Science Explains Why We Love Guitar Hero
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
- Start date
"Lust" is simply not the right name for it. "Fear" is more akin to the desire to be in control than "lust".
It also takes a pipsqueak intellect to believe little subconscious fear-queues designed to make you think you're some rock god while playing the game. I mean, really. You're not even playing an actual character on-stage - all they do is have a "I'm playing right" script and an "oh that was a mistake" animation. These games provide low-production gaming for a full release price. Therefore, they're pathetic plastic pieces of pus.
Which explains why I'm not interested in either Rockband or Guitar Hero.
I'm too old and educated for them.
One more thing. More than likely, this was a shameless plug to gain dirty funding for science. I wouldn't be at all surprised if that was the case, anyway.
It also takes a pipsqueak intellect to believe little subconscious fear-queues designed to make you think you're some rock god while playing the game. I mean, really. You're not even playing an actual character on-stage - all they do is have a "I'm playing right" script and an "oh that was a mistake" animation. These games provide low-production gaming for a full release price. Therefore, they're pathetic plastic pieces of pus.
Which explains why I'm not interested in either Rockband or Guitar Hero.
I'm too old and educated for them.One more thing. More than likely, this was a shameless plug to gain dirty funding for science. I wouldn't be at all surprised if that was the case, anyway.
Wow, people play videogames to feel powerful? This totally counts as news. Give him the nobel prize.
I perhaps phrased that badly. I shouldn't have said that playing an instrument requires only slightly more skill; obviously I am aware Guitar Hero is a watered down version of the experience of playing an instrument and requires like skill, finesse and subtlety (I played clarinet for a few years when I was younger). The point I'm trying to make is that they're many of the same skills: sure, each instrument has idiosyncracies like blowing or hitting a string correctly, but the elements involved in playing songs is essentially the same. I might as well say that, when I blow through the reed correctly and cover the holes or push the buttons on the clarinet correctly, I get a nice tune like a hamster looking for a treat.Island said:
Yes, I recognise that an instrument is more flexible than Rock Band; you can improvise, create and modify songs and tweak the construction to alter sounds to a near unlimited extent. But I don't think it's fair to reduce Guitar Hero's appeal to simply biochemical reward structures in the brain when many of those mechanisms apply to playing real music too.
... Why would I want to? I don't play video-games so I can pretend to play instruments at parties - I prefer my games to involve things I can't reasonably do in real life thanks.Kiutu said:
No, it took them this long to support the conclusion so many derived with minimal effort.Ninja_X said:
Think of science as a mighty pimp-slap upside the head of aimless thinking. You have to start back behind your own head to do it properly.
Interwebs: "It's the music, or maybe the simulated learning of an instrument..."
Science: *slap* "It's because people want to be cool, and powerful."
Interwebs: "But I already knew that about games. What does that have to do with Rock Band?"
Science: "Did I just hear you backtalk me, *****? I think you might need a little 'peer review'..." *slap*
Science is a ruthless mofo. We'd best pay some respect.
Anyway, I'm glad they did the study.
I thought I liked it cause I like colors, challenges and playing fake guitar (even though I can actually play real guitar)
I don't love Guitar Hero, nor Rock Band, and see little appeal in its format. Now if either actually used a person's mind, and did it Simon style, then I can see them being decent games. Have a chord roll by, and then the player has to play it, from memory. I agree with those who say this could kill future rock bands. It dumbs down the play so that anyone who plays it, gets their talent sucked right out of them.
Science=fail
Addendum:
Science=fail
Addendum:
Please prove to be the exception to the rule!crazyhaircut94 said:
Ahh, see, I enjoy Guitar Hero 'cos it means I can get together with a bunch of my mates, sit around the living room and bang out some Pretend that we're Dead, Creep or I Think I'm Paranoid. Or even Mississipi Queen, when we feel like playing something we've heard a gazillion times before. I've also played bass on Eye of the Tiger, on Rock Band, in front of at least a hundred people - that was properly epic.
This study completely removes the social interaction benefit of these games. It's co-op in a way that no other game will ever truly get.
This study completely removes the social interaction benefit of these games. It's co-op in a way that no other game will ever truly get.
Thank you science, for telling us that we all want to be rock stars. maybe next time you can tell us that we also like air and sex.
I summed this up about 5 minutes after I first unpacked it and played it in front of my mate.
Guitar Hero works and feels so enjoyable because of the massive gaping chasm between how it makes you look (an idiot with a Fisher Price playschool guitar) and how it makes you feel (a bona fide rock god).
Everyone looks like a twat playing GH, but the vital part of the equation is that you don't CARE, because it's so much fun.
Guitar Hero works and feels so enjoyable because of the massive gaping chasm between how it makes you look (an idiot with a Fisher Price playschool guitar) and how it makes you feel (a bona fide rock god).
Everyone looks like a twat playing GH, but the vital part of the equation is that you don't CARE, because it's so much fun.
Oh and as for the whole real musician / Guitar Hero debate, here's my take.
I suggest that if Lewis Hamilton, Formula One driver tried Burnout, he'd love it, as it's the essence of racing, without all the stress, practice, theory, revision, and potential death, and with the fun parts ranked up to 11 (apart from the free drugs and hookers).
I really don't think people who have the urge to make a band and make music are going to play GH and dedicate their life to that instead. It does give us hopeless fumbling idiots without any natural ability the chance to feel like we have some talent, just for a fleeting moment, you really want to take that away? I'm not coming to your live show you mean mean person!
I suggest that if Lewis Hamilton, Formula One driver tried Burnout, he'd love it, as it's the essence of racing, without all the stress, practice, theory, revision, and potential death, and with the fun parts ranked up to 11 (apart from the free drugs and hookers).
I really don't think people who have the urge to make a band and make music are going to play GH and dedicate their life to that instead. It does give us hopeless fumbling idiots without any natural ability the chance to feel like we have some talent, just for a fleeting moment, you really want to take that away? I'm not coming to your live show you mean mean person!
