Rock Star

I was at Best Buy looking at Bluetooth stuff for my cell phone and a new video card for my computer, when I saw a kid playing Guitar Hero III, Legends of Rock on the demo XBox 360. I’m not a console gamer — the computer is my weapon of choice — but I’ve got nothing against the consoles. I’ve just never played on one since the Super Nintendo (which I still have, boxed in a closet).

Well, anyway, this ain’t about the game system. I’d heard of Guitar Hero, and I couldn’t understand why the game would be as popular as it supposedly is. I mean, I thought, if you want to play the guitar, why don’t you pick up a real guitar and learn to play it. But as I watched this kid play the game, I got sucked into the coolness of it all.

The scene on the TV was a flashy, sort-of-realistic looking stage concert with lights, pyrotechnics, and the band. The camera view moved around just like you’d see in an MTV video (when MTV showed videos). It really pulled you into the setting and feel of a great hard rock performance.

The kid playing was maybe 8 years old, and he was doing well. He kept getting “50 Note” something-or-other bonuses for playing correctly over an extended time. I saw him go through the list of songs to play, and he chose “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by the Scorpions from the mid 80s. That concept made me chuckle — the kid’s parents probably hadn’t even met at the time that song was a hit. But he played it well in the game. (The guitar’s not really a guitar — no strings — so I won’t say he played the guitar well. )

But watching the performance on the TV, I realized the draw this game has. It really does rock, and the videos really feel like a live performance (albeit the characters on the stage are more cartoonish than realistic). I’m not interested in playing the game myself, but I could watch someone else play it for a long time. It’s very entertaining. I get the appeal, now.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com