Guitar Hero promoted through humiliation of the public
by Chris Greenhough 
{ Jul 18th 2008 at 12:30PM }
Remember the cringeworthy trailer that was used to introduce Guitar Hero: On Tour to a breathless world? Well, now some people -- innocent members of the public, we might add -- have relived that nightmare for real.
To promote its already wildly successful music game in the UK, Activision rented a busker's spot in the Covent Garden district of London (a location famous for its street performers) and proceeded to encourage passers-by to strum out a few notes on the title as onlookers watched, occasionally with expressions of amusement, but more often looking disinterested and distracted. Hit the gallery for more shots of brave performers being watched by bored people.
Gallery: Guitar Hero: On Tour
[Via press release]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Char6296 @ Jul 18th 2008 1:18PM
Why's everything always down south? Give Lancashire love! :(
Chris Greenhough @ Jul 18th 2008 1:49PM
Damn right, Char! Eeh bah gum, give something to us Lancashirians!
Char6296 @ Jul 18th 2008 3:25PM
Yeah, Lancashire patriotism FTW! :D But you would probably get stuff in your town... I wouldn't. I would have to drive to Liverpool as the nearest place. Blackpool is too small, despite having a lot of games shops. :(
Hamster @ Jul 18th 2008 8:12PM
Are you from Blackpool Char? I studied in Blackpool (Blackpool & The Fylde College)!!! We had games nights every Thursday on Palatine Road. Endless nights of Mario Kart. Good days. Graduated two years ago, down south now. Wow, it's a small world.
Chris Greenhough @ Jul 18th 2008 8:58PM
I spent sixteen years of my life (from ages 4 to 20) in Blackpool, or Poulton-le-Fylde, to be precise. I'm in Manchester now. I feel your pain over game stores in Blackpool, Char!
Oh, and I also studied my A-levels at Blackpool & the Fylde College, Hamster (after being asked to leave Blackpool Sixth Form). Small world indeed!
Char6296 @ Jul 19th 2008 2:00PM
Wow, that is weird. Such Blackpoolness! I've spent just over 6 years (half my life) here in Blackpool, to let you know. (Eclipse does the best deal on owned games, two for the price of one.) And Gamestation's good, too.
aj @ Jul 18th 2008 1:31PM
Actually, I didn't remember that trailer. But now that I've seen it, I have to agree. Completely cringe-worthy.
Danny F. @ Jul 18th 2008 4:43PM
I can't believe they actually plugged it into a amp...
The games music is pretty horrible on the cartridge to begin with.. I could imagine the screaching that occurred on that thing.
Stickman @ Jul 25th 2008 3:08AM
I would unplug the ds from the amp and run.