Games turn kids into "zombies," says guitarist Slash
- Posted May 28th, 2008 at 04:07 EDT by Mike Harradence
- 3,164 views
- 12 Comments
Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Saul Hudson, better known by his alias Slash, recently discussed his involvement in Activision’s highly successful Guitar Hero franchise, stating he feels the games are likely to encourage players to pick up a real guitar.
"The thing about video games is that they do promote this sort of lethargy in kids," he told Guitar World Magazine.
"They turn into gaming zombies. So I understand the concern that people who play Guitar Hero would never pick up a real guitar. But I think it's the opposite effect."
Hudson was keen to point out that the intricacies of learning how to play an actual guitar are somewhat less exciting than one may initially perceive, adding, "It takes some work, and maybe it's not quite as exciting or instantly gratifying. But what turned me on to guitar when I was kid was that all you have to do is play that one chord that hits you straight in the heart.”
“And that's pretty simple to do. Plus, kids are being exposed to all this killer rock and roll that's programmed into the game that they would not otherwise hear."
He also agreed that music simulation titles such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band are likely to become the next ‘big thing’ in terms of exposing new listeners to music.
"A lot of people have been asking 'Is this the new wave of how people are going to be exposed to music?' I though that was sort of like a joke question when I first heard it, but I'm starting to realise that, given the current state of the music business, it might be. Because the kids are into it, and the possibilities are endless in terms of what you can expose them to through this medium."
Comments
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Odium_Generis_Humani
- 4:12am BST - May 28th, 2008
- 1
Lol. Professer Slash. I love musicians. That's a special breed of artist.
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ChildOfIllusions |
FirstAmongEquals- 4:29am BST - May 28th, 2008
- 2
says the guy stoned out of his goard. I swear it must be nice to be famous i wish i had people giving a crap at every little comment i made about society.
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MephistoSoze
- 6:08am BST - May 28th, 2008
- 3
This is among the most insightful comments I've heard, including those from so-called Industry Professionals, Analysts and the Press. "Gaming zombies", that may be debatable, however I'm more interested in what he has said about the music industry and how it can live side-by-side with the gaming medium, and indeed through it.
I never thought I'd hear something like this from Slash. Plus, he believes that games have the opposite effect of what a lot of people say. When people say "I'd rather play the real guitar, than pick up Guitar Hero", Slash says kids are probably more apt to "Play the real guitar, after having picked up Guitar Hero." I mean, there is this psychology that applies to the situation that says, "Okay, I mastered the virtual guitar, I want to learn the real thing."
I have newfound respect for the man.
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Paranoimia |
Paranoimia- 8:15am BST - May 28th, 2008
- 5
...says the guy who was so stoned he once used the F-word on UK kids TV.
Talking about someone's pet lizard, he said, "...it turned around and bit the f--k out of me..." at around 9:30am on the most popular kids TV show of its time.
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vipergts2207 |
D-Smitty- 9:10am BST - May 28th, 2008
- 6
Slash = pwnage. Some people get way too defensive when it comes to games. He didn't completely thrash games. He helped make one after all. Besides is what he said not true? Some kids do almost nothing, but play video games. World of Warcraft anyone? The ones getting all defensive are probably the ones that spend all day playing games. And since when do you have to be a professor to make a statement about something?
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evilmonkey501 |
evilmonkey501- 12:11pm BST - May 28th, 2008
- 9
why was he even on childrens television? I see no reason why he would even be remotely child tv friendly....cmon.....blame your television programmers.....
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lurkingshadow89 |
DEATH555666- 12:29pm BST - May 28th, 2008
- 10
slash man u indorse video games. Unless you want a zombie army of guitar hero rock stars. ( good thinkin slash)
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InfernoReaper |
GrimDarkling- 12:28am BST - May 29th, 2008
- 12
I feel much safer knowing kids are at home playing video games than out getting ****ed up and driving. I use that same argument with anyone who says video games are bad influences. The only difference between now and 20 years ago was where the games are at. Arcade vs. home. Keep the drunk teens off the road and then talk to me about my gaming habits.
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