As a musician, I am personally pleased to see that Guitar Heroes has been such a hit. Guitar is one of the most popular instruments among beginner musicians and is growing in popularity thanks to this game. However, Guitar Heoes has also had a slightly negative effect on the music community.
After seeing the guitar controller sitting out there to the side of the PS2 at my local Wal-Mart, I thought, "Wow! That looks really pathetic for a guitar!" Of course, I realize that it's only a video game and not an actual rock concert. It just seems to me like the buttons down the side of the guitar controller don't do justice for what the real thing is like. Then again, I guess it would make things too hard for the average gamer if it were designed exactly like a real guitar.
It's all fine and well that Guitar Heroes is on the market, and I'm personally thrilled. I do want to say this: GUITAR HEROES WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR GUITAR SKILLS! Don't rely on it just for the intent of learning guitar. They are nothing alike.
I think that music and gaming should be brought together in this way more often, though. It seems to me that games like this are becoming more and more common. When you think about it, it's these kinds of games that keep the doctors from having to complain about obessity. Then again, you can get repeptitive strain injuries from them all the same as sitting there using a regular controller. Of course, you can also get RSIs from typing too long...
