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Description
Charles Lang is an English teacher at Technical High School by day. By night, he dons a liberty-spike Mohawk, gothic garb and rocks out to screaming fans — in the virtual world of "Guitar Hero III."

"It's a little bit like I get to unleash and put forth my imaginary life as a rock star," said Lang, who also is the adviser for the school's gaming club.

In real life, Lang doesn't play guitar. The only instrument he has played is trombone — in high school.

A year ago, he picked up a "Guitar Hero" plastic guitar and was quickly jamming like a rock star in "Guitar Hero II." It was around the same time he started the school's gaming club.

He bought "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" when it came out Oct. 28 and said he has already blown through most of that game, too.

"It's challenging yet relaxing," Lang said.

"Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" from RedOctane can be bought with a guitar-shaped controller that plugs into your Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 2 or Sony PlayStation 3.

Rockin' out

During the weekly gaming club meeting on Nov. 14, about 40 students gathered in Technical High School's Learning Resource Center. There were stations where students competed in "Mortal Kombat" and other action games, and then there was "Guitar Hero III."

"You can get so many people playing 'Guitar Hero,' " said 18-year-old Ty Erickson.

There is no prerequisite for playing guitar in "Guitar Hero," and no lessons are required.

"People that haven't played instruments or video games can pick up on it right away," said Will Imholte, a local gamer and student at Tech High School. "And it gives you that feeling of letting your hair down and jamming out."

Cory Grabuski said he plays some guitar, but it doesn't really give him an advantage to playing the game. The only benefit is in regard to tempo and coordination.

Adoring fans

"Guitar Hero III" is the hot new game on the market that has instigated virtual rock-offs locally and around the world.

Game play involves pressing the colored buttons on the guitar's neck while strumming to match on-screen instructions. It's kind of like a rock-star version of the game "Simon" from the 1980s, only more complex and with better music.

The songs are originals and covers of classic and new songs by legendary artists such as Guns 'N Roses, Weezer, Living Colour, Led Zeppelin and the Sex Pistols.

"They do so much work to create the same sound," Grabuski said, whose main game personas are Lars or Axl Steele.

Jam sessions

Grabuski likes to play "Guitar Hero" alone and have the stage all to himself, but the game often turns into major jam sessions.

In St. Cloud, "Guitar Hero" competitions have been taking place at the Rox regularly and also have popped up at Bear Creek Tavern, area universities and other establishments. The next "Guitar Hero" competition at the Rox is scheduled for Wednesday.

Lang said "Guitar Hero" is a nice change in role-playing games from the likes of "Halo" because it is suitable for most ages. "Guitar Hero III" is rated "Teen."

The bandwagon

Although "Guitar Hero III" doesn't veer much from its original format, some of the new features include an extended playlist, wireless guitars, new guitar battle model and the ability to download songs, themes and picture packs.

In its first week of sales, "Guitar Hero III" raked in $115 million, which is modest in comparison to the release of the video game "Halo 3" earlier in October that netted $170 million.

Even real guitar companies are jumping on the virtual-rock-star bandwagon.

Gibson and Kramer guitar makers have models of "Guitar Hero" peripherals on the market — Les Paul and Striker models respectively. Gibson's peripherals feature interchangeable faceplates.

Fender is marketing a Stratocaster peripheral for the "Rock Band" video game, which was released Tuesday.

Description
Charles Lang is an English teacher at Technical High School by day. By night, he dons a liberty-spike Mohawk, gothic garb and rocks out to screaming fans — in the virtual world of "Guitar Hero III."

"It's a little bit like I get to unleash and put forth my imaginary life as a rock star," said Lang, who also is the adviser for the school's gaming club.

In real life, Lang doesn't play guitar. The only instrument he has played is trombone — in high school.

A year ago, he picked up a "Guitar Hero" plastic guitar and was quickly jamming like a rock star in "Guitar Hero II." It was around the same time he started the school's gaming club.

He bought "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" when it came out Oct. 28 and said he has already blown through most of that game, too.

"It's challenging yet relaxing," Lang said.

"Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" from RedOctane can be bought with a guitar-shaped controller that plugs into your Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 2 or Sony PlayStation 3.

Rockin' out

During the weekly gaming club meeting on Nov. 14, about 40 students gathered in Technical High School's Learning Resource Center. There were stations where students competed in "Mortal Kombat" and other action games, and then there was "Guitar Hero III."

"You can get so many people playing 'Guitar Hero,' " said 18-year-old Ty Erickson.

There is no prerequisite for playing guitar in "Guitar Hero," and no lessons are required.

"People that haven't played instruments or video games can pick up on it right away," said Will Imholte, a local gamer and student at Tech High School. "And it gives you that feeling of letting your hair down and jamming out."

Cory Grabuski said he plays some guitar, but it doesn't really give him an advantage to playing the game. The only benefit is in regard to tempo and coordination.

Adoring fans

"Guitar Hero III" is the hot new game on the market that has instigated virtual rock-offs locally and around the world.

Game play involves pressing the colored buttons on the guitar's neck while strumming to match on-screen instructions. It's kind of like a rock-star version of the game "Simon" from the 1980s, only more complex and with better music.

The songs are originals and covers of classic and new songs by legendary artists such as Guns 'N Roses, Weezer, Living Colour, Led Zeppelin and the Sex Pistols.

"They do so much work to create the same sound," Grabuski said, whose main game personas are Lars or Axl Steele.

Jam sessions

Grabuski likes to play "Guitar Hero" alone and have the stage all to himself, but the game often turns into major jam sessions.

In St. Cloud, "Guitar Hero" competitions have been taking place at the Rox regularly and also have popped up at Bear Creek Tavern, area universities and other establishments. The next "Guitar Hero" competition at the Rox is scheduled for Wednesday.

Lang said "Guitar Hero" is a nice change in role-playing games from the likes of "Halo" because it is suitable for most ages. "Guitar Hero III" is rated "Teen."

The bandwagon

Although "Guitar Hero III" doesn't veer much from its original format, some of the new features include an extended playlist, wireless guitars, new guitar battle model and the ability to download songs, themes and picture packs.

In its first week of sales, "Guitar Hero III" raked in $115 million, which is modest in comparison to the release of the video game "Halo 3" earlier in October that netted $170 million.

Even real guitar companies are jumping on the virtual-rock-star bandwagon.

Gibson and Kramer guitar makers have models of "Guitar Hero" peripherals on the market — Les Paul and Striker models respectively. Gibson's peripherals feature interchangeable faceplates.

Fender is marketing a Stratocaster peripheral for the "Rock Band" video game, which was released Tuesday.