Comments on: Guitar Hero (more interesting post title TBD)

By: rJakobi

rJakobi — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:49:41 +0000

I’m still trying to resist that game like the plague, as it has claimed the social life of a few of my friends. Needless to say, the ability to play “Trogdor” perfectly in GH 2 is the real test of manhood.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:28:37 +0000

You nailed this in chat the other day, Holmes, and it has me questioning my ability to have fun with GH in the future: it seems like I’m sponging creativity and entertainment off of the work of others. I’d had that feeling before, but couldn’t put it in words.

I mean, yea, it’s still fun, but the illusion of “rockin’” is supplied by the work of original musicians and the game designers. I think the game’s popularity is fueled in part by the fact that your Average Schlob can pick up a guitar and play a Rage Against the Machine lick without any effort at all.

Again, I’m not some intellectual/creative snob — I like the game, but it always leaves me feeling a little… dishonest. Or something.

By: spinn

spinn — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:18:35 +0000

Yeah. Hear ya. Though the music I compose in my head while I’m waiting to fall asleep has taken on a more guitary feel to it; as watered-down as the guitar experience in the game is, it’s made me pay more attention to how guitar music actually works (not that I’m playing actual music, but I do have to listen closely to actual music in a way I haven’t before). So at least it’s not all wasted time for me.

By: Hal

Hal — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:35:46 +0000

The “cheating” or “dishonest” reaction is an interesting response to GH that comes up frequently. I’m not sure I understand why; when people play, say, Madden 08, do they feel like they’re cheating because they’re not ACTUALLY good at football and because Madden 08 is a pale comparison to actually setting foot on the field? I don’t think people have this reaction or dishonesty (or outright disgust with those who enjoy GH, which I’ve seen all over the web) with other games.

Maybe it’s the fact that it has a peripheral that looks like a guitar - perhaps a Madden 08 that ships with a plastic football-shaped controller would garner the same kind of reaction.

By: spinn

spinn — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:54:36 +0000

Probably because actual guitar playing is also something you can do while sitting on your couch. The Madden 08 game is so far removed from actual football, that it’s not close enough to draw a parallel. I think if there were a robotic arm you could wear that would boost your football throwing power, you’d get much the same reaction if you were in a backlot game with one.

Actually I heard a story a few days ago on NPR about electric-assisted bikes: bikes with motors that aren’t strong enough to push the bike by itself, but give people the ability to bike longer or up hills they normally couldn’t. They spent some time talking about the “actual biker” reaction to this, and generally being condescending. That’s probably similar.

By: Erin (O'Brien) Gardner

Erin (O'Brien) Gardner — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:46:42 +0000

Hey Greg,

Long time no see!

telnet digitaldial.homeunix.com 10000

Ddial lives!

-EBG

By: Squid

Squid — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:41:15 +0000

I think a big part of the misunderstanding comes because some people think the game is supposed to be a guitar simulator, when in reality, it’s an air guitar simulator (and a damn fine one!).

Inasmuch as the game is encouraging people to try learning the actual instrument, I think it’s marvelous. It’s also causing a lot of people to actually listen to music in a way they never did before. Heck, I know Lemur picks out bass lines a lot better nowadays. (And, I must admit, it gives me more respect for the melodic sense of a band like Boston than I ever thought I’d have.)

Mantis smile upon you, old friend. Rock on!

By: MikeG

MikeG — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:23:29 +0000

When my daughter (12) and my nephew (5) were easily at expert and I was still sweating out medium…I came to realize that why my Dad never played our video games (atari) with us. Smack…cold fish slap to the face…

Mike G>