Why am I hooked on Guitar Hero?

It all started on vacation. I thought it was a one-time thing then I would go back to my normal life. I was young and stupid. But my friend handed me a plastic guitar and turned on the TV and in a flash I was hooked like crack. After that I came home and went back to my life for a while. Then a dreaded day came. Some one asked me that question you have been asked every year since you were 4 years old. “What do you want for Christmas?” and much like that kid in a Christmas story I almost instantaneously answered with out thought. “Guitar Hero”.

Christmas day I unwrapped this beast from hell and immediately I was hooking it up and starting the awesomeness. I named my band, Project Mayhem after Fight Club, and I was ready to rock.

Once again in what seemed like a short amount of time, many hours passed. I keep trying to put the controller down but would just come back to it. I eventually had to return to work from Christmas break and the first day back was a haze, all I could see in my head were those stupid song notes. I rushed home when my shift was over and once again became entranced in the game. I thought I could quit anytime but I can’t. I haven’t been addicted to a video game probably since 89’ when I got my first Nintendo and discovered the joys of Super Mario and his adventures through the world of pipes and turtles.

I soon realized I wasn’t alone. I invited a friend over for a “rock out” we played for at least and hour. I was invited over another friends house for a 3-4 hour “rock session”. We both sat for hours like 30+ yr old zombies in a trance playing the countless amount of songs from our high school years. We hardly said a word aside from a profanity or 2 when a note was missed.

So why is this game such an addiction? Maybe its because I always wanted to be a rock star but was too lazy to pick up an instrument. Maybe its because the music is good on it. Or maybe its just because it’s a mindless game that I can zone out playing and not think about the real world for awhile.


-Drew-