Guitar Hero Franchise Hits $1 Bln Mark

According to NPD, the Guitar Hero video game franchise has set an industry record with North American sales over $1 billion in 26 months.

According to market research firm NPD Group, Activision’s Guitar Hero franchise has set a video game industry sales record, surpassing $1 billion in North American sales in 26 months. What’s more, the latest installment, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, is now that top-selling single-year video game title of all time in terms of units and total dollars earned.

“Guitar Hero is one of the biggest brands and one of the most powerful distribution platforms in all of entertainment today,” said Activision CEO Michael Griffith. “Guitar Hero’s popularity with broad audiences is a confirmation that video games have become a true mass medium.”

NPD says the Guitar Hero franchise has moved more than 14 million units in North America since its introduction in late 2005. The franchise is now seeing some competition from titles like Rock Band, which lets players take on the roles of drummers, singers, and bassists in addition to the now-traditional iconic rock guitar god.