Gamers lets talk.

Percy1983

el_gringo wrote: »

Speaking as a musician, i've not got this whole'guitar hero' and 'rock band' lark...

Why don't you jusgt play a real instrument? Surely its far more rewarding?

I don't mean this in a bad way but:
Racing games... why not drive a real sports car
Football games... why not go and play football
War games... why not join the army

I can go on.

The point is I am learning to play guitar right now and can't play all the songs I can on guitar hero, so yes its not the same as really playing but thats why it is a game.

On the flip side my nephew really loved the guitar hero games so much that he decided he wanted to learn, with that I played a bit when I was younger so have picked it up again to teach him (I am not far ahead but its keeping me learning as he can't beat me). We are currently working on a bit of wild thing, great tune for beginners.

PROLIANT

I play HALO for the PC, online Maps are brill, FC Freak's Funhouse, QF, PR servers. :beer:

Knub

I've played online games since the days of Quake/Wireplay/Barrysworld and 28.8k dialup modems.

I've owned computer systems since the days of Spectrum, etc.

I have played consoles since the days of the NES. First ever mass market games console to be released.

Over these 15-20 years, I have concluded that online PC Gaming is better than any other sort of gaming. Having said that, I can see reasons why consoles are ideal for mass gaming markets, usualy catering for the people who want a quick game or a kind of "plug and play" attitude to gaming.

Some games are meant for console and some are meant for PC.
The PC will generally always have more available in terms of graphic ability, speed, functionality - but that is why people will spend over £1000 building top of the range ones.

In terms of longevity and bang for buck, consoles bought after the initial release and hype tend to win it for me.

In terms of overall quality of gaming I would always go back to online gaming with a PC. Nothing beats it. Full Stop.

el_gringo_3

Percy1983 wrote: »

I don't mean this in a bad way but:
Racing games... why not drive a real sports car
Football games... why not go and play football
War games... why not join the army

I can go on.

The point is I am learning to play guitar right now and can't play all the songs I can on guitar hero, so yes its not the same as really playing but thats why it is a game.

Well I would guess I would play a racing simulator as it would be illegal to hit the speeds you get on the game, you don't have to leave your house or spend cash on fuel, if something comes up you can drop everything etc. Sort of the same for football games, bar the illegality.

Difference I see with a guitar is that it is something you can play at home, on your own, in much the same way as you play a computer game.

Obviously I've never played one of these games, although I have seen them played, it has just intrigued me as to why its got so popular. The big thing I can't fathom is that the games seem to (from what I've seen and heard!) restrict you to playing what songs come with it - you can't make up your own, or listen to a more obscure song or style and have a stab at it yourself.

Do you find it helps or hinders your learning of guitar? Do experienced real guitarists, or indeed musicians find the game easier? I'd be interested to know peoples experiences. I'd guess that if theres a drum kit version available this would be 'closer' to the real thing?

Knub

el_gringo wrote: »

Do you find it helps or hinders your learning of guitar? Do experienced real guitarists, or indeed musicians find the game easier? I'd be interested to know peoples experiences. I'd guess that if theres a drum kit version available this would be 'closer' to the real thing?

I play a little guitar when I have time (less so these days ) And I have also played GH1,2,3.

Essentially it's nothing like playing the real guitar. The strumming and finger work is completley unrealistic. Having said that there are 6 strings on a guitar with 25 odd fretts compared to 5 coloured buttons and another button for strumming.

It's fun in terms of listening to songs and feeling like you are able to play the real thing for most people, even though I knew it's nothing alike, it's still a laugh. It's infact more of a memory and motorskill game for your hands. As the levels get harder and you get better it's about learning whats comming next in what order and making your fingers press the right buttons (only similar thing to a real guitar ).

As somone has mentioned, it's a game and it's fun. Playing real guitar is about 1000 times more effort and more difficult to learn.

The developers keep releasing new versions with new songs on for the people who buy into the franchise and love it to bits; so they are making money and the people buying it are happy.

Elsewhere

el_gringo wrote: »

Well I would guess I would play a racing simulator as it would be illegal to hit the speeds you get on the game, you don't have to leave your house or spend cash on fuel, if something comes up you can drop everything etc. Sort of the same for football games, bar the illegality.

So you could say gaming is environmentally friendly, then!!! Good for the planet! I'll have to try that excuse when I get moaned at for being up until 4am...

Percy1983

Back to the learning guitar after guitar hero, I do think it actually helps in some ways.

As I said I tried to learn guitar before and gave it up as I just couldn't seem to get it right.

I do play guitar hero on hard difficult so is quite challenging.

The things I have found easier since playing a lot of guitar hero is most finger independance and timing, despite guitar hero being a much simple form (it plays like a sing string guitar with 5 frets) it does still require these skills.

To say guitar hero is nothing like a real guitar would be wrong, its more like a fisher price guitar which requires you to play rather fast.

So in mine (and my nephews case) it has inspired us to pick up a real guitar and helped us along a bit. Can't say thats a bad thing really.

As for PC online gaming, I got sick of modders/cheaters and gave it up.

[Deleted User]

el_gringo wrote: »

Do you find it helps or hinders your learning of guitar? Do experienced real guitarists, or indeed musicians find the game easier? I'd be interested to know peoples experiences. I'd guess that if theres a drum kit version available this would be 'closer' to the real thing?

Playing one won't help you with the other.

The games are fun. I can throw the gf the wireless guitar and we can play it and have a laugh. I can't throw her one of my guitars and expect her to shred to keep up with me, or us both have fun.

Knowing how to play the songs on an actual guitar can be more of a hindrance than help in the games I find.

Psychofly

Rockband / Guitar Hero drums help you practice the basics of timing and rythmn and lets you practice trying to operate the kick pedal independantly of your arms. That's a fairly decent start for learning to play real drums but it's never going to teach you drumming. It's purely for fun.The guitar is also purely for fun. Might improve your dexterity and your rhythmn but it's never going to teach you how to play guitar. I don't know why people who play real instruments tend to assume that gamers see Rock Band and Guitar Hero as music tuition tools. We don't. We see them as fun games.

Fester_2

Im an old guy that enjoys gaming.

Have ps3, playing Fallout 3 , which is going on forever.
Play Resistance FoM on line.
I play for a laugh.
It reduces stress, and keeps me brain going.

I use to love those old
strategy games on the PC.
Panzer General etc , hexagonal boxes.
And the Combat Mission series.