Guitar Hero is the New Karaoke

Virtual Frets, Actual Sweat.

This is Guitar Hero night, where curious bar patrons, self-styled bad boys and video game addicts, all usually a drink or two deep, play the game Guitar Hero on a big screen, and fulfill their dreams of being a preening, prancing rock 'n' roll frontman.

Bars from Roanoke, Va., to San Diego are offering Guitar Hero nights, some providing players with big-hair wigs, Viking helmets and other colorful garb to help them complete the momentary illusion of being Eric Clapton or Lenny Kravitz. Others serve as hosts of competitive tournaments where the winners receive real guitars.

Players come because, for most, it's as close as they'll get to being an actual rock star.

"The audience cheers and it's almost like being onstage," Mr. Wine said. "You don't get that playing the game in your living room."

I like this story because it shows how a transcendent game has had a cultural impact on the way people experience music in social spaces, something I never thought could happen, to be honest, especially considering how unpopular music games were in North America until now. Of course Japan has always had solid music games, especially with crazy peripherals in the arcades - Guitar Freaks was a fun one, although really hard for the casual player. Or maybe just really hard for me!