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Harmonix

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41 min
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On games.briefs4
9:02

Guitar Hero (video game)

Harmonix · 2005

Guitar Hero (2005) is a rhythm game where players press coloured fret buttons and strum in time with scrolling notes on screen. Developed by Harmonix and published by RedOctane for the PlayStation 2, it uses a custom guitar-shaped controller with five colour-coded frets and a strum bar. Gameplay draws from Frequency and Amplitude, and supports both left- and right-handed configurations. A Rock Meter fails the song if depleted, and Star Power can be activated via whammy bar or tilt. Players earn points for hitting notes, chords and sustains, and increase a score multiplier through consecutive successful hits. Hammer-on and pull-off techniques allow faster note series without strumming each note. Standard controllers map notes to face buttons.

10:59

Rock Band (video game)

Harmonix · 2007

Rock Band (2007) is a four-player rhythm game developed by Harmonix. It simulates rock performance using instrument-shaped controllers for lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, and vocals. Scoring depends on timing accuracy for instruments or pitch-matching for vocals. It launched across Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and Wii—with feature parity highest on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Post-launch, Harmonix supported PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 with weekly downloadable songs.

10:21

Guitar Hero II

Harmonix · 2006

Guitar Hero II tightens the original's loop with chords, practice tools, and co-op roles—but remains rigid, unadaptive, and consequence-free. It trains timing, not musicianship.

10:37

Rock Band 2

Harmonix · 2008

Rock Band 2 is a four-player rhythm protocol that turns living rooms into rehearsal spaces. It works only when all inputs are present and all players are physically engaged. Its design is procedural, not expressive. Its longevity came from weekly DLC, not depth.