Anyone familiar with the video game Guitar Hero?

I have an Xbox...I guess they don't make it for xbox but I had an idea. I have never seen the game but I hear it's absolutely killer fun!

I was thinking if it would be possible to have a Guitar Hero night at my local bar where we have karaoke! I don't know how the game is played but I know that you basically play along with the song and put your fingers along the frets at the right moment????

So several questions come to mind. Does playstation/playstationII also have audio outs so I could put it through the system? (I'm assuming there are video outs) Is it possible for someone that has never played before to walk up and do decent? Is the game even structured in a way that you can just choose from a songlist to play a song to or do you have to destroy evil trolls first? :sqlaugh:

What are you ideas? Do you think this would work? I think I'm pretty damn creative!

You have to first look at the legality of the idea. Also, the hardware isn't intended for commercial use. You'll need to replace things quite often I'm sure.

For those who are aware, it's similar to Dance Dance Revolution, the game where you step on the pad when the arrows rise to the top... I think it's made by the same people.

You can have a karaoke nite with it, but watch out, drunks aren't always willing to share, I think it's only a two person game at this point. And a user would have a 3 minute song to play.

I personally haven't played it, but I have seen it played live and it is fun just watching it, also you don't have to be a guitarist to play, even some guitarists might fail at it ;)

But yeah, sounds like a go.

Playstation uses standard rca plugs. You could easily run it thru a mixer.

We used the game at a Superbowl party for Christian youth. Absolutely was the biggest game we did. I'll have to get some additional info for you as far as how the song selection works.

You have to first look at the legality of the idea. Also, the hardware isn't intended for commercial use. You'll need to replace things quite often I'm sure.


Yeah, I thought about that but it's only a one night thing. It wouldn't be a regular event. As far as legal stuff...what do you mean Request? The bar is paying all the ascap fees for music so I would think it would fall under that umbrella but I could be wrong.

Thanks Randy! Do you know if two people have to play along side or can one person do it at a time? Is it easy enough for someone to walk up and play it without ever doing it before? I'm sure some songs are harder then others and probably the more songs you do well the more songs it unlocks...it would be cool if there was a mode where you could view all songs and play it and not have the "game" part happening. Other then scoring...

I believe there is a single person mode. It looked easy enough. I'm not sure how well anyone drunk could do it because it's all about hand and eye coordination. I'll ask my son tonight and get back with you.

Well I did find some info from the website...duh! :sqerr:

http://www.guitarherogame.com/

Pretty cool. The tracklist isn't as large as I was expecting but maybe they don't have all the songs. Weird too, some of the songs are by original artists and others aren't. :rofl: The ones that aren't sound fairly close though...(Carry on my wayward son, Sweet child of mine) No AC/DC though!!!!! I wonder if that's in Guitar Hero I?

I just bought it today. I played the demo at Game Stop first. It was really fun even though I sucked at it.

I'll give a review tomorrow.

I guess the Xbox 360 version is coming out in March but that doesn't help a reg xbox guy like me..:sqmad:

there is a way to program the songs, any songs, your way.

He has bought the program, but he is still trying to get it to work.


It is a fun game, but i dont think you will target the audience you are thinking.

I would and my friends would go to something like this, but it just wont work as good as you are hoping. But then again, that could just be this area.

Most gurls think the game is so stupid, including my fiance, and thinks its for "kids"!

I however can see some people hell bent on doing this, but overall....em....prolly not!

If you can get it to work, heck I would even do it....something different!

I wouldnt worry about the legal crap, the songs are already paid for by the bars! There is no videos to the songs, so I mean what can they get you on??

The only thing they could get you on, is downloading the other songs and formatting them....I guess this prolly could be an issue, but I would bet on that!

I love the game, but I just wish they would get more popular songs. But of course the company is sitting on a "gold mine" so therefor they dont need to put all the greatest songs on the game.

All they have to do, is put a few good songs, and keep selling the game this way.

My other concern, as stated above, is wearing out the frets and the buttons on the controllers. I guess you would have to "babysit" the people, and "reprimand" the abusers!

Thanks,
Adam

could possibly come after you, but how worried should you be??

Its advertisment for them!

Adam

2 words describe this game....

FREAKIN' SWEET!!!!



I'm gonna get carpal tunnel playing it. ;)

My wife and I played GH until late last night. It's super fun.

I do see a possible durability issue with the controller. It's built solid enough for home use, but I can see you having to replace it fairly often if used in a commerical environment.

I could be wrong about that. The best thing would be ask the workers at your local Game Stop and see how many controllers they go through on their demo units.

My wife and I played GH until late last night. It's super fun.

I do see a possible durability issue with the controller. It's built solid enough for home use, but I can see you having to replace it fairly often if used in a commerical environment.

I could be wrong about that. The best thing would be ask the workers at your local Game Stop and see how many controllers they go through on their demo units.


Thanks Jay...so is the game set up where you can just pick a song and play to it? And when set on "easy" mode is it easy enough to be able to actually do it the first time? At least have fun doing it if you're not doing too well? I'm not worried about durability issue as this will be a one time (probably) thing and I can see maybe 4-5 people getting up and actually doing it.

Yeah, on the easy level, you only use 3 of the 5 fret buttons and the strum bar. The songs at the top of the list are easiest and get progressively harder as you go down the list.


Here's a nice easy one to enjoy. ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H3pZPE4kwc

As far as legal stuff...what do you mean Request? The bar is paying all the ascap fees for music so I would think it would fall under that umbrella but I could be wrong.

I'm not sure. Is it legal to use the "Playstation" and the "Guitar Hero" title commercially?

I own both Guitar Hero I and II. I love them both. The second game has a co-op mode where one person plays the lead part and one plays either the bassline or rhythym (sp?).

I think it'd be a better thing for the sports bar scene (ie more guys than girls) or teen events.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070413/tc_nm/column_pluggedin_dc

I'm actually running this type of gig on Wednesday nights and it's picking up really well. While the promotion for it is a bit lax right now, everyone in the bar was fixated on the big screen TV for everyone that was playing. So it's not a matter of whether people will get into it, as much as it is getting people to know that you're doing it so they can get into it.

I had the same idea for a school assembly before X-mas break. I projected it onto the wall nice and big - hooked it into the gym sound system and had a kid from the 8th grade side and one from the 9th grade side of the gym (500 students on each side) who were pro's at the game and had a head to head comp - playing for a $25 itunes gift card. They rocked the place on expert level. If you've ever watched or played the game on expert level you know you have to be a freak of nature to hit all the notes - now I know why these kids never get thier homework done!

I think it would be a BLAST and go over great at a bar. Plus people who aren't into the game get to listen to great music all the while.

Go for it!

I dunno I prefer the Sumo Suits or the Velcro Walls..............
Just kidding good on ya make some money with toys I do it at every gig. However I dont own the GH Game. I play CDs and MP3s.

I do DJ the majority of the night. It's just set up on the big screen and if people want to play, I'll just fade out of the channel I have the laptop hooked up to and into the one the PS is hooked in to. I like MP3s too. Variety IS the spice of life, you know. :sqwink:

Im not downing it for sure Im proud new innovation allows folks to gain an edge this is one of the cool ones.

I didn't think you were. I just wanted to clarify that there IS DJing going on too. Guitar Hero alone isn't enough to carry four and a half hours of bar time. After all, Soulja Boy isn't on there. :sqlaugh:

Id make sure they play the guitars before Spidermanning that OHHH!!

Haha. I actually had a request for that version on New Years and I surprisingly didn't have it. I had heard about it back when it came out and listened to it online but never got around to acquiring it apparently. YOOOOOOOOOUUUUU!

I borrowed my son's GH3(Wii version) and ran it through the mixer at the NYE party and OMG the college kids went craaaazy-huge hit...:sqcool:

Alright, I've been reading these boards for a few days now but this one just forced my hand to the 'Register' button. Having a GH3 night at a bar = wicked. I've asked 2 friends at two different universities about the game and they said there's local bars where they are that have GH night - weekly. Not only that but I know my local university just finished a student-run GH2 (on PS2) fundraiser which I heard went pretty well for word-of-mouth and facebook promotion.

I'm somewhat in charge of our Lamar Filmmakers Association, we talked about GH3 nights at the Communications building. So far we are a go :)

A few weeks ago I decided it might be a good idea to check out the songs in the newest game to see if there was anything good that I did not have. I figured there might be some "oldies but goodies" or obscure songs made more popular by the game that kids will now appreciate.

I went through them all (there were quite a few) and previewed anything I didn't have in my library but didn't find anything I felt compelled to buy. Many had REALLY GOOD guitar parts but weren't really great to me as complete songs. Fun to play on the guitar but nothing I could picture putting on at a gig.

Still, I think it's a good idea as DJ's to research it as pop culture. Things like this really can have an effect on what is considered pop culture in music.

Things like this really can have an effect on what is considered pop culture in music.

I agree...just like a contestant on American Idol can cause a huge spike in a song's popularity.......so too a Guitar Hero featured song could become a most-requested song at weddings!

Definitely true. I had never heard "Black Horse & The Cherry Tree" until Kat McPhee sang it on idol. Not sure if it became popular after that or if it already was.

Just for the record, if you look at the small print on any playstation, or xbox game you will usually see the phrase 'for home entertainment only, all other rights reserved' or at least the same sentiment.

But as an idea, it does have merit. The bar my friend does karaoke at did this for a private party they were hosting. They have a projector and a 40" movie type screen so I'm sure it went over really well.

-James

Just for the record, if you look at the small print on any playstation, or xbox game you will usually see the phrase 'for home entertainment only, all other rights reserved' or at least the same sentiment.

But as an idea, it does have merit. The bar my friend does karaoke at did this for a private party they were hosting. They have a projector and a 40" movie type screen so I'm sure it went over really well.

-James

Philosophically, I agree with watching this phenomenon from a cultural standpoint, but............................................... ............................

There's one of those infamous karaoke lowballers in our market who started this at a bar. The paper did an article on the GH night. Perhaps I should forward to GH and let them decide whether it's legal or not.

Sorry, I'm sure this would be fun at a private party, but I seriously question the legality of a public performance. Personally, I think it's more fodder for the "I'm a DJ too crowd". That's all we need, one more reason for "DJs" :sqwink: to drag out home equipment. Crap like this and the lowball snowball it starts is why I gave up public karaoke! :sqembarrassed:

Rick

I'm sure for very large events it would be possible to get permission from Sony & the game publisher. I remember hearing about a Guitar Hero national tournament a while ago.

A large event like that must be sponsored or approved by the companies, I'm sure.

Not sure if they would allow a small event...

And I would be happy to be involved in any certified "legal" event, I assure you. I still stand by my lowballer statement....:sqrolleyes:

Thanks to guys like the one I mentioned previously, the going rate for bar karaoke in my area is now $125 for around 5 hours. I'd rather stay home and play GH with the family!

Just my thoughts. Have at it, if you will, but remember you are what you eat! Different strokes.......:sqbiggrin:

Rick

And I would be happy to be involved in any certified "legal" event, I assure you. I still stand by my lowballer statement....:sqrolleyes:

Thanks to guys like the one I mentioned previously, the going rate for bar karaoke in my area is now $125 for around 5 hours. I'd rather stay home and play GH with the family!

Just my thoughts. Have at it, if you will, but remember you are what you eat! Different strokes.......:sqbiggrin:

Rick

Some people have to work 19 hours to make $125 at their minimum wage job. They would rather work 5 for thet $125 and setup Guitar Hero or Karaoke in a Bar.

5 nights a week of $125 is $32,500 a decent income or starting income in most of the USA.

I started there years ago, I make very nice money now but everyone has to start somewhere

Some people have to work 19 hours to make $125 at their minimum wage job. They would rather work 5 for thet $125 and setup Guitar Hero or Karaoke in a Bar.

5 nights a week of $125 is $32,500 a decent income or starting income in most of the USA.

I started there years ago, I make very nice money now but everyone has to start somewhere

I understand exactly what you're saying and I agree. I think I have issues with some people's methods more than anything else and that's not what this thread's about.

I'll just say I would check out the legalities before starting GH in a public place.

Cam- I'll be meeting you in Vegas so can we just agree that we may disagree and fight it out over drinks some night there. If I win, you buy, if you win, I buy. If we tie, we both buy and go for overtime! :sqbiggrin:

................I see maybe, triple, quadruple overtime!:sqwink:

Rick

I have a college age son. This game is HUGE with his crowd. I would be a bit concerned about handing the guitar part over to a bunch of drunks, though. It's a bit flimsy IMO.

I was doing a family event Sunday night and a kid around 6 years old came up and asked me for:
Smoke On The Water
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Wild Thing
I asked him where he knew these songs from, he said Guitar Hero III! :sqbiggrin:

Rick

Yes, they do make Guitar Hero for xBox. All three versions. If you were going to use it, go with versions 2 or 3, as not many people are very familiar with the first one, because it sucked. And yes, it is the ultimate game. I own at it too (god I sound like a Junior High nerd! Oh wait... I am.) Another one you COULD try (I actually wouldn't completely recommend it) is a game called Rockband. It's made by the same people who make Guitar Hero (Harmonix) so it's also fantastic. It's Guitar Hero, mixed with Karaoke Revolution, and there's a drumset too. I wouldn't recommend letting people use the drumset though, as it isn't the most resilient piece of hardware. But who wants to do karaoke when you can have guitars too! It's a lot of fun. You won't even need to DJ... they chose their own songs, and it could easily go for three hours. And knowing xBox's, it'll overheat. So just be careful! (It isn' the cheapest game in the world! I got mine for 160 bucks canadian.)
Practice and n' Joy,
James

Just booked another Guitar Hero Party Yesterday.

I priced it at $500 4 hours. 2 Powered speakers and My new DJScreen. I will provide a PS3 GH3 and 2 Guitars.

I will also have 2 additional LCD's for kids to bring their own system, and The hotel will be providing 2 to 4 additional tv's.

This will be a video game room setup for the kids during someone's wedding. I wrote the contract stating they must provide an adult to supervise the kids at all times.

I will entertain but I'm not a baysitter. If you are wondering I'm not DJing their wedding, they hired someone else.

This is ironic that I found this thread as I have considered the pros and cons of incorperating GH3 with my show. The one drawback I have found is that kids become so obsessed with it, it can take away from the dance. One middle school holiday party I DJ'd, one of the boys brought GH3 and a WII along with a projector. For the entire party the boys were off playing GH3 and the girls were pretty much the only ones dancing with the exception of a few.

Just booked another Guitar Hero Party Yesterday.

I priced it at $500 4 hours. 2 Powered speakers and My new DJScreen. .

Hey Cam, could you elaborate on your New DJScreen?
what kind? and what are you using to send your video to the screen?

DJScreen info can be found at www.djscreen.com

Projector is an InFocus IN24+ 2200 Lumen Projector.


When I get a chance to set it all up I will take pictures.

DIY Guitar-Hero axes anyone?

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/07/diy-custom-guitar-hero-controller/

Guitar Hero 4 comes out in Novmeber im pretty sure its called world tour...gots everything like rockband eh ? :rofl: ... Plus the drums last way better :sqrolleyes:

Am I the only one to notice that Guitar Hero is a graphically changed Space Invaders with more fire buttons?

Turn off the sound and watch the dots drop down on the screen to be hit...If you're old enough, you'll remember...