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{{two other uses||the first game in the series|Guitar Hero (video game)||Guitar Hero (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox VG series
| image = [[Image:Guitar Hero logo.svg|150px]]
| developer = [[Neversoft]]
| publisher = [[Activision]]
| genre = [[Music video game]]
|platform = [[Video game console|Console]], [[Personal computer|PC]], [[Arcade game|Arcade]]
| first release version = [[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]
| first release date = [[November 8]], [[2005]]
| latest release version = ''[[Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades]]''
| latest release date = [[November 16]], [[2008]]
| spinoffs
''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour]]'' (for the [[Nintendo DS]])
}}

'''''Guitar Hero''''' is a series of [[music video game]]s published by [[RedOctane]], in partnership with [[Activision]]. The series is notable for its use of a plastic [[guitar]]-shaped [[game controller|peripheral]] to simulate the playing of [[music]], represented on-screen by colored notes that correspond to [[fret]] buttons on the controller. The games support individual play as well as cooperative and competitive modes for two players. The series has used a range of both licensed and independent rock music tracks from the 1960s to present, many of which are master tracks from the bands. In total, six games have been released for [[video game console]]s, while games have been released for [[mobile phones]] and the [[Nintendo DS]] handheld gaming system.

The series was developed by [[Harmonix Music Systems]] from 2005 to 2007 before development duties of the series were transferred to [[Neversoft]], whose first effort, ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'' was released on October 28, 2007 in North America.

The ''Guitar Hero'' franchise has become a cultural phenomenon, making many appearances in popular culture, and the games have become extremely popular as party games and hobbies. The series has sold 23 million units, earning [[United States dollar|US$]]1.6 billion at retail.<ref name="salesfigure">{{cite web |url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/indepth/gaming/s/reuters/081009/tecnology/ctech_us_videogames_bands_tech_life |title=Virtual battle of the bands rocks on |author=John Gaudiosi |date=2008-10-09 |work=[[Reuters]] |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |accessdate=2008-10-30}}</ref><ref name="1billion">{{cite web | url = http://www.edge-online.com/news/guitar-hero-breaks-1-bln | title = ''Guitar Hero'' Breaks $1 bln | publisher = Next Gen Business | first = Kris | last= Graft | date = 2008-01-21 | accessdate = 2008-01-21}}</ref>
==History==
===Harmonix===

<!--The Gibson Les Paul guitar controllers are packaged with Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock was NOT developed by Harmonix Music Systems.
Anything pertaining to Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (including the Gibson Les Paul and Kramer guitar controllers) should be in the "Neversoft development (2007-present)" section.
In other words...
This section should ONLY reflect games developed by Harmonix Music Systems.
-->
[[Image:Guitar Hero series controllers.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The controllers bundled with ''Guitar Hero'' releases (from left to right): [[Gibson SG]]s for ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'' & ''[[Guitar Hero II]]'' (PlayStation 2) and [[Gibson Explorer|Gibson X-Plorer]] for ''[[Guitar Hero II]]'' (Xbox 360) & ''[[Guitar Hero III]]'' (PC)]]
The original ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'' was released on the [[PlayStation 2]] in November 2005 and was developed by [[Harmonix Music Systems|Harmonix]]. Harmonix had been previously known for developing music video games such as ''[[Frequency (video game)|Frequency]]'' and ''[[Amplitude (video game)|Amplitude]]'' for the PlayStation 2, both of which were praised for enabling players to perform and create music using a [[DualShock]] controller as if it were a musical instrument.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-24|url=http://media.www.dailyiowan.com/media/storage/paper599/news/2007/08/30/80Hours/While.Their.Guitars.Gently.Screech-2943258.shtml|title=While their guitars gently screech |publisher=''[[The Daily Iowan]]''|date=2007-08-30|author=Johnson, Brent }}</ref>

''Guitar Hero'' is unusual because it comes packaged with a controller peripheral modeled after a black [[Gibson SG]] guitar. Rather than a typical [[gamepad]], this guitar controller is the primary input for the game. Playing the game with the guitar controller simulates playing an actual guitar, except it uses five colored "fret buttons" and a "[[strum]] bar" instead of [[fret]]s and strings. The development of ''Guitar Hero'' was inspired by [[Konami]]'s ''[[GuitarFreaks]]'' arcade game, which at the time, had not seen much exposure in the North American market; RedOctane, already selling guitar-shaped controllers for imported copies of GuitarFreaks, approached Harmonix about creating a game to use an entirely new Guitar controller. The concept was to have the gameplay of ''[[Amplitude (video game)|Amplitude]]'' with the visuals of ''[[Karaoke Revolution]]'', both of which had been developed by Harmonix.<ref>{{harv|Simons|2007|p=69}}</ref><ref>{{harv|Simons|2007|p=160}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2801/book_excerpt_inside_game_design_.php | title = Book Excerpt: Inside Game Design: Harmonix Music Systems | publisher = Gamasutra | first = Iain | last = Simons | date = 2007-12-05 | accessdate = 2008-07-24 }}</ref><ref name="edge interview LoPiccolo">{{cite web | url = http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/harmonix-interview?page=0%2C0 | title = Harmonix Interview | publisher = ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' | date = 2008-10-20 | accessdate = 2008-10-21 }}</ref> The game was met with critical acclaim and received numerous awards for its innovative guitar peripheral and its soundtrack, which comprised 47 playable [[rock music|rock]] songs (most of which were [[cover version]]s of popular songs from artists and bands from the 1960s through modern rock). ''Guitar Hero'' has sold nearly 1.5 million copies to date.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/magazine/15-10/mf_harmonix?currentPage=2 | title = Full-On Rock Band Makes Jamming Follow-Up to ''Guitar Hero'' | publisher = ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' | first = Chris | last = Kohler | date = 2007-09-14 | accessdate = 2008-07-24}}</ref>

The popularity of the series increased dramatically with the release of ''[[Guitar Hero II]]'' for the PlayStation 2 in 2006. Featuring improved multiplayer gameplay, an improved note-recognizing system, and 64 songs, it became the fifth best-selling video game of 2006.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-01|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156365|title=NPD Releases December Numbers, Fanboys Riot|publisher=[[1UP.com]]}}</ref> The PlayStation 2 version of the game was offered both separately and in a bundle with a cherry red Gibson SG guitar controller. ''Guitar Hero II'' was later released for the [[Xbox 360]] in April 2007 with an exclusive [[Gibson Explorer|Gibson X-Plorer]] guitar controller and an additional 10 songs, among other features. About 3 million units of ''Guitar Hero II'' have sold on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/fashion/15guitar.html|title=Virtual Frets, Actual Sweat: The New Karaoke|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|last=Zezima|first=K.|date=2007-07-14|accessdate=2008-07-24}}</ref>

The final game in the ''Guitar Hero'' series to be developed by Harmonix was ''[[Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s]]'' for the PlayStation 2, which was released in July 2007.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-01|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/new-egm-reveals-guitar-hero-1980s-edition-ps2/|title=New EGM reveals ''Guitar Hero'': 1980s Edition (PS2)|publisher=[[Joystiq]]}}</ref> The expansion reskinned the visuals from ''Guitar Hero II'', and featured a shorter track list with no bonus songs, and was not as well received as the previous two games. Some reviewers considered ''Rocks the 80s'' as Harmonix's contractual obligation, given that, as described below, Harmonix would no longer be working on the ''Guitar Hero'' series.

Harmonix has also created a game for the 5th & 5.5/6th generation iPods (Videos and Classics) called "Phase". Phase just like Guitar Hero, a music game in which you hit notes to score points. The gameplay is similar to the iPod Touch game "Tap Tap Revenge" but instead uses the click-wheel at the controls. The game is load with seven songs. The main feature of the game is that players can create a game library of 1,000 songs maximum. The game has three difficulty levels of easy, medium and hard. Two extra difficultly levels, expert and insane can be unlocked by playing a marathon (five songs in a row).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/08/opinion_guitar_hero_80s_is_met.php | title = Opinion: Guitar Hero '80s Is Harmonix's 'Metal Machine Music'? | author = simonc | date = 2007-08-12 | accessdate = 2008-07-24 | publisher = GameSetWatch }}</ref>

===Transition===
Both RedOctane and Harmonix were experiencing changes in 2006. RedOctane was bought by [[Activision]] in June while it was announced in September that Harmonix would be purchased by [[MTV Networks]]. As a result of the two purchases, Harmonix would no longer develop future games in the ''Guitar Hero'' series. Instead, developing would go to [[Neversoft]], a subsidiary of Activision known for developing the [[Tony Hawk's (series)|''Tony Hawk's'' series]] of [[skateboarding]] games.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-01|url=http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-164089.html|title=Next venue for 'Guitar Hero III': PCs, Macs |publisher=[[ZDNet]]|date=2007-09-12 }}</ref> Neversoft was chosen to helm the ''Guitar Hero'' series after Neversoft founder, Joel Jewett, admitted to the RedOctane founders, Kai and Charles Huang, that his development team for ''[[Tony Hawk's Project 8]]'' went to work on weekends just to play ''Guitar Hero''.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-24|url=http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=598|title=How Neversoft Took Over Guitar Hero |publisher=[[Shacknews]]|date=2007-09-26|author=Faylor, Chris }}</ref> In 2007, Harmonix and MTV Games released a new music title through rival publisher [[Electronic Arts]], called ''[[Rock Band (video game)|Rock Band]]''. It expanded upon the gameplay popularized by the ''Guitar Hero'' series by adding [[Drum kit|drum]] and [[microphone]] instruments, allowing players to simulate playing songs as bands, though this functionality has now been implemented in ''[[Guitar Hero: World Tour]]''.

===Neversoft===
[[Image:Guitar Hero 3 - black controller for Xbox 360.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The [[Gibson Les Paul]] guitar controller bundled with Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 releases of ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'' (pictured is the Xbox 360 guitar controller). A similar Gibson Les Paul guitar controller is bundled with the Wii release, but is white, and requires the [[Wii Remote]] to be inserted in the back. For in-store demos on the Xbox 360, a wired Les Paul controller is used.]]
''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'' was released in late 2007 for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]], [[Wii]], [[personal computer|PC]], and [[Macintosh|Mac]] platforms. The title is the first installment of the series to include wireless guitars bundled with the game and also the first to release a special bundle with two guitars. The game includes [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] and [[Tom Morello]] as playable characters in addition to the existing fictional avatars; both guitarists performed motion capture to be used for their characters' animation in the game.

On September 4, 2007, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' announced that the band [[Aerosmith]] was "working closely with the makers of ''Guitar Hero IV'', which will be dedicated to the group's music."<ref name="guitar-hero-iv-aerosmith">{{cite web | url = http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003634525 | title = Aerosmith Hitting The Studio In November | date = 2007-09-04 | first = Gary | last = Graff | publisher = ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' | accessdate =2008-07-24}}</ref> On February 15, 2008, Activision announced that ''[[Guitar Hero: Aerosmith]]'', an expansion game to the series, would be released on June 29, 2008.<ref name="activision-guitar-hero-aerosmith">{{cite web | url = http://investor.activision.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=294521 | title = World Renowned Recording Group Aerosmith Rocks This Way to ''Guitar Hero(R): Aerosmith(R)'' | date = 2008-02-15 | accessdate = 2008-02-15 | publisher = [[Activision|Activision, Inc.]] }}</ref><ref name="shacknews-aerosmith-announce">{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/51347 | title = Rock This Way With ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' | date = 2008-02-15 | accessdate = 2008-02-15 | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | first = Marteen | last = Goldstein}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.guitarhero.com/ghaerosmith/ | title = ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' Home Page | publisher = [[RedOctane]] | accessdate = 2008-02-15 }}</ref> ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' is developed by Neversoft for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions, while the Wii version of the game is developed by Vicarious Visions and the PlayStation 2 version is developed by [[Budcat Creations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3166299|title=Next ''Guitar Hero'' Game Aerosmith Only|date=[[2008-02-15]]|accessdate=2008-02-15|publisher=[[1UP.com]]}}</ref> The game features a track selection composed of 60% of Aerosmith songs, with other songs from [[Joe Perry (musician)|Joe Perry]]{{'}}s solo work or artists that have inspired or performed with Aerosmith, including [[Run D.M.C.]].

''[[Guitar Hero World Tour]]'', previously named ''Guitar Hero IV'', is the fourth full game in the series and was released on October 26, 2008 for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii. Analysts had expected that future ''Guitar Hero'' games in 2008 would include additional instrument peripherals to compete against ''[[Rock Band (video game)|Rock Band]]'';<ref name="guitarheroinstruments">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=14930 | title= Janco: ''Guitar Hero'' To Add New Instruments In 2008 | date = 2007-08-01 | accessdate = 2008-07-24 | last = Boyer | first = Brandon | publisher = Gamasutra }}</ref> ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' was confirmed as in development following the announcement of the merger between Activision and [[Vivendi Games]] in December 2007.<ref name="guitar-hero-iv-activision-vivendi-games">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/call-of-duty-5-guitar-hero-iv-confirmed | title = Activision Blizzard fact sheet reveals some unannounced titles in the pipeline | publisher = Game Industry Biz | date = 2007-12-03 | accessdate = 2007-12-03 | first = Phil | last = Elliot }}</ref> Activision's CEO Bobby Kotick announced on April 21, 2008 that ''[[Guitar Hero World Tour]]'' will branch out into other instruments including vocals.<ref name="ign ghiv instruments">{{cite web | url = http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/868/868193p1.html | title = Guitar Hero IV Branching Out | publisher = [[IGN]] | date = 2008-04-21 | accessdate = 2008-04-22 | first = Daemon | last = Hatfield }}</ref> ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' includes drums and is packaged with a new drum set controller.<ref name="gi preview"/> A larger number of real-world musicians appear as playable characters, including [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[Billy Corgan]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], and [[Ozzy Osbourne]]. ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' also features custom song creation that can be shared with others.<ref name="gi preview"/>

Activision's 2008 [[Securities and Exchange Commission|SEC]] filings cited that they plan to release ''[[Guitar Hero: Metallica]]'' by the first quarter of 2009, according the Wedbush Morgan Securities.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6191921.html | title = Guitar Hero: Metallica due by Q1 '09 | date = 2008-06-02 | accessdate = 2008-06-02 | publisher = [[GameSpot]] | first = Tor | last = Thorsen }}</ref> In addition, [[Metallica]]{{'}}s next album, ''[[Death Magnetic]]'', was available as downloadable content for ''Guitar Hero III'' simultaneously with the release of the album, with the content being forward-compatible with the upcoming ''Guitar Hero World Tour''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/889/889770p1.html | title = E3 2008: Activision Announces Partnership with Metallica for Release of New Record for Guitar Hero | date = [[2008-07-15]] | accessdate = 2008-07-15 | publisher = [[IGN]]}}</ref>

===Other games===
''[[Guitar Hero III Mobile]]'' was released for mobile phones in 2007 and 2008, and was developed by MachineWorks Northwest LLC. The base version of the game includes 15 songs from both ''Guitar Hero II'' and ''Guitar Hero III'', and has released a three-song add-on pack every month since January 2008. The title has been downloaded by users one million times, with both [[Verizon]] and [[Hands-On Mobile]] claiming that over 250,000 songs are played a day on the platform.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2320042,00.asp | title = 'Guitar Hero Mobile' a Smashing Success | date = [[2008-06-13]] | accessdate = 2008-06-23 | first = Andrew | last = Podolsky | publisher = ''[[PC Magazine]]''}}</ref> {{anchor|Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass}}Another mobile phone game, ''Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass'' was developed by Hands-On Mobile and released in July 2008; in addition to the usual ''Guitar Hero'' elements, the game adds simulation of the management of the player's band on its way to success.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://wireless.ign.com/articles/891/891945p1.html?RSSwhen2008-07-18_091600&RSSid=891945 | title = Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass Is Ready to Rock Your Phone | date = [[2008-07-18]] | accessdate = 2008-07-18 | publisher = [[IGN]] }}</ref> Hands-On Mobile also secured worldwide rights for a mobile game based on ''Guitar Hero World Tour''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Guitar+Hero:+World+Tour/news.asp?c=8837 | title = Guitar Hero World Tour coming to mobile phones | publisher = Pocket Gamer | first = Stuart | last = Dredge | date = 2008-09-10 | accessdate = 2008-09-10 }}</ref>

[[Image:Holding GHOT front.jpg|right|thumb|The "Guitar Grip", developed by [[Vicarious Visions]] for the [[Nintendo DS]] series ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour]]'' provides four fret buttons for the game, while strumming is done on the DS touchscreen.]]
''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour]]'' was released on the [[Nintendo DS]] hand-held system on [[June 22]], [[2008]]. The game includes a peripheral, dubbed the "Guitar Grip", a rectangular device that fits into the second slot of the Nintendo DS or DS Lite. The peripheral only features the first four fret buttons and a strap so the Nintendo DS can be held sideways comfortably for play. The game also includes a [[guitar pick]] shaped [[stylus]] for use with strumming in the game, which players move across the touchscreen.<ref name="ign reveal">{{cite web| url = http://ds.ign.com/articles/860/860511p1.html | title = Exclusive Reveal: ''Guitar Hero DS'' | publisher = [[IGN]] | date = 2008-03-13 | last = Harris | first = Craig | accessdate = 2008-03-19 }}</ref> ''Guitar Hero: On Tour'' was developed by [[Vicarious Visions]], who also ported the ''Guitar Hero'' games to [[Nintendo]]'s [[Wii]] console. A sequel, ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades]]'', was released in November 2008, featuring music spanning five decades, and allows players to share songs from either game via the DS's wifi capabilities.<ref name="shacknews e3 announce">{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53654 | title = Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades Unveiled | first = Aaron | last = Linde | date = [[2008-07-15]] | accessdate = 2008-07-15 | publisher = [[Shacknews]]}}</ref>

{{anchor|Guitar Hero Carabiner}}
Activision and RedOctane have also worked with Basic Fun, Inc. to produce ''Guitar Hero Carabiner'', a [[handheld]] electronic game that features ten of the songs from ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Guitar Hero II''.<ref name="carabiner announce">{{cite web | url = http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS227690+12-Feb-2008+BW20080212 | title = Basic Fun Launches Guitar Hero Carabiner at Toy Fair 2008, [[2008-02-17]] &ndash; [[2008-02-20]], Booth #1633 | date = 2008-02-13 | accessdate = 2008-03-11 | publisher = [[Yahoo!]] }}</ref><ref name="carabiner review">{{cite web | url = http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/17/guitar-hero-carabiner-hands-on/ | title = Guitar Hero Carabiner hands-on | publisher = [[Engadget]] | date = 2008-02-18 | accessdate = 2008-03-11 | first = Paul | last = Miller}}</ref> The songs include electronic [[cover version]]s of: "[[Smoke on the Water]]" by [[Deep Purple]], "[[Heart-Shaped Box]]" by [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], "[[You've Got Another Thing Comin']]" by [[Judas Priest]], "[[Cherry Pie (Warrant song)|Cherry Pie]]" by [[Warrant (band)|Warrant]], "[[Surrender (Cheap Trick song)|Surrender]]" by [[Cheap Trick]], "[[Message in a Bottle (song)|Message in a Bottle]]" by [[The Police]], "[[Killer Queen]]" by [[Queen (band)|Queen]], "[[Rock This Town]]" by [[Stray Cats]], "[[Misirlou]]" by [[Dick Dale]], and "[[Jessica (Allman Brothers Band song)|Jessica]]" by [[The Allman Brothers Band]]. The songs run for about 30 seconds except for "Jessica" that is about one minute long. The unit is shaped like a small [[guitar]], and can be attached via a loop to a backpack or the like, similar to a [[carabiner]]. The [[Guitar Hero (series)#Gameplay|gameplay is similar to the ''Guitar Hero'' series]]; as notes on the screen scroll down, the player must hit one of five fret buttons on the device in time with the music to score points. Unlike the other games, there is no strumming action that is needed to play each note. There is a whammy bar button to use on long notes (the whammy is not optional.) The screen is a LED screen placed where the strum bar is originally. The length is about nine inches. There is a collapsable neck for easier carrying. The ''Guitar Hero Carabiner'' requires three AAA batteries. The volume has five notches, and the levels are easy, medium, and hard.

===Future games===
Activision and RedOctane have trademarked the titles "''Guitar Villain''", "''Drum Villain''" and "''Keyboard Hero''".<ref name="futuregames">{{cite web | first = Brendan | last = Sinclair | title = Activision calls dibs on Guitar Villain, Drum Villain | date = 2007-01-17 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164293.html | publisher = [[GameSpot]] | accessdate = 2008-07-24 }}</ref> RedOctane originally trademarked the titles "''Drum Hero''" and "''Band Hero''", but the work performed towards the ''Drum Hero'' title was eventually folded into the gameplay for ''Guitar Hero World Tour''.<ref name="gi preview">{{cite news | publisher = [[Game Informer]] | date = June 2008 | pages = 48-57 | title = Guitar Hero 4: Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Meets Reality}}</ref> Activision plans to release "multiple new Guitar Hero SKUs" in 2009, according to Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=53961 | title = More Call of Duty and Guitar Hero Sequels in 2009 | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | date = [[2008-07-31]] | accessdate = 2008-07-31 |first = Chris | last = Faylor}}</ref> Industry analysts expect that three expansions to ''World Tour'' will be made before the next major title in the series.<ref name="three expansions">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19682 | title = Analyst: Three Expansion Packs Possible For Next Guitar Hero | publisher = [[Gamasutra]] | first= Leigh | last = Alexander | date = [[2008-08-01]] | accessdate= 2008-08-02}}</ref> Activision is expecting to triple the number of games released under the ''Guitar Hero'' title by 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54746 | title = Activision Tripling Guitar Hero Releases by 2010 | first = Chris | last = Faylor | date = 2008-09-15 | accessdate = 2008-09-16 | publisher = [[Shacknews]]}}</ref> {{anchor|Guitar Hero: Henderix}}[[Slash (musician)|Slash]], in describing the band-specific ''Guitar Hero'' titles for [[Aerosmith]] and [[Metallica]] in an interview with ''[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]'', stated that "Those are two ones that I think gives <nowiki>[the ''Guitar Hero'' series]</nowiki> some credibility. And they're doing a Hendrix one, which is great",<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/09/16/slash-on-his-solo-lp-guitar-hero-and-how-guns-n-roses-changed-fans-lives/ | title = Slash on His Solo LP, “Guitar Hero” and How Guns n’ Roses Changed Fans’ Lives | publisher = ''[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]'' | date = 2008-09-16 | accessdate =2008-09-17 | first = Steve | last = Baltin}}</ref> hinting at the development of ''Guitar Hero: Hendrix''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54796 | title = Guitar Hero: Hendrix in the Works, Says Rolling Stone Interview | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | date = 2008-09-17 | accessdate = 2008-09-17 | first = Blake | last = Ellison}}</ref> Activision has also trademarked the name ''Guitar Hero Modern Hits'', but no additional details on this have been made available.<Ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55386 | title = Activision Trademarks Guitar Hero Modern Hits | date = 2008-10-16 | accessdate = 2008-10-16 | first = Chris | last = Faylor | publisher = [[Shacknews]]}}</ref> In November 2008, Activision acquired [[Budcat Creations]], another development studio that has helped with the PlayStation 2 versions of ''Guitar Hero III'' and ''World Tour'', announcing that they will be helping to develop another game in the ''Guitar Hero'' series.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55821 | title = Activision Buys Guitar Hero PS2 Developer Budcat, Working on 'New Guitar Hero Game' | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | date = 2008-11-10 | accessdate = 2008-11-10 | first = Chris | last = Faylor }}</ref> A fifth main entry in the series was confirmed in December 2008.<ref>{{cite web | title = Guitar Hero 5, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, New Tony Hawk Controller Confirmed by Activision | url = http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=56202 | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | first = Nick | last = Breckon | date = 2008-12-03 | accessdate = 2008-12-03 }}</ref>

{{anchor|DJ Hero}}
On September 12, 2008, Activision purchased [[FreeStyleGames]], a small developer of music games, to help produce localized downloadable content for ''Guitar Hero'' games and another yet-to-be announced music game;<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54707 | title = Activision Buys Music Game Dev. FreeStyleGames, Will Create Guitar Hero DLC and New Music Title | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | date = 2008-09-12 | accessdate = 2008-09-12 | first = Chris | last = Faylor}}</ref> industry rumors have confirmed the game is based on the "''DJ Hero''" trademark that Activision filed in early 2008, and would utilize a [[Phonograph|turntable]] controller to allow the player to be a virtual [[disc jockey]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3169912 | title = New 'DJ Hero' Rumors Emerge | first = Kris | last = Pigna | date = 2008-09-14 | accessdate = 2008-09-14 | publisher = [[1UP.com|1UP]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1594921/20080916/story.jhtml | title = 'Guitar Hero' Publisher Working On 'DJ Hero,' Source Confirms To MTV News | first = Patrick | last = Klepek | date= 2008-09-16 | accessdate = 2008-09-16 | publisher = [[MTV]]}}</ref> The DJ Hero title was discovered through an impromptu announcement made during an interview with Activision’s Brian Bright and ''Joystiq.'' Brian was quoted as saying “Activision’s doing a DJ Hero game, and I can’t comment on what we’re doing. But… we’re working on the future and next gen. If I wasn’t excited about it I wouldn’t be there.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nothingbutsoftware.com/blog/2008/10/dj-hero-revealed/ |title=DJ Hero}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Guitarhero-screen.jpg|right|thumb|225px|The player in ''Guitar Hero'' must play the colored notes on the fret board in time to the music as they scroll through the target at the bottom. The score and current score multiplier are shown on the bottom left. The Rock Meter dial and Star Power indicator are shown on the bottom right. The remainder of the screen shows the player's character and band as they perform to the music.]]
The core gameplay of the ''Guitar Hero'' games is a [[music video game|rhythm game]] similar to [[Harmonix Music Systems|Harmonix]]'s previous music games such as ''[[Frequency (video game)|Frequency]]'' and ''[[Amplitude (video game)|Amplitude]]''. The guitar controller is recommended for play, although a standard console controller can be used instead.<ref name="strategy guide">{{cite book | author = [[BradyGames]]|title=Guitar Hero II Official Strategy Guide|publisher=[[BradyGames]]|year=2006|isbn=0744008549|url=http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Official-Strategy-Guide-Guides/dp/0744008549/}}</ref><ref name="gh2">{{cite video game|title=Guitar Hero II|developer=[[Harmonix Music Systems]]|publisher=[[RedOctane]]|date=2006-11-07|platform=[[PlayStation 2]]|language=English}}</ref> The game supports toggling the [[handedness]] of the guitar, allowing both left-handed and right-handed players to utilize the guitar controller.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" />

While playing the game, an extended guitar neck is shown vertically on the screen (the [[fret]]s horizontal), and as the song progresses, colored markers indicating notes travel down the screen in time with the music; the note colors and positions match those of the five fret keys on the guitar controller. Once the note(s) reach the bottom, the player must play the indicated note(s) by holding down the correct fret button(s) and hitting the strumming bar in order to score points. Success or failure will cause the on-screen Rock Meter to change, showing how well the player is playing (denoted by red, yellow, and green sections). Should the Rock Meter drop below the red section, the song will automatically end, with the player booed off the stage by the audience. Successful note hits will add to the player's score, and by hitting a long series of consecutive successful note hits, the player can increase their score multiplier. There is a window of time for hitting each note, similar to other rhythm games such as ''[[Dance Dance Revolution]]'', but unlike these games, scoring in ''Guitar Hero'' is not affected by accuracy; as long as the note is hit within that window, the player receives the same number of points.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" />

Selected special segments of the song will have glowing notes outlined by stars: successfully hitting all notes in this series will fill the "Star Power Meter". The Star Power Meter can also be filled by using the [[tremolo arm|whammy bar]] during sustained notes within these segments. Once the Star Power Meter is at least half full, the player can activate "Star Power" by pressing the select button or momentarily lifting the guitar into a vertical position. When Star Power is activated, the scoring multiplier is doubled until Star Power is depleted. The Rock Meter also increases more dramatically when Star Power is activated, making it easier for the player to make the Rock Meter stay at a high level. Thus, Star Power can be used strategically to play difficult sections of a song that otherwise might cause the player to fail.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" />

Notes can be a single note, or composed of two to four notes that makes a [[guitar chord|chord]]. Both single notes and chords can also be sustained, indicated by a colored line following the note marker; the player can hold the sustained note(s) keys down for the entire length for additional points. During a sustained note, a player may use the whammy bar on the guitar to alter the tone of the note. Also, regardless of whether sustains are hit early or late, if the fret is held for the full duration of the hold, the game will always award the same amount of score increase for the note. In addition, the games support virtual implementations of "[[hammer-on]]s" and "[[pull-off]]s", guitar-playing techniques that are used to successfully play a fast series of notes by only changing the fingering on the fret buttons without having to strum each note. Sequences where strumming is not required are indicated on-screen by notes with a white outline at the top of the marker instead of the usual black one, with ''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' adding a white-glowing effect to make these notes clearer.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" /> ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' features transparent notes that are connected by a purple outline; players may either simply tap the correct fret for these notes without strumming or utilize a touchpad on ''World Tour''{{'}}s guitar controller to "slide" along these notes. ''World Tour'' also adds an open string note for bass players, represented by a line across the fret instead of any note gems, that is played by strumming without holding down any fret buttons.

[[Image:Guitar-hero-world-tour-20080715103139463.PNG|right|225px|thumb|Gameplay of a whole band in [[Guitar Hero World Tour]] playing Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell". On top is vocalist, bottom from left to right: Guitar, Drums, Bass]]
''Guitar Hero World Tour'' introduces drums and vocal tracks in addition to lead and bass guitar. Drum tracks are played similar to guitar tracks; the player must strike the appropriate drum head or step down on the bass drum pedal on the controller when the note gems pass the indicated line. Certain note gems, when using a drum controller that is velocity-sensitive, are "armored", requiring the player to hit the indicated drum pad harder to score more points. Vocal tracks are played similar to games such as ''[[Karaoke Revolution]]'' where the player must match the pitch and the pacing of the lyrics to score points.

While the song is playing, the background visuals feature the players' chosen [[Avatar (computing)|avatar]], along with the rest of the band performing in one of several real and fictional venues. The reaction of the audience is based on the performance of the player judged by the Rock Meter. ''Guitar Hero II'' added special lighting and other stage effects that were synchronized to the music to provide a more complete concert experience.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" />

===Game modes===
[[Image:Guitar-hero-3-gameplay.jpg|thumb|225px|right|In ''Guitar Hero III''{{'}}s two-player "Battle Mode", each player attempts to interfere with their opponent's performance while avoiding being distracted by those thrown by the opponent.]]
The main mode of play in the ''Guitar Hero'' games is Career Mode, where the player and in-game band travel between various fictional performance arenas and perform sets of four to six songs. It is by completing songs in this mode that the songs are unlocked for play across the rest of the game. Players can choose their on-stage character, their guitar of choice, and the venue they wish to play in. In this mode, the player can earn money from his/her performances that is redeemable at the in-game store, where bonus songs, additional guitars and finishes, and bonus content can be unlocked. Quick Play mode is a quicker method of playing songs, as it allows the player to select a track and difficulty, selecting the character, venue, and guitar for the player based on the song chosen. After successfully completing a song, the player is given a score, a percentage of how many notes they hit and a rating from three to five stars, depending on his/her final score on the song.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" />

The games have also added multiplayer modes. Cooperative modes allow two players to play lead and either bass or rhythm guitar on the same song, working together towards the same score. A competitive Face-Off mode allows two player to play against each other at different difficulty levels, each attempting to earn the best score on a song. ''Guitar Hero III'' introduced Boss Battles, in which two players face off against each other, attempt to collect "distractions" to throw at their opponent, trying to make them lose. With ''Guitar Hero World Tour'', up to four players can play cooperatively on lead and bass guitar, drums, and vocals, while a total of eight players can compete in a Battle of the Bands. The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii versions of the games support multiplayer modes over their respective network services.

The four difficulty levels for each song afford the player a learning curve in order to help him/her progress in skill. The first difficulty level, Easy, only focuses on the first three fret buttons while displaying a significantly reduced amount of notes for the player to play. Medium introduces the fourth (blue) fret button, and Hard includes the final fret button while adding additional notes. The addition of the orange fret button forces players to move their fingers up and down the neck. Expert does not introduce any other frets to learn, but adds more notes in a manner designed to challenge the player and to simulate the player's hands to move in a sequence similar to a real guitar. A difficulty added in "World Tour" is Beginner, which requires any fret to be held down while strumming the basic rhythm.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" />

===Characters and customization===
When playing through Career mode or in other parts of the ''Guitar Hero'' games, the player has the option to select one of several pre-created avatar characters, who will be shown performing on stage as the player attempts a song, but otherwise has no effect on the gameplay. A certain number of characters are available at the start of the game, but the player must spend in-game money earned by successful performances to unlock other characters. Many of the characters reappear throughout the series, though some games feature a smaller number of characters. Games that feature caricatures of celebrity artists, such as ''Guitar Hero III'' and ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'', include the ability to unlock those artists as playable characters. ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' will introduce the ability for players to create their own characters.

In addition to unlocking characters, in-game money can be used to buy alternative outfits for these characters and guitars that they are seen playing with. The guitars can also be customized with special finishes purchasable through the in-game store. ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' includes the ability to fully customize any component of the guitar. The in-game store in the series is also used to unlock bonus songs or special videos with interviews about the game or with the artists involved.

===Soundtracks===
Most of the games in the ''Guitar Hero'' series feature a selection of songs ranging from the 1960s to present day [[rock music]] from both highly successful artists and bands and independent groups. ''Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s'' features songs primarily from the 1980s, while ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' features music from the band Aerosmith and bands that inspired or worked with the group.

Many of the ''Guitar Hero'' games developed for the recent generation of consoles (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) support [[downloadable content]], allowing players to purchase new songs to play in the respective titles. Songs each cost approximately [[USD|$]]2 through the various online stores for the console's platform. Excluding the songs from [[Metallica]]'s ''[[Death Magnetic]]'', downloadable content for earlier games will not work in other games in the series.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5046652/metallicas-new-album-hits-guitar-hero-friday | title = Metallica's New Album Hits Guitar Hero Friday | publisher = [[Kotaku]] | first = Brian | last = Crecente | date = 2008-09-08 | accessdate = 2008-09-11}}</ref> Activision has also stated that they are considering a monthly [[Subscription business model|subscription service]] to deliver downloadable content to user for future games.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54774 | title = Guitar Hero DLC Subscription Being Evaluated by Activision, Plans to Make Lots of Money | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | date = 2008-09-16 | accessdate =2008-09-16 | first = Blake | last = Ellison}}</ref> ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' introduces a music creation mode that will allow players to create and share songs via the "GHTunes" service.

In the first two games and the 2007 expansion [[Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s]], the majority of the songs on the main career mode set lists are [[Cover version|covers]] of the original song; for example, a song may be presented as '"[[Free Bird]]" as made famous by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]]. ''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' introduces a much larger range of original recordings. The covers throughout the games are mostly recreated by [[WaveGroup Sound]] who has worked before to create songs for ''[[Beatmania]]'', ''[[Dance Dance Revolution]]'', and ''[[Karaoke Revolution]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/creating-the-songs-behind-guitar-hero-iii/71088/?biz=1 | title = Creating the Songs Behind ''Guitar Hero III'' | date = 2007-10-24 | accessdate = 2007-10-24 | publisher = GameBizDaily | first = Michael | last =Mullen}}</ref> making small changes to the guitar portions to make them more adaptable for gameplay.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2008/08/soundalikes | title = Guitar Hero, Rock Band and the Rock 'n' Roll Money Machine | publisher = [[Wired (magazine)|''Wired'']] | first = Bill | last = Hochberg | date = 2008-08-02 | accessdate = 2008-09-25}}</ref> Almost all of the unlockable bonus songs are songs performed by the original artist for the game (the only exception is the song [[She Bangs the Drums]] by [[The Stone Roses]]).

Prior to the release of ''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'', Activision has worked with the [[iTunes Store]] to provide more than 1300 tracks of ''Guitar Hero''-related music across more than 20 compilations, including most of the tracks from the games in the series, called "''Guitar Hero Essentials''". These compilations, such as "''Killer Guitar Solos''" and "''Guitar Anthems of the <nowiki>'</nowiki>80s''", include songs related to but not contained within the ''Guitar Hero'' series. Dusty Welch of RedOctane has stated "Where there’s music, there’s ''Guitar Hero'', and with iTunes, we are able to provide fans with a central location for downloading their favorite rock anthems."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071023005891&newsLang=en | title = ''Guitar Hero Essentials'' Now Available on iTunes | date = 2007-10-23 | accessdate = 2007-10-23 | publisher = [[Activision]] }}</ref> Following the merger of Activision and Blizzard, the new company announced that it is planning on creating an alternative to iTunes based on the ''Guitar Hero'' brand that would allow for downloading songs and their associated note tracks for the ''Guitar Hero'' games.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://us.ft.com/ftgateway/superpage.ft?news_id=fto071020081406599316&page=1 | title = Activision to launch iTunes rival | publisher = ''[[Financial Times]]'' | first = Matthew | last = Garrahan | coauthors = Nutrall, Chris | date = [[2008-07-10]] | accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>

==Cultural impact==
The ''Guitar Hero'' series has made a significant cultural impact, becoming a "cultural phenomenon."<ref name="nytimes" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.newsweek.com/id/70181 | title = The Low Cost of (Guitar) Heroism | first = Steven | last = Levy | publisher = ''[[Newsweek]]'' | date = 2007-01-29 | accessdate = 2007-08-08}}</ref> The series' titles became very popular [[Party game#Party video games|party games]], which led to their being played in a variety of locales. Several bars in the United States & Canada are offering "''Guitar Hero'' nights" as an alternative to [[karaoke]]; one [[New York City]] bar experienced triple the business on such nights.<ref name="nytimes" /> Many concert tours, including the [[Family Values Tour]] feature ''Guitar Hero'' booths and contests between sets.<ref name="nytimes" /> ''Guitar Hero'' is responsible for turning many people onto rock music and inspiring them to learn how to play guitar.<ref name="salon guitar hero"/><ref name="ew gh vs rb"/> [[Salon.com]] also states that the games helped an 8-year old guitarist learn sensitivity to rhythm, as well as develop the dexterity and independent hand usage necessary to play the instrument.<ref name="salon guitar hero">{{cite web | url = http://machinist.salon.com/feature/2007/08/15/guitar_hero/ | title = How "Guitar Hero" saved guitar music | first = Farhad | last = Manjoo | publisher = [[Salon.com]] | date = 2007-08-15 | accessdate = 2008-07-24}}</ref> ''Guitar Hero'' has been used alongside [[physical therapy]] to help recovering [[stroke]] patients as the games help with multiple limb coordination between fingering and stroking.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/24/you-dont-have-to-be-a-quick-fingered-15-year-old-t/ | title= Healing with Guitar Hero | publisher = ''[[Washington Post]]'' | date = 2008-09-24 | accessdate = 2008-09-28 | first = Gabriella | last = Boston}}</ref> Activision has teamed with the [[United Service Organizations]] to provide monetary support and copies of ''Guitar Hero III'' to the [[United States armed forces]] around the world.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Activision-Publishing-Partners-With-USO/story.aspx?guid={CFE90F1B-58F3-4BEE-8462-56B1739F467F} | title = Activision Publishing Partners With USO to Bring Entertainment to Troops This Holiday Season | publisher = [[MarketWatch]] | date = 2008-11-06 | accessdate = 2008-11-06 }}</ref>

''Guitar Hero'' now holds a place in the [[Guinness World Records]] in their Gamers Edition, tracking the highest score on a single song in ''Guitar Hero III''; the record is currently held by Chris Chike;<ref>{{cite web | url = http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/17541/Chris-Chike-Regains-His-Guitar-Hero-World-Record/ | title = Chris Chike Regains His Guitar Hero World Record | publisher = Team XBox | date= 2008-09-11 | accessdate = 2008-09-11}}</ref> though Chike originally held the record on the inauguration of the world record,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.scorehero.com/scores.php?user=8308&group=4&game=0&diff=4 | title = Chris Chike's record Guitar Hero score | accessdate = 2008-04-24}}</ref> he was temporarily displaced by Daniel Johnson during the middle of 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=142796 | title = Guitar Hero III world record broken | first = Tom | last = Bradwell | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | date = 2008-05-23 | accessdate = 2008-05-23}}</ref> Chris Chike has received additional notice for perfectly completing the most difficult ''Guitar Hero III'' song, Dragonforce's "Through the Fire and Flames".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/07/guitar-hero-cha.html | title = Guitar Hero Champ Perfects GH3's Most Difficult Song | first = Earnest | last = Cavalli | publisher = ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' | date = [[2008-07-02]] | accessdate = 2008-07-02}}</ref> Chike's reputation has earned him the place of spokesperson for [[The Ant Commandos]], a third-party peripheral controller maker.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/arts/television/10itzk.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 | title = Rec-Room Wizard | first = Dave | last = Itzkoff | date = 2008-08-10 | accessdate = 2008-08-10 | publisher = ''[[The New York Times]]''}}</ref> Guinness also awarded the series ten world records in the Gamer's Edition 2008, including "Best Selling Guitar Based Game" and "Biggest Funeral for a Fictional Object", when in November 2006 a funeral for the [[air guitar]] was held in [[London, England]] as a publicity stunt for ''Guitar Hero II''{{'}}s release.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/aloneinthedark/news.html?sid=6185294&mode=news&cpage=11 | title = Spot On: Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition | publisher = [[Gamespot]] | date = 2008-01-30 | accessdate = 2008-09-17 | first = Emma | last = Boyes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/release?id=185030 | title = The Air Guitar: An Obituary | publisher = PR Newswire | date = 2006-11-24 | accessdate = 2008-09-17 }}</ref>

Activision stated on January 21, 2008 that North American sales from all of the ''Guitar Hero'' franchise has exceeded one billion [[United States dollar|dollars]] with over 14 million units sold and excluding downloadable content.<ref name="1billion" /> Over 20 million songs have been sold as downloadable content as of July 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUKN1245149420080713 | title = RedOctane execs on a roll with "Guitar Hero" | publisher = [[Reuters]] | first = Antony | last = Bruno | date = [[2008-07-13]] | accessdate = 2008-07-15}}</ref> As of October 9, 2008, the series has sold 23 million units and earned US$1.6 billion at retail.<ref name="salesfigure"/> ''Guitar Hero'' along with other music games such as ''Rock Band'' have surged the video game market in 2008; an [[NPD Group]] report cited that music video games made up 19% of the overall software industry sales in July 2008, and contributing to a 32% year-to-date sector growth through July 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3169426 | title = Music Games Contribute 32% of Industry Growth in 08 | publisher = [[1UP.com|1UP]] | first = Kris | last = Pigna | date = 2008-08-19 | accessdate = 2008-08-28 }}</ref>

The series has created a market for products outside of the video games. [[McFarlane Toys]] has developed a series of six-inch-tall figurines based on the characters from the game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.spawn.com/news/news3.aspx?id=13472 | title = 'Guitar Hero' Figures in Toys 'R' Us Stores Now! | publisher = TMP International, Inc. | date = 2008-10-17 | accessdate = 2008-10-21 }}</ref> [[Brett Ratner]], director for ''[[Rush Hour (film)|Rush Hour]]'' and ''[[X-Men: The Last Stand]]'', has stated that he wishes to bring a movie based on ''Guitar Hero'' to theaters.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=54464 | title = Rush Hour Director Dreams of Guitar Hero Movie | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | accessdate = 2008-08-28 | date = 2008-08-28 | first = Chris | last = Faylor }}</ref> However, Activision, the publisher of the series, did not approve the idea of a film adaptation.

[[Image:Fretsonfire4.png|thumb|right|''[[Frets on Fire]]'' is one of the many [[clone (video game)|clone]]s based on the success of the ''Guitar Hero'' series.]]
The popularity of the ''Guitar Hero'' series has led to the development of several commercial and independent [[clone (video game)|clone]]s. Besides Harmonix' ''Rock Band'' series, [[Konami]] will release ''[[Rock Revolution]]'' in 2008 which features drums and guitar (the game does not include vocals) similar to ''Guitar Hero World Tour''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/rockrevolution/news.html?sid=6191037 | title = Konami staging Rock Revolution this fall | first = Tor | last = Thorsen | publisher = [[Gamespot]] | date= 2008-05-18 | accessdate = 2008-08-30}}</ref> ''[[PopStar Guitar]]'' for the PlayStation 2 and Wii systems, developed by [[XS Games]], will feature gameplay similar to the ''Guitar Hero'' series, but will feature [[pop music]], as opposed to [[rock music|rock]] and [[heavy metal music|metal]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/892/892603p1.html | title =XS Games Announces PopStar Guitar, a New Music Rhythm Game Featuring Hits from Top Pop Artists | publisher = [[IGN]] | date= 2008-07-22 | accessdate = 2008-09-07}}</ref> [[Digital Praise]] will be releasing a [[Christian rock]]-themed guitar-based game called ''[[Guitar Praise]]'' also in 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/08/guitar-praise-g.html | title = Guitar Praise: Guitar Hero for Christian Music | first = Eliot | last = Van Buskirk | publisher = ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' | date = 2008-08-29 | accessdate = 2008-08-30 }}</ref> ''[[Guitar Rising]]'', to be published for personal computers by [[Game Tank]] by the end of 2008, is based on using a real guitar in order to perfect one's skills.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2008/02/20/gdc-guitar-rising-will-actually-teach-you-to-play-guitar | title =GDC: Guitar Rising, training for real Guitar Heroes | publisher = [[Ars Technica]] | first = Ben | last = Kuchera | date = 2008-02-20 | accessdate = 2008-08-30 }}</ref> ''[[Frets on Fire]]'' is an [[open-source software|open-source]] clone of ''Guitar Hero'' for personal computers that features freely available independent songs and allows users to create their own note tracks.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/237807 | title = Free Guitar Hero clone really rocks | publisher = ''[[The Toronto Star]]'' | first = Marc | last = Saltzman | date = 2007-07-21 | accessdate = 2008-08-30}}</ref>

{{anchor|Scorehero}}
Fan sites have also arisen to provide news and forums related to the ''Guitar Hero'' series. [http://www.scorehero.com Scorehero] is one such site that includes both forums and informal tracking of players' scores for both the ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'' series; the site has received donations from Harmonix president [[Alex Rigopulos]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3159835 | title = Harmonix Donates $2,000 to ScoreHero.com | publisher = [[1UP.com|1UP]] | first = Patrick | last = Klepik | date = 2007-05-24 | accessdate = 2008-09-19 }}</ref> and site members have been invited to pre-release demonstrations of upcoming games, often leading to information about tracks in these games.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/guitar-hero-iii/808144p1.html | title = New Guitar Hero III Tracks and Info Revealed (X360) | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | first = Sal | last = Accardo | date= 2007-07-25 | accessdate = 2008-09-19}}</ref>

===In the music industry===
[[Image:Aerosmith B.jpg|right|thumb|The band [[Aerosmith]] has made more money from ''[[Guitar Hero: Aerosmith]]'' than from sales of any single album.]]
Both licensed and indie bands whose works have been included in the ''Guitar Hero'' games have gained further popularity from this inclusion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071121-your-song-in-guitar-hero-equals-a-big-jump-in-digital-sales.html | title = Songs included in ''Guitar Hero 3'' see a dramatic leap in digital sales | publisher = [[Ars Technica]] | date = 2007-11-21 | accessdate = 2008-07-24 | first = Ben | last = Kuchera}}</ref> Both record companies<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54744 | title = Activision: Guitar Hero Boosts Music Sales 200-300% | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | first = Blake | last = Ellison | date = 2008-09-16 | accessdate = 2008-09-16}}</ref> and retailers<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2008/03/guitar_hero_iii_challenges_a_r.html | title ="Guitar Hero III" challenges a real rocker | date = 2008-03-28 | accessdate = 2008-03-28 | first =John | last = Petkovic | publisher = ''[[Cleveland Plain Dealer]]'' }}</ref> have seen sales of songs and groups increase 200% to 300% after their inclusion in the series. Every ''Guitar Hero III'' song tracked by [[Nielsen SoundScan]] (62 of 70) saw an increase in digital download sales the week ending December 30, 2007, when many who got the game as a gift were playing it.<ref name="aerosmith" /> A survey conducted by [[Brown University]]{{'}}s Kiri Miller found that 76% of the players of ''Guitar Hero'' bought the music they heard in the game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19907 | title = In-Depth: Inside The Guitar Hero Census | publisher = [[Gamasutra]] | date = 2008-08-21 | accessdate = 2008-08-21 }}</ref> Indie group [[Bang Camaro]]'s recognition increased after their song "Push Push (Lady Lightning)" appeared in ''[[Guitar Hero II]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2007/10/05/2007-10-05_bang_camaro_is_guitar_hero.html | title= Bang Camaro is <nowiki>'</nowiki>''Guitar Hero''<nowiki>'</nowiki> | publisher = ''[[New York Daily News]]'' | first = Jim | last = Farber | date = 2007-10-05 | accessdate = 2008-07-24}}</ref> The band [[DragonForce]], whose song "[[Through the Fire and Flames]]" is featured as the final song in ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'', saw a 126% increase in [[Compact Disc|CD]] sales in the week after the release of the game,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3000338.ece | title = Games that rock | publisher = ''[[The Times]]'' | date = 2007-12-07 | accessdate = 2008-07-24 | first = Dominic | last = Wells }}</ref> and downloads of the song, selling fewer than 2,000 weekly, rose to more than 10,000 after ''Guitar Hero III''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s release and approached 40,000 the week ending [[2007-12-30]].<ref name="aerosmith" /> Even older, established groups such as [[Aerosmith]] saw an increase in sales at the same time ''Guitar Hero'' games containing their songs were released,<ref name="aerosmith">{{cite web | url = http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2008-02-14-aerosmith-guitar-hero_N.htm | title = Aerosmith plugs into 'Guitar Hero' popularity | publisher = ''[[USA Today]]'' | first = Mike | last = Snider | date = 2008-02-14 | accessdate = 2008-03-03}}</ref> such as a modest increase in download sales for its "[[Same Old Song and Dance]]", which rose to 2,041 from 374 copies the previous week;<ref name="aerosmith" /> a 40% increase in the band's catalog was seen in the weeks following the release of ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/20/videol.games.music/ | title = Is 'Guitar Hero' saving rock 'n' roll? | first = Denise | last = Quan | date = 2008-08-20 | accessdate = 2008-08-20 | publisher = [[CNN]] }}</ref> According to Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' has made more money for Aerosmith than any sales of their previous albums.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/09/15/gh-money-for-aerosmith/ | title = Activision: ‘Guitar Hero’ A Bigger Money-Maker For Aersomith Than Any Album | publisher = [[MTV]] | first = Patrick | last = Klepick | date = 2008-09-15 | accessdate = 2008-09-10}}</ref> Both ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'' are seen as new methods of music distribution; an analysis for market research company [[NPD Group]] states that "As the video games industry grows, it's becoming an ever-more attractive promotional outlet for all kinds of industries."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Story?id=4660438&page=1 | title = Will 'Guitar Hero: Aerosmith' Rock? | first = Ashley | last = Phillips | publisher = [[ABC News]] | date = 2008-04-16 | accessdate = 2008-04-19 }}</ref> The games have also been seen as a way to introduce younger generations to music of the past; bands such as [[Living Colour]], [[Warrant (American band)|Warrant]], [[Poison (band)|Poison]], and [[Ratt]] have seen interest in their music rise due to the inclusion of their songs in the various ''Guitar Hero'' and other video games.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-07-07-rocklahoma_N.htm | title = Rock-on hair bands not having a bad day | publisher = ''[[USA Today]]'' | first = Brian | last = Mansfield | date = [[2008-07-07]] | accessdate = 2008-07-08}}</ref>

Bands or those that control the copyrights on bands works have been in talks with the makers and distributions of both ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'' as methods of achieving more exposure for the band. {{anchor|The Beatles|Beatles}}Following the announcement of ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'', Martin N. "Marty" Bandier, executive for Sony/ATV which owns the copyrights on [[The Beatles]] recordings, has stated that he is very interested in helping Activision to bring a Beatles-themed ''Guitar Hero'' title to the market in a similar fashion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-beatles18mar18,1,3551914.story | title = Beatles tunes might make it to Guitar Hero | publisher = ''[[LA Times]]'' | date = 2008-03-18 | accessdate = 2008-03-18 | first = Geoff | last = Boucher }}</ref> Both Activision and [[MTV Games]] have been in talks with representatives of the Beatles to create a themed games within either the ''Guitar Hero'' or ''Rock Band'' series, respectively, though any deal will also require permission from [[Apple Corps, Ltd.]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53257 | title =Rock Band, Guitar Hero Publishers Vying for Beatles Licensing Agreement | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | first= Aaron | last = Linde | date = [[2008-06-22]] | accessdate=2008-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b8dcb378-40ba-11dd-bd48-0000779fd2ac.html | title = Beatles seek help to join the video game revolution | publisher = ''[[Financial Times]]'' | date = [[2008-06-23]] | accessdate= 2008-06-22| first= Joshua | last = Chaffin | coauthors= Chris Nuttall}}</ref> Ultimately, MTV Games secured a exclusive license with Apple Corps to produce a standalone game based on the ''Rock Band'' platform featuring the songs of the Beatles.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSN3038355520081030 | title = MTV strike deal to use Beatles songs on 'Rock Band' | date = 2008-10-30 | accessdate = 2008-10-30 | publisher = [[Reuters]]}}</ref> Groups such as [[Van Halen]], [[The Eagles]], [[Steely Dan]] and [[Guns N' Roses]] have working deals with these companies to include their songs within future games.<ref name="wsj gha"/> However, not all bands are comfortable with this; [[Led Zeppelin]] has turned down offers from both games to include their music due to concerns that [[Jimmy Page]] and other members of the band have with releasing the master recordings of their music.<ref name="wsj gha">{{cite web | url = http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121487474239618065.html | title = Aerosmith Stars in Guitar Hero Videogame | publisher = ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' | first = Nick | last = Wingfield | coauthors = Smith, Ethan | date = [[2008-07-01]] | accessdate = 2008-07-07}}</ref> There are also cases where bands want to be included, but the [[master recording]]s have been lost or are unusable. Some bands such as the [[Sex Pistols]], [[Living Colour]], and [[Aerosmith]] have rerecorded these songs, while other bands have been able to provide [[concert]] "live" master recordings. However, some larger artists are unable to do so.<ref name="shacknews interview"/> Neversoft director Brian Bright states that they do not expect to acquire songs from [[Pink Floyd]] and [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] due to such reasons.<ref name="shacknews interview">{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1000 | title = Guitar Hero World Tour Interview: 'Anything Is Possible' | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | first = Chris | last = Faylor | date= 2008-09-16 | accessdate = 2008-09-17}}</ref>

''Guitar Hero'' and other rock music-based games work with [[record company|record companies]] to license each song for its use, costing a per-song average of [[USD|$]]25,000 for the rights to use a master recording and [[USD|$]]10,000 for the rights to make a cover.<ref name="lat music licensing"/> However, the music industry has raised concerns that the music labels are not receiving fair compensation considering the success of the games. Edgar Bronfman Jr., chairman and chief executive for [[Warner Music Group]], stated that "The amount being paid to the industry, even though their games are entirely dependent on the content that we own and control, is far too small."<ref name="lat music licensing">{{cite web | url = http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-music18-2008aug18,1,6051130.story | title = Record labels seek more action on Rock Band and Guitar Hero | publication = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' | date = 2008-08-18 | accessdate = 2008-08-18 | first = Michelle | last = Quinn | coauthors = Pham, Alex}}</ref> Tim Riley, vice president of music affairs at Activision, believes that the increase in popularity of the game series has lead more people, including musicians and music labels, to want to be part of the success: "The number of people interested in being associated with the game is probably a thousand times more than we can get into the game."<ref name="lat music licensing"/> Activision CEO Robert Kotick has stated, in response to the record company's claims, that the impact that the ''Guitar Hero'' games have cause them to question if the game developers and publishers "should be paying any money at all and whether it should be the reverse."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.edge-online.com/news/activision-maybe-music-labels-should-pay-us | title = Activision: Maybe Music Labels Should Pay Us | first = Kris | last = Graft | date = 2008-09-26 | accessdate = 2008-09-26 | publisher = ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]''}}</ref> [[Mötley Crüe]] manager Allen Kovac noted that artists make a larger share of the sale of each downloaded game song compared to [[iTunes]], and that bands that own their own master recordings earn even a larger percentage from music licensing rights.<ref name="ew gh vs rb">{{cite web | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20222986,00.html | title = 'Rock Band' vs. 'Guitar Hero': Fall's Biggest Music Battle | publisher = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' | first = Shirley | last = Halperin | date = 2008-09-02 | accessdate = 2008-09-03}}</ref> Michael Pachter, an industry analyst for Wedbush Morgan, noted that ''Guitar Hero'' is not dependent on a single record label, as there is nearly a 2000-year supply of songs available at the current rate of content releases, and a full music industry denial to the game series could lead to [[anti-trust]] measures. Patcher also contrasted Bronfman's view, stating that users are not buying the games for the songs, but for the game, with each song providing its own challenge.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20002 | title = Analyst: Activision Doesn't Need Warner Music | publisher = [[Gamasutra]] | date = 2008-08-27 | accessdate = 2008-09-26 | first = Leigh | last = Alexander }}</ref> However, analysis believe that Activision's attitude on music licensing may have influenced the decision of Apple Corps, Ltd. to give the lucrative licensing agreement for The Beatles' music to MTV Games, who were more flexible in their negotiations.<ref name="reuters rock band">{{cite web | url = http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE4A004520081101 | title = MTV and Activision face off in battle of the brands | first = Antony | last = Bruno | date = 2008-10-31 | accessdate = 2008-11-03 | publisher = [[Reuters]]}}</ref>

===In popular culture===
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IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL EDITORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS SECTION:

Please see WP:IPC for appropriate pop culture references in this section. Only if Guitar Hero is named and predominately featured (that a good episode summary would require the naming of the game) should that pop culture reference be included here.
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[[Image:Guitar-Her-South-Park.jpg|thumb|right|Stan and Kyle from ''[[South Park]]'' play ''[[Guitar Hero II]]'']]
''Guitar Hero'' has made several appearances in popular culture. ''Guitar Hero II'' is the centerpiece of an episode of ''[[South Park]]'' titled "[[Guitar Queer-o]]", in which Stan and Kyle get hooked on ''Guitar Hero II'' and end up being treated as though they are real-life rock stars. The episode was first broadcast on November 7, 2007, 10 days after the American release of ''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock''.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-24|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/press/press_releases/2007/110507_sp_guitar_ o.jhtml|title=Stan and Kyle are Hooked on Guitar Heroin an All-New South Park|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-11-05}}</ref> The episode of ''[[Metalocalypse]]'' entitled "Dethvengance" featured a black ''Guitar Hero'' controller on the bed of a boy attempting to download music from the band Dethklok illegally. The song playing on his computer is "Thunderhorse," which is playable on ''Guitar Hero II''. In the ''Metalocalypse'' episode "Dethkids," a sick child composes a song for Dethklok rhythm guitarist Toki Wartooth using a ''Guitar Hero'' controller.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-24|url=http://www.tv.com/metalocalypse/dethkids/episode/848620/summary.html|title=Dethkids|publisher=[[TV.com]]|date=2006-11-19}}</ref> [[Ellen DeGeneres]] has played ''Guitar Hero'' several times in 2008 during the monologue of [[The Ellen DeGeneres Show|her syndicated talk show]]. In the January 25, 2008, episode she is seen playing along to "[[Barracuda (song)|Barracuda]]", which segues to [[Heart (band)|Heart]] performing the song for the audience.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-01|url=http://kotaku.com/345068/ellen-plays-guitar-hero-iii-damn-this-writers-strike|title=Ellen Plays Guitar Hero III... Damn This Writers Strike!|publisher=[[Kotaku]]|date=2008-01-15|author=McWhertor, Michael}}</ref> During the [[Grand Finale (American Idol 7)|season 7 finale]] of ''[[American Idol]]'', finalists [[David Cook (singer)|David Cook]] and [[David Archuleta]] appeared in separate commercials for the games, where they each parodied [[Tom Cruise]] dancing to "[[Old Time Rock and Roll]]" in the movie ''[[Risky Business]]''. This parody has been used by director [[Brett Ratner]] to create advertisements for ''Guitar Hero World Tour'', featuring celebrities such as [[Kobe Bryant]], [[Tony Hawk]], [[Alex Rodriguez]], [[Michael Phelps]], [[Corbin Bleu]] and [[Heidi Klum]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20081024/LAF02424102008-1.html | title = Activision Publishing Unveils Star-Studded Television Ads Promoting The Highly Anticipated Guitar Hero(R) World Tour Launch | publisher = Activision | date = 2008-10-24 | accessdate = 2008-10-27}}</ref>

[[Mariah Carey]]'s music video for her song "[[Touch My Body]]" features a compu-nerd strumming on a ''Guitar Hero'' controller. The music video for San Diego rock band [[Switchfoot]]'s song "[[Awakening (song)|Awakening]]" featured two men going home and competing separately on ''Guitar Hero.'' The video is unique because all of the ''Guitar Hero'' footage featured Switchfoot playing, and all the animation was made by using cut-out style animation. It also tied with Farrah's "Fear of Flying" from early 2007 as one of the first music videos to use this type of animation<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-24|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/todays-thrashiest-video-awakening-from-switchfoot/|title=Today's thrashiest video: "Awakening" from Switchfoot|publisher=[[Joystiq]]|date=2007-04-10|author=Kelly, Kevin}}</ref>
A Guitar Hero Controller is played by Peter Stock in a spoof music video in a scene from 'Capitalism - The Movie'.<ref>{{cite web |title='Money Makes the World Go Round' Video |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rKDFTKUC5s |accessdate=2008-07-07 }}</ref> In the music video for "[[Mixed Up S.O.B.]]" by [[The Presidents of the United States of America (band)|The Presidents of the United States of America]], a part can be seen with the song being played in ''Guitar Hero 3''.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-01|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q0fpJYsCVg|title=Mixed Up S.O.B. music video|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Rob "Rawrb" Kersey, the singer of the Arizona-based "humorcore" band [[Psychostick]], often "plays" a ''Guitar Hero'' controller onstage as a gag during certain songs.

The series' popularity even spread to the sports world; [[Detroit Tigers]]' pitcher [[Joel Zumaya]] injured himself during the 2006 playoffs playing ''Guitar Hero.''<ref>{{cite web | url = http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/16212095/ | title = ''Guitar Hero''? Pitcher hurt playing video game | publisher = [[MSNBC]] | date = 2006-12-14 | accessdate = 2008-01-23 | author = MSNBC News Services }}</ref> In [[Pro Wrestling]], the [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|TNA Wrestling]] tag team of [[Jimmy Rave]] and [[Lance Hoyt|Lance Rock]], known as the "Rock and Rave Infection" have a gimmick of dressing up as characters from the game and strumming the guitar controllers on the way to the ring. <ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnaimpact/080124.html TNA Wrestling Results]</ref>

The name "Guitar Hero" is often [[random juxtaposition|juxtapositioned]] with other instruments or other tools for humorous effects. There are [[T-shirt]]s available from at least one vendor, parodying the ''Guitar Hero'' logo with a number of different instruments, from [[violin]] to [[bagpipes]]. Marketing for ''[[The Simpsons Game]]'' included mock posters for "[[Sitar]] Hero", depicting ''The Simpsons'' character [[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon|Apu]] with a controller with 21 buttons,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/ul/13769-noscale-GH_SITAR_HERO.jpg | title = Sitar Hero poster |publisher = Destructoid | date = | accessdate = 2008-11-16 }}</ref> a parody Harmonix praised.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3163412 | title = Simpsons Game Parodies Ruffle Some Feathers | publisher = [[1UP.com]] | date = [[2007-10-04]] | accessdate = 2008-11-16 }}</ref> [[GameSpot]] released an [[April Fools' Day|April Fools']] article in 2006 announcing "[[More cowbell|Cowbell Hero]]" as a successor to the first game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6146944.html | title = April Fool's: Harmonix announces Cowbell Hero | publisher = [[Gamespot]] | date = [[2006-04-01]] | accessdate = 2008-07-17 }}</ref> One [[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]] [[comic strip]] envisioned a game entitled "[[Adobe Photoshop|Photoshop]] Hero", which has become a design for one of their t-shirts.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/8/22/ | title = My Comeuppance | publisher = [[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]] | date = [[2007-08-22]] | accessdate = 2008-07-17 | first = Mike | last = Khahulik | coauthors= Holkins, Jerry}}</ref> A 2008 [[FoxTrot]] Sunday comic ed the characters Jason and Marcus playing a video game called "[[Chamber Music]] Hero."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gocomics.com/foxtrot/2008/02/17/ | title = Foxtrot - February 17, 2008 | first = Bill | last = Amend | publisher = Universal Press Syndicate | accessdate = 2008-07-17 }}</ref> On August 1, 2007, the satirical newspaper [[The Onion]] published an article entitled "Activision Reports Sluggish Sales For [[Sousaphone]] Hero." <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.theonion.com/content/news/activision_reports_sluggish_sales}}</ref>

==Legal and practical issues==
===PlayStation 3 incompatibility===
Sony's [[PlayStation 3]] console has no compatibility with the [[PlayStation 2]] ''Guitar Hero'' controller on the system. While ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Guitar Hero II'' are fully backward-compatible through the hardware PlayStation 2 emulation in the initial North American release of the console, it was impossible at launch to use the guitar controller to play either game. Kai Huang, of RedOctane, states that they are "working on that with Sony right now &ndash; looking at how we can get all the PlayStation 2 guitars that are out there, and all the owners of them, to use them on the PlayStation 3."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-01|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=75391&page=1|title=Eurogamer - Guitar Hero III's Rock 'N' Slide Star|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref> [[Nyko]], an accessories company, was poised to make a special PlayStation 2 controller adapter for the PlayStation 3, but has put the product on hold due to technical difficulties. Also, Tac, another accessories company also made a PlayStation 3 adapter for a PlayStation 2 to a PlayStation 3 game console so people can use their ''Guitar Hero'' guitar controllers that were made for PlayStation 2 to be used with a PlayStation 3 game console.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-01|url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/nyko/nyko-clarifies-guitar-hero-adaptor-cancellation-248586.php|title=Kotaku: Nyko explains issues with ''Guitar Hero'' adapter|publisher=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> However, the May 2007 PlayStation 3 V1.80 system update has made the guitar controller compatible with generic PlayStation 2 controller to USB adapters when playing ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Guitar Hero II''.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-01|url=http://forum.guitarherogame.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=18480|title=Making the controller work on PS3.|work=guitarherogame.com forums}}</ref> In addition, Pelican has released a special PlayStation 2 to PlayStation 3 controller adapter that supports both games, including the ability to switch the handedness of the guitar.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-01|url=http://www.aeropause.com/2007/05/will-pelicans-usb-adapter-let-you-play-guitar-hero-on-the-ps3/|title=Aeropause - Will Pelican's USB Adapter Let You ''Guitar Hero'' on PS3?|publisher=Aeropause}}</ref> At present, most PS2-to-USB adapters have issues with [[hammer-on]]s and [[pull-off]]s. [[The Ant Commandos]] have produced an adapter that allows hammer-ons to be played. This is the only known adapter that allows this, however it is only designed and guaranteed for using PlayStation 2 guitar controllers with PlayStation 3 ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'' games and as such is incompatible with ''Guitar Hero II'' and ''Rock the 80s''. Both games can still be played using the shoulder buttons on a standard controller.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-24|url=http://www.shacknews.com/reviews/review.x/2902|title=Guitar Hero|publisher=[[Shacknews]]|date=2005-11-13|author=Masem}}</ref>

=== Patent litigation ===
[[Gibson Guitar Corporation]], whose guitar likenesses have appeared in the ''Guitar Hero'' series from the first game to ''Guitar Hero Aerosmith'', informed Activision on January 7, 2008, that it believed the games infringe its {{US patent|5990405}}. Gibson claims that this covers technology that simulates a concert performance via pre-recorded audio and a musical instrument. In response, Activision filed a suit seeking a declaration that it was not in violation of the Gibson patent; Activision also asserts Gibson has given an implied license by waiting to assert the patent and that the patent is invalid.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1222156920080312 | title = Activision's ''Guitar Hero'' violates patent: Gibson | publisher = ''[[Reuters|Reuters News]]'' | author = Scott Hillis | coauthors = Gina Keating | date = 2008-03-12 | accessdate = 2008-03-12 }}</ref> On March 17, 2008, Gibson sued six retailers ([[GameStop]], [[Amazon.com]], [[Wal-Mart]], [[Target Corporation|Target]], [[Toys "R" Us]] and [[Kmart]]) for selling ''Guitar Hero'' products.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/51860 | title = Gibson Sues Retailers for Selling ''Guitar Hero'' | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | date = 2008-03-20 | accessdate = 2008-03-30 | first = Chris | last = Faylor }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | url = http://www.shacknews.com/docs/press/20080320_.x | title = Press Statement from Gibson Guitar in Regards to ''Guitar Hero'' Retailer Lawsuit | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | date = 2008-03-20 | accessdate = 2008-03-20}}</ref> Subsequently, on March 21, 2008, Gibson also filed a lawsuit against EA, MTV, and Harmonix over their game ''[[Rock Band (video game)|Rock Band]]'' also for violation of its patent, to which a Harmonix spokesperson stated that Gibson's claims are "completely without merit".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/51876 | title = Gibson Sues EA, MTV, Harmonix over Rock Band; Update: Harmonix Responds, Denies Allegations | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | date = 2008-03-21 | accessdate = 2008-03-21 | first = Chris | last = Faylor}}</ref> Activision lawyer Mary Tuck stated in their legal filings that they believe that Gibson initiated the lawsuit due to the fact that " Activision was not <nowiki>[</nowiki>interested<nowiki>]</nowiki> in renewing the License and Marketing Support Agreement" with Gibson Guitars.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1583874/20080321/id_0.jhtml | title = Gibson Guitar Company Sues Retailers, MTV Over 'Guitar Hero' And 'Rock Band' | publisher = [[MTV]] | date = 2008-03-21 | accessdate = 2008-03-26 | first = Stephen |last = Totilo }}</ref>
''Rock Band's'' guitar controller is fully endorsed by [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]].

Activision, through John Devecka<ref>[http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/10/gamesetinvestigation_the_guita.php GameSetWatch - GameSetInvestigation: The Guitar Hero Patent Mystery<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> owns all of Devecka Enterprises' US and international patents<ref>[http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5739457.PN.&OS=PN/5739457&RS=PN/5739457 United States Patent: 5739457]</ref>
<ref>[http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6018121.PN.&OS=PN/6018121&RS=PN/6018121 United States Patent: 6018121]</ref><ref>[http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=0&f=S&l=50&TERM1=devecka&FIELD1=INNM&co1=AND&TERM2=&FIELD2=&d=PTXT Patent Database Search Results: IN/devecka in US Patent Collection]</ref> that deals with music games. All patents issued by the [[United States Patent and Trademark Office|USPTO]] are presumed valid.<ref>[http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/documents/appxl_35_U_S_C_282.htm 35 U.S.C. 282 Presumption of validity; defenses. - Patent Laws<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16014 Gamasutra - Exclusive: Exploring Guitar Hero III 's Patent Secrets<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==Games==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!rowspan="2"| Released Year
!rowspan="2"| Title
!rowspan="2"| Developer(s)
!colspan="9"| Platform
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|[[PlayStation 2|PS2]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|[[PlayStation 3|PS3]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|[[Xbox 360|360]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|[[Wii]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|[[Microsoft Windows|PC]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|[[Macintosh|Mac]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|[[Nintendo DS|NDS]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|Other
|-
| colspan=12 | '''Main Games'''
|-
|2005 || ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'' || [[Harmonix Music Systems|Harmonix]] || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
|2006 (PS2)<br />2007 (360) || ''[[Guitar Hero II]]'' || [[Harmonix Music Systems|Harmonix]] || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
|2007 || ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'' || [[Neversoft]] (360/PS3)<br />[[Aspyr Media]] (PC/Mac)<br />[[Vicarious Visions]] (Wii)<br />[[Budcat Creations]] (PS2) || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
|2008 || ''[[Guitar Hero World Tour]]'' || [[Neversoft]] (360/PS3)<br />[[Vicarious Visions]] (Wii)<br />[[Budcat Creations]] (PS2) || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}{{rf|a|a}} || {{yes}}{{rf|a|a}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| colspan=12 | '''Expansion Games'''
|-
|2007 || ''[[Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s]]'' || [[Harmonix Music Systems|Harmonix]] || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
|2008 || ''[[Guitar Hero: Aerosmith]]'' || [[Neversoft]] (360/PS3)<br />[[Aspyr Media]] (PC/Mac)<br />[[Vicarious Visions]] (Wii)<br />[[Budcat Creations]] (PS2) || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
|2009 || ''[[Guitar Hero: Metallica]]'' || [[Neversoft]] (360/PS3)<br />[[Vicarious Visions]] (Wii)<br />[[Budcat Creations]] (PS2) || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| colspan=12 | '''Portable Games'''
|-
|2007 || ''Guitar Hero Carabiner'' || Basic Fun, Inc. || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
|2007 || ''[[Guitar Hero III Mobile]]'' || Machineworks Northwest || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
|2008 || ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour]]'' || [[Vicarious Visions]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}
|-
|2008 || ''[[Guitar Hero III Backstage Pass]]'' || Machineworks Northwest || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
|2008 || ''[[Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades]]'' || [[Vicarious Visions]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}
|}
{{ent|a|a}}A version of ''[[Guitar Hero World Tour]]'' has been rated by the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] for [[Microsoft Windows|PC]] and [[Macintosh|Mac]], though Activision has not officially confirmed this version.<ref name="ghwt pc release">{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53952 | title = Guitar Hero World Tour PC Edition Listed by ESRB; Logitech to Offer 'Premium' Instrument Controllers | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | first = Aaron | last = Linde | date = [[2008-07-31]] | accessdate = 2008-07-31}}</ref>

==See also==
{{commons cat|Guitar Hero}}
* [[wikinews:Alex Necochea and Bryn Bennett: the 'Guitar Heroes' of Bang Camaro|Alex Necochea and Bryn Bennett: the 'Guitar Heroes' of Bang Camaro]] on [[Wikinews]]
* ''[[Quest for Fame]]'', a 1995 [[computer game]] which uses either a so-called "v-pick" or a "virtual guitar" peripheral to play [[Aerosmith]] songs.
* ''[[GuitarFreaks]]'', a 1998 [[arcade game]] series created by [[Konami]] that also uses a guitar peripheral.
* ''[[Frets on Fire]]'', a [[free software]]/[[open source]] clone of ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'' for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Linux]], [[FreeBSD]] and [[Mac OS X]].
* ''[[Rock Band]]'', a 2007 video game developed by [[Harmonix Music Systems]] for the Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.<!-- There is currently ONLY 1 game, thus there is no "series" (yet). Besides, the article "Rock Band (series)" does not even exist at the moment. -->
* ''[[Guitar Rising]]'', a 2009 computer game developed by [[GameTank]] for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X which notably uses a real guitar rather than a guitar controller to play music.
* ''[[Audiosurf]]'', a 2008 video game created by [[Invisible Handlebar]] for [[Windows]], the full version of the game is only available for purchase through [[Steam]].
* ''[[Ultimate Band]]'', an upcoming video game developed by [[Fall Line Studios]] for the [[Wii]] and [[Nintendo DS]].
* ''[[Rock Revolution]]'', a 2008 video game developed by [[Zoë Mode]] ([[Xbox 360]] and [[Playstation 3]] versions) and [[HB Studios]] ([[Wii]] and [[Nintendo DS]] versions).
* ''[[Synthesia]]'', Synthesia is a program for Windows and Mac OS X which allows users to play a MIDI keyboard or use a computer keyboard in time to a MIDI file.

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}

==References==
* {{cite book | author=Simons, Iain | title = Inside Game Design | publisher = Laurence King | year=2007 | isbn=185669532}}

==External links==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-4}}
;Producer/Developer sites
* [http://www.activision.com/ Activision]
* [http://www.redoctane.com/ RedOctane]
* [http://www.neversoft.com/ Neversoft]
* [http://www.harmonixmusic.com/ Harmonix]
* [http://www.handson.com/ Hands-On Mobile]
* [http://www.machineworksnorthwest.com/ MachineWorks Northwest LLC]
;Official game sites
* [http://bsp.guitarheromobile.com/index.php ''Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass'']
{{col-4}}
;Other official sites
* [http://www.guitarhero.com/ ''Guitar Hero'' series website]
* [http://community.guitarhero.com/ ''Guitar Hero'' community website]
* {{MySpace|officialguitarhero|''Guitar Hero''}}
;Other links
* [http://www.takeitapart.net/archives/guitar_hero_controller/ Guitar Hero Controller Disassembly Photographs]
;Directories
* {{dmoz|Games/Video_Games/Music_and_Dance/Guitar_Hero_Series|''Guitar Hero'' series}}
{{col-end}}

{{Guitar Hero series}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Guitar Hero series}}
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Guitar Hero|Guitar Hero]]
[[Category:Guitar video games]]
[[Category:Music video games]]
[[Category:Rock music]]
[[Category:Video game franchises]]

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Revision as of 18:08, 4 December 2008

changggg wangg

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