posted by Zeke 09/06/10

One man, over twenty-four hours of non-stop Guitar Hero action. Can it be done? Will we achieve the Guinness World Record? Does it really matter?

Scroll past the vid for more details. Raaawk!

posted by Zeke 07/06/10

Q. So what's the deal-e-o?

A. With a fire in my heart and a plastic guitar in my hand, I contacted Guinness and asked them if anyone had done a single player marathon run. They said "Nopers! You do it!". Actually, they asked me to fill out a lengthy application form and wait six weeks. Then they told me I could totally do it and that the benchmark would be set at 24 hours minimum.

Q. When and where are you doing it? Your bedroom?

A. The date is Saturday, June 26. Time: starts 10am, end when my arm inevitably falls off.

As for the location, Dan Blasor, ultra-studly DJ extraordinaire, has kindly organized the whole thing for me at his venue: Stars Bar and Cafe, Market Square, Aylesbury.

Q. Why, though?

A. We're raising money for the Stoke Mandeville spinal unit, one of the best causes we can think of. So come along and put some money in the pot, y'hear? We're selling tickets for the overnight portion of the event as well, so that should generate a big wad of cash.

Also, I'll relish the opportunity of reminding people that I have a World Record in Totally Rocking Out every time I have a conversation with someone for the next sixty years.

Q. Come along, you say? Tickets, you say?

A. Why yes! It's free to come along and the drinks are oh-so cheap. You can even play Guitar Hero with us, or join in the karaoke (I'll be doing the record attempt in the cocktail lounge so as to not interrupt the revellers who really couldn't care less).

If you want to hang around after 3am on the Sunday though to witness the final stretch of the marathon, you'll need a ticket. They're priced at £10 and WILL NOT be sold on the day, so contact Dan via his Facebook in advance and all will be good in the world.

Q. So you're really going to play for 24 hours?

A. Longer, if I don't collapse.

Q. What are the rules? Do you get breaks?

A. This is literally the most FAQ of the FAQ. Yes, I get a few scant breaks during the run in order to... er, relieve myself of all the energy drinks I'll be downing. But for what they're worth, calling them 'breaks' is a bit strong.

As for the rest of the rules, there are about four hundred pages of them and they're pretty hairy. The main ones: I must not be inactive for any longer than 20 SECONDS while playing, and that includes menu screens (but excluding loading time), otherwise it's game over. I can only play one game from the Guitar Hero series (we're going with 5, which is better for people to jump in and out and doesn't have many menu screens).

Q. I could totally stay awake for 24 hours!

A. Could you stay awake for more like 36 hours by the time you get up to prepare for the event? Could you stare at a screen filled with moving dots for 24 hours? Can you do this while you feel tendonitis take over your ungodly hand position? How many times can you listen to Taylor Swift before your mind shatters like dropped porcelain?

Q. Still not put off!

A. It's a record, and records are made to be broken. If you think you've got the stones, go for it!

Q. Will there be a Guinness official at the event?

A. I looked into this, because it's easier than submitting the masses of evidence they require to certify the record. Do you know how much they charge? £3,000 per day. And that's before expenses - so depending on what they class as a 'day', we're looking at about £7k.

Looks like I'll be submitting the masses of evidence they require to certify the record, then.

Q. What if you fail?

A. I'll feel very, very silly.

Q. I need to contact you or Dan.

A. Contact details and things up on the right, but here's our e-mail addresses again just for kicks:

Zeke: zeke [at] stars-power [dot] com
Dan: E-mail him here.