Dead Rhythm Games: Guitar Hero Series

Introduction

• Appreciation: Gratitude expressed for positive feedback on the series.
• Series Conclusion: This episode marks the planned end, but future episodes may follow.
• Game Overview: Discussion centers around Guitar Hero, a collaboration between Red Octane and Harmonix.

Development and Early Games

Creation of Guitar Hero

• Background: Harmonix's experience with rhythm games; Red Octane's interest in adapting Guitar Freaks to the West.
• Game Mechanics: Guitar Hero features a guitar-like controller with a scrolling highway and different note types.
• Difficulties: Four levels - Easy, Medium, Hard, Expert, each adding more complexity.

Guitar Hero 1

• Release: November 7, 2005, for PlayStation 2.
• Development Story: Partnership out of necessity; faced investor challenges.
• Game Features:
  • 30 licensed rock song covers, 17 bonus songs.
  • Career mode and multiplayer mode.
• Impact: Surprise hit, praised for soundtrack and peripheral.

Guitar Hero 2

• Release: November 7, 2006 (PS2), April 3, 2007 (Xbox 360).
• Features:
  • 64 songs, new encore songs in career mode, expanded multiplayer, practice mode.
• Reception: Highly successful, further solidifying the franchise.

Spin-offs and Changes

Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s

• Release: July 24, 2007 (PS2 only).
• Reception: Mixed due to perceived lack of content and high price.

Franchise Changes

• Acquisitions: Red Octane bought by Activision, Harmonix by MTV Games.
• Development Shift: Neversoft takes over Guitar Hero development.

Neversoft's Era and Market Saturation

Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock

• Release: October 27, 2007.
• Features:
  • 73 songs, shift from covers to master recordings, boss battles, online multiplayer.
• Reception: Extremely successful, critical acclaim, significant sales milestone.

Activision's Expansion

• Strategy: Rapid release of spin-offs and sequels, leading to market saturation.

Guitar Hero World Tour

• Release: October 26, 2008.
• Innovations:
  • New note types, introduction of drums and vocals, song creation.
• Challenges: Sales decline compared to Guitar Hero 3.

Spin-offs and Criticism

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Metallica

• Reception: Mixed; praised for band-specific content but criticized for lack of innovation.

Guitar Hero Smash Hits

• Criticism: Seen as a cash-in due to reusing older content.

Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero

• New Features: Party mode and expanded multiplayer.
• Controversies and Criticism: Market saturation concerns, confusion over Band Hero's target audience.

Decline and Reboot Attempts

Market Saturation and Decline

• Impact: Oversaturation led to sales decline and genre fatigue.

Guitar Hero Live (2015)

• Reboot: Attempted series revival with new gameplay style and presentation.
• Features: New controller design, live audience feedback, GHTV mode.
• Outcome: Praised for innovation but criticized for execution and song choice. Discontinued due to poor sales.

Community and Legacy

Community Preservation

• Clone Hero: Modern fan adaptation with extensive custom content.
• Fan Projects: Include updates to older games, new guitar hardware developments.
• Impact: Community efforts have kept Guitar Hero alive and thriving.

Conclusion

• Series End: Guitar Hero remains a significant part of gaming history, with a lively community sustaining its legacy.
• Future Plans: Potential for more content from the channel focusing on rhythm games.