subject: Rhythm Games Bring Rock Classics To The Next Generation [print this page] Rhythm Games Bring Rock Classics To The Next Generation
The phenomenal success of rhythm music video games, in particular the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises, has been instrumental in raising the awareness of a younger generation to the sounds of classic rock bands from decades past.
From Led Zeppelin to Iron Maiden, bands that achieved great success in the past are refusing to be forgotten, enjoying resurgence among listeners who weren't even born when their classic songs first hit the airwaves - and it's largely thanks to their tracks being playable in the best-selling video games.
Not content with rocking out on a plastic guitar to a piece of classic 70s or 80s heavy metal, fans of the games are heading online to track down MP3 versions and continue to support time-honoured artists. Many will even start bands of their own to keep the scene alive.
It's not just bands of the past that are enjoying a boost in listenership thanks to these games however, which also focus on the guitar theatrics of the present day. With new releases such as Green Day: Rock Band complementing an already-impressive line-up that includes the likes of the Beatles and Metallica, it's easier than ever for young and impressionable music fans to be exposed to the most energetic songs and performances, which filter through to TV music channels and the online sphere.
And it is younger players, for the most part, who are enthusiastic about these releases. While games such as The Beatles: Rock Band sold impressively, Gaming Union reports that sales did fall a little short of analysts' expectations, which is believed to be due to the lack of sufficient overlap between the age demographic of Beatles fans and video game players. Even if that means older music fans won't be as interested in picking up a fake guitar and pretending to be John Lennon, it evidently hasn't stopped younger players from overcoming their predisposed intolerance to music of the past.
This newfound appreciation of artists from as far back as the sixties can also have a beneficial effect on younger peoples' education about other elements of history, particularly as this can often aid understanding of the influences or meanings behind song lyrics written during wartime and other times of social upheaval.
With faster broadband speeds meaning MP3 music download is now more convenient and expedient than ever, songs that were pressed to vinyl decades ago are enjoying a continued existence over the World Wide Web.
