RedOctane made their mark on the world selling beefed-up dance pads for Bemani’s popular Dance Dance Revolution series. When they teamed up with Harmonix to release Guitar Hero in 2002, they were entering a then-dominated market of beat matching games produced by Bemani, this time employing a modified guitar controller, bringing a new game dynamic to Bemani’s less-popular Guitar Freaks franchise. It was not long before Guitar Hero became the runaway hit of the year, and the RedOctane/Harmonix alliance (now part of Activision and MTV, respectively) dominated the rhythm games genre.
Like the dance pads which preceded it, the Guitar Hero controller itself is, viscerally, a more profound experience than the original which inspired them. With its catchy mix of enjoyable riffs and classic rock foot-stompers, the music that one might produce through this game (a prerecorded track, although the most recent version will allow you to develop comparisons of your own) was a sheer delight to play and changed its players into virtual rock masters.
Even the controller itself is a joy to hold - Guitar Hero is usually played while standing, with a strap to keep the guitar roughly at waist level (or just above that, if you should happen to be quite tall, like me) with the fret buttons within reach for fingering to the left.
The game became massively popular at parties because of the game’s contact and the physical nature of the controllers. Many karaoke bars have replaced their previous equipment with the game. It has become accepted as a game to be played at social occasions. As a result, many players buy Guitar Hero skins so that they can personalize their controllers and make them look they way they want the controllers to look.
Similar to the buying of rockband skins, which as recently gained popularity as a personalizing agent for that popular game, the Guitar Hero skin is fast becoming a staple at parties, with different players bringing their unique, sometimes custom-made, guitar hero skins to use while playing.
Buying a skin for guitar hero controllers has become a way to positively influence the viscerally stimulating game environment Guitar Hero already produces. In addition, personalizing the guitar hero controller with such a skin can add new life to the social aspect of the game.
Guitar Hero is a game from RedOctane that is gaining in popularity and is becoming a staple in many social scenes. It is an advancement of the Dance Dance Revolution games that preceded it. The game is making appearance in karaoke bars, parties, and other social occasions. With the continuance of its popularity, people began using skins to show individuality on their controller. Guitar hero skins are becoming a very popular way to distinguish yourself at social occasions where Guitar Hero is being played. Many people have purchased a skin for guitar hero and really enjoy showing off their Rockband Skins.
- Chad Wild