"Guitar Hero"... sigh...

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 25 Dec 2007 2:31 am

You've obviously never pushed Gregg's buttons...

(Right, Theresa?)

Ain"t Going to Either

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 25 Dec 2007 7:59 am

"Now watch this 8-year-old play it:"

I'm too old. All my ears heard was noise.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 26 Dec 2007 12:19 pm

"Now watch this kid play" ... play what? it's a video game where it seems you try to memorize the melody and translate it into pushing buttons.
At first I thought the kid had at least one redeeming quality... he is wearing a PHILA. EAGLES jersey...

but then I could see it was #81...the incubus

.. he who shall remain nameless...currently a cowgirl! So there is no hope for the little poser.. he is a wanna be guitar player and worse .. a wanna be Eagles fan.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 27 Dec 2007 6:50 am

By jove that's it.... The next generation of steel guitars must have a scoring mechanism to rack up points. Perhaps electrify the strings so if you pick the wrong note you get zapped.

I did notice that if the wrong button gets pushed the system emits a synthesized "clam".

("Gee, I always wanted to fix a transmission...")

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 27 Dec 2007 9:52 am

Barry Blackwood wrote:"Now watch this 8-year-old play it:"

I'm too old. All my ears heard was noise.

The game controller doesn't make music, Barry. All of the music is pre-recorded rock guitar solos. (You might think of it as "noise".) The game is to sync with the guitar solo by pushing the buttons on the guitar-shaped game controller.

Frankly, I don't see anything wrong with it. It's just a variation of "Space Invaders". I don't see why musicians are getting bent out of shape over it.

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 27 Dec 2007 10:13 am

b0b, I think what bugs me about it is it's NOT in sync. I've watched the kids play it, and the timing of the button pushing does not match what my ears are hearing at all. It seems to be more random than that. If I was trying to play along with what I was hearing, I would never score a point.

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 27 Dec 2007 2:30 pm

it just makes me wonder if any of the really young kids will grow up thinking that they can play a real guitar this way...after all nowadays they want instant everything

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 27 Dec 2007 5:15 pm

Which way to the Holodeck, please?

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 27 Dec 2007 7:33 pm

Michael Douchette wrote:b0b, I think what bugs me about it is it's NOT in sync. I've watched the kids play it, and the timing of the button pushing does not match what my ears are hearing at all. It seems to be more random than that. If I was trying to play along with what I was hearing, I would never score a point.

Actually, I think they're syncing with the video stream - that train-track thingy on screen. Whether that is in sync with the music would depend on the game's programming.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 27 Dec 2007 7:43 pm

It's selling the dream of playing the guitar. Most people (90% of the population, actually) know that they do not have the willpower to persevere on a musical instrument, so a game like this one is a gold mine for game companies who cater to those who want instant gratification.....it's a perfect microcosm of modern life.

The guitar in this instance is nothing more than a glorified joystick....but it's all in the posing, etc. I do think that most sane people realize it's just a game.

I played it once, and sucked really bad. It has no connection with musical talent. Instead of bugging me, it actually makes me feel good that I took the time when I was a kid to actually learn the instrument, instead of resorting to looking like a fool going around with a customized plastic guitar.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 27 Dec 2007 7:55 pm

This thing makes the Jaminator look like a real instrument by comparison.

http://www.jaminator.com/index.htm

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 27 Dec 2007 8:07 pm

The guitar in this instance is nothing more than a glorified joystick....

You're right, Chris. Today I went to a BestBuy store, and a kid there was playing Guitar Hero. I immediately thought of a "joystick" when I saw the little plastic "guitar". Guitar Hero is just a video game. Tapping on the "guitar" triggers the game. It has nothing to do with actual guitar playing whatsoever.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 27 Dec 2007 8:18 pm

Yes, Doug, the lever is where a normal guitar's pickup(s) would be, or where you would normally "strum". You have to engage, or strum, this lever at certain times, to "catch" things from getting by you. The riffs in the songs are usually in synch with something happening in the game.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 27 Dec 2007 10:11 pm

Guitar Hero...I don't know...I'm stickin with this one till I learn the neck a little better.

Darrell Urbien · Post by **Darrell Urbien** » 27 Dec 2007 11:20 pm

Actually, it's more like Dance Dance Revolution without the aerobic benefits.

Dave Boothroyd · Post by **Dave Boothroyd** » 28 Dec 2007 12:15 am

I had a go on Guitar Hero over Christmas, and the best way to describe it is by analogy to the Dance Mat games.
Playing a real guitar is a distinct disavantage- the same key produces different notes or chords, not necessarily related in pitch to the position on the neck, and a single press on the trigger can produce a whole complex of pick actions. The exact timing of picking and fretting is 'off' from real playing too.
To sustain a note, you have to hold your finger on the "string"!
I can play most of the tracks on the basic set-up for real , and would have had a far better score playing live on a real guitar.
I suppose it's like all the Virtual versions of life. We used to have a motor cycle race game. I have raced real bikes at up to international level, on the same tracks shown on the game. I have a shelf full of trophies to show that I had a reasonable skill at the sport. My son, who has never ridden a bike, would beat me every time on the computer.
I suspect that the Second life thing is like that too. It uses skills that are not quite related to their analogues in the real world- and so provides a refuge for those who are not good with real world skills.
The new opium of the people, hey?
Cheers
Dave