View source for Guitar Hero

{{short description|Series of rhythm video games}}
{{About|the rhythm video game series|the first game in the series|Guitar Hero (video game){{!}}''Guitar Hero'' (video game)|other uses}}
{{Infobox video game series
|image = Guitar Hero Live Logo.svg
|caption = Logo used in ''[[Guitar Hero Live]]''
|developer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Harmonix]] (2005–2007)
* [[Neversoft]] (2007–2010)
* [[Budcat Creations]] (2007–2009)
* [[Vicarious Visions]] (2007–2010)
* [[Aspyr]] (2007–2008)
* [[Beenox]] (2009)
* [[FreeStyleGames]] (2009–2017)
* [[Exient Entertainment]] (2009)
* [[Underground Development]] (2009)
}}
|publisher = {{Plainlist|
* [[RedOctane]] (2005–2006)
* [[Activision]] (2006–present)
* Aspyr (2007–2008)
}}
|genre = {{Plainlist|
* [[Rhythm game|Rhythm]]
}} 
|platforms = [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Wii]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Mac OS X]], [[Arcade game|Arcade]], [[Nintendo DS]], [[Mobile phone]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Wii U]], [[Xbox One]], [[iOS]]
|first release version = ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]''
|first release date = November 8, 2005
|latest release version = ''[[Guitar Hero Live]]''
|latest release date = October 20, 2015
}}

'''''Guitar Hero'''''  is a series of [[rhythm game]]s first released in 2005, in which players use a [[guitar]]-shaped [[game controller]] to simulate playing primarily [[lead guitar|lead]], [[bass guitar|bass]], and [[rhythm guitar]] across numerous songs. Players match notes that scroll on-screen to colored [[fret]] buttons on the controller, [[strum]]ming the controller in time to the music in order to score points, and keep the virtual audience excited.  The games attempt to mimic many features of playing a real guitar, including the use of fast-fingering [[hammer-on]]s and [[pull-off]]s and the use of the [[whammy bar]] to alter the pitch of notes. Most games support single player modes, typically a Career mode to play through all the songs in the game, as well as competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes. With the introduction of ''[[Guitar Hero World Tour]]'' in 2008, the game includes support for a four-player band including vocals and drums. The series initially used mostly [[cover version]]s of songs created by [[WaveGroup Sound]], but most recent titles feature soundtracks that are fully [[master recording]]s, and in some cases, special re-recordings, of the songs. Later titles in the series feature support for [[downloadable content]] in the form of new songs.

In 2005, [[RedOctane]], a company specializing in the manufacture of unique game controllers, was inspired to create ''Guitar Hero'' based on its experience creating hardware for [[Konami]]'s ''[[GuitarFreaks]]'' [[arcade game]]. It enlisted [[Harmonix]], which had previously developed several music video games, for development assistance. The first game in the series was made on a budget of [[USD|US$]]1 million. The series became extremely successful, leading to the acquisition of RedOctane by [[Activision]] in 2007. Harmonix was acquired by [[MTV Games]] and went on to create the ''[[Rock Band]]'' series of music games in the same vein as ''Guitar Hero''. Activision brought [[Neversoft]] (primarily known for their [[Tony Hawk's (series)|''Tony Hawk'']] series of skateboarding games) on board for future development duties. Additional companies, such as [[Budcat Creations]] and [[Vicarious Visions]], have assisted in the adaptation of the games for other systems.

The series has twenty-five releases, including the two [[spin-off (media)|spin-offs]], the ''[[DJ Hero]]'' series and ''[[Band Hero]]''. The ''Guitar Hero'' franchise was a primary brand during the emergence of the popularity of [[rhythm game]]s as a cultural phenomenon in North America. Such games have been utilized as a learning and development tool for medical purposes. The first game in the series was considered by several journalists to be one of the most influential video games of the first decade of the 21st century. The series has sold more than 25 million units worldwide, earning US$2 billion at retail.

Despite early success, the series, along with the overall rhythm game genre, suffered from poor sales starting in 2009. Despite asserting consumer research suggested continued solid demand for the series, Activision later stated that the series was on hiatus for 2011, amid the development of a seventh main installment that was later cancelled as the emerging product was considered to be of poor quality. Activision later shut down sales of the series' downloadable content, although users who purchased material from it previously may still play what they bought.

''[[Guitar Hero Live]]'', released in October 2015, was the first new title in the series in five years, considered to be a reboot of the series and developed by [[FreeStyleGames]], which had developed the ''DJ Hero'' games. Following a lukewarm reception and sales, Activision laid off many of the game's developers and sold the studio to [[Ubisoft]], later shutting down the game's [[streaming media|streaming]] DLC service.

==History==
{{Video game timeline
| title=''Guitar Hero'' release timeline
| subtitle=Main series in bold
| range1 = 2005 -
|range1_color = #ffa500 #cc8400
| 2005 = '''''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'''''
| 2006 = '''''[[Guitar Hero II]]'''''
| 2007a = ''[[Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s]]''
| 2007b = '''''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'''''
| 2008a = ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour]]''
| 2008b = ''[[Guitar Hero: Aerosmith]]''
| 2008c = '''''[[Guitar Hero World Tour]]'''''
| 2008d = ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour#Decades|Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades]]''
| 2009a = ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour#Modern Hits|Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits]]''
| 2009b = ''[[Guitar Hero: Metallica]]''
| 2009c = ''[[Guitar Hero Smash Hits]]''
| 2009d = '''''[[Guitar Hero 5]]'''''
| 2009e = ''[[DJ Hero]]''
| 2009f = ''[[Band Hero]]''
| 2009g = ''[[Guitar Hero: Van Halen]]''
| 2010a = '''''[[Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock]]'''''
| 2010b = ''[[DJ Hero 2]]''
| 2015 = '''''[[Guitar Hero Live]]'''''
}}

===Origins and development at Harmonix (2005–2006)===
[[File:Guitar_hero_logo.png|thumb|right|The original ''Guitar Hero'' logo features more pointed decorations on its letters, emphasizing its basis in [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]].]]
[[File:Guitar hero new logo.svg|thumb|right|The new logo, which was introduced with ''Guitar Hero 5'' and used up through ''Warriors of Rock'', removes these sharp features so as to reflect the broader selection of music now included in the games.]]
''Guitar Hero'' was created from a partnership between [[RedOctane]], then their own company that produced specialized video game controllers, and [[Harmonix]], a [[music video game]] development company who had previously produced ''[[Frequency (video game)|Frequency]]'', ''[[Amplitude (2003 video game)|Amplitude]]'', and ''[[Karaoke Revolution]]''. RedOctane was seeking to bring in a ''[[GuitarFreaks]]''-like game, highly popular in Japan at the time, into Western markets, and approached Harmonix about helping them to develop a music game involving a guitar controller. Both companies agreed to it, and went on to produce ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'' in 2005.<ref name="screech">{{cite web|access-date=2008-07-24 |url=http://media.www.dailyiowan.com/media/storage/paper599/news/2007/08/30/80Hours/While.Their.Guitars.Gently.Screech-2943258.shtml |title=While their guitars gently screech |publisher=[[The Daily Iowan]] |date=2007-08-30 |author=Johnson, Brent |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607013541/http://media.www.dailyiowan.com/media/storage/paper599/news/2007/08/30/80Hours/While.Their.Guitars.Gently.Screech-2943258.shtml |archive-date=June 7, 2008 }}</ref> The title was highly successful, leading to the development of its successful sequel, ''[[Guitar Hero II]]'', in 2006. While the original controllers for the first ''Guitar Hero'' game were designed by Ryan Lesser, Rob Kay, Greg LoPiccolo, and Alex Rigopulous of Harmonix and built by the Honeybee Corporation of China, subsequent iterations and future controllers were developed inhouse at RedOctane.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guitar Hero Oral History Reveals Devs Thought The Guitar Controller Was Stupid |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/guitar-hero-oral-history-reveals-devs-thought-the-guitar-controller-was-stupid/1100-6486824/ |access-date=2023-05-06 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Sale to Activision and development by Neversoft (2006–2009)===
Both RedOctane and Harmonix experienced changes in 2006. RedOctane was bought by [[Activision]] in June — who spent [[USD|US$]]100 million to acquire the ''Guitar Hero'' franchise<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/Entertainment/article/571744 | first=Marc | last=Saltzman | newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] | date=2009-01-17 | access-date=2009-01-17 | title=Guitar Hero investment pays off}}</ref> — while it was announced in October that Harmonix would be purchased by [[MTV Games]]. As a result of the two purchases, Harmonix would no longer develop future games in the ''Guitar Hero'' series. Instead, that responsibility would go to [[Neversoft]], a subsidiary of Activision known for developing the [[Tony Hawk's (series)|''Tony Hawk's'' series]] of [[skateboarding]] games.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=2008-04-01|url=http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-164089.html|title=Next venue for 'Guitar Hero III': PCs, Macs|work=[[ZDNet]]|date=2007-09-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922043606/http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-164089.html|archive-date=2008-09-22}}</ref> Neversoft was chosen to helm the ''Guitar Hero'' series after Neversoft founder, Joel Jewett, admitted to the RedOctane founders, Kai and Charles Huang, that his development team for ''[[Tony Hawk's Project 8]]'' went to work on weekends just to play ''Guitar Hero''.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-07-24|url=http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=598|title=How Neversoft Took Over Guitar Hero|publisher=[[Shacknews]]|date=2007-09-26|author=Faylor, Chris|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206023844/http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=598|archive-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> Activision CEO Bobby Kotick believed that Neversoft would help them bring great games to the series, but on reflection, stated that had Activision explored Harmonix further as a continued developer for the series, things "may have turned out differently".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/dice-2010-kotick-talks-passion-for-industry-debuts-indie-contest | title=DICE 2010: Kotick Talks Passion For Industry, Debuts Indie Contest | first=Simon | last=Carless | date=2010-02-18 | access-date=2010-02-19 | website=[[Gamasutra]] }}</ref> In addition, Activision began seeking other markets for the game; a [[Nintendo DS]] version of the series was developed by [[Vicarious Visions]], while a [[Guitar Hero Mobile series|''Guitar Hero Mobile'' series]] was created for [[mobile phone]]s. The company also began considering the expansion of the series to band-specific titles with ''[[Guitar Hero: Aerosmith]]''. Later, in November 2008, Activision acquired [[Budcat Creations]], another development studio that had helped with the PlayStation 2 versions of ''Guitar Hero III'' and ''World Tour'', announcing that they would be helping to develop another game in the ''Guitar Hero'' series.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55821 | title=Activision Buys Guitar Hero PS2 Developer Budcat, Working on 'New Guitar Hero Game' | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | date=2008-11-10 | access-date=2008-11-10 | first=Chris | last=Faylor }}</ref>

In 2007, Harmonix and MTV Games released a new music title through rival publisher [[Electronic Arts]], called ''[[Rock Band (video game)|Rock Band]]''. It expanded upon the gameplay popularized by the ''Guitar Hero'' series by adding [[drum kit|drum]] and [[microphone]] instruments, allowing players to simulate playing songs as bands. Activision followed suit with the release of ''[[Guitar Hero World Tour]]'' in 2008, which supported multiple instruments. In 2009, Activision tripled its ''Guitar Hero'' offerings, and in addition to further continuation of the existing main series with ''[[Guitar Hero 5]]'' and expansions, they introduced the titles ''[[Band Hero]]'', geared towards more family-friendly [[pop music]], and ''[[DJ Hero]]'', a game based on [[turntablism]] and featuring a number of [[DJ mix|mixes]]. With the release of ''Guitar Hero 5'', Activision considered the series to have moved away from its heavy metal basis into a broader selection of music. ''Guitar Hero 5'' is the first game in the series to use a new version of the series' logo; previous games used a logo in a font with sharper "points" on the letters, which was considered "idiosyncratic with a vengeance" to match the games' emphasis on heavy metal music. Activision used the services of the [[Pentagram (design studio)|Pentagram]] design studio to refashion the game's logo. Pentagram developed a new font, removing some of the "aggressive odd" features to make the typeface more suitable and amendable to design feature incorporation to other games such as ''Band Hero'' and ''DJ Hero''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://pentagram.com/en/new/2009/09/new-work-guitar-hero-1.php | title=New Work: Guitar Hero | publisher=[[Pentagram (design studio)|Pentagram]] | date=2009-09-01 | access-date=2009-09-03 | first=Michael | last=Bierut | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904214831/http://pentagram.com/en/new/2009/09/new-work-guitar-hero-1.php | archive-date=2009-09-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://venuspatrol.com/2009/09/type-heroes-pentagram-takes-yo/ | title=Type Heroes: Pentagram takes you behind the font of Guitar Hero | publisher=[[Boing Boing|Offworld]] | first=Brandon | last=Boyer | date=2009-09-03 | access-date=2009-09-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222150748/http://venuspatrol.com/2009/09/type-heroes-pentagram-takes-yo/ | archive-date=2016-02-22 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Decline and hiatus (2009–2015)===
The results of the expanded offerings did not contribute well to the series, alongside the [[late-2000s recession]]; sales of most rhythm games including ''Guitar Hero'' and ''DJ Hero'' did not meet expectations, falling about 50% short of projected targets.<ref name="gamasutra">{{cite web | url  = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/analyst-mixed-september-npd-means-more-choppy-waters-ahead-for-industry | title = Analyst: Mixed September NPD Means More Choppy Waters Ahead For Industry | website =[[Gamasutra]] | first= Leigh | last = Alexander | date = 2009-10-20 | access-date =2009-10-20 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89407-Guitar-Hero-Gets-Greatest-Hits | title = Guitar Hero Gets "Greatest Hits" | first = Logan | last = Fredrick | date = 2009-02-12 | access-date = 2009-02-16 | magazine = [[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] | archive-date = 2020-06-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200630152303/https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89407-Guitar-Hero-Gets-Greatest-Hits | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="computerandvideogames1">{{cite magazine | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=208086 | title = Activision has three new IPs for 2009 | date = 2009-02-12 | access-date = 2009-02-16 | magazine = [[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]}}</ref> Activision announced it would be cutting back to only 10 [[stock-keeping unit|SKU]]s within 2010 instead of the 25 in 2009.<ref name="vg247 2010 skus">{{cite web | url = http://www.vg247.com/2010/02/10/actibliz-full-year-financials-2009-60-million-guitar-hero-songs-download/ | title = Acti Bliz slashes music SKUs, 60 million Guitar Hero songs downloaded | first = Stephany | last = Nunneley | website = [[VG247]] | date = 2010-02-10 | access-date = 2010-02-10 }}</ref> Though RedOctane and Neversoft continued to develop the 6th main game, ''[[Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock]]'', until its completion, both studios were later shuttered by Activision, moving key personnel into Activision directly for future game development, and in the case of Neversoft, closing its ''Guitar Hero'' division, while transferring future development duties for the series to Vicarious Visions, another Activision studio which had been fundamental in building the Wii and Nintendo DS versions of the games.<ref name="1up">{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177918 | title = Activision Confirms Studio Layoffs | first = Steve | last = Watts | date = 2010-02-11 | access-date = 2010-02-11 | website = [[1UP.com]] | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120716173245/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177918 | archive-date = 2012-07-16 }}</ref> In November 2010, Activision also closed [[Budcat Creations]], the arm of the publisher that was primarily responsible for porting the ''Guitar Hero'' games to the PlayStation 2.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31573/Report_Activision_Closes_Guitar_Hero_Band_Hero_CoDev_Budcat_Creations.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120114155421/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31573/Report_Activision_Closes_Guitar_Hero_Band_Hero_CoDev_Budcat_Creations.php | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 14, 2012 | title = Report: Activision Closes Guitar Hero, Band Hero Co-Dev Budcat | first = Kyle | last = Orland | date = 2010-11-16 | access-date= 2010-11-16 | website = [[Gamasutra]] }}</ref>

Ahead of Activision's 2010 fourth quarter financial report in February 2011, Activision disbanded its ''Guitar Hero'' business unit and announced that it would cease development of the planned 2011 ''Guitar Hero'' game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/#!5756232/activision-just-killed-guitar-hero-and-true-crime | title = Activision Just Killed Guitar Hero And True Crime | website = Kotaku | date = 2011-02-09 | access-date = 2011-02-09 | first = Michael | last = McWheator}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-02-09-activision-kills-guitar-hero | title = Activision kills Guitar Hero | first= Wesley | last = Yin-Poole | date = 2011-02-09 | access-date = 2011-02-09 | website = [[Eurogamer]] }}</ref> Activision cited "continued declines in the music genre" to explain its decision.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-02-09-acti-explains-guitar-hero-true-crime-cull | title = Acti explains Guitar Hero, True Crime cul | first = Fred | last = Dutton  | date = 2011-02-09  | access-date= 2011-02-09 | website = [[Eurogamer]] }}</ref> The closure also affected the ''DJ Hero'' series, as Activision stated that there were no plans to publish a music game during 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-02-09-dj-hero-joins-guitar-hero-on-scrap-heap | title = DJ Hero joins Guitar Hero on scrap  | first = Fred | last = Dutton | date = 2011-02-09 | access-date = 2011-02-09 | website = [[Eurogamer]] }}</ref> Activision's vice president Dan Winters later clarified that the company was "just putting ''Guitar Hero'' on hiatus" and that they were "just not making a new game for next year, that's all".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34060/Activision_Guitar_Hero_Not_Finished_On_Hiatus_For_Now.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110415012813/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34060/Activision_Guitar_Hero_Not_Finished_On_Hiatus_For_Now.php | url-status = dead | archive-date = April 15, 2011 | title = Activision: Guitar Hero Not Finished, 'On Hiatus' For Now | first = Mike | last = Rose | date = 2011-04-12 | access-date = 2011-04-12 | website = [[Gamasutra]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/297719/news/guitar-hero-on-hiatus-for-now-activision/ | title = Guitar Hero 'on hiatus' for now – Activision | publisher = [[Computer And Video Games]] | date = 2011-04-12 | access-date = 2011-04-12 | first = Tom | last = Ivan }}</ref>

In a July 2011 interview with ''[[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]]'', Kotick stated that while the publisher was "going to stop selling Guitar Hero altogether", they were "going to go back to the studios and we're going to use new studios and reinvent" the series,<ref name="forbes kotick july11">{{cite news | url = https://blogs.forbes.com/davidewalt/2011/07/20/activision-blizzard-bobby-kotick-innovation/ | title = Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick: How To Be An Innovator | first = David | last= Ewalt | date =2011-07-20 |access-date =2011-07-21 | work = [[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]] }}</ref> but a former team member of Vicarious Visions stated that as of 2012, all development of ''Guitar Hero'' had come to an end within Activision.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/115974-Activision-Smashes-Guitar-Hero-Reboot-Plans | title = Activision Smashes Guitar Hero Reboot Plans | first = Mike | last = Thompson | date = 2012-02-22 | access-date = 2012-10-07 | magazine = [[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] | archive-date = 2020-06-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200630140436/https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/115974-Activision-Smashes-Guitar-Hero-Reboot-Plans | url-status = dead }}</ref> Another source close to Vicarious Visions had reported to ''[[Kotaku]]'' that while ''Guitar Hero 7'' was in development under an Activision studio, the game was considered a "disaster".<ref name="kotaku gh7">{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5965684/guitar-hero-7-was-going-to-have-six+string-guitars-no-drums-no-singing-was-cancelled-in-2011 | title = Guitar Hero 7 Was Going To Have Six-String Guitars, No Drums, No Singing. Was Cancelled In 2011 | first = Stephen | last = Tolito | date = 2012-12-05 | access-date = 2012-12-05 | website = [[Kotaku]] }}</ref> The cancelled game omitted the additional instruments and used only a guitar peripheral, redesigning the unit to include a 6-button mechanism replacing the strum bar; the resulting unit was considered too expensive to manufacture and purchase.<ref name="kotaku gh7"/> The developers had also started the game development from scratch to try to create new characters and venues that would be more reactive to the actual songs being played to give the feel of a music video, but ultimately this proved too much of a challenge and had to be scrapped.<ref name="kotaku gh7"/> Further, with a limited budget, the song selection was limited to "low-budget" hits of the 1990s, or at times reusing songs that had previously been included in ''Guitar Hero'' games.<ref name="kotaku gh7"/> Though the team had a two-year development cycle, it was closed down after Activision president Eric Hirshber had seen the current state of the project at the one-year point.<ref name="kotaku gh7"/>

Another potential ''Guitar Hero'' project was discovered by the archival site Unseen64 for a game titled ''Hero World'', a [[massively multiplayer online game]] that would link the ''Guitar Hero'' and ''DJ Hero'' games. The game had been developed by [[FreeStyleGames]], sometime after the release of ''[[DJ Hero 2]]'', with the main development duties passed to [[Virtual Fairground]], using their platform The Ride, an [[Adobe Flash]]-based platform that would let the game be played in a web browser. The game was cancelled in 2011 along with other pending ''Guitar Hero'' projects.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-this-is-what-activision-s-cancelled-i-guitar-hero-i-mmo-looked-like| title = Report: This is what Activision's cancelled Guitar Hero MMO looked like | first = Alex | last = Wawro | date = April 15, 2016 | access-date = April 15, 2016 | work = [[Gamasutra]] }}</ref>

No further downloadable content for either ''Guitar Hero'' or ''DJ Hero'' was made after February 2011,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-02-10-what-next-for-guitar-hero-dlc | title = What next for Guitar Hero DLC? | first = Wesley | last = Yin-Poole | date = 2011-02-10 | access-date = 2011-02-10 | website = [[Eurogamer]] }}</ref> though Activision committed to releasing content that was already in development by that time due to fan response;<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/article/67648/continued-support-from-fans-reignites | title = 'Continued support' from fans reignites DLC possibilities for Guitar Hero and DJ Hero | first = Xav | last=  de Matos | date = 2011-02-26 | access-date  =2011-04-12 | publisher = [[Shacknews]] }}</ref> later, in a move described by ''[[Game Informer]]'' as "the final nail in [the series'] coffins",<ref>{{Cite magazine | url = https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/03/18/guitar-hero-dlc-catalog-to-be-shut-down-soon.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140320105037/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/03/18/guitar-hero-dlc-catalog-to-be-shut-down-soon.aspx | url-status = live | archive-date = March 20, 2014 | title = Guitar Hero DLC Catalog To Be Shut Down Soon | magazine = [[Game Informer]] | date = 2014-03-18 | access-date = 2014-03-18 | first = Matt | last = Helgeson }}</ref> Activision announced it would discontinue all DLC sales for the series without revoking access to tracks already bought as of March 31, 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/18/guitar-hero-downloadable-song-catalog-going-away-soon | title = Guitar Hero Downloadable Song Catalog Going Away Soon | website = [[IGN]] | date = 2014-03-18 | access-date = 2014-03-18 | first = Chris | last = Pereria }}</ref> Though Activision had moved away from the ''Guitar Hero'' series, the lessons learned helped them and developer [[Toys for Bob]] to handle the manufacturing and outsourcing  issues that came with the highly successful ''[[Skylanders]]'' toy and video game franchise.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/16/5614716/skylanders-story-toys-for-bob-skylanders-swap-force | title = Toys for Bob and the story behind Skylanders | first = Colin | last = Campbell | date=  2014-04-16 | access-date = 2014-04-16 | website = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref>

===''Guitar Hero Live'' and second hiatus (2015–present)===
In April 2015, Activision announced a new entry in the series, titled ''[[Guitar Hero Live]]''.<ref>{{Cite web | title = 'Guitar Hero' To Return This Fall With 'Guitar Hero Live' | date = April 14, 2015 | url = http://www.theprp.com/2015/04/14/news/guitar-hero-to-return-this-fall-with-guitar-hero-live/ | access-date = April 15, 2015}}</ref> The title was developed by Activision's internal studio FreeStyleGames, who previously had worked on the ''DJ Hero'' spinoff titles. FreeStyleGames were given free rein to reboot the ''Guitar Hero'' series for next-generation consoles. One of their first innovations was to drop the standard five-button guitar controller, ultimately designing a six-button guitar controller, with two rows of three buttons each, allowing them to mimic actual guitar fingering. ''Guitar Hero Live'' was released with both a career and an online mode. The career mode used full-motion video taken from the perspective of a lead guitarist underneath the note highway, to create an immersive experience to the player. The online mode, called ''GHTV'', discarded the previous downloadable content approach and used a music video channel approach to stream playable songs to players, adding new songs to the catalog on a weekly basis. The game was released in October 2015.

Though the game was praised as a reinvention of the ''Guitar Hero'' series, the game did not sell as well as Activision expected; due to lowered forecasts, Activision let go of about half of FreeStyleGames' developers.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-04-01-layoffs-at-guitar-hero-live-dev-but-freestyle-games-to-remain-open | title = Layoffs at Guitar Hero Live developer | work = [[Eurogamer]] | date = 1 April 2016 | access-date = 1 April 2016 | first = Wesley | last = Yin-Poole }}</ref> In January 2017, [[Ubisoft]] acquired FreeStyleGames from Activision, with unclear consequences for the game.<ref name="gamespot ubisoft">{{Cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ubisoft-buys-guitar-hero-live-dj-hero-dev-from-act/1100-6447034/ | title = Ubisoft Buys Guitar Hero Live, DJ Hero Dev From Activision | first=  Eddie | last = Makuch | date = January 18, 2017 | access-date = January 18, 2017 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref> Activision shut down ''GHTV'' on December 1, 2018, reducing the available songs from almost 500 to the 42 present on-disc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guitar Hero Live – GHTV Sunset |url=https://support.activision.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/Guitar-Hero-Live-GHTV-Sunset/ |website=Activision Support |access-date=22 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Guitar Hero Live's Guitar Hero TV to shut down, dramatically reducing the song catalog |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/6/17434666/guitar-hero-live-shutdown-song-library-activision |website=Polygon |date=6 June 2018 |access-date=22 September 2018}}</ref>

In 2020 online servers for all ''Guitar Hero'' games were shut down on PS3.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.activision.com/articles/legacy-activision-games|title=Legacy Activision Games}}</ref> Between this and the closure of Wii online servers for all games, they are now only playable online on Xbox 360.

==Games==
===Main titles===
[[File:Guitar Hero series controllers.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The controllers bundled with ''Guitar Hero'' releases (from left to right): [[Gibson SG]]s for ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'' and ''[[Guitar Hero II]]'' (PlayStation 2) and [[Gibson Explorer]] for ''[[Guitar Hero II]]'' (Xbox 360) and ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'' (PC)]]
The original ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'' was released on the [[PlayStation 2]] in November 2005. ''Guitar Hero'' is notable because it comes packaged with a controller peripheral modeled after a black [[Gibson SG]] guitar. Rather than a typical [[gamepad]], this [[guitar controller]] is the primary input for the game. Playing the game with the guitar controller simulates playing an actual guitar, except it uses five colored "fret buttons" and a "[[strum]] bar" instead of [[fret]]s and strings. The development of ''Guitar Hero'' was inspired by [[Konami]]'s ''GuitarFreaks'' video game, which at the time, had not seen much exposure in the North American market; RedOctane, already selling guitar-shaped controllers for imported copies of ''GuitarFreaks'', approached Harmonix about creating a game to use an entirely new Guitar controller. The concept was to have the gameplay of ''Amplitude'' with the visuals of ''Karaoke Revolution'', both of which had been developed by Harmonix.<ref>{{harv|Simons|2007|p=69}}</ref><ref>{{harv|Simons|2007|p=160}}</ref><ref name="simons">{{cite web | url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/book-excerpt-inside-game-design-harmonix-music-systems | title=Book Excerpt: Inside Game Design: Harmonix Music Systems | website=Gamasutra | first=Iain | last=Simons | date=2007-12-05 | access-date=2008-07-24 }}</ref><ref name="edge interview LoPiccolo">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/harmonix-interview | title=Harmonix Interview | magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | date=2008-10-20 | access-date=2008-10-21 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005153217/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/harmonix-interview | archive-date=2011-10-05 }}</ref>  The game was met with critical acclaim and received numerous awards for its innovative guitar peripheral and its soundtrack, which comprised 47 playable [[rock music|rock]] songs (most of which were [[cover version]]s of popular songs from artists and bands from the 1960s through modern rock). ''Guitar Hero'' has sold nearly 1.5 million copies to date.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/magazine/15-10/mf_harmonix?currentPage=2 | title=Full-On Rock Band Makes Jamming Follow-Up to ''Guitar Hero'' | magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | first=Chris | last=Kohler | date=2007-09-14 | access-date=2008-07-24}}</ref>

The popularity of the series increased dramatically with the release of ''[[Guitar Hero II]]'' for the PlayStation 2 in 2006. Featuring improved multiplayer gameplay, an improved note-recognizing system, and 64 songs, it became the fifth best-selling video game of 2006.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-04-01|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156365|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927212604/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156365|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-09-27|title=NPD Releases December Numbers, Fanboys Riot|website=[[1UP.com]]}}</ref> The PlayStation 2 version of the game was offered both separately and in a bundle with a cherry red Gibson SG guitar controller. ''Guitar Hero II'' was later released for the [[Xbox 360]] in April 2007 with an exclusive [[Gibson Explorer]] guitar controller and an additional 10 songs, among other features. About 3 million units of ''Guitar Hero II'' have sold on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/fashion/15guitar.html|title=Virtual Frets, Actual Sweat: The New Karaoke|newspaper=The New York Times|last=Zezima|first=K.|date=2007-07-14|access-date=2008-07-24}}</ref>
[[File:Gibson Les Paul Xbox 360 controller.jpg|thumb|266x266px|The [[Gibson Les Paul]] Guitar controller bundled with Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 releases of ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'' (pictured is the Xbox 360 guitar controller). A similar white Gibson Les Paul guitar controller is bundled with the Wii release, which requires the [[Wii Remote]] to be inserted in the back. For in-store demos on the Xbox 360, a wired Les Paul controller is used.]]
''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'' was released in late 2007 for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]], [[Wii]], [[Microsoft Windows]], and [[Mac OS X]] platforms. The title is the first installment of the series to include wireless guitars bundled with the game and also the first to release a special bundle with two guitars.  The game includes [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] and [[Tom Morello]] as playable characters in addition to the existing fictional avatars; both guitarists performed motion capture to be used for their characters' animation in the game. The game opened to critically acclaimed reviews from critics and fans alike, with most calling it the greatest entry in the series. As PGNx Media stated on [[Metacritic]], "''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is undoubtedly the best game in the series."''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Metacritic |language=en}}</ref> The game later became one of the best selling video games of all time and the first ever game to reach [[List of best-selling video games|1 billion dollars in sales.]]

[[File:Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Controller PS3.png|right|thumb|200px|The "Genericaster" guitar controller bundled with ''[[Guitar Hero World Tour]]'' (pictured is the PlayStation 3 guitar controller). Unlike previous Guitar Hero controllers, this controller is not based on a real guitar.]]
''[[Guitar Hero World Tour]]'', previously named ''Guitar Hero IV'', is the fourth full game in the series and was released on October 26, 2008 for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii.  Analysts had expected that future ''Guitar Hero'' games in 2008 would include additional instrument peripherals to compete against ''[[Rock Band (video game)|Rock Band]]'';<ref name="guitarheroinstruments">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=14930 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820062155/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=14930 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 20, 2007 | title=Janco: ''Guitar Hero'' To Add New Instruments In 2008 | date=2007-08-01 | access-date=2008-07-24 | last=Boyer | first=Brandon | website=Gamasutra }}</ref> ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' was confirmed as in development following the announcement of the merger between Activision and [[Vivendi Games]] in December 2007.<ref name="guitar-hero-iv-activision-vivendi-games">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/call-of-duty-5-guitar-hero-iv-confirmed | title=Activision Blizzard fact sheet reveals some unannounced titles in the pipeline | publisher=Game Industry Biz | date=2007-12-03 | access-date=2007-12-03 | first=Phil | last=Elliot }}</ref>  Activision's CEO Bobby Kotick announced on April 21, 2008 that ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' will branch out into other instruments including vocals.<ref name="ign ghiv instruments">{{cite web | url=http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/868/868193p1.html | title=Guitar Hero IV Branching Out | website=IGN | date=2008-04-21 | access-date=2008-04-22 | first=Daemon | last=Hatfield }}</ref>  ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' includes drums and vocals, and can be bought packaged with a new drum set controller, a microphone, and the standard guitar controller.<ref name="gi preview">{{cite magazine | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | date=June 2008 | pages=48–57 | title=Guitar Hero 4: Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Meets Reality}}</ref>  A larger number of real-world musicians appear as playable characters, including [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[Billy Corgan]], [[Hayley Williams]], [[Zakk Wylde]], [[Ted Nugent]], [[Travis Barker]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], and [[Ozzy Osbourne]].  ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' also features custom song creation that can be shared with others.<ref name="gi preview"/>

''[[Guitar Hero 5]]'', the fifth main entry in the series, was confirmed in December 2008.<ref>{{cite web | title=Guitar Hero 5, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, New Tony Hawk Controller Confirmed by Activision | url=http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=56202 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912113025/http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=56202 | url-status=dead | archive-date=2012-09-12 | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | first=Nick | last=Breckon | date=2008-12-03 | access-date=2008-12-03 }}</ref> It was released on September 1, 2009, and includes 85 songs from 83 different artists. The game includes new game modes and features, including its 'Party Mode,' which gives players the ability to drop-in and out and change difficulties in the middle of a song. Artists including [[Johnny Cash]], [[Matt Bellamy]], [[Carlos Santana]], [[Kurt Cobain]] and [[Shirley Manson]] appear as playable characters in the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/92605/carlos_santana|title=Carlos Santana Grooves in Guitar Hero 5|access-date=2009-07-24|date=2009-07-21|publisher=[[idiomag]]}}</ref>

''[[Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock]]'', the sixth main console game in the series, was released on September 28, 2010. It is the last game in the series developed by Neversoft's ''Guitar Hero'' division prior to its dissolution, with Vicarious Visions assisting on the Wii version with added Nintendo DS functionality. The game has been described as returning to the roots of the ''Guitar Hero'' series; while it still allows for full band play, the soundtrack's focus is on rock and roll music and an emphasis on guitar "shredding".<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Guitar Hero 6 | first = Ryan | last = King | pages = 56–57 | magazine = [[Official Xbox Magazine]] UK |date=June 2010}}</ref> The game introduced a career-based "Quest Mode", narrated by [[Gene Simmons]], that guides the players to complete songs to unlock "warriors of rock" to join them in saving "demigod of rock" and his guitar from his imprisonment by "the Beast".<ref name="np preview">{{cite news | publisher = [[Nintendo Power]] | pages = 58–59 | date  = July 2010 | title = Hero's Quest | first = Justin | last  = Change }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vg247.com/2010/03/12/gene-simmons-to-be-the-voice-guitar-hero-6/ | title=Gene Simmons to be the "voice" of Guitar Hero 6 | first=Patrick | last=Garret | date=2010-03-12 | access-date=2010-03-12 |  website=[[VG247]] }}</ref>

Following a five-year hiatus, as described below, Activision announced ''[[Guitar Hero Live]]'' for release in late 2015 on most seventh-generation and eighth-generation consoles. ''Live'' was developed to rebuild the game from the ground up, and while the gameplay remains similar to the earlier titles, focusing primarily on the lead guitar, it uses a 3-button guitar controller with each button having "up" and "down" positions, making for more complex tabulators. The game uses live footage of a rock concert, taken from the perspective of the lead guitarist, to provide a more immersive experience.<ref name="polygon live">{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/14/8407161/guitar-hero-live-news-hands-on | title = GUITAR HERO LIVE AIMS TO RESHAPE A BELOVED RHYTHM GAME FOR A NEW GENERATION | first = Brian  | last = Crecente | date = April 14, 2015 | access-date = April 14, 2015 | website = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref>

===Series expansions===
''[[Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s]]'' for the PlayStation 2, which was released in July 2007, was the final game Harmonix developed for the series.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-04-01|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/new-egm-reveals-guitar-hero-1980s-edition-ps2/|title=New EGM reveals ''Guitar Hero'' : 1980s Edition (PS2)|publisher=Joystiq}}</ref> Though it was produced after Harmonix was purchased by MTV Games, they were contractually obligated to finish the game, which as suggested by its name primarily features songs from the 1980s. The game was criticized for its small selection of songs, and in one case compared unfavorably to [[Lou Reed]]'s album ''[[Metal Machine Music]]'' for allegedly being a mere contractual obligation project.

''[[Guitar Hero: Aerosmith]]'' was the first ''Guitar Hero'' game to center on one specific artist. On September 4, 2007, [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] announced that [[Aerosmith]] was "working closely with the makers of ''Guitar Hero IV''", which would be "dedicated to the group's music".<ref name="guitar-hero-iv-aerosmith">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1049541/aerosmith-hitting-the-studio-in-november | title=Aerosmith Hitting The Studio In November | date=2007-09-04 | first=Gary | last=Graff | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=2008-07-24}}</ref>  On February 15, 2008, Activision announced that ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' would be released on June 29, 2008.<ref name="activision-guitar-hero-aerosmith">{{cite web | url=http://investor.activision.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=294521 | title=World Renowned Recording Group Aerosmith Rocks This Way to ''Guitar Hero(R): Aerosmith(R)'' | date=2008-02-15 | access-date=2008-02-15 | publisher=[[Activision|Activision, Inc.]]  }}</ref><ref name="shacknews-aerosmith-announce">{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/51347 | title=Rock This Way With ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' | date=2008-02-15 | access-date=2008-02-15 | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | first=Marteen | last=Goldstein}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guitarhero.com/ghaerosmith/ | title=''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' Home Page | publisher=[[RedOctane]] | access-date=2008-02-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429004020/http://www.guitarhero.com/ghaerosmith | archive-date=2012-04-29 | url-status=dead }}</ref>  ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' was developed by Neversoft for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions, by Vicarious Visions for the Wii, and by [[Budcat Creations]] for the PlayStation 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3166299|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629204244/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3166299|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-06-29|title=Next ''Guitar Hero'' Game Aerosmith Only|date=2008-02-15|access-date=2008-02-15|website=[[1UP.com]]}}</ref> The game's setlist is mostly Aerosmith songs, with other songs from [[Joe Perry (musician)|Joe Perry]]{{'}}s solo work or artists that have inspired or performed with Aerosmith, including [[Run-DMC]].

''[[Guitar Hero: Metallica]]'', the next entry in the series to center on one artist, was released on March 29, 2009. It is based on the full band experience of ''World Tour'', and educates players on Metallica's history and music in the same manner as ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' did for Aerosmith.<ref name="GameInformerJan2009">{{cite magazine | title=Guitar Hero: Metallica | date=January 2009 | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | pages=40–43}}</ref> The game also debuted a new difficulty for drums, called Expert+ (read "expert-plus"), intended to incorporate a second bass drum pedal for songs that would otherwise be too difficult to play on drums. The game received generally well reviews with fans praising the song selection and the heavily enforced Metallica theme.

''[[Guitar Hero Smash Hits]]'' (titled ''Guitar Hero Greatest Hits'' in Europe and Australia) was released in June 2009. It features full-band versions of 48 songs from earlier ''Guitar Hero'' games that only used the guitar controller. Unlike the previous versions, each of the songs is based on a [[master recording]] that includes some live tracks.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/959/959442p1.html | title=Guitar Hero Compilation Revealed | website=IGN | first=Erik | last=Brudvig | date=2009-03-04 | access-date=2009-03-04}}</ref> The game follows a similar model as ''Guitar Hero: Metallica'', and was developed [[Beenox]] for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and Wii. It received a lukewarm reception with many calling it unnecessary and a "cash grab."<ref name="activision 2009 games">{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57203 | title=Three New Guitar Hero Games Coming This Year, Activision Planning 'Major Restage' of Franchise | date=2009-02-11 | access-date=2009-02-11 | first=Chris | last=Faylor | publisher=[[Shacknews]]}}</ref>

{{anchor|DJ Hero}}
''[[DJ Hero]]'' was announced by Activision in May 2009. Prior to the announcement, the company had purchased FreeStyleGames, a small developer of music games, to help produce localized downloadable content for ''Guitar Hero'' games and a then-unannounced music game, later revealed to be ''DJ Hero''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54707 | title=Activision Buys Music Game Dev. FreeStyleGames, Will Create Guitar Hero DLC and New Music Title | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | date=2008-09-12 | access-date=2008-09-12 | first=Chris | last=Faylor}}</ref> ''DJ Hero'' uses a special [[turntablism|turntable]]-based controller for players to perform with on various song mixes in the game. The game also incorporates the use of a ''Guitar Hero'' controller on ten specially arranged tracks; Bright suggested that future ''Guitar Hero'' games after ''Guitar Hero 5'' could include the use of the turntable control.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/videos/the-eurogamer-tv-show-activision-roundup | title=The Eurogamer TV Show: Activision Roundup | website=[[Eurogamer]] | date=2009-06-12 | access-date=2009-06-12 | format=[[Flash Video]] | archive-date=2020-04-30 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430222953/https://www.eurogamer.net/videos/the-eurogamer-tv-show-activision-roundup | url-status=dead }}</ref>

''[[Band Hero]]'' was announced in May 2009 and features "[[Top 40]]" hits aimed at family audiences, using the full band play style of ''Guitar Hero 5''.<ref name="threenewtitles">{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58521|title=DJ Hero, Guitar Hero 5, Guitar Hero Van Halen and Band Hero Announced|publisher=[[Shacknews]] | first=Alice | last=O'Conner  | access-date=2009-05-07 | date=2009-05-07}}</ref> The game was also developed for the Nintendo DS, using the ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour (series)|Guitar Hero: On Tour]]'' Guitar Grip, a new "drum skin" to fit the [[Nintendo DS Lite|DS Lite]], and the DS's microphone to support the full band experience.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/59672 | title=Band Hero Brings Portable Drum Action to DS Lite | first=Chris | last=Faylor | date=2009-07-23 | access-date=2009-07-23 | publisher=[[Shacknews]] }}</ref> Musician [[Taylor Swift]] appears as a playable character in the game,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/08/taylor-swift-/1 | title=Taylor Swift: Band Heroine | newspaper=[[USA Today]] | date=2009-08-04 | access-date=2009-08-04 | first=Mike | last=Snider }}</ref> as do the members of [[No Doubt]].

''[[Guitar Hero: Van Halen]]'' was released on December 22, 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175462/ |title=Guitar Hero: Van Halen due in Nov/Dec 2009 |publisher=Van Halen News Desk |date=2009-06-23 |access-date=2009-07-23 }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> though customers that purchased ''Guitar Hero 5'' under a special promotion received a copy of the game early. Like the other games oriented around a specific artist, ''Guitar Hero: Van Halen'' mainly uses songs by the band [[Van Halen]], including three guitar solos by [[Eddie Van Halen]], in addition to guest acts such as [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Weezer]], [[Blink-182]], [[Foo Fighters]], [[The Offspring]], and [[Queens of the Stone Age]].<ref name="threenewtitles"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.destructoid.com/e3-09-here-s-a-look-at-guitar-hero-van-halen-134600.phtml | title=E3 09: Here's a look at Guitar Hero: Van Halen | first=Nick | last=Chester | website=Destructoid | date=2009-06-02 | access-date=2009-06-02 | archive-date=2018-11-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115154026/https://www.destructoid.com/e3-09-here-s-a-look-at-guitar-hero-van-halen-134600.phtml | url-status=dead }}</ref>

A sequel to ''DJ Hero'', ''DJ Hero 2'', was officially announced in June 2010 for release in the last quarter of 2010, featuring more than 70 mashups from over 85 artists.<ref name="dj2">{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/dj-hero-2-due-out-this-autumn | title = DJ Hero 2 due out this autumn | website = [[Eurogamer]] | date = 2010-06-08 | access-date = 2010-06-08 | first = Tom | last = Bramwell }}</ref> The game includes several new gameplay modes, including an "Empire" career mode, head-to-head DJ battles, social multiplayer modes, and a jump-in and out Party Play mode similar to ''[[Guitar Hero 5]]''.  The game also includes more vocal options for singing and rapping to songs, and a freestyle mode for players.<ref name="dj2"/>

===Portable versions===
{{Main|Guitar Hero: On Tour series}}
[[File:GuitarHero DSInterface.jpg|right|thumb|The "Guitar Grip", developed by [[Vicarious Visions]] for the [[Nintendo DS]] series ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour series#On Tour|Guitar Hero: On Tour]]'' provides four fret buttons for the game, while strumming is done on the DS touchscreen by use of a pick-shaped [[stylus (computing)|stylus]].]]
''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour series#On Tour|Guitar Hero: On Tour]]'' was released on the [[Nintendo DS]] hand-held system on June 22, 2008. The game includes a peripheral, dubbed the "Guitar Grip", a rectangular device that fits into the second slot of the Nintendo DS or DS Lite.  The peripheral only features the first four fret buttons and a strap so the Nintendo DS can be held sideways comfortably for play. The game also includes a [[guitar pick]] shaped [[stylus (computing)|stylus]] for use with strumming in the game, which players move across the touchscreen.<ref name="ign reveal">{{cite web| url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/860/860511p1.html | title=Exclusive Reveal: ''Guitar Hero DS'' | website=IGN | date=2008-03-13 | last=Harris | first=Craig | access-date=2008-03-19 }}</ref> ''Guitar Hero: On Tour'' was developed by [[Vicarious Visions]], who also ported the ''Guitar Hero'' games to [[Nintendo]]'s [[Wii]] console.

A sequel, ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour series#Decades|Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades]]'', was released in November 2008, featuring music spanning four decades.<ref name="shacknews e3 announce">{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53654 | title=Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades Unveiled | first=Aaron | last=Linde | date=2008-07-15 | access-date=2008-07-15 | publisher=[[Shacknews]]}}</ref> A third title in the series, ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour series#Modern Hits|Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits]]'', was announced following various rumors of its existence,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55386 | title=Activision Trademarks Guitar Hero Modern Hits | date=2008-10-16 | access-date=2008-12-28 | first=Chris | last=Faylor | publisher=[[Shacknews]]}}</ref><ref name="ghmhesrb">{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/56534 | title=ESRB Leaks Guitar Hero Modern Hits Details | date=2008-12-26 | access-date=2008-12-28 | first=Chris | last=Faylor | publisher=[[Shacknews]]}}</ref> and was released in June 2009, featuring songs recorded since the year 2000.<ref name="activision 2009 games"/><ref name="modern hits announce">{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57525 | title=Guitar Hero DS 'Modern Hits' Officially Announced | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | first=Nick | last=Breckon | date=2009-03-05 | access-date=2009-03-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172071 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226032642/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172071 | url-status=dead | archive-date=2009-02-26 | title=ESRB Leaks Guitar Hero Modern Hits for DS: News from 1UP.com | date=2008-12-26 | access-date=2008-12-26 | first=Phillip | last=Kollar | website=[[1UP.com]] }}</ref> Both games use the "Guitar Grip" controller, and allow two players to compete against each other using any version of the ''On Tour'' series, with songs being shared between versions.<ref name="shacknews e3 announce"/>

''Band Hero'' was also ported to the Nintendo DS by Vicarious Visions, expanding the play to include vocals (through the DS microphone) and drumming. The drumming uses a special "drum skin" adapter designed for the [[Nintendo DS Lite]] to map the unit's face buttons to four drum pads. However, the peripheral is not compatible with the original Nintendo DS model or the Nintendo DSi. However, since the drum skin is not electronic but a rubber cover switch that duplicates certain buttons on the DS Lite, a player can simply press the buttons in time to play the drums. The game includes four-player local wireless play in a similar manner as ''Guitar Hero 5'' allowing any combination of instruments to be used. The game has a set of 30 songs; some are from ''Band Hero'' and others are from several ''Guitar Hero'' games' set lists.

''Guitar Hero: On Tour'' does not work on the [[Nintendo DSi]] and [[Nintendo 3DS]] because unlike the Nintendo DS, they do not have Game Boy Advance slots. ''Band Hero'' is limited to vocals and drums on the two consoles for the same reason.

===Mobile phone versions===
{{Main|Guitar Hero Mobile series}}
''Guitar Hero III Mobile'' was released for mobile phones in 2007 and 2008, and was developed by MachineWorks Northwest LLC.  The base version of the game includes 15 songs from both ''Guitar Hero II'' and ''Guitar Hero III'', and has released a three-song add-on pack every month since January 2008.  The title has been downloaded by users one million times, with both [[Verizon]] and [[Hands-On Mobile]] claiming that over 250,000 songs are played a day on the platform.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2320042,00.asp | title='Guitar Hero Mobile' a Smashing Success | date=2008-06-13 | access-date=2008-06-23 | first=Andrew | last=Podolsky | magazine=[[PC Magazine]] | archive-date=2008-06-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614172354/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2320042,00.asp | url-status=dead }}</ref>
The two companies produced two other mobile-based ''Guitar Hero'' games; ''Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass'', released in July 2008, adds [[role-playing video game|role-playing]] elements to manage the band's success in addition to the core rhythm game,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/891/891945p1.html?RSSwhen2008-07-18_091600&RSSid=891945 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231114752/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/891/891945p1.html?RSSwhen2008-07-18_091600&RSSid=891945 | url-status=dead | archive-date=2008-12-31 | title=Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass Is Ready to Rock Your Phone | date=2008-07-18 | access-date=2008-07-18 | website=IGN }}</ref> while the mobile version of ''Guitar Hero World Tour'', released in December 2008, expands each included track for play on both lead guitar and drums, mimicking the expansion of the console series to the full band.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Guitar+Hero:+World+Tour/news.asp?c=8837 | title=Guitar Hero World Tour coming to mobile phones | publisher=Pocket Gamer | first=Stuart | last=Dredge | date=2008-09-10 | access-date=2008-09-10 }}</ref>

[[Glu Mobile]] developed the mobile version of ''Guitar Hero 5'', released in the last quarter of 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24197 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706033403/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24197 | url-status=dead | archive-date=July 6, 2009 | title=Activision Taps Glu for Mobile Modern Warfare 2, Guitar Hero 5 | first=Danny | last=Cowen | date=2009-06-24 | access-date=2009-06-25 | website=[[Gamasutra]] }}</ref>

===Other games===
[[File:Guitar Hero Arcade.jpg|thumb|150px|Guitar Hero Arcade]]
{{anchor|Guitar Hero Carabiner}}
Activision and RedOctane also worked with Basic Fun, Inc. to produce ''Guitar Hero Carabiner'', a [[handheld electronic game]] that features excerpts of several songs taken from the first two games.<ref name="carabiner announce">{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS227690+12-Feb-2008+BW20080212 | title=Basic Fun Launches Guitar Hero Carabiner at Toy Fair 2008, 2008-02-17 – 2008-02-20, Booth #1633 | date=2008-02-13 | access-date=2008-03-11 | publisher=[[Yahoo!]] | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905230558/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS227690+12-Feb-2008+BW20080212 | archive-date=2008-09-05 }}</ref><ref name="carabiner review">{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/02/17/guitar-hero-carabiner-hands-on/ | title=Guitar Hero Carabiner hands-on | publisher=[[Engadget]] | date=2008-02-18 | access-date=2008-03-11 | first=Paul | last=Miller}}</ref>

{{anchor|Guitar Hero Arcade}}
Activision and Konami, who had previously worked together to make sure that the ''Guitar Hero'' series meets with Konami's patents on music games, in conjunction with [[Raw Thrills]], developed an [[arcade game|arcade console]] version of the game, titled ''Guitar Hero Arcade'', distributed to arcades in early 2009.  The game is completely based on the ''Guitar Hero III'' gameplay, but reducing some of the features such as the use of the Whammy bar, Star Power Button (Star Power may only be activated by lifting the Guitar) and Practice Modes, but keeping the ability to download new songs for the cabinet from the Internet.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/12/08/guitar-hero-arcade-based-on-guitar-hero-3/ | title='Guitar Hero Arcade' Is Based On 'GH III,' Developer Explains Konami's Surprising Involvement | first=Patrick | last=Klepek | date=2008-12-08 | access-date=2008-12-08 | publisher=MTV | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210163432/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/12/08/guitar-hero-arcade-based-on-guitar-hero-3/ | archive-date=2008-12-10 }}</ref> The arcade game has come under some scrutiny by the [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers]] (ASCAP), who believe the use of the game in arcades is equivalent to "public performances" and seek additional fees to be paid by operators of the game.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/12/ascap_wants_licensing_fees_fro.php | title=ASCAP Wants Licensing Fees From Guitar Hero Arcade Operator | first=Eric | last=Caroli | date=2009-12-21 | access-date=2009-12-21 | publisher=[[Game Set Watch]] | archive-date=2020-04-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415104626/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/12/ascap_wants_licensing_fees_fro.php | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Planned games===
The double release of ''Guitar Hero 5'' and ''Band Hero'' in 2009 were the last of the series' games to be released on PlayStation 2.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/62317 | title=No More Guitar Hero Games on PlayStation 2 | first=Chris | last=Faylor | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | date=2010-02-10 | access-date=2010-02-10 }}</ref> It was expected that the 2010 entry for ''Guitar Hero'', ''Warriors of Rock'', would be the final entry developed by Neversoft, based on claims that Neversoft would be letting go of its ''Guitar Hero'' division, with Vicarious Visions likely poised to take over future development.<ref name="1up" /> Further industry rumors pointed at the closure of RedOctane Studios and [[Underground Development]] (the development studio for ''Guitar Hero: Van Halen'') as further results from the scaling-back; Activision moved the controller hardware development within their own division to continue to support the series,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6250760.html |title=RedOctane closed by Activision? |first=Brian |last=Sinclair |date=2010-02-12 |access-date=2010-02-12 |website=[[GameSpot]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215172222/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6250760.html |archive-date=2010-02-15 }}</ref> with RedOctane founders Kai and Charles Huang remaining with Activision.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vg247.com/2010/02/23/report-redoctane-founders-to-remain-at-activision/ | title=Report: RedOctane founders to remain at Activision | first=Stephany | last=Nunneley | website=[[VG247]] | date=2010-02-23 | access-date=2010-02-26 }}</ref> A week prior to these announcements, the ''Guitar Hero'' division CEO at Activision, Dan Rosensweig, left the company, leading to some speculation on whether Rosensweig's departure influenced these changes.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vg247.com/2010/02/12/report-luxoflux-and-underground-development-closed-redoctane-layoffs/ | title=Report: Luxoflux and Underground Development closed, RedOctane layoffs | first=Stephany | last=Nunneley | website=[[VG247]] | date=2010-02-12 | access-date=2010-02-12 }}</ref> Activision and RedOctane had trademarked the titles "''Guitar Villain''", "''Drum Villain''", "''Keyboard Hero''" and "''Sing Hero''".<ref>{{cite web | first=Brendan | last=Sinclair | title=Activision calls dibs on Guitar Villain, Drum Villain | date=2007-01-17 | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164293.html | website=[[GameSpot]] | access-date=2008-07-24 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://au.ps3.ign.com/articles/961/961336p1.html | title=Sing Hero Registered | first=Martin | last=Robinson | date=2009-03-11 | access-date=2009-03-11 | website=IGN}}</ref> RedOctane originally trademarked the titles "''Drum Hero''" and "''Band Hero''", but the work performed towards the ''Drum Hero'' title was eventually folded into the gameplay for ''Guitar Hero World Tour'', and ''Band Hero'' became its own game.<ref name="gi preview" /> Later, as of October 2009, Activision reapplied for a ''Drum Hero'' trademark.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/11/09/activision-files-drum-hero-trademark/ | title=Activision Files 'Drum Hero' Trademark | date=2009-11-09 | access-date=2009-11-17 | publisher=MTV | first=Brian | last=Warmoth | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114072842/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/11/09/activision-files-drum-hero-trademark | archive-date=2009-11-14 }}</ref> [[Pi Studios]], which had previously helped to port ''Rock Band'' to the Wii, had started work on the [[karaoke]] title ''Sing Hero'' before Activision cancelled its development.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.siliconera.com/2013/01/02/sing-hero-is-the-activision-music-game-that-never-was/ | title = Sing Hero Is The Activision Music Game That Never Was | publisher = [[Siliconera]] | date = 2013-01-02 | access-date = 2013-01-02 | author = Spenser }}</ref> ''Dance Hero'' was also said to have been in development as of 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Plunkett|first1=Luke|title=Activision Wants To Make A Dance Hero Out Of You|url=http://kotaku.com/5779364/activision-wants-to-make-a-dance-hero-out-of-you|access-date=January 10, 2017|website=Kotaku|date=March 8, 2011}}</ref>

{{anchor|Guitar Hero: Megadeth}}[[Dave Mustaine]], frontman for [[Megadeth]], stated he had been in talks with Activision and Neversoft for a ''Guitar Hero''-related product.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177634 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719092302/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177634 | url-status=dead | archive-date=2012-07-19 | title=Megadeth Tease Potential for Guitar Hero Project. Due to the track list for Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, a Guitar Hero: Megadeth may not be in the works | website=[[1UP.com]] | date=2010-01-18 | access-date=2010-01-18 | first=Kris | last=Pigna }}</ref> It was later revealed that Mustaine was working with Activision for music in ''[[Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock]]'', including an original track ("Sudden Death") recorded specifically for the game.

Two ''Guitar Hero'' products that were announced but never released were a [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]-themed title<ref>{{cite web|last=Pigna|first=Kris|title=Red Hot Chili Peppers Getting Guitar Hero Game?|url=http://www.1up.com/news/red-hot-chili-peppers-guitar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109203255/http://www.1up.com/news/red-hot-chili-peppers-guitar|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-11-09|publisher=1UP}}</ref> and a [[PlayStation Portable]] title that would have featured a drum component.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6210427/starcraft-ii-by-end-of-2009-call-of-duty-expanding-to-new-genres |title=Starcraft II byend of 2009, Call of Duty expanding to new genres |website=[[GameSpot]] |first=Brendan |last=Sinclair |date=2009-06-01 |access-date=2009-06-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602141340/http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6210427/starcraft-ii-by-end-of-2009-call-of-duty-expanding-to-new-genres |archive-date=2009-06-02 }}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[File:Guitarhero-screen.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Gameplay of a single player playing [[Pantera]]'s "[[Cowboys From Hell]]"<!--the notes on the screenshot are recognizably this song's opening riff in the Hard difficulty-->. The player in ''Guitar Hero'' must play the colored notes on the fret board in time with the music as they scroll through the target at the bottom. The score and current score multiplier are shown on the bottom left. The Rock Meter dial and Star Power indicator are shown on the bottom right. The remainder of the screen shows the player's character and band as they perform to the music.]]
The core gameplay of the ''Guitar Hero'' games is a [[rhythm video game]] similar to Konami's ''GuitarFreaks''<ref name="simons" /> and to a lesser extent Harmonix's previous music games such as ''Frequency'' and ''Amplitude''. The guitar controller is recommended for play, although a standard console controller can be used instead.<ref name="strategy guide">{{cite book|author=[[BradyGames]]|title=Guitar Hero II Official Strategy Guide|publisher=[[BradyGames]]|year=2006|isbn=0-7440-0854-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/guitarheroiioffi0000unse}}</ref><ref name="gh2">{{cite video game|title=Guitar Hero II|developer=[[Harmonix]]|publisher=[[RedOctane]]|date=2006-11-07|platform=[[PlayStation 2]]}}</ref> However, the guitar controller has been required for play ever since the inclusion of drum and vocal parts in the series. The game supports toggling the [[handedness]] of the guitar, allowing both left-handed and right-handed players to utilize the guitar controller.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" />

While playing the game, an extended guitar neck is shown vertically on the screen (the [[fret]]s horizontal), often called the "note highway", and as the song progresses, colored markers or "gems" indicating notes travel down the screen in time with the music; the note colors and positions match those of the five fret keys on the guitar controller. Once the note(s) reach the bottom, the player must play the indicated note(s) by holding down the correct fret button(s) and hitting the strumming bar in order to score points. Success or failure will cause the on-screen Rock Meter to change, gauging the current [[health (game mechanic)|health]] of the performance (denoted by red, yellow, and green sections). Should the Rock Meter drop below the red section, the song will automatically end, with the player booed off the stage by the audience. Successful note hits will add to the player's score, and by hitting a long series of consecutive successful note hits, the player can increase their score multiplier. There is a window of time for hitting each note, similar to other rhythm games such as ''[[Dance Dance Revolution]]'', but unlike these games, scoring in ''Guitar Hero'' is not affected by accuracy; as long as the note is hit within that window, the player receives the same number of points.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" />

Selected special segments of the song will have glowing notes outlined by stars: successfully hitting all notes in this series will fill the "Star Power Meter". The Star Power Meter can also be filled by using the [[tremolo arm|whammy bar]] during sustained notes within these segments. Once the Star Power Meter is at least half full, the player can activate "Star Power" by pressing the select button or momentarily lifting the guitar into a vertical position. When Star Power is activated, the scoring multiplier is doubled until Star Power is depleted. The Rock Meter also increases more dramatically when Star Power is activated, making it easier for the player to make the Rock Meter stay at a high level. Thus, Star Power can be used strategically to play difficult sections of a song that otherwise might cause the player to fail.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" /> In the earlier entries of the series (up until ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith''), activating Star Power meant that players could not accrue more Star Power until the Star Power meter was fully drained and the effect ended. Starting with ''Guitar Hero: World Tour'', more Star Power can be collected even if the effect is active by completing more Star Power phrases, extending the Star Power's duration by doing so. When playing in cooperative play (with a bassist/rhythm guitarist in ''Guitar Hero II'' through ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' or as a band in ''Guitar Hero: World Tour''), Star Power is shared between all the players and activation of Star Power is dependent on all players simultaneously activating it.

Notes can be a single note, or composed of two to five notes that make a [[guitar chord|chord]]. Both single notes and chords can also be sustained, indicated by a colored line following the note marker; the player can hold the sustained note(s) keys down for the entire length for additional points. During a sustained note, a player may use the whammy bar on the guitar to alter the tone of the note. Also, regardless of whether sustains are hit early or late, if the fret is held for the full duration of the hold, the game will always award the same amount of score increase for the note. In addition, the games support virtual implementations of "[[hammer-on]]s" and "[[pull-off]]s", guitar-playing techniques that are used to successfully play a fast series of notes by only changing the fingering on the fret buttons without having to strum each note. Sequences where strumming is not required are indicated on-screen by notes with a white outline at the top of the marker instead of the usual black one, with ''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' adding a white-glowing effect to make these notes clearer.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" />  ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' features transparent notes that are connected by a purple outline; players may either simply tap the correct fret for these notes without strumming or utilize a touchpad on ''World Tour''{{'}}s guitar controller to mimic the [[slide (guitar technique)|slide technique]]. In addition, notes can now be played while a sustained note is being played. ''World Tour'' also adds an open string note for bass players, represented by a line across the fret instead of any note gems, that is played by strumming without holding down any fret buttons (the sixth installment, ''[[Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock|Warriors of Rock]]'', features an open note sustain for bass instruments as well).

[[File:Guitar-hero-world-tour-20080715103139463.PNG|right|225px|thumb|Gameplay of a whole band in [[Guitar Hero World Tour]] playing Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell". On top are vocals, bottom from left to right: lead guitar, drums and bass guitar.]]
''Guitar Hero World Tour'' introduced drums and vocal tracks in addition to lead and bass guitar.  Drum tracks are played similar to guitar tracks; the player must strike the appropriate drum head or step down on the bass drum pedal on the controller when the note gems pass the indicated line.  Certain note gems, when using a drum controller that is velocity-sensitive, are "armored", requiring the player to hit the indicated drum pad harder to score more points.  Vocal tracks are played similar to games such as ''Karaoke Revolution'' where the player must match the pitch and the pacing of the lyrics to score points. ''Guitar Hero 5'' allows players to create a band of up to four players using any combination of instruments.<ref name="gh5 preview"/>

While the song is playing, the background visuals feature the players' chosen [[avatar (computing)|avatar]], along with the rest of the band performing in one of several real and fictional venues. The reaction of the audience is based on the performance of the player judged by the Rock Meter. ''Guitar Hero II'' added special lighting and other stage effects that were synchronized to the music to provide a more complete concert experience.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" /> The games developed by Neversoft feature a simple storyline, usually about a band's quest for fame, which is told through animations played throughout the game. These animations were created by [[Chris Prynoski]] and his studio, Titmouse, Inc., who have also done animations for the animated show ''[[Metalocalypse]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://games.ign.com/articles/963/963887p1.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327170332/http://games.ign.com/articles/963/963887p1.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 27, 2009 | title=Titmouse Opens Game Studio | website=IGN | date=2009-03-19 | access-date=2009-04-10 }}</ref>

===Game modes===
[[File:Guitar-hero-3-gameplay.jpg|thumb|225px|right|In ''Guitar Hero III''{{'}}s two-player "Battle Mode", each player attempts to interfere with their opponent's performance using special power-ups while avoiding being distracted by those thrown by the opponent.]]
The main mode of play in the ''Guitar Hero'' games is Career Mode, where the player and in-game band travel between various fictional performance arenas and perform sets of four to six songs. It is by completing songs in this mode that the songs are unlocked for play across the rest of the game. Players can choose their on-stage character, their guitar of choice, and the venue in which they wish to play. In this mode, the player can earn money from his/her performances that is redeemable at the in-game store, where bonus songs, additional guitars and finishes, your characters clothing and bonus content can be unlocked. Quick Play mode is a quicker method of playing songs, as it allows the player to select a track and difficulty, selecting the character, venue, and guitar and guitar skin for the player based on the song chosen. After successfully completing a song, the player is given a score, a percentage of how many notes they hit and a rating from three to five stars, and two in rare cases depending on his/her final score on the song, with money being awarded in ''Guitar Hero World Tour''.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" />

The games have also added multiplayer modes.  Cooperative modes allow two players to play lead and either bass or rhythm guitar on the same song, working together towards the same score.  A competitive Face-Off mode allows two players to play against each other at different difficulty levels, each attempting to earn the best score on a song. Each player plays different portions of the song. There is also a Pro Face-Off mode, where two players battle at the same difficulty level. Unlike standard Face-off, each player attempts to play all of the notes in a song, while still trying to earn the highest score. In ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' this was advanced on, as players could play a Pro Face-Off game against each other on any difficulty level, the lower your difficulty, the more points were awarded so a player on a low difficulty could potentially beat a player on a more challenging difficulty. ''Guitar Hero III'' introduced Boss Battles, in which two players face off against each other, attempt to collect "distractions" to throw at their opponent, trying to make them fail.  With ''Guitar Hero World Tour'', up to four players can play cooperatively on lead and bass guitar, drums, and vocals, while a total of eight players can compete in a Battle of the Bands.  The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii versions of the games support multiplayer modes over their respective network services.

The four difficulty levels for each song afford the player a learning curve in order to help him/her progress in skill. The first difficulty level, Easy, only focuses on the first three fret buttons while displaying a significantly reduced number of notes for the player to play. Medium introduces the fourth (blue) fret button, and Hard includes the final fret button while adding additional notes. The addition of the orange fret button forces players to move their fingers up and down the neck. Expert does not introduce any other frets to learn, but adds more notes in a manner designed to challenge the player and to simulate the player's hands to move in a sequence similar to a real guitar. A difficulty added in ''World Tour'' is Beginner, which only requires the player to strum to the basic rhythm; holding the fret buttons becomes unnecessary.<ref name="strategy guide" /><ref name="gh2" /> Another new difficulty only for drums was added to ''Metallica'' known as Expert+, which uses the double bass pedal.

''Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock'' is the sixth installment in the franchise and introduced a new take on the Career mode of previous games. Rather than being a quest for fame and glory with the band travelling through different venues, ''Warriors of Rock'' features the "Quest Mode" as the primary campaign mode. Quest Mode tells the story of an ancient warrior who was defeated by a powerful monster and his mystical guitar was lost. The player must amass a team of rockers to help recover this guitar and defeat the monster (called "The Beast"). As the player progresses through the mode, the rockers joining them will transform based on the number of stars earned from songs played. These transformations will empower the player with extra abilities in a song such as constant score multipliers or Star Power bonuses. These abilities are each unique to the individual rockers and by using them effectively, it is possible now to earn up to forty stars for a single song.

===Characters and customization===
When playing through Career mode or in other parts of the ''Guitar Hero'' games, the player has the option to select one of several pre-created avatar characters, who will be shown performing on stage as the player attempts a song, but otherwise has no effect on the gameplay.  A certain number of characters are available at the start of the game, but the player must spend in-game money earned by successful performances to unlock other characters.  Many of the characters reappear throughout the series, with the character roster changing as new characters are added or removed. Standby characters that have appeared in nearly all the games include the [[Heavy Metal Subculture|metalhead]] Axel Steel, extreme/Viking/thrash metalhead Lars Ümlaut, punk rocker Johnny Napalm, gothic rocker Pandora, alternative rocker Judy Nails, and hard rocker Casey Lynch. The developers utilized these characters in more detail within ''Warriors of Rock'', where each was given a unique setlist and venue based on their musical style, as well as a unique power within the game's Quest mode.

Several games in the series feature caricatures of celebrity artists, such as [[Slash (musician)|Slash]], [[Tom Morello]] and [[Bret Michaels]]  in ''Guitar Hero III'', [[Ozzy Osbourne]], [[Ted Nugent]] and [[Jimi Hendrix]] in ''World Tour'', [[Kurt Cobain]] in ''Guitar Hero 5'', and [[Taylor Swift]] and the band [[No Doubt]] in ''Band Hero''. The band-specific games, ''Aerosmith'', ''Metallica'', and ''Van Halen'' also feature the members of the respective bands. However, in late 2009, both [[Courtney Love]] and the members of No Doubt sought legal action against Activision for the misuse of their in-game characters singing or performing songs by other artists, which the musicians believe fell outside of their contract.

The ability for the players to create their own avatars was added in ''Guitar Hero World Tour'', and was based on Neversoft's existing character creation tools from the ''Tony Hawk'' series. Later games on the Xbox 360 and Wii allowed players to use the respective console's avatars as members of the band. In addition to unlocking characters, in-game money can be used to buy clothing, accessories and instruments that they are seen playing with.  The guitars can also be customized with special finishes purchasable through the in-game store.  ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' includes the ability to fully customize any component of the guitar.  The in-game store in the series is also used to unlock bonus songs or special videos with interviews about the game or with the artists involved.

===Soundtracks===
Most of the games in the ''Guitar Hero'' series feature a selection of songs ranging from the 1960s to present day [[rock music]] from both highly successful artists and bands and independent groups.  ''Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s'' features songs primarily from the 1980s, while  ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith,'' ''Metallica,'' and ''Van Halen'' feature music from the respective bands and groups that inspired or worked with the bands. Songs with profanities have been censored.

Many of the ''Guitar Hero'' games developed for the recent generation of consoles (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii) support [[downloadable content]], allowing players to purchase new songs to play in the respective titles.  Songs each cost approximately [[USD|$]]2 through the various online stores for the console's platform.  Prior to ''Guitar Hero 5'', downloadable content for earlier games will not work in other games in the series, save for songs from [[Metallica]]'s ''[[Death Magnetic]]'', which were available for ''Guitar Hero III'', ''World Tour'', and ''Metallica''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://kotaku.com/5046652/metallicas-new-album-hits-guitar-hero-friday | title=Metallica's New Album Hits Guitar Hero Friday | website=Kotaku | first=Brian | last=Crecente | date=2008-09-08 | access-date=2008-09-11}}</ref> Existing ''World Tour'' downloadable content for ''World Tour'' will be forward-compatible with ''Guitar Hero 5'', ''Band Hero''<ref name="gh5 preview">{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58645 | title=First Guitar Hero 5 Songs Include Johnny Cash; Compatibility with GH World Tour DLC Confirmed | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | first=Chris | last=Faylor | date=2009-05-15 | access-date=2009-05-15 }}</ref> and ''Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock'', and for a small fee, some songs from both ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' and ''Guitar Hero Smash Hits'' can be exported to both ''Guitar Hero 5'' and ''Band Hero'', limited by music licensing.<ref name="ign gh5 hands-on"/> Activision has also stated that they are considering a monthly [[subscription business model|subscription service]] to deliver downloadable content to user for future games.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54774 | title=Guitar Hero DLC Subscription Being Evaluated by Activision, Plans to Make Lots of Money | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | date=2008-09-16 | access-date=2008-09-16 | first=Blake | last=Ellison}}</ref>  ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' introduced a music creation mode that will allow players to create and share songs (excluding vocals) via the "GHTunes" service, which was also used in all other ''Guitar Hero'' games and ''Band Hero'' since its inclusion. The creation tools were improved with ''Guitar Hero 5'' and ''Band Hero'' to allow longer songs and other means of generating songs in real-time.

In the first two games and the 2007 expansion ''[[Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s]]'', the majority of the songs on the main career mode set lists are [[cover version|covers]] of the original song; for example, a song may be presented as "''[[Free Bird]] as made famous by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]]''".<ref name="independent gh influence">{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/rocktastic-how-guitar-hero-brought-stardom-to-the-masses-1669257.html | title=Rocktastic: How Guitar Hero brought stardom to the masses | newspaper=[[The Independent]] | date=2009-04-16 | access-date=2009-04-16 | location=London}}</ref>  ''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' introduces a much larger range of original recordings, and ''World Tour'' featured a setlist that contained all [[master recording]]s.  The covers throughout the games are mostly recreated by [[WaveGroup Sound]] who has worked before to create songs for ''[[Beatmania]]'', ''Dance Dance Revolution'', and ''Karaoke Revolution'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/creating-the-songs-behind-guitar-hero-iii/71088/?biz=1 | title=Creating the Songs Behind ''Guitar Hero III'' | date=2007-10-24 | access-date=2007-10-24 | publisher=GameBizDaily | first=Michael | last=Mullen}}</ref> making small changes to the guitar portions to make them more adaptable for gameplay.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2008/08/soundalikes | title=Guitar Hero, Rock Band and the Rock 'n' Roll Money Machine | magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | first=Bill | last=Hochberg | date=2008-08-02 | access-date=2008-09-25}}</ref>  Almost all of the unlockable bonus songs are songs performed by the original artist for the game (the only exception is the song "[[She Bangs the Drums]]" by [[The Stone Roses]], which is featured in ''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'').

Prior to the release of ''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'', Activision worked with the [[iTunes Store]] to provide more than 1300 tracks of ''Guitar Hero''-related music across more than 20 compilations, including most of the tracks from the games in the series, called "''Guitar Hero Essentials''". These compilations, such as "''Killer Guitar Solos''" and "''Guitar Anthems of the <nowiki>'</nowiki>80s''", include songs related to but not contained within the ''Guitar Hero'' series. Dusty Welch of RedOctane stated, "Where there's music, there's ''Guitar Hero'', and with iTunes, we are able to provide fans with a central location for downloading their favorite rock anthems."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071023005891&newsLang=en | title=''Guitar Hero Essentials'' Now Available on iTunes | date=2007-10-23 | access-date=2007-10-23 | publisher=[[Activision]] }}</ref> Following the merger of Activision and Blizzard, the new company announced plans to create an alternative to iTunes based on the ''Guitar Hero'' brand that would allow for downloading songs and their associated note tracks for the ''Guitar Hero'' games.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/39a8e912-4ee0-11dd-ba7c-000077b07658.html | title=Activision aims to take on iTunes | newspaper=[[Financial Times]] | first=Matthew | last=Garrahan |author2=Nutrall, Chris | date=2008-07-10 | access-date=2009-01-02}}</ref>

==Reception and sales==
<!--- Please do not remove scores from gamerankings.com (as they includes reviews that aren't on Metacritic); the webpages (sources) can still be viewed via the Wayback Machine at web.archive.org--->{{VG Series Reviews
|updated = December 25, 2010
|gr = yes
|game1 = [[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]
|gr1 = (PS2) 91.96%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/928520-guitar-hero/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref>
|mc1 = (PS2) 91<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2|title=''Guitar Hero'' Reviews|access-date=25 December 2010|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901154311/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/guitar-hero|archive-date=2010-09-01|url-status=live}}</ref>
|game2 = [[Guitar Hero II]]
|gr2 = (X360) 92.29%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/935834-guitar-hero-ii/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero II'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref><br />(PS2) 92.07%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/932565-guitar-hero-ii/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero II'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref>
|mc2 = (X360) 92<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|title=''Guitar Hero II'' Reviews|access-date=25 December 2010|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817230341/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/guitar-hero-ii|archive-date=2010-08-17|url-status=live}}</ref><br />(PS2) 92<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2|title=''Guitar Hero II'' Reviews|access-date=25 December 2010|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816120649/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/guitar-hero-ii|archive-date=2010-08-16|url-status=live}}</ref>
|game3 = [[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]
|gr3 = (Wii) 86.26%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/938224-guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref><br />(X360) 85.75%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/939093-guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref><br />(PS2) 85.50%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/939091-guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref><br />(PS3) 83.77%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/939092-guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref><br />(PC) 78.00%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/943274-guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref>
|mc3 = (Wii) 86<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock/critic-reviews/?platform=wii|title=''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' Reviews|access-date=25 December 2010|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815081917/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock|archive-date=2010-08-15|url-status=live}}</ref><br />(X360) 85<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|title=''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' Reviews|access-date=25 December 2010|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815082349/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock|archive-date=2010-08-15|url-status=live}}</ref><br />(PS3) 83<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3|title=''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' Reviews|access-date=25 December 2010|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816112354/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock|archive-date=2010-08-16|url-status=live}}</ref><br />(PS2) 82<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2|title=''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' Reviews|access-date=25 December 2010|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816120654/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock|archive-date=2010-08-16|url-status=live}}</ref><br />(PC) 79<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-iii-legends-of-rock/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |website=[[Metacritic]] }}</ref>
|game4 = [[Guitar Hero World Tour]]
|gr4 = (Wii) 86.28%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/944203-guitar-hero-world-tour/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero World Tour'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref><br />(X360) 84.44%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/944201-guitar-hero-world-tour/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero World Tour'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref><br />(PS3) 83.33%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/944200-guitar-hero-world-tour/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero World Tour'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref><br />(PS2) 81.20%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/946337-guitar-hero-world-tour/index.html |title=''Guitar Hero World Tour'' Reviews |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] }}</ref>
|mc4 = (Wii) 86<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-world-tour-2009/critic-reviews/?platform=wii|title=''Guitar Hero World Tour'' Reviews|access-date=25 December 2010|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819083028/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/guitar-hero-world-tour|archive-date=2010-08-19|url-status=live}}</ref><br />(X360) 85<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-world-tour-2009/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|title=''Guitar Hero World Tour'' Reviews|access-date=25 December 2010|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819075042/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/guitar-hero-world-tour|archive-date=2010-08-19|url-status=live}}</ref><br />(PS3) 84<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-world-tour-2009/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3|title=''Guitar Hero World Tour'' Reviews|access-date=25 December 2010|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818014912/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/guitar-hero-world-tour|archive-date=2010-08-18|url-status=live}}</ref>
|game5 = [[Guitar Hero 5]]
|gr5 = (Wii) 89.58%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/960094-guitar-hero-5/index.html |title=Guitar Hero 5 for Wii – GameRankings |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]]}}</ref><br />(PS3) 86.58%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/960092-guitar-hero-5/index.html |title=Guitar Hero 5 for PlayStation 3 – GameRankings |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]]}}</ref><br />(X360) 85.66%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/960093-guitar-hero-5/index.html |title=Guitar Hero 5 for Xbox 360 – GameRankings |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]]}}</ref><br />(PS2) 45.00%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/960220-guitar-hero-5/index.html |title=Guitar Hero 5 for PlayStation 2 – GameRankings |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]]}}</ref>
|mc5 = (Wii) 89<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-5/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Guitar Hero 5 for Wii Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |access-date=25 December 2010 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref><br />(PS3) 86<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-5/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Guitar Hero 5 for PlayStation 3 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |access-date=25 December 2010 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref><br />(X360) 85<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-5/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Guitar Hero 5 for Xbox 360 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |access-date=25 December 2010 |website=[[Metacritic]] }}</ref><br />(PS2) 71<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-5/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Guitar Hero 5 for PlayStation 2 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |access-date=25 December 2010 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>
|game6 = [[Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock]]
|gr6 = (Wii) 80.07%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/991402-guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock/index.html |title=Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock for Wii – GameRankings |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]]}}</ref><br />(X360) 75.20%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/991401-guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock/index.html |title=Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock for Xbox 360 – GameRankings |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]]}}</ref><br />(PS3) 74.35%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/991400-guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock/index.html |title=Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock for PlayStation 3 – GameRankings |access-date=25 December 2010 |publisher=[[GameRankings]]}}</ref>
|mc6 = (Wii) 77<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock for Wii Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |access-date=25 December 2010 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref><br />(PS3) 74<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock for PlayStation 3 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |access-date=25 December 2010 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref><br />(X360) 72<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock for Xbox 360 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |access-date=25 December 2010 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>
|game7 = [[Guitar Hero Live]]
|gr7 = (WIIU) 83.75%<ref name="GRWIIU">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii-u/149187-guitar-hero-live/index.html |title=Guitar Hero Live for Wii U |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref><br />(PS4) 81.91%<ref name="GRPS4">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/146573-guitar-hero-live/index.html |title=Guitar Hero Live for PlayStation 4 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref><br />(XONE) 80.93%<ref name="GRXONE">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xboxone/146574-guitar-hero-live/index.html |title=Guitar Hero Live for Xbox One |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref>
|mc7 = (WIIU) 84/100<ref name="MCWIIU">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-live/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u |title=Guitar Hero Live for Wii U Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=20 October 2015}}</ref><br />(XONE) 81/100<ref name="MCXONE">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-live/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Guitar Hero Live for Xbox One Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=20 October 2015}}</ref><br />(PS4) 80/100<ref name="MCPS4">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guitar-hero-live/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Guitar Hero Live for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=20 October 2015}}</ref>
}}

Games in the ''Guitar Hero'' series have been generally well received by critics. The initial games were highly praised by reviewers.<ref name="ign gh1 review">{{cite web | url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/663/663674p1.html | title=Guitar Hero (Game & Guitar Controller Bundle) Review | first=Chris | last=Roper | website=IGN | date=2005-11-02 | access-date=2008-07-24 | archive-date=2012-08-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817035228/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/663/663674p1.html | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="gamespot gh1 review">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/guitarhero/review.html?sid=6137018 |title=Guitar Hero for PlayStation 2 Review |first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=2005-11-01 |access-date=2008-07-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120729/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/guitarhero/review.html?sid=6137018 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="IGN gh2 review PS2">{{cite web | url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/743/743905p1.html | title=Guitar Hero II Review (PS2) | website=IGN | last=Roper | first=Chris | date=2006-11-03 | access-date=2008-07-24 | archive-date=2012-08-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822045711/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/743/743905p1.html | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="IGN gh2 review Xbox 360">{{cite web | url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/777/777444p1.html | title=Guitar Hero II (Game Controller and Game Bundle) review | website=IGN | last=Brudvig | first=Erik | date=2007-03-30 | access-date=2008-07-24}}</ref> Neversoft's first entry to the series, ''Guitar Hero III'', was considered to be too difficult, with many difficult songs presenting players with "walls of notes"; the developers later acknowledged this.<ref name="ign gh3 review">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/830/830837p1.html?RSSwhen2007-10-28_090000&RSSid=830837|website=IGN|title=IGN ''Guitar Hero III'' review|first=Erik|last=Brudvig|date=2007-10-28|access-date=2008-07-24}}</ref><ref name="gamespy gh3 review">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/guitar-hero-iii/831299p1.html|title=GameSpy ''Guitar Hero III'' review|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|date=2007-10-29|access-date=2008-07-24}}</ref><ref name="usatoday interview">{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2008-12-14-metallica-game-qanda_N.htm | title='Guitar Hero' strikes the right chord with Metallica | first=Mike | last=Snider | newspaper=[[USA Today]] | date=2008-12-15 | access-date=2008-12-19}}</ref> Subsequent efforts in ''Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'' and ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' were seen to have some improvements, with ''Guitar Hero: Metallica'' considered to be a well-polished title and, at that time, the best ''Guitar Hero'' title Neversoft has produced.<ref name="eurogamer ghm review">{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/guitar-hero-metallica-review | title=Guitar Hero: Metallica  | date=2009-04-14 | access-date=2009-04-17 | first=Simon | last=Parkin | website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref><ref name="oxm ghm review">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/g-l/guitar-hero-metallica | title=Guitar Hero: Metallica | first=Ryan | last=McCaffrey | date=2009-03-30 | access-date=2009-03-31 | magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] }}</ref> ''Guitar Hero 5''{{'}}s improvements toward social gameplay were complemented by reviewers and considered a further improvement upon the series. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' put it on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, "An addictive videogame provides the illusion of musical mastery for even the least gifted:. How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Tap, tap, tap."<ref>Geier, Thom; Jensen, Jeff; Jordan, Tina; Lyons, Margaret; Markovitz, Adam; Nashawaty, Chris; Pastorek, Whitney; Rice, Lynette; Rottenberg, Josh; Schwartz, Missy; Slezak, Michael; Snierson, Dan; Stack, Tim; Stroup, Kate; Tucker, Ken; Vary, Adam B.; Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Ward, Kate (December 11, 2009), "The 100 greatest movies, TV shows, albums, books, characters, scenes, episodes, songs, dresses, music videos, and trends that entertained us over the past 10 years". Entertainment Weekly. (1079/1080):74-84</ref>

Upon release, the first game was seen as an [[sleeper hit|unexpected hit]], earning over [[United States dollar|US$]]45 million with about 1.5 million copies sold.<ref name="pd huangs">{{cite news | url=http://blog.cleveland.com/pdextra/2008/03/guitar_hero_cofounders_turned.html | title="Guitar Hero" co-founders turned a bright idea into $100&nbsp;million | newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] | first=John | last=Petkovic | date=2008-03-28 | access-date=2008-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/magazine/15-10/mf_harmonix?currentPage=2 | title=Full-On Rock Band Makes Jamming Follow-Up to Guitar Hero | magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | first=Chris | last=Kohler | date=2007-09-14 | access-date=2008-07-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |title=US Platinum Videogame Chart |publisher=The Magic Box |date=2007-12-27 |access-date=2008-07-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421003854/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=2007-04-21 }}</ref> ''Guitar Hero II'' was significantly more financially successful, with over 1.3 million copies sold and sales over US$200 million.<ref name="pd huangs"/><ref name="1UP NPD 2006">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156365|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927212604/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156365|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-09-27|title=NPD Releases December Numbers, Fanboys Riot|date=2007-01-11|access-date=2008-07-24|publisher=1up|last=Klepek|first=Patrick}}</ref> ''Guitar Hero III'', according to Activision, was the first single video game to sell more than US$1 billion at retail, with nearly 3.5 million copies sold during the first seven months of 2008.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Leading Market Research Firms Join Forces to Provide First Multi-Continent View Of Video Game Software Sales |url=http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_080821.html |date=2008-08-21 |access-date=2008-10-08 |publisher=[[NPD Group]] |archive-date=2018-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919083303/https://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_080821.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="sn-highest">{{cite web |access-date=2009-02-10 |url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/56720 |title=Guitar Hero 3 Is The Highest Grossing Retail Game Ever, Claims Activision |publisher=Shacknews |date=2009-01-12 |author=Faylor, Chris }}</ref> ''World Tour'' continued the series' high sales records with 3.4 million units sold in the United States during 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6203634.html | title=Guitar Hero World Tour sells 3.4M in '08, Rock Band 2 hits 1.7M | first=Tor | last=Thorsen | website=[[GameSpot]] | date=2009-01-24 | access-date=2009-01-26 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130031424/http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6203634.html | archive-date=2009-01-30 }}</ref> More than 60 million downloadable tracks have been purchased across the series as of February 2010.<ref name="vg247 2010 skus"/> Both ''Guitar Hero III'' and ''World Tour'' were listed on a March 2011 list from the NPD Group of top-grossing games in unadjusted sales in the United States since 1995; ''Guitar Hero III'' tops the list with total sales of $830.9 million.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.cnbc.com/2011/03/24/call-of-duty-guitar-hero-top-alltime-best-selling-list.html?__source=yahoo%7Cheadline%7Cquote%7Ctext%7C&par=yahoo | title = Call of Duty, Guitar Hero Top All-Time Best Selling List | publisher = [[CNBC]] | first = Chris | last = Morris | date = 2011-03-24 | access-date = 2011-03-24 }}{{cite web | url = https://www.cnbc.com/2011/03/24/The-Best-Selling-Video-Games-of-This-Generation.html?slide=1 | title=  The Best Selling Video Games of This Generation | date = 2011-03-24 | access-date = 2011-03-24 | publisher = [[CNBC]] }}</ref>

Overall, the ''Guitar Hero'' series has sold more than 25 million units worldwide, earning US$2 billion at retail. Activision claimed the series to be the 3rd largest game franchise in 2009 after the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' and ''[[Madden NFL]]'' franchises.<ref name="salesfigure">{{cite web|url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/indepth/gaming/s/reuters/081009/tecnology/ctech_us_videogames_bands_tech_life |title=Virtual battle of the bands rocks on |last=Gaudiosi |first=John |date=2008-10-09 |agency=[[Reuters]] |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |access-date=2008-10-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216124428/http://ca.news.yahoo.com/indepth/gaming/s/reuters/081009/tecnology/ctech_us_videogames_bands_tech_life |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="1billion">{{cite web | url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/guitar-hero-breaks-1-bln | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906082152/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/guitar-hero-breaks-1-bln | url-status=dead | archive-date=2012-09-06 | title=''Guitar Hero'' Breaks $1 bln | publisher=Next Gen Business | first=Kris | last=Graft | date=2008-01-21 | access-date=2008-01-21 }}</ref><ref name="2billion">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23537 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508190911/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23537 | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 8, 2009 | title=Kotick: Guitar Hero Now $2 Billion Franchise | website=[[Gamasutra]] | first=Simon | last=Carless | date=2009-05-07 | access-date=2009-05-07 }}</ref>

==Cultural impact==
{{Main|Cultural impact of the Guitar Hero series}}

The ''Guitar Hero'' series has made a significant cultural impact, becoming a "cultural phenomenon".<ref name="nytimes"/><ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/70181 | title=The Low Cost of (Guitar) Heroism | first=Steven | last=Levy | magazine=[[Newsweek]] | date=2007-01-29 | access-date=2007-08-08}}</ref> The series has helped to rekindle music education in children, influenced changes in both the video game and music industry, has found use in health and treatment of recovering patients, and has become part of the popular culture vernacular. Several journalists, including [[1UP.com]],<ref name="1up decade">{{cite web | url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3178082 | title=The Decade That Was: Essential Newcomers | first=Jeremy | last=Parish | date=2010-02-26 | access-date=2010-02-26 | website=[[1UP.com]] | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629031546/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3178082 | archive-date=2011-06-29 }}</ref> ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/12/the-15-most-influential-games-of-the-decade/ | title=The 15 Most Influential Games of the Decade | magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | date=2009-12-24 | access-date=2009-12-24 | first=Chris | last=Kohler }}</ref> [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/701459/The-First-Decade-Ten-Influential-Games.html | title=The First Decade: Ten Influential Games | first=Andrew | last=Pfister | date=2009-12-21 | access-date=2009-12-23 | publisher=[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]] | archive-date=2020-04-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421204404/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/games | url-status=dead }}</ref> the ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mercurynews.com/columns/ci_13996107 | title=Artistry, innovation key in the Top 15 video games of the decade | work=[[San Jose Mercury News]] | first=Gieson | last=Cacho | date=2009-12-18 | access-date=2009-12-23 }}</ref> ''[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.inc.com/articles/2009/the-smartest-products.html | title=The Smartest Products of the Decade | date= 2009-12-21 | access-date= 2009-12-23 | first=Patrick | last=Sauer | work=[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]]}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'',<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2009/dec/16/games-decade-playtime-took-over | title=Video games: the decade when playtime took over | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=2009-12-16 | access-date=2009-12-23 | first=Keith | last=Stuart | location=London}}</ref> and ''[[Advertising Age]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://adage.com/article?article_id=141032 | title=Book of Tens: New Products of the Decade | date=2009-12-14 | access-date=2009-12-23 | magazine=[[Advertising Age]]}}</ref> considered ''Guitar Hero'' to be one of the most influential products of the first decade of the 21st century, attributing it as the spark leading to the growth of the rhythm game market, for boosting music sales for both new and old artists, for introducing more social gaming concepts to the video game market, and, in conjunction with the [[Wii]], for improving interactivity with gaming consoles. ''Guitar Hero'' has seen a revitalization in the form of a [[Clone (computing)|software clone]] called ''[[Clone Hero]]'', as observed in 2020.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-05-01-meet-the-community-reviving-classic-guitar-hero-gameplay-in-their-own-clone|title=The spirit of Guitar Hero lives on in a bizarre community-made clone|last=Stubbs|first=Mike|date=2018-05-01|website=Eurogamer|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403231817/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-05-01-meet-the-community-reviving-classic-guitar-hero-gameplay-in-their-own-clone|archive-date=2020-04-03|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/guitar-heroes-never-die-they-just-start-playing-clone-1828254899|title=Guitar Heroes never die, they just start playing Clone Hero|last=Neilan|first=Dan|date=August 10, 2018|website=AV Club|language=en-us|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403231952/https://news.avclub.com/guitar-heroes-never-die-they-just-start-playing-clone-1828254899|archive-date=2020-04-03|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/meet-the-streamer-making-guitar-hero-cool-again-one-insanely-hard-song-at-a-time/|title=Meet the streamer making Guitar Hero cool again, one insanely hard song at a time|last=Winkie|first=Luke|date=2018-07-24|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403232128/https://www.pcgamer.com/meet-the-streamer-making-guitar-hero-cool-again-one-insanely-hard-song-at-a-time/|archive-date=2020-04-03|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref>

==Legal and practical issues==
===PlayStation 3 incompatibility===
Sony's [[PlayStation 3]] console has no compatibility with the [[PlayStation 2]] ''Guitar Hero'' controller on the system. While ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Guitar Hero II'' are fully backward-compatible through the hardware PlayStation 2 emulation in the initial North American release of the console, it was impossible at launch to use the guitar controller to play either game. Kai Huang, of RedOctane, states that they are "working on that with Sony right now – looking at how we can get all the PlayStation 2 guitars that are out there, and all the owners of them, to use them on the PlayStation 3."<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-04-01|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=75391&page=1|title=Eurogamer – Guitar Hero III's Rock 'N' Slide Star|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=17 April 2007|archive-date=2020-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513093956/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/guitar-hero-iiis-rock-n-roll-star-interview|url-status=dead}}</ref>  [[Nyko]], an accessories company, was poised to make a special PlayStation 2 controller adapter for the PlayStation 3, but put the product on hold due to technical difficulties. Tac, another accessories company, also made a PlayStation 2 controller adapter for a PlayStation 3 game console so players could use their ''Guitar Hero'' guitar controllers that were made for the PlayStation 2 with a PlayStation 3.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-04-01|url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/nyko/nyko-clarifies-guitar-hero-adaptor-cancellation-248586.php|title=Kotaku: Nyko explains issues with ''Guitar Hero'' adapter|website=Kotaku|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312092216/http://kotaku.com/gaming/nyko/nyko-clarifies-guitar-hero-adaptor-cancellation-248586.php|archive-date=2008-03-12}}</ref> However, the May 2007 PlayStation 3 V1.80 system update has made the guitar controller compatible with generic PlayStation 2 controller to USB adapters when playing ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Guitar Hero II''.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-04-01|url=http://forum.guitarherogame.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=18480|title=Making the controller work on PS3|work=guitarherogame.com forums|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070701100329/http://forum.guitarherogame.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=18480|archive-date=2007-07-01}}</ref> In addition, Pelican Accessories has released a special controller adapter that supports both games, including the ability to switch the handedness of the guitar.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-04-01|url=http://www.aeropause.com/2007/05/will-pelicans-usb-adapter-let-you-play-guitar-hero-on-the-ps3/|title=Aeropause – Will Pelican's USB Adapter Let You ''Guitar Hero'' on PS3?|publisher=Aeropause|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525165705/http://www.aeropause.com/2007/05/will-pelicans-usb-adapter-let-you-play-guitar-hero-on-the-ps3/|archive-date=2008-05-25}}</ref>

===Litigation===
[[Gibson Guitar Corporation]], whose guitar likenesses have appeared in the ''Guitar Hero'' series from the first game to ''Guitar Hero Aerosmith'', informed Activision on January 7, 2008, that it believed the games infringe its {{US patent|5990405}}. Gibson claimed that this covers technology that simulates a concert performance via pre-recorded audio and a musical instrument. In response, Activision filed a suit seeking a declaration that it was not in violation of the Gibson patent; Activision also asserted that Gibson had given an implied license by [[laches (equity)|waiting to assert the patent]] and that the patent was invalid.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1222156920080312 | title=Activision's ''Guitar Hero'' violates patent: Gibson | work=[[Reuters|Reuters News]] | last=Hillis | first=Scott |author2=Gina Keating | date=2008-03-12 | access-date=2008-03-12 }}</ref>  On March 17, 2008, Gibson sued six retailers ([[GameStop]], [[Amazon.com]], [[Wal-Mart]], [[Target Corporation|Target]], [[Toys "R" Us]] and [[Kmart (United States)|Kmart]]) for selling ''Guitar Hero'' products.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/51860 | title=Gibson Sues Retailers for Selling ''Guitar Hero'' | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | date=2008-03-20 | access-date=2008-03-30 | first=Chris | last=Faylor }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.shacknews.com/docs/press/20080320_.x | title=Press Statement from Gibson Guitar in Regards to ''Guitar Hero'' Retailer Lawsuit | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | date=2008-03-20 | access-date=2008-03-20 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327100331/http://www.shacknews.com/docs/press/20080320_.x | archive-date=2008-03-27 }}</ref>  Subsequently, on March 21, 2008, Gibson also filed a lawsuit against EA, MTV, and Harmonix over their game ''[[Rock Band (video game)|Rock Band]]'' also for violation of its patent, to which a Harmonix spokesperson stated that Gibson's claims are "completely without merit".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/51876 | title=Gibson Sues EA, MTV, Harmonix over Rock Band; Update: Harmonix Responds, Denies Allegations | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | date=2008-03-21 | access-date=2008-03-21 | first=Chris | last=Faylor}}</ref>  Activision lawyer Mary Tuck stated in their legal filings that they believe that Gibson initiated the lawsuit due to the fact that "Activision was not <nowiki>[</nowiki>interested<nowiki>]</nowiki> in renewing the License and Marketing Support Agreement" with Gibson Guitars.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1583874/20080321/id_0.jhtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325035130/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1583874/20080321/id_0.jhtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 25, 2008 | title=Gibson Guitar Company Sues Retailers, MTV Over 'Guitar Hero' And 'Rock Band' | publisher=MTV | date=2008-03-21 | access-date=2008-03-26 | first=Stephen |last=Totilo }}</ref>
In February 2009, the United States District Court for the Central District of California ruled against Gibson in their case against Activision, stating that the controllers are not musical instruments but "toys that represent other items", and that Gibson's patent only covers instruments that send out analog signals.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/gibson-loses-guitar-hero-patent-lawsuit-booed-off-stage/ | title=Gibson loses Guitar Hero patent lawsuit, gets booed off stage | first=Nilay | last=Patel | date=2009-03-02 | access-date=2009-03-02 | publisher=[[Engadget]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite court | litigants=Activision Publishers, Inc. vs Gibson Guitars Corp. | court=United States District Court, Central District of California | date=2009-02-26 | url=http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/gh_ruling.PDF }} {{Cite web |url=http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/gh_ruling.PDF |title=Order DENYING Gibson's Motion for Reconsideration of the Claim Construction Order, SUSTAINING Activision's Objections to Evidence, and GRANTING Activision's Motion for Summary Judgment |access-date=March 2, 2009 |archive-date=March 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319222707/http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/gh_ruling.PDF |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> Activision and Gibson settled the suit following this ruling.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/activision-gibson-settle-latest-suit | title=Activision, Gibson Settle Latest Suit | date=2009-04-24 | access-date=2009-04-24 | website=[[Gamasutra]] | first=Kris | last=Graft }}</ref>

Activision, through John Devecka,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/10/gamesetinvestigation_the_guita.php|title=GameSetWatch GameSetInvestigation: The Guitar Hero Patent Mystery|access-date=1 January 2017|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922053113/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/10/gamesetinvestigation_the_guita.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> owns all of Devecka Enterprises' US and international patents<ref>{{cite web|url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5739457.PN.&OS=PN/5739457&RS=PN/5739457|title=United States Patent: 5739457 – Method and apparatus for simulating a jam session and instructing a user in how to play the drums|access-date=1 January 2017|archive-date=20 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420043530/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5739457.PN.&OS=PN/5739457&RS=PN/5739457|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6018121.PN.&OS=PN/6018121&RS=PN/6018121|title=United States Patent: 6018121 – Method and apparatus for simulating a jam session and instructing a user in how to play the drums|access-date=1 January 2017|archive-date=20 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420035917/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6018121.PN.&OS=PN/6018121&RS=PN/6018121|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html&r=0&f=S&l=50&TERM1=devecka&FIELD1=INNM&co1=AND&TERM2=&FIELD2=&d=PTXT|title=Patent Database Search Results: IN/devecka in US Patent Collection|access-date=1 January 2017|archive-date=20 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420021015/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html&r=0&f=S&l=50&TERM1=devecka&FIELD1=INNM&co1=AND&TERM2=&FIELD2=&d=PTXT|url-status=dead}}</ref> that deal with music games. All patents issued by the [[United States Patent and Trademark Office|USPTO]] are presumed valid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/documents/appxl_35_U_S_C_282.htm|title=35 U.S.C. 282 Presumption of validity; defenses. – Patent Laws<!-- Bot generated title -->|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607183821/http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/documents/appxl_35_U_S_C_282.htm|archive-date=2008-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028103622/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16014|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 28, 2007|title=Exclusive: Exploring Guitar Hero III 's Patent Secrets|first=Simon|last=Carless|access-date=1 January 2017}}</ref>

In February 2010, Activision was sued by the Patent Compliance Group (PCG) for releasing ''Guitar Hero'' products with false patent claims, with the PCG asserting that games like ''Guitar Hero 5'' and ''Band Hero'' were marked with up to 10 patents that are not used within the games along with several other improper [[patent pending]] claims. PCG claimed that "Acts of false marketing deter innovation and stifle competition in the marketplace." PCG's ''[[qui tam]]'' lawsuit was seeking up to $500 per unit sold if Activision was found liable.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://thresq.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/02/band-hero.html#more | title=Lawsuit challenges 'Guitar Hero' ads claiming patent | first=Eriq | last=Gardner | date=2010-02-19 | access-date=2010-02-22 | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224075140/http://thresq.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/02/band-hero.html#more | archive-date=2010-02-24 | url-status=dead }}</ref> However, by June 2010, PCG had withdrawn the case [[without prejudice]].<ref>{{cite court |litigants= Patent Compliance Group v. Activision Publishing|court=N.D. Tex. |date=June 1, 2010 |url= https://www.unitedstatescourts.org/federal/txnd/193684/16-0.html|access-date= December 2, 2016|quote="Relator Patent Compliance Group, Inc. voluntarily dismisses without prejudice the above-entitled action against Defendant Activision Publishing, Inc."}}</ref>

Aside from being a defendant, Activision has also acted as a plaintiff. In 2007, the company issued a [[cease and desist]] letter to Nicholas Piegdon, the developer of an open source piano teaching program called ''Piano Hero'', demanding he change the name to something less similar to that of the ''Guitar Hero'' series. He complied and renamed the software ''[[Synthesia (video game)|Synthesia]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://synthesia.app/support/history/cease | work=Synthesia Official Website | access-date=2019-07-19 | title='Piano Hero' Name Cease And Desist From Activision}}</ref>

===Oversaturation===
{{Timeline of release years
| subtitle = A timeline of the major North American releases for the ''Guitar Hero'' series from 2005 to 2011,<br>including the saturation of titles around 2008 and 2009
| 2005 = ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]''
| 2006 = ''[[Guitar Hero II]]''
| 2007a = ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock|III: Legends of Rock]]''
| 2007b = ''[[Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s|Encore: Rocks the 80s]]''
| 2008a = ''[[Guitar Hero World Tour|World Tour]]''
| 2008b = ''[[Guitar Hero: Aerosmith|Aerosmith]]''
| 2008c = ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour|On Tour]]''
| 2008d = ''[[Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades|On Tour: Decades]]''
| 2009a = ''[[Guitar Hero: Metallica|Metallica]]''
| 2009b = ''[[Guitar Hero Smash Hits|Smash Hits]]''
| 2009c = ''[[Guitar Hero 5]]''
| 2009d = ''[[DJ Hero]]''
| 2009e = ''[[Band Hero]]''
| 2009f = ''[[Guitar Hero: Van Halen|Van Halen]]''
| 2010a = ''[[Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits|On Tour: Modern Hits]]''
| 2010b = ''[[Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock|Warriors of Rock]]''
| 2010c = ''[[DJ Hero 2]]''
}}

Many critics believed that the number of releases of ''Guitar Hero'' games was "milking" the brand name and oversaturating the market.<ref name="computerandvideogames1"/><ref name="escapistmagazine1">{{cite web | url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89407-Guitar-Hero-Gets-Greatest-Hits | title=Guitar Hero Gets "Greatest Hits" | first=Logan | last=Fredrick | date=2009-02-12 | access-date=2009-02-16 | publisher=The Escapist | archive-date=2020-06-30 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630152303/https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89407-Guitar-Hero-Gets-Greatest-Hits | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1003 | title=Vicarious Visions Interview: On Guitar Hero Wii and DS | first=Chris | last=Faylor | date=2008-09-14 | access-date=2009-02-16 | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920045522/http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1003 | archive-date=2008-09-20 }}</ref> ''[[PaRappa the Rapper]]'' creator [[Masaya Matsuura]] stated that the video game market was growing stale and needed to move beyond games that simply challenge the player to mimic the playing of licensed music.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/850/850845p1.html | title=DICE 2008: NanaOn-Shame on You | first=Ryan | last=Geddes | date=2009-02-08 | access-date=2009-04-29 | website=IGN | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223014601/http://wii.ign.com/articles/850/850845p1.html | archive-date=2009-02-23 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Ryan Geddes of [[IGN]] stated that he "hit the wall with play-along music games", and challenged the game makers to explore other ways to combine music and video games.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/969/969689p1.html | title=Editorial: The Year the Music Died | website=IGN | first=Ryan | last=Geddes | date=2009-04-09 | access-date=2009-04-09 }}</ref> Analysts stated that such games must continue to innovate instead of just providing more songs in order to prevent "genre fatigue".<ref name=toomuch>{{cite web | url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/30754014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228145733/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/30754014/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 28, 2013 | title=How much 'Guitar Hero' is too much? | publisher=[[NBC News]] | first=Kristin | last=Kalning | date=2009-05-18 | access-date=2009-05-18 }}</ref> [[Jesse Divnich]] of Electronic Entertainment and Design Research commented that, much like ''Dance Dance Revolution'', ''Guitar Hero'' and other music games explosively grew initially due to significant new features from other games but have become stagnant due to focusing on content over features, and suggested that for the genre to continue to grow, they must look to incremental changes as done with the [[first-person shooter]] genre.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.industrygamers.com/news/the-divnich-debrief-roadblocks-in-the-music-genre/1/ | title=The Divnich Debrief: Roadblocks in the Music Genre | first=Jesse | last=Divnich | publisher=[[Industry Gamers]] | date=2009-07-20 | access-date=2009-07-22 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727020842/http://www.industrygamers.com/news/the-divnich-debrief-roadblocks-in-the-music-genre/1/ | archive-date=2009-07-27 }}</ref> Former CEO for RedOctane, Kelly Sumner, believed that Activision "abused" the series, as "they tried to get too much out of the franchise too quickly".<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.mcvuk.com/features/863/No-More-Guitar-Heroes | title = No More (Guitar) Heroes | magazine = [[MCV (magazine)|MCV]] | date = 2011-02-18 | access-date = 2011-02-18 | first = Christopher | last = Dring }}</ref>

The series has also been criticized for its release model in contrast to the ''Rock Band'' series, causing some players to hold contempt towards Activision.<ref name="teamxbox review"/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/technology/news/e3i7c23ccda60974aa21df05f695913bd86?pn=1 |title=MTV formulating Rock Band Network |date=2009-07-17 |access-date=2009-07-30 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Antony |last=Bruno |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103024631/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/technology/news/e3i7c23ccda60974aa21df05f695913bd86?pn=1 |archive-date=November 3, 2012 }}</ref> Harmonix considered the ''Rock Band'' series as a "music platform", and  supported it with downloadable content and the ability to import songs from its games and expansions into most other games of the series.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/885/885168p1.html | title=Rock Band 2: The Opening Act | date=2008-06-30 | access-date=2009-06-28 | first=Hilary | last=Goldstein | website=IGN}}</ref> Critics argued that ''Guitar Hero'' should have been doing the same, either through releasing expansions that could be incorporated into the main games of the series, or by issuing the songs as downloadable content.<ref name="ign metallica">{{cite web|url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/967/967551p1.html | title=Guitar Hero: Metallica Review | first=Chris | last=Roper | date=2009-03-29 | access-date=2009-06-30 | website=IGN}}</ref><ref name="ign smashhits">{{cite web | url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/995/995866p1.html | title=Guitar Hero: Smash Hits Review | first=Chris | last=Roper | date=2009-06-17 | access-date=2009-06-27 | website=IGN}}</ref><ref name="giant bomb smashhits">{{cite web | url=http://www.giantbomb.com/guitar-hero-smash-hits/61-25521/reviews/ | title=Guitar Hero: Smash Hits | publisher=[[Giant Bomb]] | first=Jeff | last=Gerstmann | date=2009-06-25 | access-date=2009-06-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/07/black-hole-games/ | first=Chris | last=Kohler | date=2009-07-30 | access-date=2009-07-31 | magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |title=5 Games to Throw Down a Black Hole (and 5 We'd Pull Out)}}</ref> The release of ''Guitar Hero: Smash Hits'', reworking older songs from the series to full four-instrument band support but otherwise adding no additional material, was called "the definition of 'milking'" by reviewers, with no observable technical limitation as to why the songs could not be added as downloadable content.<ref name="teamxbox review">{{cite web | url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1720/Guitar-Hero-Smash-Hits/p1/ | title=Guitar Hero Smash Hits Review (Xbox 360) | publisher=[[Team Xbox]] | date=2009-06-17 | access-date=2009-06-30 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622173805/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1720/Guitar-Hero-Smash-Hits/p1 | archive-date=2009-06-22 }}</ref><ref name="ign smashhits"/><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/06/gaming-ripoffs/ | title=Top 10 Raw Deals for Gamers | first=Chris | last=Kohler | date=2009-06-26 | access-date=2009-06-27 | magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://g4tv.com/games/ps2/62409/Guitar-Hero-Smash-Hits/review/ | title=Guitar Hero Smash Hits Review | publisher=[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4 TV]] | date=2009-06-29 | access-date=2009-06-29 | first=Abbie | last=Heppe | archive-date=2012-01-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114165125/http://www.g4tv.com/games/ps2/62409/Guitar-Hero-Smash-Hits/review/ | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/guitar-hero-greatest-hits-review | title=Guitar Hero: Greatest Hits | first=Tom | last=Bramwell | date=2009-07-08 | access-date=2009-07-08 | website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref> [[Ars Technica]] recognized that licensing issues might have limited when songs from one single game could be played in others of the series (such as the case for ''[[The Beatles: Rock Band]]''), but that such cross-compatibility should have been a high priority for rhythm games.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/06/the-commandments-of-rhythm-games.ars | title=Rhythm games: the Five Commandments all titles must follow | website=Ars Technica | date=2009-06-29 | access-date=2009-06-29 | first=Ben | last=Kuchera }}</ref> Furthermore, some expansions were praised for the additional content beyond the note-matching gameplay; ''Guitar Hero: Metallica'' is considered to be one of the series' best works to be developed by Neversoft in part due to the care that the developers took with imaging the band and the available extras for the game.<ref name="ign metallica"/> Activision later revealed that both ''Guitar Hero 5'' and ''Band Hero'' would support playing songs from both ''Guitar Hero World Tour'' (both on-disc and downloadable content) and ''Guitar Hero Smash Hits'', with music licensing being the only limiting factor on which songs could be made forward-compatible.<ref name="ign gh5 hands-on">{{cite web | url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/101/1011988p1.html | title=Guitar Hero 5 Hands-on | first=Erik | last=Brudvig | date=2009-08-07 | access-date=2009-08-07 | website=IGN }}</ref>

The large number of ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'' titles on the market is considered to be partially responsible for the sharp decline of music game sales in the latter half of 2009, along with the effects of the [[late-2000s recession]].<ref name="gamasutra" /><ref name="computerandvideogames1"/><ref name="escapistmagazine1"/><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/12/22/despite-the-beatles-rock-band-music-video-game-sales-slip-in-09/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226010041/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/12/22/despite-the-beatles-rock-band-music-video-game-sales-slip-in-09/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 26, 2009 | title=Despite "The Beatles: Rock Band," Music Video Game Sales Slip in '09 | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=2009-12-22 | access-date=2010-01-30 | first=Daniel | last=Kreps }}</ref> The market for rhythm games was $1.4 billion in 2008, but dropped to $700 million (a 50% decrease) in 2009 even though more titles were available that year.<ref name="market size">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/12/18/technology/tech-us-2009-games.html | title=Sales Of Music Video Games Plummet In 2009 | agency=Reuters | date=2009-12-18 |access-date=2009-12-20 }} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> Former [[Neversoft]] project director Brian Bright noted that at one point in 2009, they were responsible for the release of three games that year (''Guitar Hero 5'', ''Metallica'', and ''Band Hero'') and supporting other studios for the development of two additional games, causing the studio to lose focus both in development and marketing efforts.<ref name="bright develop">{{cite web | url = http://www.develop-online.net/news/35573/Neversoft-on-selling-out-in-the-race-for-sales | title = Neversoft on 'selling out' in the race for sales | publisher = [[Develop (UK magazine)|Develop]] | date = 2010-08-09 | access-date = 2010-08-09 | first = Rob | last = Crossley | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100816045549/http://www.develop-online.net/news/35573/Neversoft-on-selling-out-in-the-race-for-sales | archive-date = 2010-08-16 }}</ref> According to Bright, sales of all the ''Guitar Hero'' games released in 2009 totaled the number of sales of the 2008 title ''World Tour'', demonstrating the dilution of the marketing.<ref name="bright develop"/> Though Activision had originally planned on tripling the offerings of the ''Guitar Hero'' series in 2010,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=53961 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202025358/http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=53961 | url-status=dead | archive-date=2013-02-02 | title=More Call of Duty and Guitar Hero Sequels in 2009 | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | date=2008-07-31 | access-date=2008-07-31 | first=Chris | last=Faylor }}</ref><ref name="three expansions">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19682 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807020510/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19682 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 7, 2008 | title=Analyst: Three Expansion Packs Possible For Next Guitar Hero | website=[[Gamasutra]] | first=Leigh | last=Alexander | date=2008-08-01 | access-date=2008-08-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54746 | title=Activision Tripling Guitar Hero Releases by 2010 | first=Chris | last=Faylor | date=2008-09-15 | access-date=2008-09-16 | publisher=[[Shacknews]]}}</ref> the company readjusted their plans, reducing the number of offerings and focusing more on selling digital [[downloadable content]] for the series.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.mcvuk.com/features/584/Heroic-Deeds | title=Heroic Deeds | first=Michael | last=French | date=2009-11-13 | access-date=2009-11-17 | magazine=[[MCV (magazine)|MCV]] }}</ref> Only two titles, ''Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock'' and ''DJ Hero 2'' were released in 2010,<ref name="vg247 2010 skus" /> both scheduled for the "back half of 2010".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/62328 | title=Activision Breaks Down 2010 Release Schedule: Singularity in June, Transformers by July, More | publisher=[[Shacknews]] | date=2010-02-11 | access-date=2010-02-11 | first=Chris | last=Faylor }}</ref> Analysts predicted that the market would evolve to support a smaller number of titles each year, averaging at a "healthy" value in the range of $500–600 million in revenues annually.<ref name="market size"/> Kotick believed that part of the downfall of ''Guitar Hero'' was due to Activision's introduction of ''DJ Hero'', which they gave too much focus and left the core ''Guitar Hero'' games without the "nourishment and care" needed to continue to innovate in the series.<ref name="forbes kotick july11"/>

Activision Publishing chief executive Mike Griffith, in response to questions about Activision's approach to the ''Guitar Hero'' market, noted that ''Guitar Hero'' continues to outsell the ''Rock Band'' series in both number of sales and revenue, with consumers continuing to buy the separate games on the market, and considered the market acceptance of the multiple games as validation for their model.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.industrygamers.com/news/activision-guitar-hero-better-serves-consumers-than-rock-band/ | title=Activision: Guitar Hero Better Serves Consumers Than Rock Band | first=James | last=Brightman | publisher=[[Industry Gamers]] | date=2009-07-01 | access-date=2009-07-01 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704220747/http://www.industrygamers.com/news/activision-guitar-hero-better-serves-consumers-than-rock-band/ | archive-date=2009-07-04 }}</ref> Activision also claimed to have conducted research that showed there was solid consumer interest in products such as ''DJ Hero'' and ''Band Hero'', each of which had a markedly different focus than the main installments of the series; series spokesperson Eric Hollreiser suggested the experimental approach would attract players who wanted different styles of music or a different peripheral with which to relate to the music.<ref name=toomuch/> Regardless, after releasing 25 different SKUs (between games and bundle packages) in 2009, Activision opted to reduce that number to 10 in 2010, recognizing the music game genre was not as profitable as it once was.<ref name="vg247 2010 skus"/> Activision later opted to suspend future development of the series in early 2011 citing weak sales in the rhythm game genre, a move that many journalists attributed to Activision's earlier oversaturation.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ds.ign.com/articles/114/1148887p1.html | title = The Lobby: Guitar Hero's Demise | website = IGN | date = 2011-02-09 | access-date = 2011-02-10 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2011/feb/10/guitar-hero-axed | title = Guitar Hero axed: five reasons why music games are dying | work = [[The Guardian]] | date = 2011-02-10 | access-date = 2011-02-10 | first= Keith | last = Stuart }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2011/02/09/rip-guitar-hero-2005-2011/ | title = RIP Guitar Hero: 2005–2011? | first= Gieson | last = Cacho | date = 2011-02-09 | access-date = 2011-02-10 | work = [[San Jose Mercury News]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/games/article/936421--guitar-hero-gets-axed?bn=1 | title = Guitar Hero gets axed | date= 2011-02-10 | access-date = 2011-02-10 | first = Raju | last = Mudhar | work = [[Toronto Star]] }}</ref>

==List of games==
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Title
!rowspan="2"| Developer(s)
!colspan="13"| Platform
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[PlayStation 2|PS2]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[PlayStation 3|PS3]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[PlayStation 4|PS4]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[Xbox 360|X360]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[Xbox One|XONE]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[Wii]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[Wii U]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[Microsoft Windows|Win]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[Macintosh|Mac]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[Nintendo DS|DS]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[Mobile phone|Phone]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| Other
|-
| colspan=16 | '''Main games'''
|-
| 2005 || ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'' || rowspan="2" | [[Harmonix]] || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Guitar Hero II]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'' || rowspan="2" | [[Neversoft]]<br />[[Budcat Creations]] (PS2)<br />[[Vicarious Visions]] (Wii)<br>[[Aspyr]] (Windows/Mac) || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||{{yes}} || {{no}} ||{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Guitar Hero World Tour]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Guitar Hero 5]]'' || Neversoft<br />Budcat Creations (PS2)<br />Vicarious Visions (Wii) || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock]]'' || Neversoft<br />Vicarious Visions (Wii) || {{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| 2015 || ''[[Guitar Hero Live]]'' || [[FreeStyleGames]] || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}
|-
| colspan=16 | '''Band-centric games'''
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Guitar Hero: Aerosmith]]'' || Neversoft<br />Budcat Creations (PS2)<br />Vicarious Visions (Wii) || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2009 || ''[[Guitar Hero: Metallica]]'' || Neversoft<br>Budcat Creations (PS2/Wii) || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| ''[[Guitar Hero: Van Halen]]'' || [[Underground Development]]<br>Budcat Creations (PS2/Wii) || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| colspan=16 | '''Expansion games'''
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s]]'' || Harmonix || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||{{no}} || {{no}} ||{{no}} || {{no}} ||{{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2009 || ''[[Guitar Hero Smash Hits]]'' || [[Beenox]] || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| ''[[Band Hero]]'' || Neversoft<br />Budcat Creations (PS2)<br />Vicarious Visions (Wii/DS) || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}{{r|group=Note|b}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| colspan=16 | '''''DJ Hero'''''
|-
| 2009 || ''[[DJ Hero]]'' || rowspan="2" | FreeStyleGames || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| 2010 || ''[[DJ Hero 2]]'' || {{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| colspan=16 | '''Portable games'''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2008 || ''Guitar Hero: On Tour'' || rowspan="3" | Vicarious Visions || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}{{r|group=Note|a}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| ''Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades'' || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}{{r|group=Note|a}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| 2009 || ''Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits'' || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}{{r|group=Note|a}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| colspan=16 | '''Mobile series'''
|-
| 2007 || ''Guitar Hero III Mobile'' || rowspan="3" | Machineworks Northwest || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2008 || ''Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass'' || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}
|-
| ''Guitar Hero World Tour Mobile'' || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}
|-
| 2009 || ''Guitar Hero 5 Mobile'' || Glu Mobile || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}
|-
| colspan=16 | '''Other'''
|-
| 2008 || ''Guitar Hero Carabiner'' || Basic Fun, Inc. || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
| 2009 || ''Guitar Hero Arcade'' || [[Raw Thrills]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
<!-- Doesn't seem to quite fit under either mobile or portable, since the iPod/Touch/iPad platform spans both categories -->
| 2010 || ''Guitar Hero'' (iOS) || Vicarious Visions || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}
|}
{{Reflist|group=Note|refs=
<ref name=a>Not compatible with [[Nintendo DSi]] series or [[Nintendo 3DS]], as the Guitar Grip peripheral plugs into SLOT-2 on the Nintendo DS and [[Nintendo DS Lite|DS Lite]], which the DSi and 3DS do not have.</ref>
<ref name=b>Guitar/Bass not compatible with [[Nintendo DSi]] series or [[Nintendo 3DS]], as the Guitar Grip peripheral plugs into SLOT-2 on the Nintendo DS and [[Nintendo DS Lite|DS Lite]], which the DSi and 3DS do not have. Furthermore, the drum grip accessory only works with the DS Lite. Vocals are fully supported across all systems in the DS/3DS line.</ref>
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Music}}
<!-- Don't just use this section to dump a link to every program that sounds remotely similar to Guitar Hero. -->
* [[n:Alex Necochea and Bryn Bennett: the 'Guitar Heroes' of Bang Camaro|Alex Necochea and Bryn Bennett: the 'Guitar Heroes' of Bang Camaro]] on [[Wikinews]]
* "[[Guitar Queer-O]]", an episode of ''[[South Park]]''
* ''[[Rocksmith]]'', a 2011 video game similar to ''Guitar Hero'' that uses a real guitar to teach players songs.
* ''[[Clone Hero]]'', a 2017 [[Clone (computing)|clone]] of ''Guitar Hero''

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Guitar Hero (video game series)}}
* {{Official website|https://www.guitarhero.com/}}

{{Guitar Hero series}}
{{Harmonix games}}
{{Activision}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Guitar Hero Series}}
[[Category:Guitar Hero| ]]
[[Category:2000s fads and trends]]
[[Category:Activision Blizzard franchises]]
[[Category:Activision games]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Drumming video games]]
[[Category:Guitar video games]]
[[Category:Karaoke video games]]
[[Category:Microsoft franchises]]
[[Category:Music video games]]
[[Category:Video games based on musicians]]
[[Category:Neversoft games]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2005]]