Guitar Hero
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Modern games could use a little Star Power. #VersionHistory
The Verge· 2025-10-27 14:01
Game Mechanics & Design - The industry could benefit from incorporating a "Star Power" mechanic, similar to Guitar Hero, into modern games [1][2][3] - Star Power allows players to build up a resource and deploy it for advantages like higher scores or overcoming difficult sections [2] - This mechanic could provide a way for players to improve or progress through challenging parts of a game without resorting to patronizing difficulty adjustments [2] - The "tilting up the guitar" action to activate Star Power was a cool and engaging feature [3] Player Experience - The concept of being "bad but doing one sick thing" and being "back" resonates with players [3]
This week on Version History, we revisit the 2005 smash hit that made everyone a gamer.
The Verge· 2025-10-26 15:01
Market Performance & Trends - By 2010, Guitar Hero game sales reached $247 billion, while Rock Band sales hit $12 billion [1] - Call of Duty generated $1 billion annually by 2010, highlighting its significant market presence [1] - Guitar Hero's popularity declined sharply after initial success, suggesting market saturation [1] Consumer Behavior & Appeal - Guitar Hero and Rock Band had broad appeal, attracting non-video game players [2][3] - The games were universally appealing and easy for anyone to pick up and enjoy [3] - Despite initial popularity, the games were easy to put down and lacked long-term engagement [3] Product & Retail Dynamics - Guitar Hero controllers for the Wii were highly sought after due to the console's crossover appeal [5] - Secondhand Guitar Hero controllers remain consistently available and in demand [5][6] - Retailers like FYE sold video games and Guitar Hero controllers, indicating their market presence [4][5]
Tomorrow on Version History: a look back at the most important guitar in video game history.
The Verge· 2025-10-25 14:00
Would you like to be a rock star. Here's the deal. You don't need any skills. You don't need to know how to play a musical instrument. You don't even need to be willing to get up on stage in front of people and do something.All you need is $70, PlayStation 2, and probably a whole bunch of time on your hands because there's this game you might have heard of called Guitar Hero that is going to, if not make you a rockstar, at least make you feel a lot more like one. From the Verge and Vox Media, this is Versio ...
Introducing a new podcast: Version History | Official Trailer
The Verge· 2025-09-22 13:00
Let me tell you about a show we're launching here at Verge. Do you ever watch or listen to those like rewatch podcasts where a bunch of people go through episode by episode and talk about all their favorite stories and all the stuff that they remember. We're going to do that but with tech.None of that existed back then. That paired down funkiness of it still works. We're talking about products from the Zoom to Guitar Hero.Wow. It's very 2005. And software from Lime Wire to BBM.This was the selling point. Go ...