Right, I know it's a big world of guitar, drum, instrumental sims etc. out there, and much of this post is applicable to any of those just as much, but I feel I'm most licensed to post this here as...well seeing as I don't even own a console of any sort, the only thing I've played, by generally being a PITA at department stores, is in fact
Guitar Hero 2.
What do you think of the idea that GH was specifically geared to pandering to the secret fantasies of those who wanted maybe not so much to actually play, but to
pretend to perform rock? I'm thinking vaguely along the lines of people who really dig air guitar. I know this kind of assessment would apply to me- that's why for all the apparent flaws, this game really hit a spot for me (i.e. the developers would get away with it in my case). I wanted an excuse to really get into the rock vernacular.
However, I'm not sure that this is an attitude shared by many other gamers. Why? Because most people who play this game tend to simply stand there in some kind of semi-trance. One person I met said he did better seated. (Okay, here's where my bias comes into play
) As somebody who has spent most of their life as a performance musician to some degree (not my career), I feel that alot of potential enjoyment is being lost here. Is there something that can be said of our focus or attitude to videogames with such a premise? Given the quantitative elements, I see a heavy emphasis on perfectionism and high scores, grades etc. etc. as this is indicative of the development of an acquired skill (and thus perceived as having value).
Now, I know that arguably, a certain sense of rhythm/musical know-how is required to really excel at the game (not quite so much as pattern recognition and co-ordination). I guess what I'm asking is what the trends in attitudes to the game are, and if there is anything from this that could be said about first the demographic of the people who do play, and then their priorities with regards to music. I'm particularly interested in looking at people who tackle the expert mode because as far as a simplified 5 fret, 1 strum bar Gibson 3/4 replica goes, that's as close as the game offers to the lead guitar experience.
Performance practice 
