Guitar Hero (video game)

What this image shows

This is a gameplay screenshot from the Guitar Hero series: a five-lane "note highway" (green, red, yellow, blue, orange) with incoming notes and an on-screen score/multiplier. The visible UI and colored fret notes identify it as Guitar Hero-style rhythm gameplay played with a guitar-shaped controller.

Brand origin and development

Guitar Hero was created and launched in the United States as a collaboration between RedOctane (publisher/hardware maker) and Harmonix (developer) with the first game released in 2005. The concept combined a guitar-shaped peripheral with rhythm-based gameplay and quickly expanded into a multi-title franchise.

Manufacturing and production

Development and IP origin are U.S.-based, but physical production (game discs, packaging and the guitar controllers) has historically been manufactured in multiple countries — for example electronics and peripherals are commonly produced in facilities in China and other regions. Because development, publishing and manufacturing have involved different locations, the appropriate manufacturing designation is "Multiple countries."

Ownership and current status

RedOctane was acquired by Activision (which managed and expanded the franchise). In October 2023 Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, making Microsoft the ultimate owner of Activision’s IP portfolio. As of 2026 the Guitar Hero brand is therefore under Microsoft’s corporate ownership, administered through Activision (a Microsoft subsidiary). Harmonix remains notable as the original developer but is not the ultimate owner.

Summary

Product: Guitar Hero — a U.S.-origin music rhythm video game series that uses a guitar peripheral. Origin: United States (RedOctane + Harmonix). Manufacturing: multiple countries (development in U.S.; physical discs/controllers commonly manufactured overseas). Ultimate owner (as of 2026): Microsoft Corporation (via its acquisition of Activision Blizzard).