen horizontal called note highway song progresses colored markers gems indicating notes travel screen time music note colors positions match keys guitar controller note reach player play indicated note holding correct button hitting bar order score points success failure cause screen rock meter change showing player playing denoted red yellow green sections rock meter drop red section song automatically end player stage audience successful note hits add player score hitting long series consecutive successful note hits player increase score window time hitting note similar rhythm games unlike games scoring affected accuracy long note hit window player receives number points selected special segments song glowing notes outlined stars successfully hitting notes series fill star power meter star power meter filled bar sustained notes segments star power meter half player activate star power pressing select button momentarily lifting guitar vertical position activated scoring doubled star power depleted increases dramatically activated making easier player rock meter stay high level star power strategically play difficult sections song cause player fail earlier entries series guitar hero meant players star power star power meter fully drained effect ended starting guitar hero star power collected effect active completing phrases extending duration playing cooperative play bassist rhythm guitarist guitar hero guitar hero band guitar hero shared players activation dependent players simultaneously notes single note composed notes chord single notes chords sustained indicated colored line following note marker player hold sustained note keys entire length additional points sustained note player use bar guitar alter tone note regardless hit early late held duration hold game award score increase note addition games support virtual hammer pull offs guitar playing techniques successfully play fast series notes changing buttons having note sequences required indicated screen notes white outline marker instead usual black legends rock adding white glowing effect notes guitar hero world tour features transparent notes connected purple outline players simply tap correct notes utilize guitar controller mimic slide technique addition notes played sustained note played adds open string note bass players represented line instead note gems played holding buttons sixth installment warriors rock features open note sustain bass instruments guitar hero world tour introduced drums vocal tracks addition lead bass guitar drum tracks played similar guitar tracks player strike appropriate drum head step bass drum pedal controller note gems pass indicated line certain note gems drum controller velocity sensitive armored requiring player hit indicated drum pad harder score points vocal tracks played similar games karaoke revolution player match pitch pacing lyrics score points guitar hero allows players create band players combination instruments song playing background visuals feature players chosen avatar rest band performing real fictional venues reaction audience based performance player judged guitar added special lighting stage effects synchronized music provide complete concert experience games developed feature simple storyline usually band quest fame told animations played game animations created studio inc animations animated game modes main mode play games player game band travel fictional performance arenas perform sets songs completing songs mode songs unlocked play rest game players choose stage character guitar choice venue wish play mode player earn money performances game store bonus songs additional guitars finishes characters clothing bonus content unlocked quick play mode quicker method playing songs allows player select track difficulty selecting character venue guitar guitar skin player based song chosen successfully completing song player given score percentage notes hit rating stars rare cases depending final score song money awarded guitar hero world tour games added multiplayer modes cooperative modes allow players play lead bass rhythm guitar song working score competitive face mode allows players play different difficulty levels attempting earn best score song player plays different portions song pro face mode players battle difficulty level unlike standard face player attempts play notes song trying earn highest score guitar hero world tour advanced players play pro face game difficulty level lower difficulty points awarded player low difficulty potentially beat player challenging difficulty guitar hero iii introduced players face attempt collect throw opponent trying fail guitar hero world tour players play lead bass guitar drums vocals total players compete battle bands xbox playstation wii versions games support multiplayer modes respective network services difficulty levels song afford player learning curve order help progress skill difficulty level easy focuses buttons displaying significantly reduced notes player play medium introduces fourth blue button hard includes final button adding additional notes addition orange button forces players fingers neck expert introduce learn adds notes manner designed challenge player simulate player hands sequence similar real guitar difficulty added requires player basic rhythm holding buttons unnecessary new difficulty drums added known uses double bass pedal guitar hero warriors rock sixth installment franchise introduced new career mode previous games quest fame glory band travelling different venues warriors rock features quest mode primary campaign mode tells story ancient warrior defeated powerful monster mystical guitar lost player team help recover guitar defeat monster called beast player progresses mode joining transform based number stars earned songs played player extra abilities song constant score bonuses abilities unique individual effectively possible earn stars single song characters playing career mode parts games player option select pre created avatar characters shown performing stage player attempts song effect gameplay certain number characters available start game player spend game money earned successful performances unlock characters characters series character roster changing new characters added removed standby characters appeared nearly games include extreme viking punk rocker alternative rocker hard rocker developers utilized characters detail warriors rock given unique setlist venue based musical style unique power game quest mode games series feature celebrity artists slash guitar hero iii guitar hero band doubt band hero band specific games feature members respective bands late members doubt sought legal action game characters singing performing songs artists musicians believe fell outside contract ability players create added guitar hero world tour based existing character creation tools series later games xbox wii allowed players use respective console members band addition characters game money buy clothing accessories instruments seen playing guitars special finishes game store guitar hero world tour includes ability fully component guitar game store series unlock bonus songs special videos interviews game artists involved soundtracks games series feature selection songs ranging 1960s present day rock music highly successful artists bands independent groups rocks 80s features songs primarily 1980s guitar hero feature music respective bands groups inspired worked bands songs censored games developed recent generation consoles xbox playstation wii support downloadable content allowing players purchase new songs play respective titles songs cost approximately online stores console platform prior guitar hero downloadable content earlier games work games series save songs available existing world tour downloadable content forward compatible guitar hero band hero small fee songs guitar hero world tour guitar hero smash hits exported guitar hero limited music licensing stated considering monthly subscription service deliver downloadable content user future games guitar hero world tour introduced music creation mode allow players create share songs excluding vocals service games inclusion creation tools improved guitar hero band hero allow longer songs means generating songs real time games expansion rocks 80s majority songs main career mode set lists covers original song example song presented free bird famous legends rock introduces larger range original recordings featured setlist contained master recordings covers games recreated sound worked create songs dance dance revolution making small changes guitar portions gameplay bonus songs songs performed original artist game exception song drums featured guitar hero iii legends rock prior release guitar hero iii legends rock worked itunes store provide tracks music compilations including tracks games series called guitar hero compilations killer guitar solos guitar anthems 80s include songs related contained guitar hero series stated music guitar hero itunes able provide fans central location favorite rock anthems following merger new company announced planned creating alternative itunes based brand allow songs associated note tracks games reception sales games guitar hero series generally received critics initial games highly praised reviewers entry series considered difficult difficult songs presenting players walls notes developers later acknowledged subsequent efforts guitar hero guitar hero world tour seen improvements guitar hero considered polished title time best title produced guitar hero improvements social gameplay complemented reviewers considered improvement series entertainment_weekly end decade best list saying addictive provides illusion musical mastery gifted tap tap tap release game seen unexpected hit earning million million copies sold guitar significantly financially successful million copies sold sales million according single video game sell billion retail nearly million copies sold seven months continued series high sales records million units sold united_states million downloadable tracks purchased series february listed march list grossing games sales united_states tops list total sales million overall guitar hero series sold million units worldwide earning billion retail claimed series 3rd largest game franchise mario nfl franchises cultural impact guitar hero series significant cultural impact cultural phenomenon series helped music education children influenced changes video game music industry found use health treatment recovering patients popular culture vernacular journalists including wired inc guardian considered influential products decade 21st century spark leading growth rhythm game market music sales new old artists introducing social gaming concepts video game market conjunction wii improving gaming consoles legal practical issues playstation sony playstation console compatibility playstation guitar hero controller system guitar hero fully backward compatible hardware playstation initial north american release console impossible launch use guitar controller play game states working sony right looking playstation guitars owners use playstation accessories company special playstation controller playstation product hold technical difficulties accessories company playstation controller playstation game console players use guitar controllers playstation playstation playstation system update guitar controller compatible generic playstation controller playing guitar hero addition released special controller supports games including ability switch guitar patent litigation guitar appeared guitar hero series game guitar hero informed january believed games patent gibson claimed covers technology concert performance pre recorded audio musical instrument response filed suit seeking declaration violation gibson patent asserted gibson given implied license waiting assert patent patent invalid march gibson sued retailers target toys selling products subsequently march gibson filed lawsuit mtv game violation patent spokesperson stated gibson claims completely merit lawyer stated legal believe gibson initiated lawsuit fact interested license marketing support agreement february california ruled gibson case stating controllers musical instruments toys represent items gibson patent covers instruments send analog signals gibson settled suit following ruling owns international patents deal music games patents issued presumed valid february sued releasing products false patent claims asserting games like marked patents games improper patent pending claims claims acts false marketing deter innovation competition marketplace lawsuit seeking unit sold found liable critics believed number releases games brand market rapper creator stated video game market growing needed games simply challenge player mimic playing licensed music ign stated hit wall play music games challenged game makers explore ways combine music video games analysts stated games continue instead providing songs order prevent genre fatigue commented like dance dance revolution guitar hero music games grew initially significant new features games focusing content features suggested genre continue grow look changes person shooter genre ceo believed abused series tried franchise quickly series criticized release model contrast rock band series causing players hold contempt considered series music platform supported downloadable content ability import songs games expansions games series critics argued releasing expansions incorporated main games series issuing songs downloadable content release guitar hero reworking older songs series instrument band support adding additional material called definition reviewers technical limitation songs added downloadable content recognized licensing issues limited songs single game played series case beatles rock band cross compatibility high priority rhythm games furthermore expansions praised additional content note matching gameplay guitar hero considered series best works developed care developers took imaging band available extras game later revealed guitar hero support playing songs guitar hero world tour disc downloadable content guitar hero smash hits music licensing limiting factor songs forward compatible large number titles market considered partially responsible sharp decline music game sales half effects recession market rhythm games billion dropped million titles available year project director noted point responsible release games year guitar hero band hero supporting studios development additional games causing studio lose focus development marketing efforts according bright sales games released totaled number sales title demonstrating marketing originally planned offerings guitar hero series company plans reducing number offerings focusing selling digital downloadable content series titles guitar hero warriors rock hero released scheduled half analysts believe market evolve support smaller number titles year averaging healthy value million revenues annually believed downfall introduction hero gave focus left core games care needed continue series publishing chief executive response questions approach market noted guitar hero continues rock band series number sales revenue consumers continuing buy separate games market considered market acceptance multiple games model regardless releasing different games bundle packages opted reduce number recognizing music game genre profitable later opted future development series hold early citing weak sales rhythm game genre journalists attributed earlier list games games published guitar hero ps2 version guitar hero published
Guitar Hero