Before CDs (even before cassettes) gained popularity, there have been connections between video games and rock bands for many years. Although it may appear that artists are using cutting-edge technologies to market their music, this is actually not the case. Rock bands have used video games to expand their brand, their fan base, and their reach ever since they became commonplace in people’s homes.

Rock music is now more essential to video games than the other way around. With video videogame soundtracks, a business in which many make a decent solid income without ever needing to put out a record, every major console release includes a soundtrack that establishes the mood.

Some video games make advantage of well-known rock music visuals to draw in a broader audience. Consider PlayStation as well as other home console games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Without good branding, images, and music, these games would not be as successful.

According to Louder Sound, Guitar Hero ranks among the best-selling video games ever, and it did it by fusing its central ideas with graphics and branding. The same is true for mobile applications and games; a prime example is Monsters of Rock Megaways on some of the well-known betting platforms here. They use marketing techniques like Monsters of Rock branding, which was the initial name for what is currently known as Download, to pull in players who might not have otherwise become interested in their games.

Without the earliest adopters of rock and video gaming—bands that pushed the envelope in order to get their music and brand heard and into people’s homes—none of this would’ve been possible. These are a few of the games that have influenced how rock musicians and video game developers have worked together over the years.

Without the earliest adopters of rock and video gaming—bands that pushed the envelope in order to get their music and brand heard and into people’s homes—none of this would’ve been possible. These are a few of the games that have influenced how rock musicians and video game developers have worked together over the years.

Journey

In 1982, both video games and rock bands got their start. Journey were the stars of their very own video game for the Atari 2600, which was based on their 1981 song, “Don’t Stop Believin’“. 

Although it appears simple now, it was truly groundbreaking at the time, and it helped the band gain a whole new group of followers. Although their music was absent from the game because of technological limitations, it was nevertheless well-liked. The objective was to bring the band toward a show while avoiding fans, media, and promoters. The same game appeared in arcades a year later, where their music, or at least digitalized reproductions of their music, could be played.

Motley Crue

Motley Crue licensed their soundtrack to Electronic Arts, who created the Sega Genesis pinball simulation, even though there were no playable characters in it. 

It wasn’t much more sophisticated than a pinball game on a digital console, but when it was combined with “Dr. Feelgood“, “Home Sweet Home“, and “Live Wire“, it became Crue Ball. While Motley Crue fans were flipping balls all night long, it didn’t matter that the music wasn’t reproduced with the same fidelity as Spotify or other streaming services do now.

Aerosmith

Aerosmith has a back catalog that resonates with music fans of all ages, making them somewhat of an ageless rock act. 

The best game featuring their graphics and soundtrack was Revolution X, which was released in 1994 for the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and PlayStation, to mention a few. It was a straightforward rail shooter with songs like “Eat the Rich“ and “Walk This Way“. It was additionally an arcade machine, the gaming area in which it received the most favorable reviews for its ironic silliness and connection to the band.

Kiss

Kiss: Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child really features a tribute band that obtains superpowers rather than Kiss themselves. 

It’s based on the identical comic books by Todd McFarlane that were fueled by Kiss. When they recognized the game’s appearance, fans rushed to get it on Dreamcast and Windows. Although it didn’t receive great reviews, it did manage to appeal to band fans in a pretty distinctive way.