My brother is an amazing sight on Rock Band drums. He can (nearly) flawlessly execute songs on Expert setting (which is akin to playing the actual drum tracks). And as good as he is, there are a whole host of people who blow him out of the water (like this guy, for example).
Now, it’s interesting to note that unlike many of these other folks, my brother can actually play (real) drums. And it stands to reason that if you rock out on a Rock Band drum pad, you’ll likely do well on an honest-to-good drumset.
Why, then, are there 5.5 million copies of Rock Band out there and not 5.5 million fledgling punk bands? I can’t be certain, but I’d bet that there will be less than 7.5 million new guitar players this fiscal year, but that’s how many copies Guitar Hero 3 is projected to sell.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, but humor me for a moment: How long do you think this kid took to learn to “play” this song? What if he’d applied the equivalent number of game-hours to playing a real guitar?
Let’s apply this thought to exercise and fitness: How many people do you know who think playing Wii Sports is a suitable alternative to heading to the gym or eating better?
Let’s stop with all the simulacra and get back to reality. Put the Wii controller down. Go outside.
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It’s got to be the immediate feedback they get from the video games. The amount of skill required to play even the easiest Guitar Hero song on a real guitar would involve (at the very least) months of practice, and probably a decade or more to play “Through the Fire and Flames”. He probably spent weeks to master the easiest, and months to master the most difficult.
Instant gratification pervades our society on so many levels.
the thing about guitar playing, it’s can be very hard to learn if you don’t have any natural talent. I know cuz I tried and I don’t!. I’ve never played guitar hero but I am sure it has to be a helluva lot easier than the real thing. It like comparing playing donkey kong to flying a helicopter, in terms if complexity and difficulty. Sort of.
I didn’t try Wii Sports. But I know many boys hanging in computer games. I can’t hear when they discuss it. Playing the guitar or drum is much better, even if people haven’t big talent and success, just like a hobby. For me going to the gym is also hobby.
I’m with you, I’ve said the same about Rock Band. I do understand the appeal though. If I owned the game I’d probably be guilty of this myself.
My 9 year old is amazing on guitar hero. I am thinking of trying him on the real thing to see if he can pick it up.. To be young again…
The amount of skill required to play even the easiest Guitar Hero song on a real guitar would involve months…
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