Thoughts About Musical Simulation Games
Nowadays, video games are entering the mainstream market. One of the most remarkable is the music simulation games. First there was Guitar freaks/Drum mania by Konami. Then came the Americanized versions namely Guitar Hero and Rockband. Then, thousands of others joined the formula and started their own “inspired” games.
I wrote this article because I stumbled upon an article that sort of condemns these simulations as a tool for appreciating music. I’d say, being a widow musician, I’d have to disagree with what the music gods say. These games are supposed to spread out the music for people who don’t know them yet AKA the mainstream market. Besides, what is music for if it’s not to be heard by other people? It’s sort of like written literature; if nobody reads it, what the hell is it for? It’s just sad that these respected musicians are too narrow minded to embrace another media to let their music be heard. Besides, they’re being paid for the royalty. I honestly think that there’s no substitute for the real thing when it comes to real instruments vs virtual ones on learning how to play them. But the virtual ones can actually make you practice the feel and the rhythm of the song and that’s in my opinion half of the song. Sure you don’t get to fret up complex Dm7+5 something something chords on a virtual one but at least you’ll get the rhythm.
Bottom line. It’s nice to play Guitar hero or Rockband as a simulation game. Even with my real band, we also play Rockband from time to time. Because it’s a different experience yet somehow retains that camaraderie found in a band. You work together for a common goal. It’s also nice that some kids actually pickup a real guitar or drums to learn songs from these media. It’s a win-win situation. I don’t see why those guitar gods wouldn’t want them to be heard.
Link to the article:
4 Responses to “Thoughts About Musical Simulation Games”
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i believe the term is “oido”, not “widow.” ^^
Yes you’re right, but I’m used to the term widow but anyway, that’s something new. I’ll use that term from now on.
The great thing about music games is the same thing that’s great about all games, in that it allows you to pretend you’re something you’re not.
When I play fallout 3, I can pretend to be a man doing good deeds “Kung Fu” style while wandering the wasteland and looking for my father.
When I play Rock Band, i get to pretend that I’m a rock star for a few minutes. I sincerely doubt that anyone really “learns” music from playing Rock Band or Guitar Hero, so I don’t know why Page and Jack White are all riled up about it.
I don’t know, they are angry at guitar hero or rockband as a tool for learning. For me, it doesn’t matter whether you learn from scratch or from guitar hero. The bottom line is, if you learn, you learn and you most probably enjoyed learning.