What Makes People Want to Play Rock Band and Guitar Hero?
In some ways, Guitar Hero and Rock Band seem like the stupidest games on earth. Colored discs scroll down a TV screen, and eager participants mash colored buttons in time with what they see. You press a red button when you see a red disc, a blue button when you see a blue disc, and hold your fire when you see nothing. Rinse, lather, and repeat; that's about all there is to it. Since the sequence and timing are provided by the game software, you don't really even need to know the songs. There's no need to strategize ahead (as in chess); no need for big muscles (as in basketball), and no need to bluff past one's opponent (as in poker). Few games demand less of the player; I suspect monkeys could be trained to play, and know for a fact that robots can cruise through Guitar Hero on Expert.
Yet the two games together have grossed over three billion dollars, and received extensive coverage in highbrow outlets like The New York Times and The Atlantic Monthly.
What is the appeal of a game that demands so little of the human mind? Part of it of course lies with the music; the latest Rock Band comes complete with Beatles music, and for people like me, who grew up listening to music, no body of music is more compelling. (For people with rather different tastes, there's Guitar Hero: Metallica and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, with Steely Dan allegedly on its way, although Jimmy Page swears there will never be a Guitar Hero: Led Zeppelin).
Still, at $60, the game costs as much as 4 or 5 albums, and the game takes more work to play. Why mash buttons on a video game controller, when you could put Sgt. Pepper on your CD player, or learn to play a real guitar? If an alien scientist came to observe humanity, they'd find a lot of things puzzling, but few would be as puzzling as Guitar Hero.
Some games, of course, could be seen as practice for the real world; Monopoly could be viewed as preparation for a career in real estate, chess for the art of war. Many evolutionary psychologists believe that play evolved as way to ease children into their ultimate adult responsibilities; chasing your friends in a game of tag prepares you for the bison hunt on which your life will later depend.
Whether you buy that theory or not, the plastic "guitars" in Guitar Hero have little to do with real guitars; there are no strings, and no frets, there's no soundhole, and no jack to hook up to an amplifier, either; except for a bit of clattering, the plastic pseudo-instrument makes no sound at all. And there's no room for genuine creativity, as there would be with a real instrument. A real apprentice guitarist must spend hours and hours practicing scales and chords, and learning about the relation between melody and harmony; an aficionado of Guitar Hero skips straight to the songs, and may well never learn the difference between a major scale and a minor.
Economists would be puzzled, too. It generally costs the same amount or even less (once you factor out the costs of the plastic guitars) to buy the songs on iTunes as to get them in a package for your Xbox, and if you buy them on iTunes, you can play them over and over, wherever you want, in the car, or in the gym, and not just when you stand in front of your television set. You also aren't stuck suffering through the abominable mid-80's Hair Metal, in order to "unlock" the next song that you actually like.
What gives? If it's not practice for a career in music, and it's not efficient or rational from an economist's perspective, what is it that drives people to play these games?
It's a lust for power.
Not, mind you, of the sort that allows one to rule the world, but the sort that allows one to control one's own world.
Dozens of studies over the years have shown that human beings are happier when they believe themselves to be in control. In one famous set of studies, participants were asked to solve simple arithmetic problems while sitting in a room in which sudden blasts of noise occurred at random intervals. One group of subjects had no choice but to listen, the others had a panic button they would be allowed to press if the noise became too much. Though few participants actually pressed the button, the mere feeling of control made the entire experience considerably more bearable. In another famous study, dogs were put in an environment in which nothing that they did correlated with their situation; so-called "learned helplessness" -- essentially a form of depression -- was the result.
Alas, although humans are very fond of being in control, we aren't always so good at telling whether we actually have it. As Harvard psychologist Dan Wegner has argued in The Illusion of Conscious Will, Oujia boards were designed to trick people into thinking they didn't have control when they really did. Guitar Hero is designed to do the opposite.
Inferring control is really an exercise in inferring causality; we want to know whether A causes B, but sometimes all we know is that when A happens, B happens too. In technical jargon, we infer causality from temporal contingency.
Games like Guitar Hero set up one of the most potent illusions of temporal contingency I've ever seen: if the player presses the button at the right time, the computer plays back a recording of a particular note (or set of notes) played by a professional musician. The music itself is potent and rewarding -- Keith Richards really knows how to bend a note -- but the real secret to the game is what happens is that fact if you miss the button, you don't hear the note.
The brain whirs away, and notices the contingency. When I push the button, I hear Keith Richards; when I fail to push the button (or press the wrong button, or press it late), I don't hear Keith Richards. Therefore, I am Keith Richards!
It's not simply that you hear the songs (which bring pleasure) but that the game skillfully induces the illusion that you yourself are generating the songs. You aren't paying $60 to hear the songs; you're paying $60 to trick your brain into thinking that you are making them. Your conscious mind may know better -- and realize that it's all just a ruse -- but your unconscious mind is completely and happily fooled.
Is that worth $60? If you want to feel like Keith Richards, the answer is surely yes.
Tamara Conniff: Why We Are Subjected to Beatlemania, Again
I love the Beatles, don't get me wrong. Paul McCartney in concert is a religious experience. But I'm over Beatlemania. I want it to stop. Why now? A little thing called copyright.
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To give an idea of what Expert Mode looks like on these games...
An amateur vocalist on the hardest song of Guitar Hero 3: http://www
From the outside of Rock Band's drum set (this guy is not an actual drummer): http://www
Now that I think about it, Guitar Hero/Rock Band is less like playing the song and more like dancing to it, with your fingers (not counting when you use your Star Power and the like). Since you're not really supposed to deviate from the notes (steps), I guess it would be like riverdance or something, though there are people who actually dance while playing. The pseudo-exceptions being the drum and vocal parts, as previously noted.
Here is my Guitar Hero Story for what it's worth.. My husband and I both love music and we both play instrument
While I certainly don't think Guitar Hero will inspire everyone who plays the game to pick up a guitar , it might inspire a few..
Mr. Marcus, you have constructed a smarmy, arrogant, poorly researched essay.
Countless people have made the argument that video games are a chance to do in fantasyland what should not be done in real life. Gunning down bad guys and racing through the streets at top speeds is more appealing from the comfort of one's living room.
But in the case of Rock Band and Guitar Hero, there's something much simpler in play- learning to play a real intstrument is NOT FUN. Sure, it's rewarding, but nobody picks up a guitar and teaches themselves a G minor chord because they think it's fun.
Despite what you may think, Mr. Marcus, nobody is playing these plastic guitars and convincing themselves that they're making real music. And it hasn't gone unnoticed that you conveniently don't mention the addition of drum controllers (which are controllered by hitting genuine drum patterns with genuine drum sticks) or microphones (last I checked, good singing can't be faked. Not without AutoTune, anyway). It pays to do research, sir.
I've looked at your credentials, Mr. Marcus, and you seem to know a few things about the brain. It's a shame that you apparently aren't able (or willing) to accept things that your own brain can't comprehend. People play these games to experience their favorite music in a whole new way, that certain people just can't understand. Your essay has done nothing more than to prove that you are among that group of people.
Lighten up, Mr. Marcus.
I'm a 59 year old mother of 2, and I enjoy playing Rock Band with my kids for the same reason I used to like playing Monopoly with my kids...It'
Why do people play "Go Fish" instead of actually going fishing??
Lazy buggers!
It's a game. Get over it.
Thanks for the article, but everything you've said can be said about any video game ever. They're escapist fantasies that allow us to be people we aren't and do things we can't. Every time someone says, "Why don't you pick up a real guitar and learn to make real music," I wonder to myself, "should I also pick up a real laser gun and find real aliens to shoot? Should I put on a real batman cape, learn real martial arts, and find a real joker to fight?"
There's also fun in mastering a difficult game. Learning to play Guitar Hero isn't nearly as tough as learning to play a real Guitar, but it's still very challengin
I don't actually enjoy Guitar Hero, but I understand the draw for those who do. I also don't like John Madden football games, but I'm not about to tell everyone who plays, "Why don't you just put together a real NFL football team?"
There's one very obvious difference between Guitar Hero-type games and practically every other game ever created: problem solving.
Yes, Super Mario Bros is a simple game with 2 buttons and a D-pad and your goal is to go right until you can't go right any more, but at least you have to figure out how to get there. You decide which platforms to jump to, which pipes to use, when you should move or wait and which enemies to kill or avoid. There is critical thinking happening throughout the game, and if you don't react to and solve the new problems correctly or quickly enough, you lose.
Guitar Hero does not involve thought, it is simply an application of muscle memory and rhythm. You have no control over the gameplay after selecting the song and difficulty. Nothing ever changes, there are no new and interesting ways to get through a song, no new puzzles you haven't experienced in any of the previous Guitar Hero games (seriously, I can't believe they actually sell "sequels"). You simply see a blue circle and hit the blue button, over and over again, until it ends.
"Nothing ever changes, there are no new and interesting ways to get through a song"
Clearly you don't actually play these games at a high level. Go on the forums at ScoreHero.
Well, you can't pick up a laser gun and shoot aliens, but you can pick up a guitar and learn to play it. And you don't need to put together an NFL caliber team to play football. Just get off the couch, get some friends together and play some football. It is unfortunate people these days seem to be farming out so much of life to so called professionals and fakery, be it in sports or the entertainment arena. What are people needing to escape from with all this "escapist fantasy" as you put it? Maybe boring lives? That ain't gonna change much watching reality TV and playing with a plastic guitar. Look, nothing wrong with some of this fantasy stuff, and I am sure rock games have a place in moderation, but a problem being pointed out is when it takes the place of doing and accomplishing real things. Playing real musical instruments is just not that difficult and a lot of fun, although it does require some attention span and will power. When you can rock for real, why bother with the fake stuff? You can play half the AC/DC songs with a handful of chords. Pick up a cheap Strat copy and get rockin for real people!
Everything you just wrote can also be said about reading books and watching movies.
And at college, most people really didn't pick up a real guitar and learn to play it, because A) they had tons of classes and homework learning skills they would actually use, B) had had other hobbies which took up too much of their time to bother picking up a guitar, and C) they had no interest whatsoever in becoming musicians (not everyone prefers to express themselves through music; some prefer visual mediums, or A/V mediums like computer programming), but do like to pretend to be rock stars every once in awhile, something that 90+% of actual musicians will never experience outside of Guitar Hero and Rock Band.
as a guitar teacher, i'll put my 2 cents in.
pro - the game has turned young kids onto a lot of music that they otherwise wouldn't know. for instance, when a 9 year old asks for 'green grass and high tides', or 'smoke on the water' etc, i always ask where they heard the songs, and it's one of the games.
con - it's sad when i ask students whether they spend more time playing guitar hero, or actually practicing guitar, and they won't answer me. or actually having some moms ask me if playing guitar hero counts for practicing (ouch). on the whole, it's like any other game. a little here and there for some fun is no worse than any other diversion. letting it cut into your 'real time' is a symptom of deeper stuff.
But doing the vocals (some of the time, I can ace a Jimmy Eat World song without ever hearing it, but I think that has more to do with the simplicity of the structure) actually does require some understanding of music. And I have heard that the drum portion it a lot like getting your first drum kit.
I am a trained singer so for me looking at the little ribbon and figuring out what notes I need to sing on songs I have never heard it a challenge. You have to know structure; what patterns to look for look for patterns. The Beatles RB is great because you can harmonize. My boyfriend, who has difficultly singing but loves to do it, is actually learning how to harmonize through the game. And then we can both just wail through a song and have a really good time.
This......
I was going to post something similar until I came across this comment. I recently picked up playing Rock Band 2 and this is my second extended stint with these music games. I was always intimidated to try the drums as I have never been very good at using my hands and feet to form complex rhythms. I have a musical background as I have played the trumpet for almost 15 years now.
Sitting behind that small plastic drum kit and practicing has lit a fire under me. I'm constantly trying to get better and now I'm even thinking about actually getting a real drum kit and furthering my skills through lessons. It saddens me that you only talked about the guitar part. True, the guitar part involves the process you mentioned but the vocals and drum parts are inspiring millions of people.
It seems like you simply can't relate to why people play video games in general. What's next? Why play a racing game when you can drive a car? Why play Super Smash Brothers when you can just punch your friend in the face? Or why pursue any form of entertainment when you can be doing something "productive"?
Games don't have to be practice for the real world, a cheap way to buy another form of media or require complex strategy to be worthwhile. They simply have to be enjoyable. Each genre is entertaining for a variety of reasons. While I don't enjoy rhythm games, it's pretty easy to see why others do. They allow you to listen to music, test your reflexes, and practice patterns until you master them. Like most recreational activities, it's fun to do something you've become good at. I think these games are particularly successful with a mainstream audience because they're easy to learn, not as geeky as normal games and can be played cooperatively in a party, even while under the influence. Moreover, it lets you interact with music, which is an interesting novelty for those who don't play an instrument.
By the way, I think your argument that people play these games to role-play the artist isn't compelling. People enjoy playing certain tracks even if they have no idea who the artist is. I think you're conditioning argument is a good one, but it's more about the track than the artist.
Because they're fun to play with friends when you're drunk.
Exactly.
Why are people so sanctimonious about this ONE video game??
You obviously have never played the game, did any research on the iTunes sales of songs presented in the game, or realized that it is a video game that allows social interaction.
Musicians miss the point of these games. It amazes me that so many "real" musicians are so offended by Rock Band and Guitar Hero. I think it is purely an ego issue. In any given group of people, one or two MIGHT play an instrument, so it is purely a solo performance on their part. I have a friend who plays guitar, used to be in a band, and is awesome at Guitar Hero. When I need an expert level cleared, he's my guy.
You don't see military personnel whine about "Call of Duty". Did the Russian Mafia whine about "Grand Theft Auto"? Does the NFL whine about "Madden" games that are released every fall? Are our youth missing the opportunity to join the military, the mob, or play football? I have read article after article railing against Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and they just keep getting more and more ignorant.
It's not that anyone is "so offended", that is your characterization. At least I am not offended. It is just that pressing some buttons on a plastic guitar seems kind of lame, compared to playing a real guitar. You state that "one or two MIGHT play an instrument" in a group of people. Well, maybe if they spent less time playing rock band games and watching so called "reality TV", there might actually be more people who can play real musical instruments and carry a tune. Many people could be musicians if they put in a bit of real effort. It is unfortunate that the culture has farmed out so many things to so called "professionals". It is a lot of fun getting together and making real music, and you don't need to be all that good at it. And yes to answer your other questions, it is unfortunate that people are missing out, by playing video game sports instead of real sports. Fake and reality seem to be getting confused of late. Unless you have actually done something, then you haven't done it, you just aged a couple hours sitting on the couch. Get up and join life, make some things happen. (Although if your kick is shooting people then stick to the games;)
My son, who is working on a Fine Arts degree in music, plays classical guitar and performs (IMO) some pretty complicated pieces. Yet when he tried playing guitar hero he said it nothing short of unnatural in that the player doesn't "create" music, they merely "follow the bouncing ball" generated by the game, novice, expert or fast, slow. I guess you could say it is the digital equivalent of those paint by numbers kits. Besides, all my son has to do is take his guitar out to the campus lawn and strum a few chords and the girls come by to listen to the music. Let's see the guitar hero guys do that.
If you've ever been to a college party in the last few years, then you know that a Guitar Hero/Rock Band/Dance Dance Revolution setup is a guaranteed way to get both the girls and the guys clawing over each other for a chance to join in and have fun.
Also, tell your son that if he went to a video game expecting to an experience analogous to what its emulating, then he should practice driving on Mario Kart. I don't know what kind of bail they set for tossing turtle shells and banana peels into traffic, but I'm sure that it will be completely hilarious.
IOW, Bu-duh, it feels unnatural compared to playing an instrument; it's a rhythm game and lifestyle emulator, not a music tutorial (though I keep hearing that the drummer portion is pretty close to the real deal). I'm willing to bet that when he takes his guitar out to the campus lawn, he doesn't end up jamming with the devil for his soul in front of an audience of thousands, anymore than my black belt cousin ever duels magical weapon wielding bioweapons thematically named after Rock icons for the fate of our universe (which is why he still plays Guilty Gear).
I think the key point here is that playing these games is NOT a substitute for playing a musical instrument. These are two different skill sets (if playing a video game is truly a "skill"), one involved in creation and the other in mimicry - sort of like the difference between singing and lip syncing. If somebody can figure out a way to make money off of playing Rock Band/Guitar Hero (a reality show?), I guarantee you it will happen.
Eh, there's probably some sort of Guitar Hero/Rock Band competition where you can win prize money. IIRC, there's that kind of thing for Quake and Halo, so it wouldn't be out of question to have a Battle of the Rock Bands, or something to that extent, assuming they don't already have one.
Or maybe it's just mindless fun... plus, from personal experience it seems to be big with the stoner crowd...
The best comment on guitar hero is the Southpark episode Guitar Queero. Stan's dad hears the kids playing an old 70's hair band song (REO Speedwagon or something similar) and pulls out his actual guitar and shows them he can play for real the licks they are mimicking on their guitar controllers. The kids all look at him, shake their heads and say "that's so lame". The sad thing is in the commentary Matt and Trey say that part of the episode is based on an actual experience from one of the people on the Southpark team.
wow you people need to chill out. i don't think you are giving young people enough credit. we KNOW it's not like playing the guitar for real. we aren't as stupid as you think. it's like playing a new instrument entirely, which is fun in and of itself. As someone who grew up a band geek and has learned to play multiple instruments, sax, clarinet, percussion, etc, I think the game is on to something in music education. If there was somehow that I could have gotten instant feedback on my clarinet when I was first learning, I think I would've learned a lot faster. When you're first learning, you don't realize the mistakes you are making, and I think the technology of the game has opened a paradigm that really could be expanded in the future.
But for now, it's just a fun game to play with your friends. My friends & I got together and played through RB: Beatles in 3.5 hours. Then we got out the real guitars and did the same thing again with a real jam session. Both experiences were fun.
And as for the not economical and doesn't serve a real life purpose arguments, I think those arguments would apply to ALL video games.
I think you are on to something with your opening a paradigm.. My kid swears that the games helped him with sight reading.. or as he says 'moving his fingers because his eyes told his brain to tell them to"..
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