IT MIGHT have been the World Cyber Games (WCG), but the scene at Suntec Convention Hall 401 this afternoon was more like a rock concert.
Hard rock blasted from speakers in the hall, pumping out tunes from the likes of emo-rockers My Chemical Romance, Muse and other hair bands.
On a small stage at the front of the hall, two people did their best rock god imitations, hips thrusting, hair flying, fingers furiously strumming on... plastic guitars.
Welcome to the world of Guitar Hero III. Part video game, part adolescent rock star fantasy, and 100 per cent fun.
The game has taken the world by storm, and what a difference in made at the World Cyber Games yesterday.
The rock concert vibe at Suntec City was heightened by crowds swirling around two huge flat screens, cheering their Guitar Heroes.
In previous years, the scene at WCG was staid by comparison – all intense first-person shooters burning holes into computer screens and picking off baddies one by one.
There was Black Leather Jacket Guy, “shredding” (that’s rock-speak for ripping out guitar solos, all you pop fans out there). And Mohawk Guy, headbanging away. Even the occasional Avril Lavigne rocker chick-wannabe.
One thing most had in common? Real guitars are as useful to them as computers without mice.
As one gamer put it: “It’s so accessible, people who cannot play guitar in real life just play Guitar Hero III.”
Apart from the headbanging crowd, two other sights of note were spotted at WCG this year.
First, girl gamers. Absent at previous WCGs, they were at Suntec in some numbers, and were as adept at killing Counter Strike enemies as any male.
The other was Wilson “Tetra” Chia, who made the news earlier this year for beating up his manager during a game, landing himself a ban from the Championship Gaming Series.
One of the favourites, he managed to stay out of the limelight this time, quietly preparing to do battle... in Virtual Fighter 5.
Gamers rock on at the World Cyber Games
at Suntec City. ST PHOTO: Ashleigh Sim