GUITAR HERO NIGHT AT GALLAGHER’S PUB:਍ഀ CULTURE, COMMUNITY FORMATION & CASUAL GAMING

Julia Lange (University of Michigan)

In the following, I take an ethnographic approach in examining the cultural phenomenon of Guitar Hero, through the particular exemplar of Guitar Hero nights at Gallagher’s Pub in Ocean Beach, California. I assert that casual video game play in਍ഀ public settings, such as at the Irish Pub, Gallagher’s, facilitates conversation, participation, and exemplifies the social potential of game play in community formation of a spectrum of young and older game players. Guitar Hero night at Gallagher’s Pub਍ഀ is significant for study of communication, culture, and community building as the interactions of game players and audience provide insight into the cultural phenomenon਍ഀ of new, casual video games in bar settings. I argue that participating in game play at Guitar Hero night at Gallagher’s Pub is not so much about competition, but instead਍ഀ about community, socializing, and bonding.